Player injuries....

[RickN]

I suspect that a lot of injuries reported by players are fake ones.
I know that Guga and Gaudio have withdrawn from Wimbledon with a hip and foot injury respectively. They haven't played any matches since the FO and seeing how their games are at a disadvantage on the slick grass, it makes me wonder whether or not they are really hurt. Millions of people would die at the opportunity to play at Wimbledon yet these guys just don't care. Agassi is one of my favorite players and he is probably best known for skipping tournaments due to "injuries." I'm sure there will be a few more claycourt guys that will be "injured" this week and will skip Wimbledon. What's everyone's opinion on this matter?

 

[NoBadMojo]

i think some are actually injured and some are not. who can know? guga has had hip surgery and they say he has never really been able to get back to where he was movementwise and he has been playing lots lately i think, but it could be that it now becomes a convenient excuse for him. i think many of them obviouly dont wish to train for basically a one event grasscourt season, especially if they dont like their chances at all. ed

 

[GrassCourtFan]

My opinion is that it IS NOT BENEFICIAL to those claycourters to try to revamp their game for grass, probably lose early anyway, and then try to readjust back to clay for a couple of weeks, and then adjust to hardcourts.

There just isn't a reason for them to do it.

Not for prestige - they're not going to win the tournament, at best they'll win a couple of rounds.
Not for ranking points - the amount they would win on their least favorite surface is pretty small, and they risk losing many more through fatigue or having to quickly adjust surfaces.
Not for money - they have enough.

Why, then? Because these tournaments have been around for longer than others? Because fans want to see them?

Some do play, like Ferrero. He might miss Wimby this year, but that's because of a genuine injury; he's announced his intention to do well there, and played last year, getting to the round of 16.

But some players use it as an opportunity to take a break, a mid-season vacation, to rest. And that's their choice, which I don't blame them for.

 

[pound cat]

When money is the decider and name of the game is only to win lots by a career as a pro player, none of this "is he injured, is he not" enters into the equation" This isn't the tennis of 10 years ago...no glory here. it's money. money, money. So, some say they are injured, do they care what anyone thinks? I don't think so. Whatever's convenient. This is 2004. Money, money, unfortunately.

 

[Phil]

But some players use it as an opportunity to take a break, a mid-season vacation, to rest. And that's their choice, which I don't blame them for.

I blame them for it. They are PROFESSIONALS and to skip one of the four Slams claiming "injury" just to get out of losing a first round match, to me, is total b.s. They can always take a "break" after Wimbledon-there's six months left in the season.

Guga has skipped Wimbledon several times-Corretja and other Spanish crybabies boycotted it one or two years, and Muster, another absolute NOTHING of a player on surfaces other than clay, did the same. To me, it smacks of disrespect and fear. People often criticize the US players for their poor performance at RG, but at least they SHOW UP-all of them who can get into the tournament-because it's a SLAM. I also give Ferraro credit for his performance last year, but he has the game to win some matches off of the clay, and these other puss**s have no valid excuse. You can't improve on a surface if you're too darned scared to even try it.

 

[jings]

Different sport but related ... Golfers regularly have doctors sign off on fictitious injuries to avoid tournaments that they have previously committed to, thus avoiding penalties. A certain tall Fijian player is renowned for a "chronic" recurring foot problem that seems to flare up whenever faced with a trip he no longer wishes to make .... usually after he's just banked a big cheque and so feels he doesn't need to show... but again money at the root of the problem.

 

[GrassCourtFan]

I blame them for it. They are PROFESSIONALS and to skip one of the four Slams claiming "injury" just to get out of losing a first round match, to me, is total b.s. They can always take a "break" after Wimbledon-there's six months left in the season.

Exactly. They're PROFESSIONALS. Tennis is their JOB, not their pastime. Why on earth WOULD they come to Wimbledon? Why take the break later, and lose potential ranking points, potential good results, as opposed to taking the break right after the French Open, and spare themselves the trouble of having to switch surfaces over and over?

Because Wimbledon has more prestige behind it? Why on earth would they CARE? They're working their asses off every day, and don't want to waste themselves for the sake of the "prestige" of certain events that they're "supposed" to, for some reason, worship compared to the others.

 

[alienhamster]

Yeah--I was about to post this on the thread below. You know, I really love Guga as a player and as just a generally all-around nice guy, but it is really crappy that he always finds some reason to skip Wimbledon. He (and the other clay courters, esp. Moya) ought to respect the tournament, the tour, and the fans and at least show up.

