According to a study done by Microsoft Canada, the average attention span of humans is now just 8.25 seconds. Let’s ignore that fact that study was conducted by the same people who gave us Windows Vista and Internet Explorer and take them at their word. The miniscule number may seem implausible but it makes sense. Think about that way we now consume sports. On television, cameras switch the camera angle, cut to announcers, instant replays, fans shots or computer-generated graphics after every play. On mainstream sports websites, such as ESPN.com, there are auto-play videos, pop-up ads, photos, videos and thumbnails to other stories every few inches on the screen. Social media websites and apps such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Vine ensure that we are able to move to the next topic in record time. Therefore, in honor of our attention spans, or lack thereof, here are the short and random ramblings of a scatterbrained sports writer.
Shout out to the Kansas City Royals. I realize that some St. Louisans are still bitter from the I-70 series in 1985 when umpire Don Denkinger royally shafted the Redbirds. However, the Cardinals have played in five World Series since, winning two world championships. Until last season, the Royals hadn’t even made the playoffs since ’85. The scrappy Royals team reminded me a lot of the Cardinals 2011 championship squad that simply refused to lose, no matter the inning or the odds. This isn’t the Cubs, in the absence of the Cardinals, I will gladly and proudly root for Missouri’s other team. Congrats KC. The wait was long overdue. That said, expect the Redbirds to reload this offseason. We’re coming for you.
Give the Black Mamba a break. As a recovering Kobe Bryant-hater, many presume I would be thrilled to watch Bryant struggle through a terrible spell to start the season. The Lakers great has come full circle to the air-balling, shot-forcing 18-year-old, minus the hops and athleticism. But I refuse to revel in his losing fight with Father Time. What did people expect? Bryant is coming off two consecutive season-ending injuries at the age of 37. He’s put a lot of miles on those tires, but made plenty of epic memories. As Bryant works his way back into shape, two things will likely happen. First, he’ll go off every once in a while to remind everyone why he’s one of the greatest talents that game has ever seen. Secondly, he’ll probably get hurt again and be forced to walk away. Regardless, I won’t revel in the superstar’s last days. I’d rather tip my cap to O.G. Kobe and wish him the best.
Gurley’s vision is đŸ’¯! People across the NFL have taken notice to Rams running back Todd Gurley. There’s no coincidence the Rams are 3-1 since Gurley made his way onto the football field. Some have already called him the best running back in the league. Gurley is a rare blend of speed and power, however his vision is what really sets him apart. Gurley is running behind a so-so offensive line and has little support from a below average passing game. But watch the youngster run and you’ll see that he rarely misses the hole, and if there’s no hole, he’ll cut back and find one. Gurley’s vision is second-to-none. Though the sample size is small, I haven’t seen a running back with such great vision since Marshall Faulk. If anybody besides Gurley and Tavon Austin can figure out how to actually catch that oblong ball a few times per game, Gurley could run the Rams right into the playoffs.
Fastest backtrack of the season. Last week in my NBA column, I mentioned that LeBron James is still the best player in the world and listed guys who were hot on his tail. I was wrong. Stephen Curry now sits atop the Iron Throne. Curry is like the guy who cheeses on NBA 2K, hitting fake shots until you hurl your controller through the TV in disgust – only it’s real life. The certified shot-maker and ankle-breaker is playing on a level beyond anybody in the game right now – King James included. Considering he’s already coming off a championship and MVP season, there’s really no reasonable argument otherwise. All hail King Curry.
Amir Khan should just shut up. Amir Khan might as well move to America and star in his own reality show. The British boxer and professional attention seeker managed to talk his way out of a lucrative fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. last year. Clearly he didn’t learn his lesson and now appears headed down the same route with Manny Pacquiao. Khan and his people have been insinuating that a fight against Pacquiao is essentially a done deal. However, Pacquiao’s promoter, Bob Arum, insists that no offer has been made and that the Filipino superstar is still mulling between Khan and WBO junior welterweight champion Terence Crawford for his next, and likely final, fight. Not that Arum is exactly Honest Abe, but unlike Mayweather, Pacquiao has generally put legacy and competition over cash. That means if Pac-Man is serious about following the route of Vitali Klitschko and retiring into the life of politics, Crawford is the likely choice. Expect a river of tears from Khan once the decision comes down.
In Zeke we trust. I’m not sure how Ohio State went from three All-American caliber quarterbacks to zero, but it happened. Still, the defending national champion sits at 8-0, primarily on the legs of Ezekiel Elliott and Braxton Miller. Elliott has rushed for more than 100 yards in 13 straight games, dating back to last season. Despite Ohio State’s QB carousel, Elliott continues to carry the team.
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