Job Discussion Forums

[Willy_In_Japan]

Considering that James Naismith was attending Presbyterian College in Montreal in 1890, and the Director of Physical education at McGill in Montreal, it is not quite accurate to say that he spent all of his adult life in the United States.

He invented Basketball shortly after that while still a Canadian citizen, and did not take American citizenship until he was 64 years old. Considering he was living in the United states, married to an American woman, it is not surprising. He became an American (I do not know if he gave up Canadian citizenship) 34 years after inventing Basketball, so there is nothing wrong with Canadians claiming Basketball was invented by a Canadian.

[mrjohndub]

Willy, I agree with you. Naismith was clearly of Canadian origin. On that note, I think Canadians should rightly feel pride. The sport, however, was 'born' in the United States.

Please let me draw a parallel. The Wright Brothers were from Ohio, born and raised. Their first flights took place in Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. Today, a national memorial stands there, and it is regarded as the birthplace of controlled, powered flight. Similarly, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame can be found in Springfield, Massachusetts, the site where basketball was first played...the birthplace of basketball.

History commonly credits the locality where an invention first took place as being the birthplace of whatever it is. Also, Naismith did not simply transport something that was already in the works to the U.S. and resume his work there. He was already a resident of the U.S. and remained so for the rest of his life, culminating in his naturalization later in his life.

So here's my question...where's the birthplace of basketball? Montreal? Springfield, Mass.?

I think that the facts would lead most objective observers to conclude that basketball was created in the U.S. by a U.S. resident employed at a U.S. institution of higher learning, who then went on to coach the sport in other U.S. institutions of higher learning, establish a national association of U.S. amateur and collegiate teams (NAIA), married two American wives, had five American children, and died an American citizen in the U.S.

Look, this is mostly an argument with the arrogant and bafflingly smug canuck. I mean to take nothing away from Canadians who are proud of Naismith's heritage.

Again, regarding Gretzky, it has been publicly announced that Janet Gretzky will be subpoenaed to testify in front of a grand jury (my mistake on earlier stating federal grand jury) convened in the State of New Jersey in the coming weeks. The article that canuck so kindly linked states exactly that. To say that Wayne Gretzky and his potential link in the matter is not being currently investigated, given the attention being paid to his wife's dealings, is illogical. To say he did nothing wrong is premature. The investigation is ongoing. We're not privy to enough information to conclude anything, but it is safe to say that he is under some form of investigation (which is what I originally stated). The portion of the investigation pertaining to his wife is moving along more noticably at the present time. canuck's comment that Wayne Gretzky did nothing wrong is his/her opinion, and cannot be substantiated, seeing as that has not been concluded publicly.

canuck: "Stay of(sic) the 'ludes"
???
As for canuck's insinuation that I must be abusing drugs, well, that's just canuck for you. He/she will resort to any childish remark he/she can summon when the going gets tough. Strictly a class move, there. He/she should get over himself/herself.

P.S. canuck, Many thanks for the barrage of bizarre, offensive and self-congratulatory PM's that you've been sending. My favorite parts are those where you make careless spelling errors. I know how much you like to light into other posters over similar oversights.

[canuck]

Take credit with whatever you would like. Your barrage of private messages to me, at first I might add, were clearly of the friendly nature.

[angrysoba]

You two

Watch the baseball!

[mrjohndub]

What is your point, canuck?

Now you resort to repeating what I said? You must be conceding that your remarks have been sufficiently debunked.

You'll try to mock anything, won't you? Even when it just makes you look like more of a windbag...

Regarding the WBC, I think a Cuba-Japan final would be great. I agree with other posters that the style of play in Japan--defensive focused--is very intriguing and adds more to an appreciation of the game. The WBC certainly has proven to be a worthwhile experience.

[canuck]

Ignoring the goof's comments, the baseball game was entertaining. It really could have been a blowout early, but Korea did an excellent job of getting out of trouble. Japan was even able to win dispite some suspect moves by Oh. However, the pinch hitter he sent in did has job wonderfully. It's too bad that Korea's worst game came against them in the semi-finals. I'm really looking forward to watching the finals.

[alexrocks]

Today's game was freakin' awesome! I wish I could watch the final on Tuesday morning. Oh well.

Go Japan!

[angrysoba]

It seemed to me that Oh made really good decisions throughout the game.

Canuck, what problems did you have with his tactics?

I found the American commentary unintentionally funny on jsky sports. Although the commentators were trying to be respectful it was funny to hear them call Japan's manager O-san everytime.

Anyway, good luck Japan. Korea had been more deserving up till now but let's see Japan win now.

[alexrocks]

Korea was more deserving, that's true, since their overall record was far more impressive than any other team's. Though being able to perform "when it counts", so to speak, is an essential part of pretty much any sport, whether it be the World Series, the World Cup, or whatever.

I have to say though, I was absolutely amazed by the Korean defense, particularly the infielders. They seemed more like perfected machines than men. Absolutely amazing.

[canuck]

Here's an interesting article about Ichiro.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AqN6cXNpySG5QIoWKZBJvTg5nYcB?slug=jp-ichiro032006&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

[LobsterSan]

So what's the deal? They're not broadcasting the final game live on free TV? That blows...

[canuck]

I'm watching it on TV in Japan. Channel 10 where I'm at.

[LobsterSan]

Awesome! I forgot my TV is kind of quirky and you have to use the remote to actually get all the channels. Thanks! 日本がんばっれ！

As an aside, anyone know a website that shows tv listings and scheduling for the Fukuoka area? I haven't watched much TV since coming to Japan, but since the WBC came I've been enjoying it quite a bit. I think it'll improve my Japanese skills to boot.

[Hoser]

Wow it looks like they might actually win. Hopefully this goes a long way to solving their inferiority complex or at least the one they should have for being so terrible at basically every other sport.

[canuck]