We should also note here that in addition to Ferrero, Coria also seems to be committed to playing on grass. Heck, he even signed up for 2 warm-up tournaments this year! Gotta give some props to the little whiny baby.

 

[Phil]

Exactly. They're PROFESSIONALS. Tennis is their JOB, not their pastime.

Which is why there is NO reason for them to make lame excuses to avoid Wimbledon. Has nothing to do with "prestige" or "worship". Part of being a professional, as you may learn one day, is buckling down and facing challenging/difficult tasks. All of the Slams are equally important. So-called grass players have an EQUALLY short time in which to prepare for Wimbledon. These players-the ones who year after year excuse themselves from the tournament lack integrity and honesty. Why don't they just tell the truth-"I'm a puss**, and I don't want to lose to a guy who, on clay, I would normally own." These so-called professionals are lame. Period. They spit on the game and the fans.

 

[RickN]

Seeing how they all belong to the ATP Tour, they should follow the rules and enter all the TMS & Grand Slams. The fans should be number list on their priority list, seeing how it's the fans that support the sport.
I agree with Phil that although Americans suck on red clay, they still show up, hoping to improve.

 

[alienhamster]

I was just remembering that, besides injuries, the clay courters have also used the excuse that Wimbledon is biased against them because they tinker with the seedings. Not showing up, then, is sort of a protest of this practice.

Or that's probably just how they want it to appear in the public eye. Just seems like they're uncommited and lazy, to me. And I'm *glad* Wimbledon messes with the seeding. The other slams should, too, especially if it's based on previous performance on the same surface.

 

[Fee]

Well, the 'Rebound Ace' season is even shorter than the grass season, and it's farther away. Does this mean we'll see a mass boycott of that Slam next year too?

Any player that has withdrawn from Wimbledon with a bogus injury because he doesn't like the surface has lost my respect forever. I agree that all of the American players deserve kudos because they are at least willing to give it a try when it comes to clay. Count me among those who want to find a way to make the grass season just a few weeks longer. Either that, or split the tours in two as some have suggested in the past.

 

[AAAA]

Everyone I want to see (Federer, Henman, Roddick) at Wimbledon is turning up. Who cares if Gaudio pulls out. It's not like he believes or will entertain us viewers on a grass court.

If the players 'owe it' to the fans to turn up at every slam then they also equally 'owe it' to the fans to entertain them. Frankly apart from champions like J. McEnroe, Connors, Borg, Nastase, Becker, Agassi (bandana pirate and neon version) , Kuerten, Bruguera, Courier and Federer the rest have been lack lustre in the entertainment department. I'm glad those other champs are not playing Yawn tennis anymore.

Those clay courters are turning down prize money and possible sponsor appearance money by skipping Wimbledon.

 

[Camilio Pascual]

These guys care, RickN, they just don't care for the same things you do. I think most claycourters are foolish to compete in Wimby unless they are talented enough to really do well on grass and possibly get a career Grand Slam. Let's face it these guys don't have Borg's game and skills to do it. Much better to spend the time getting ready for the summer hardcourt season and the many more points they have a realistic chance to capture. They care about keeping their ranking up, not Wimby, as they should.

 

[Robbiser]

I agree with Phil about American players at RG. Dent is a prime example. That type of attitude is commendable.

That said, he should cut Muster some slack. He was not a "complete nothing on other surfaces". He semi'd at the Australian, and made the quarters at the US several times. That does not include winning the Lipton (poetic justice) and maknig the Final at Indianappolis (L to Sampras). Don't forget the Paris Indoors that he won. He tried 5 times to get out of the first round at W. He never did. He also showed up at a
few grass court tune ups.

 

[Verbal_Kint]

Muster was told that he should not play more than 4 hardcourt tournaments a year after his knee-destroying injury. This kept him from competing more on hardcourts IMO.

Marnix

 

[@wright]

LMAO, Phil. I'd trade my career for Muster's non-clay career any day of the year. I think these players should ditch the pu$$ mindset and get some variety in their games to compete on fast surfaces. If they prepared for grass, the fast hardcourts would seem much easier to compete on for the rest of the summer.

 

[david aames]

Hold on, Golf is played on grass no?

Muster was told that he should not play more than 4 hardcourt tournaments a year after his knee-destroying injury. This kept him from competing more on hardcourts IMO.

Marnix

 

[bigserving]

Tennis tournaments are merely exhibitions with prize money played for the entertainment of fans.

