brianash

[brianash]

Steph Curry is a bad man. A bad man having a LOT of fun. And now he has Chris Paul’s ankles to put on his mantle. In the Warriors win over the Clippers in L.A. Tuesday night, Curry dropped CP3 with a disgusting behind the back crossover. CP now stands for Crutches, Probably. The man’s ankles are broken. 

Let’s break down this most embarrassing of moments for one Mr. Paul:

1. Curry is good at dribbling, attempts double crossover, is successful! 2. Paul decides to reach (OH NO WHY DID YOU REACH??). 3. Paul misses because the ball is no longer there, STUMBLES. 4. Curry realizes he has committed murder, the shot is all that remains. 5. Paul hopes against all odds (probably) that Curry misses the shot. 6. Curry buries the jumper. *cue bench reaction 7. CP3 is dead.

To recap, there are two moments that define the encounter. First, Paul realizes he has reached, missed, and is losing his footing. Curry is thinking “oh shit I just dropped this fool, I don’t believe that worked!” Second, Curry sees Paul going down, and now knows he just has to make the shot to drive the final nail in his coffin - ooh, kill em! Paul is thinking “please god miss this shot and spare my life,” but to no avail.

As a result of this singular moment, the potential Warriors-Clippers second round or Western Conference Final matchup is, for all intents and purposes, already over. Psychologically, Curry owns Paul. The Warriors own the Clippers. This happening in Los Angeles only serves to compound the effect. There is no coming back from this, Chris Paul.

The marketing angle on this is interesting, too. The folks at Under Armour (Curry) have some fresh content gold, while brand Jordan and Nike (CP3) have a social media disaster on their hands. Stay tuned to see how both companies react.

A moment of silence for Chris Paul. 

Vine by warriorsworld

[brianash]

All About the Spread: Utah, Duke, and a Foul for Vegas

With 0.7 seconds left and Duke up five in their Sweet 16 matchup with Utah Friday night, a Ute reached out and fouled a Blue Devil. The clock ticked away, the coaches shook hands, and the Utah players left the floor. But the refs insisted on the foul call, and trotted the players back out so the free throws could be taken. The first was missed, the second was made, the game was now really over, and Duke had covered the spread. By a half point.

For anyone who had any illusions about the impact that Vegas, and gambling in general, has on sports, I hope you were watching.

Let’s be clear here. It was a foul. By the letter of the law, the ref had every right to call it. But he also had every right to call what surely looked like a tie up and subsequent jump ball seconds before. While the jump ball would have stopped the clock, it meant nothing directly. The foul, however, meant the possibility of more points. That is the key.

The referees may not have known the exact spread, but they damn well knew there was one, and were well aware of the millions riding on every point. The last thing those refs wanted to do was open the door for criticism by putting the whistles away. They also, naturally, want to keep reffing in the tournament, and letting the foul slide would have guaranteed they watched the Elite 8 on TV along with all the bettors they would have wronged. There was zero room for decency; no way to let it go. 

Some of those Utah players had just left the court for the last time as a collegiate athlete, and that did not matter in the slightest. Cruel world. “Get back out there kid, there are tens of thousands of people with a lot of scratch riding on this game.” Of course, the irony is rich in that statement as we all know the players sure aren't the ones profiting. Just for some context, Darren Rovell reported that Duke covering the -5.5 points meant a staggering 55 million dollars being paid out.

Betting makes the sports world go round. In many ways, the straight up result is often somewhat meaningless, and that was clear in Houston tonight. Anyone who believes otherwise is foolish.

