Bleacher Report - Articles by Tyler Nasmith

Believe it U.S. Citizens, Lebron Will Be Coming to Toronto

Tyler Nasmith — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:26:59 -0400

To you American NBA fans who just can't wrap your collective head around the idea that Toronto is now a leading centre of an emerging global culture: get a passport, buy/google a map, and plan a trip.

LeBron is coming to the Raptors to win a mitten-full of NBA World Titles, son.

Currency issue: what currency issue? So long as the U.S. is sucking on Tar Sands oil, the Canadian dollar will hover around the 90/US dollar mark where our export manufacturers and professional basketball franchise will adjust to compete and win.

So then you scream, "Bloody pinko Taxes."

And I of course scream back, "Check-out of the U.S. debt-economy and into universal healthcare, universal education, clean/safe cities with lots of trees, TO's throbbing live music/restaurant/club/film scene, and no Rush Limbaugh, son."

The Raptors will generate enough revenue as "Canada's Team" to pay LeBron as much as any other NBA franchise would. And again, the idea that LeBron would not make as much endorsement earnings will depend on whether he prefers American branding or Global branding. The future is global, just ask Stern himself.

If LeBron wants to be the American face of the NBA, then he should most certainly play for the Lakers or Knicks.

But if LeBron and the League want him to be a global sports icon like MJ once was, then Toronto is now the launching pad of choice for the NBA.

All LeBron need do is pack a bag, follow the south shore of Lake Erie to Buffalo, and drive north into a Raptors Kingdom waiting to crown him the NBA World Champion.

Fourteen Ways America is Killing My Hockey Buzz

Tyler Nasmith — Thu, 14 May 2009 22:04:08 -0400

In no particular order.

1. U.S. arena scheduling: Yanni likes

2. Versus telecasts: unwatchable

3. ESPN: hockey-haters

4. Bettman: anti-Canadian

5. Atlanta and Nashville fans: clueless

6. Jack Edwards: jack-ass

7. All other FSN announcers: uber-homers

8. Florida (GO Gators!)

9. Tennesse (GO Vols!)

10. Arizona (GO Cats!)

11. Georgia (GO Tech!)

12. Callers to NHL Live: oxygen-deprived

13. Barry Melrose: star-struck

14. Wayne Gretzky: sun-stroked

That is all.

When the NHL Splits In Two...

Tyler Nasmith — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 10:09:12 -0400

When the Owners and their GMs eventually split the NHL into a no-fighting, Euro-style league based in the American south and a league based in Canada, I wonder in which the Red Wings will play.

I'll bet the fans of North American-style physical play in Boston, Buffalo, Philly, Pittsburgh, Chicago, and New York will demand their team play in the elite league with Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Hamilton, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Quebec City.

But what about the fans in "Hockey Town?"

My Question: will the Red Wings continue to go Euro-style or will the Red Wings return to their Original Six roots?

Leafs Sink Canadiens Season: Goodbye Price, Hello Lecavalier

Tyler Nasmith — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 22:08:09 -0500

Just as this economic crisis is an opportunity for new ideas to flourish, the Canadiens devastating 5-2 home loss to the arch-rival Maple Leafs on Saturday night is an opportunity for Montreal GM Bob Gainey to do the once unthinkable.

Carey Price must go if for no other reason than to ensure the opportunity for future greatness.

Halak has proven this season to have the talent and psyche to be a starting goalie in the NHL.

And Lecavalier wants to play in his hometown, I have heard and said enough times here on the streets of Montreal to accept it as fact.

Mr. Gainey, now is the time for the extraordinary.

Fighting in Hockey: Even Don Cherry Doesn't Understand Why It's Part of the Game

Tyler Nasmith — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 01:16:36 -0500

At any given moment in any given game, any player can end the season of another with one swing of their stick.

Hockey is a sport which requires bursts of controlled chaos a half-minute at a time. Any player at any time can give and receive a number of punishing blows.

Through a shift, a period, and a game, the physical and emotional intensity inevitably heightens to a point at which the tension of the conflict has to give way to the resolution of the conflict.

So do the players risk their careers with injury and/or suspension by turning their sticks to weapons and attack each other?

No. Two professional fighters square-off at centre ice and pound on each other in a collective catharsis for both teams and rabid fans alike.

When the fight produces a winner both professionals skate away uninjured and the game continues.