We are talking about the best players in the world. All of these players have strengths and weaknesses including favorite surfaces.

It sounds to me like the fans would like to see the best players compete in different conditions and on different surfaces. Fans should demand it.

It is beyond me how someone could turn down an all-expense paid trip with first class accomodations to England. While they are there, play a little tennis and walk away with, at least, $15k. What else do they have to do with their time?

 

[drakulie]

Pete Sampras was not a great, or for that matter a good clay court player. Yet every year he humbled himself, went to France to try and win the French Open.

Character and courage, what most "clay court specialist" lack. They have a bad attitude about playing Wimbledon, and in my opinion should be banned a minimum of one year from playing in the pro circuit, when they refuse to play Wimbledon. I honestly would not miss any of them. Their games are boring and one dimensional, like their attitudes.

 

[GrassCourtFan]

Tennis tournaments are merely exhibitions with prize money played for the entertainment of fans.

Again, I repeat the quote - they're PROFESSSIONALS.

When a player walks onto the court, he's not thinking about how to entertain the fans best. He's thinking about how to WIN.

From a player's perspective, he's not being paid for entertaining fans; he's paid for winning. If he loses a VERY entertaining, very fun to watch five-set final, he's still paid less than if he won a boring, one-sided final. Does he get more ranking points for being entertaing? No. Does he get any sort of encouragement to be entertaining? No. He gets rewarded for WINNING, and that's what they do. They're professional TENNIS PLAYERS, not professional entertainers.

From the perspective of the organizers, a tournament is just an exhibition with prize money. From the point of the view of the players, it's their JOB.

It is beyond me how someone could turn down an all-expense paid trip with first class accomodations to England. While they are there, play a little tennis and walk away with, at least, $15k. What else do they have to do with their time?

They're PROFESSIONALS!!! What else do they have to do with their time?

Say, PRACTICE?

Prepare for the upcoming season?

Or rest their body, so they don't burn out in the upcoming season?

It's not like "coming to play Wimbledon" is a walk in the park. It would probably entail at least a week of grass-court practice to get used to the bounce, and then another week to get used to the clay courts again (for those that want to go back to the couple of claycourt tournaments post-wimby).

They're professionals. They have better things to do than traveling around England when they have nothing to gain from it.

 

[drakulie]

Max G. I agree with what you are saying to a degree. However they are paid to entertain. I go to the Nasdaq to be entertained, not to be bored, and the players receive prize money because of the money I pay for tickets, parking , and food. If the product sucks, I will not pay admission. Therefore it will also influence the following:

They have what are called SPONSORS. If they do not play the big tournaments (Wimbledon being the biggest), they do not receive the same endosement money from sponsors. In addition, the more charismatic and entertaining the player, the more sponsors will want them to represent their product.

When was the last time you saw someone want to buy a racquet or shoes that a boring player was using. It is usually the more electirc, charismatic, and entertaining players that recreational players want to copy.

In closing, one of the reasons tennis is dying in the U.S. is because there are no exciting and entertaining players. No conflict of personalities.

 

[@wright]

Amen, drakulie. Nice explanation of tennis economics.

 

[juu]

If the motivation to play Wimbledon (money, popularity and points) is not big enough for the players to attend it's not the players' fault. Either increase the motivation (e.g., more points lost for non-attendance) or do an independant health evaluation to make sure the withdrawals are justified.

 

[drakulie]

Good point Juu.

 

[bigserving]

Tennis tournaments are merely exhibitions with prize money played for the entertainment of fans.

Again, I repeat the quote - they're PROFESSSIONALS.

He gets rewarded for WINNING, and that's what they do. They're professional TENNIS PLAYERS, not professional entertainers.

They're PROFESSIONALS!!! What else do they have to do with their time?

Say, PRACTICE?

Prepare for the upcoming season?

Or rest their body, so they don't burn out in the upcoming season?

It's not like "coming to play Wimbledon" is a walk in the park. It would probably entail at least a week of grass-court practice to get used to the bounce, and then another week to get used to the clay courts again (for those that want to go back to the couple of claycourt tournaments post-wimby).

They're professionals. They have better things to do than traveling around England when they have nothing to gain from it.

News flash Max, watching people compete to win tennis matches IS very entertaining to people like me, that is why I watch and that is why I buy tickets.

Do you watch professinal tennis for some reason other than entertainment?

Max, try to follow this logic. Without fans buying tickets, there are no tournaments. Without fans watching on TV, there are no sponsors trying to sell product by advertising. Withoust sponsors, there are no tournaments. Therefore, without tennis fans, there are no PROFESSIONALS!!