Footnote: A tip of the cap to the Vegas linesmakers. These guys are scary good at what they do. #math

[brianash]

Interview in the middle of nowhere and couldn't be happier. #Fall #MTL #BaieDUrfe #Canada

[brianash]

"Above anything else, I hate to lose." #JackieRobinsonDay #42 #Montréal

[brianash]

"You have to grip the club, don't you?" - Hogan #NewGrips #Habs #GolfPride #Callaway #Masters

[brianash]

Home, home on the range. #Golf #Masters

[brianash]

Hurry up, summer. #Balls

[brianash]

Pretty cool seeing your two favorite teams play each other in a European quarterfinal tie. #OL #Juve #EuropaLeague #Gerland

[brianash]

Old Man And Me

In early December at the Stadio San Paolo in Naples, Italy, a decisive UEFA Champions League Group F match was approaching the 70 minute mark, and SSC Napoli desperately needed all three points against Premier League giants Arsenal FC. This would be a massive result for a Serie A side who had fallen 2-nil in the English capital in October. Even then, the Italians did not control their own destiny; that privilege was enjoyed by German club Dortmund, who simultaneously played group minnows Marseille in southern France.

Some 5300 miles away in frigid Calgary, Alberta all was quiet at the sporting goods store where I work. Outdoor soccer (I really do prefer football, but that is an argument for another time) was far from feasible, but relegation to Champions League spectator is never a terrible substitute. I made my way to one of our store’s numerous televisions, and began watching the second half scenes from Naples.

I stood next to an older gentleman, and we craned our necks in unison to see the action. I commented on the poor setup of the aging stadium, the cameras often showing glimpses of the nearly empty seats nearest the pitch (pictured below). The tens of thousands in attendance were mostly found in the upper sections, optically strange for such an important game featuring a “Big 4” English club. Perhaps the city’s economic situation, featuring the highest unemployment rate in all of Italy, had something to do with it, but perhaps not. To really see top level football, being close to the pitch is surely not an advantage.  And Italians know a thing or two about football. The man, as I soon found out, knew a thing or two about the beautiful game himself.

In the 73rd minute, Gonzalo Higuaín broke the deadlock to put the home side up for good, and the old man celebrated quietly. “Job done, but qualification will still be tough,” his expression conceded. I had detected a faint accent in his previous remarks, so at this point I enquired about his homeland. He confirmed that he was in fact Italian. Better yet, he had grown up just 30km from the very stadium where this match was being played! The muted cheer suddenly made so much sense. Happy yes, to see his team win, but realistic about their slim chance of advancing. Understandable considering that he had witnessed Napoli’s glory days, the Maradona days. A Champions League group stage win, even against the likes of Arsenal, just isn’t as exciting after watching one of the greatest of all time. Dortmund won at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille, thus cementing Napoli’s third place group finish.

As the remaining minutes of the match ticked away, we shared stories about travel, about football. I was giddy, as always when I meet an Italian, to talk about Baggio, Pirlo, and my love of the Azzurri way of playing the game. I was also thrilled to tell him of my European semester abroad, and my ability to see Champions League matches (in person!) in Lyon. All the while, I hoped to gain just a shred of credibility, to have my football knowledge validated by a man more than worthy of passing judgement. My experiences were, of course, easily trumped by tales of his many quadrennial trips to UEFA’s European Championships, and anecdotes of some of the biggest national team matches he had seen live.

Inevitably, the final whistle sent us both on our separate ways, but not before the gentleman asked if I had plans to go to Brazil for the World Cup. I replied, simply, that it would be a dream. With one question, he had acknowledged my love of the sport, a sport that is in his blood. And that was it. Just twenty minutes in December. Just an old man and me.

[brianash]

The Shot:

Jigga said it best: “Psycho: I’m liable to go Michael, take your pick. Jackson, Tyson, Jordan, Game 6.” That shot. I try to replicate it in gymnasiums, on the playground, anywhere with a hoop.  Every time. I have to. The stepback crossover, the perfect stroke, the drawn out follow through, the hand left suspended in the air, in the moment. Of course, I’m not doing it on the road in Utah, or in Game 6 of the Finals against Stockton, against Malone. I’m not doing it in the dying seconds, with the game on the line, to win a sixth NBA championship. And of course, I get as many attempts as I want to be satisfied with the motion, the shot, and the swish. I can’t possibly imagine how it felt to make that shot, Jordan’s shot, but I can sure as hell try. The shot. The ultimate dagger. The perfect end to a career (or at least the real career).

