I just finished reading a blog that bemoaned the decline in the quality of the Throwdowns here on FN. The guy feels that TD's are no place for opinions. Readers should vote on the quality of the arguments regardless of how they feel. If they want to express an opinion they should go out to the threads. That's what they're there for.

He blames the "newbies" for the decline and for the lack of participation of the "Old Timers". He believes that members should judge the topic strictly on the merits of the facts presented in a TD. He thinks people have no business voting on a TD unless they follow his logic. Of course... he's not expressing an opinion when he states such BS. He is stating a widely known and undisputed fact... one he made up... but a fact in his mind never-the-less

Obviously the user thinks that throwdowns are the realm of "Those Who Know Their Sports Stuff!!" What a joke!!

When I first joined FN I checked out the TD's. By and large they were stupid, poorly written verbal jousts between serious homers with even more serious personal bias when it came to the topic. TD's often feature such classic and timeless topics as "Peyton Manning is greater than any other QB from the 1930's" or "Tom Brady will have 5 more basterd children before he wins his next superbowl."

After reading the arguments both pro and con, many wise and insightful ding-a-lings are inspired to respond and spout all kinds of ridiculous OPINIONS that they insist are undeniabley correct and that none would dispute unless you're a complete idiot... or a fan of a team other than the one they rooted for. Something I always found amusing at best and absolutely ludicrous at times.

FN users and sports fans in general often mistake their own personal views as absolute facts and think anyone who doesn't share their view is a total moron. Just look at all the lunatics that have already crowned, Kobe "It's all about me" Bryant, as the greatest basketball player that ever was or will be. Kobe in his prime can beat any other player ever in their prime and that's a fact... at least if you come from LaLa-Land anyway. Even more embassasing when you consider that a guy named Magic Johnson, a legitimate candidate for the greatest of all time, in my opinion, came from the same town.

To "Old Timers" like me Kobe couldn't hold a candle to Magic... and. IMHO, that's a fact, Jack!

The problem with sports is that a lot of people put a lot of stock into statistics. They base their views on a players averages for a year or a career to make their argument seem valid. They disregard the results when they don't jibe with their stats.

Wilt Chamberlain won about every individual scoring and rebound title to be had. He once AVERAGED 50 points and 25 rebounds in a single season. He led the league in assits.. something unheard of for a center in this day and age. He was the ultimate nemesis for Bill Russell and the Boston Celtics.

In the end, while winning few if any individual honors, Bill Russell won 13 championships.

In my opinion Bill Russell was by far the better player. You can take all the awards and scoring titles and stick them where the sun don't shine. This is a case where the facts just don't add up.

Much like the average TD. To which I am sure most TD'ers would respond...

OH YEAH!!! SAYS YOU, BUDDY!!!