We all know that prize money is set by round before each event. Does Serena get paid less for thrashing someone 0 & 0 in a boring, forty five minute match? Of course not, we all know that is not the format.

Which do you think is the real reason that makes PROFESSIONALS miss Wimbledon Max? Needing practice? Needing rest? That does not make sense to me. Do you think that they cannot practice and/or rest in England?

They're "PROFESSIONALS" so they don't show up for a huge tournament so that they can prepare for the rest of the season? That just does not seem very "PROFESSIONAL" to me.

So you think that playing Wimbledon is too "difficult" for some PROFESSIONALS? Every player has the same amount of time between Roland Garros and Wimbledon. Why do only some PROFESSIONAL players use that as an excuse?

Do you think that PROFESSIONALS would show up to compete in the second biggest tournament in their profession? I for one wish that they all would.

In every tournament, on every surface, at every level, in each gender, has good matches and lousy matches. I would rather see the best clay-courters get thrashed on grass, than some 150th ranked player who has little chance on any surface.

 

[C_Urala]

I blame them for it. They are PROFESSIONALS and to skip one of the four Slams claiming "injury" just to get out of losing a first round match, to me, is total b.s. They can always take a "break" after Wimbledon-there's six months left in the season.

Guga has skipped Wimbledon several times-Corretja and other Spanish crybabies boycotted it one or two years, and Muster, another absolute NOTHING of a player on surfaces other than clay, did the same. To me, it smacks of disrespect and fear. People often criticize the US players for their poor performance at RG, but at least they SHOW UP-all of them who can get into the tournament-because it's a SLAM. I also give Ferraro credit for his performance last year, but he has the game to win some matches off of the clay, and these other puss**s have no valid excuse. You can't improve on a surface if you're too darned scared to even try it.

Well, someone always will find a cause to blame.
When a player skips a tournament, he is blamed for being not professional.
When Kafelnikov showed in every tournament, he was blamed for being a 'greedy Russian'.

You people are never happy.

 

[C_Urala]

Max, try to follow this logic. Without fans buying tickets, there are no tournaments. Withoust sponsors, there are no tournaments. Therefore, without tennis fans, there are no PROFESSIONALS!!

The problem with this logic is that these propositions are too general. It's like to say 'money makes the world go round'.
It's true in general but every day we see exclusions.

If some tournament is constantly ignored by most players, it dies.
It does not disturb your logic, but makes professionals a decisive force.

 

[nyu]

I usually try to not argue too much in these threads, but there is a great amount of disrespect shown towards those that decide not to play Wimbledon. It is true that these are professionals whose job it is to play tennis and entertain fans for a living, but if you're a player, you have to be looking out for your own best interests. It is impossible for the players to go full throttle year-round, and they have to pick and choose those tournaments that they think they can compete well in.

 

[Phil]

They're professional TENNIS PLAYERS, not professional entertainers.

Come again?? Professional sports of any type IS entertainment, pure and simple.

Go back, rewind and put your statement under critical analysis. You know not of what you write.

 

[C_Urala]

Professional sports of any type IS entertainment, pure and simple.

You're right. But it doesn't mean a player must take part in each tournament.

What is more entertaining? To watch a player who is fresh and fighting in one tournament or to watch him dying in ten?

If a player does not want to play, it makes him less professional - in the sense that he/she can not earn additional money. But it's already a punishment. And there is no place for blame.

 

[GrassCourtFan]

So you think that playing Wimbledon is too "difficult" for some PROFESSIONALS? Every player has the same amount of time between Roland Garros and Wimbledon. Why do only some PROFESSIONAL players use that as an excuse?

Do you think that PROFESSIONALS would show up to compete in the second biggest tournament in their profession? I for one wish that they all would.

"Why do only some PROFESSIONAL players use that as an excuse?"

Because some consider that Wimbledon isn't worth their while, and some consider that is is. It's that simple.

For some players, like Pete Sampras, it wasn't the second biggest - it was THE biggest tournament in their profession.

For some - like the claycourters that skip it - it isn't anywhere NEAR the top in terms of importance. They have nothing to gain from it - all those "lowly" claycourt events are far more important for them, because that's where they actually have a chance of winning money, ranking points, fame of any sort. That's their choice.

 

[GrassCourtFan]

They're professional TENNIS PLAYERS, not professional entertainers.

Come again?? Professional sports of any type IS entertainment, pure and simple.