[brianash]

ITTF Social Media Intern Application - Twitter Mock Up

[brianash]

ITTF Social Media Intern Application

Brian Ash – Social Media Role Justification - March 3, 2014

My creativity and expertise is ideally suited to the social media role. Interaction across every platform is paramount for adding another level of involvement and excitement to the event, both for those at the Championships and fans around the world. Given today’s unparalleled access to instantaneous information, developing segments, features, and contests that are both exclusive and entertaining would be a fantastic challenge.

Social media will serve to provide fans with lightning fast news, matchups, results, and injury updates. Exposure for chosen hashtags and slogans such as #TTokyo2014 will help to ensure that the competition is trending globally. Once feature articles, interviews, and highlights are compiled, social media will get that content out to the world within seconds.

We will allow the athletes to showcase their personalities away from the court and the press room as their schedule permits, strengthening the connection between player and fan. Some ideas for these types of segments could include following players as they take in Tokyo’s sights and sounds, taste local cuisine, and learn basic Japanese phrases, for example.

The creation of a “social shack” in the venue (with refreshments, a table tennis table, media and sponsor logos, and roped off fans close by) will allow players to visit at their leisure after a meal, match, or training to answer a fan question or take a quick photo for Instagram/Twitter/Weibo (#SmashingSelfie/#CounterHits on Twitter mockup). The social shack concept was a big hit with fans at this year’s Australian Open in tennis and it could thrive in Tokyo.

An advantage of social media is its versatility. These initiatives will operate on a small budget and can be easily modified to succeed under most circumstances. Providing an inexpensive value add for major sponsors when possible through exposure, prizes, etc. is also beneficial for all parties.

#HireBrianAshForSocialMediaIntern!

[brianash]

ITTF Media Internship Application - Faux 3rd Person Interview

Game Point: Talented Canadian Vies For Prestigious Internship

Calgary, AB - February 28, 2014

Brian Ash got his start in the sport of table tennis at a very young age. “I think I was born with a racquet in my hand,” jokes the 25 year old native of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. That, of course, is not really all that far off. His father Brian (Sr.), a table tennis patriarch in his home province, commissioned a family friend to craft a tiny paddle (pictured below) for his infant son. The rest, as they say, is history.

I caught up with Brian at the People’s Table Tennis Club in Calgary, Alberta. He is hoping to land a thrilling role as a media intern with the International Table Tennis Federation for the upcoming ZEN-NOH World Team Table Tennis Championships in Tokyo, Japan. A recent graduate from Memorial University in St. John’s with degrees in both International Business and French, Ash knows an internship of this magnitude would serve as invaluable experience in his pursuit of a marketing communications career in international sport. “Of course, the opportunity to see world class table tennis in Tokyo, and to actually contribute to an event of this calibre, it’s just the stuff of dreams,” he adds.

Brian’s potential contributions would not be limited to his command of his mother tongue, however, as he is also fluent in French. His business and language studies allowed for two semesters abroad in France, and his table tennis racquet accompanied him on both occasions. “In small town Saint-Pierre and big city Lyon, table tennis was very popular,” he explains. “I have had the pleasure of playing with the French, Germans, Chinese, Czechs, Croats, Argentines, Australians, you name it!” While communication sometimes    proved difficult, the universal language of table tennis brought them all together. And as a former Canada Games (pictured below) and National Championship athlete in table tennis as a junior, he was able to hold his own. “I think I surprised a few of the Asians and Europeans, especially. Nobody thought the Canadian could play!”

The ambitious, marketing savvy, and sports passionate Ash now has his sights set on growing the prominence of table tennis in North America, and thinks the Championships in Tokyo would provide incredible insights into how a world class event is run, notably on the continent where it is king. “North America has a lot to learn from Asia, certainly in terms of presentation and promotion. From the athletes and the venues to sponsorship and media coverage, Asia is second to none,” he says. Brian understands that the major sports leagues on this continent (hockey in particular in Canada) have more general relevance right now, but believes that table tennis will emerge in time with the correct strategy. “The concussion debate in contact sports will mean more and more potential table tennis players in the future, so capitalizing on that opportunity is key. Table tennis is all about speed, skill, and intense competition, but it is very safe and can be enjoyed for life,” he outlines, all attractive factors for newcomers. Brian would also love to see international and Olympic success for Canadians in the sport, as it would jumpstart a surge in table tennis popularity (not to mention funding).