Go back, rewind and put your statement under critical analysis. You know not of what you write.

Well, from our point of view they're entertainers.

From their own point of view - they're not worrying about what fans think. They're worrried about improving their game, about winning matches, about rising in the rankings,and about earning a living.

Partly they are responsible for some fan contact - interviews are in their contract, I know that much from Hewitt's controversy. But not to the point of having to enter the tournaments that the fans want them to - if they are willing to forfeit the potential ranking points, that is their choice.

 

[C_Urala]

This reminds me a discussion about Dementieva saying that she is not her.
Then , Phil was at the other side of the barricade.

 

[GrassCourtFan]

Hmm, maybe. I seem to remember that discussion, I don't think I participated in it though. I do see the similarity, if I remember it correctly...

 

[bigserving]

So you think that playing Wimbledon is too "difficult" for some PROFESSIONALS? Every player has the same amount of time between Roland Garros and Wimbledon. Why do only some PROFESSIONAL players use that as an excuse?

Do you think that PROFESSIONALS would show up to compete in the second biggest tournament in their profession? I for one wish that they all would.

"Why do only some PROFESSIONAL players use that as an excuse?"

Because some consider that Wimbledon isn't worth their while, and some consider that is is. It's that simple.

For some players, like Pete Sampras, it wasn't the second biggest - it was THE biggest tournament in their profession.

For some - like the claycourters that skip it - it isn't anywhere NEAR the top in terms of importance. They have nothing to gain from it - all those "lowly" claycourt events are far more important for them, because that's where they actually have a chance of winning money, ranking points, fame of any sort. That's their choice.

Do you know any of what you say as fact, or are you just making up these player's opinions? Who is it that said these things, name names!

Being a professional, of any kind, comes with obligation. I do not believe that it is unreasonable to obligate these players to a minimum standard of professionalism. Such as being prepared and always giving their best effort (tanking subject to severe fines).

How can we expect the casual public to get to know more of the top players if they don't show up for major events.

Gaudio has the title of being the baddest player on the planet, even if for only a few days. Even if he is too hurt to play, he should be at Wimbledon signing autographs, shaking hands, doing interviews, promoting the game.

What do you think about this? If a stipulation of the tournament entry for each of the four majors stated that the four semi-finalists are required to appear at the next major (at the tournament expense). If injured, the player would still be required to make appearances.

I do not think that would be an unreasonable requirement. I also do not think that any players would not enter an event because of such a requirement.

 

[GrassCourtFan]

Fair enough, I agree that such a requirement would be reasonable.

...hmm, maybe I did take that last post a bit too far, putting down opinions that the players may or may not hold. Ok, I can retract the statement about what tournaments the claycourters consider important, it's doesn't have enough to back it up.

 

[root]

Damn, pro players have no obligation to show up at "your favourite tournament". Maybe you want to blame then for not participating in local grandpas tournament, too? Because you would really like to see them and maybe they even sign some autographs! Thats sick!

The point is, those players who skip wimbledon, they don't give a **** for it! They hate the surface, they can't have great results on it. Why the heck to spend several weeks to achive NOTHING, but but stress on your body and waste time. They already lose sponsorship and price money for doing it and so they must be really confidfent in their decision. ATP circuit is really tense, with many tournaments and very little time to rest and do something different. And you say that NO, you damned claycourter, you can't visit your home and parents after like 4 months, but you are obliged to be present at Wimbledon and sign autographs! Do you realize, pro players are human, not some automated robots playing and signing autographs 24/7.

Besides, no need "fake" an injury, theres no obligation to participate in any tournament (unless you are already signed up). And don't think players are signing themselves up with no intent showing really up.

 

[Phil]

This reminds me a discussion about Dementieva saying that she is not her.
Then , Phil was at the other side of the barricade.

I don't understand this, Urala; "...she is not her".??? I don't recall participating in ANY discussion on Dementieva, and if I did, it wasn't to the extent that I was on "...the other side of the barricade." So, WTF are you talking about?

 

[GrassCourtFan]

I don't understand this, Urala; "...she is not her".??? I don't recall participating in ANY discussion on Dementieva, and if I did, it wasn't to the extent that I was on "...the other side of the barricade." So, WTF are you talking about?

That was a while ago. There was a discussion about Dementieva being rude, and I think he means that you were taking a stance that opposed everyone else, a stance similar to the stance I was defending right now.

...I don't remember whether that was actually you, or someone else though. It might have been you, C_Urala seems to remember.