Tokyo would definitely be a foreign environment for Brian, but his unbridled enthusiasm for both travel and table tennis would ease the transition should he be selected by the ITTF. The World Team Championships run from April 28 - May 5 in the Japanese capital. While the competition for the three intern positions will be fierce, this penholder would certainly like to see Ash get the chance to shake hands with the world’s elite.

[brianash]

It's The Little Things

Sochi's Olympic torch may be extinguished, but these Games, like the others before them, have left us with incredible moments of unbridled selflessness and pure sportsmanship. These moments, seen by the world, serve to validate the IOC mandate of connecting us all through sport.

Of all those moments, two stick out; both (not surprisingly) involving Canadians. First, the Canadian cross-country ski coach rushing to provide a ski to a Russian athlete who had broken one of his. Second, Canadian speedskater Gilmore Junio giving up his place in the 1,000 metre final to teammate Denny Morrison who had fallen attempting to qualify for the event at the national trials. Morrison won bronze, but that was simply icing on the cake. While most will eventually forget who won the medals, the images of athletes, coaches, or volunteers excelling as human beings are timeless. 

However, after being captivated by Olympic coverage over the last 16 days, one can't help but think that 99% of the instances of sport bringing out the best in people are never preserved on film; are never seen by the world. But that does not make them any less meaningful, especially for those involved.

Just days ago a young boy, let's say 10, was putting on the fake green at the sporting goods store where I work. He missed and missed and missed again, but was never deterred and kept on trying. His mother, clearly ready to move on, waited impatiently for him to get his fill. It became clear that he wasn't going to leave until he made that putt, and mom did not want to deny him that satisfaction. I saw an opportunity to give the kid a few simple pointers, and within a few attempts, he finally sunk one. He was ecstatic, mom too. Perhaps because it meant they could proceed with their evening, but glad to see her son succeed too. And I think I was more content than both of them.

Had the kid tried a couple of times and given up, I would have never noticed. But he kept going. A handful of basic tips were nothing to provide compared to what I got in return. At a time when I often question my countless 'dream job' applications with little to show for them, he showed me that determination can in fact lead to the promised land. 'Mom' can always wait until you reach your goal, and she'll be happy when you do.

Just yesterday, I was skating and shooting alone on an outdoor rink. Headphones in, sun shining, about as good as it gets for a February day off in Canada. After an hour or so, a family (mother, two daughters, son) arrived. I thought of my minor hockey days, and the thrill of  just getting on the ice, especially before practices really begun. Those precious minutes where we were free to do as we pleased. As a Newfoundlander new to outdoor rink culture, I find myself discovering that freedom all over again.  

The young boy slowly ventured away from his family, choosing rather to shoot on the net where I did the same. I fired him a pass, and it was returned. For the next 20 minutes or so, we skated, passed, shot and laughed. Mom gave me a couple of approving smiles, and the kid was having a blast. But once again, I found myself getting more from the experience than either of them could possibly fathom. Just 7 or 8, and he knew where to go on the ice, knew where I was going to be. After watching our Olympic hockey team win gold, this just reaffirmed that hockey truly is our game. It's in our blood, our DNA. I went back to the rink today. I skated, I shot, and I laughed with my friends. The kid was not there this time, but he didn't need to be. My spirit for the game has certainly been rejuvenated.

We don't need the Olympics to experience olympic moments, to connect through sport and better ourselves. We don't need five rings or an international television audience to look within and find opportunities to do the right thing. So use sport to put a smile on a child's face, because they will surely return the favour tenfold, and that is worth its weight in gold.

[brianash]

At least one Subban jersey saw some ice time today. #ODR #WednesdayFunday

[brianash]

Da, da, Canada! Nyet, nyet, Soviet. #Canada #Olympics #Sochi

[brianash]

MLK. Confirmed cool dude. #MartinLutherKingJrDay