 

[Phil]

I don't think it was me, Max. Sometimes the original subject of a thread changes mid page, and I may have said something unrelated to Dementieva within a Dementieva thread, but I have no views on, or interest in discussing Dementieva, at all. So I think he has me confused with someone else.

 

[GrassCourtFan]

It wasn't specifically about Dementieva. By that time it was on the topic of how courteous players should be to fans. It started as a thread about Dementieva refusing an autograph by saying "I am not her." Or something of the sort. And went on to general discussion of player-fan interactions.

Eh, I guess it wasn't you if you say it wasn't. I'm not going to go back and try to find it, someone else can if they're curious. It was definitely on a topic somewhat related to this one.

 

[Phil]

I remember that one. The thread started with someone whinning because he sent his son over to ask Dementieva, who was sitting quietly, by herself, on an AIRPLANE, for her autograph and she, rightly so, told him to get lost. So no, it wasn't specifically about Dementieva, and its relation to this current thread is the common issue of disrespect. In the former thread, the disrespect of some so-called fans, in their rude and invasive behavior of harassing players off the court, and in the current thread, the disrespect of the players by skipping major tournaments and thumbing their noses at their fans. As I recall, I wasn't exactly the lone man at the barricades in making a case against such loutish fan behavior. There are some real morons out there, sitting in tennis stadiums all over the world. Ultimately, though, if it wasn't for the fans, there would not BE any "professional" tennis players. Autograph "hounds" in my opinion, are among the lowest species of sports fans. Both sides, fans and players, have contributions to make to the game-both need to learn their parts in doing so.

 

[david aames]

Credit is due here for bringing down the house that Edge built. The guy just disappeared after that one. I guess being accused of pimping his kids was just too much for him to handle. Phil, we owe you big time on this one.

NOW if you could work your magic on Deuce, I would try to talk awright into giving up some of his posting magic. You know, just to even things a little bit.

I remember that one. The thread started with someone whinning because he sent his son over to ask Dementieva, who was sitting quietly, by herself, on an AIRPLANE, for her autograph and she, rightly so, told him to get lost. So no, it wasn't specifically about Dementieva, and its relation to this current thread is the common issue of disrespect. In the former thread, the disrespect of some so-called fans, in their rude and invasive behavior of harassing players off the court, and in the current thread, the disrespect of the players by skipping major tournaments and thumbing their noses at their fans. As I recall, I wasn't exactly the lone man at the barricades in making a case against such loutish fan behavior. There are some real morons out there, sitting in tennis stadiums all over the world. Ultimately, though, if it wasn't for the fans, there would not BE any "professional" tennis players. Autograph "hounds" in my opinion, are among the lowest species of sports fans. Both sides, fans and players, have contributions to make to the game-both need to learn their parts in doing so.

 

[C_Urala]

I remember that one. The thread started with someone whinning because he sent his son over to ask Dementieva, who was sitting quietly, by herself, on an AIRPLANE, for her autograph and she, rightly so, told him to get lost. So no, it wasn't specifically about Dementieva, and its relation to this current thread is the common issue of disrespect. In the former thread, the disrespect of some so-called fans, in their rude and invasive behavior of harassing players off the court, and in the current thread, the disrespect of the players by skipping major tournaments and thumbing their noses at their fans. As I recall, I wasn't exactly the lone man at the barricades in making a case against such loutish fan behavior... .

I'm hurt right into my heart! :shock: You don't remember who was your most active companion-in-arms in that thread!! :lol:

 

[Phil]

C_Urala - Oh, I remember...NOW! We made some beautiful music-well, I won't go that far...

David - Appreciate the credit given, but not so sure how much responsibility I can claim for Edge going...off the Edge. It just took a few posts and he seemed to implode. He was already THERE; just needed a friendly shove to get him the rest of the way-where he belongs. As for Deuce, it would be a sad day indeed, for all of us, if he ever decides to depart, but he won't. This board is way too important for him, and as long as there are people like US around, he'll keep coming back for more. And besides, every once in a while I need a chew toy to play with.

 

[Deuce]

Nice to see that I'm important enough to you guys for you to bring me into a thread of which I was never a part.

Phil, it may come as a shock to you, but you are not the first jerk to dislike me. I have a rather rich history of jerks disliking me. You are simply one of the herd... yawn...

More than anyone else on these boards, you have a desperate need to be the 'Big Man On Campus'. I suppose your little act does fool some of the people...

I'll leave you now to get back to your very mature pisssing contest and ego stroking... "Oh yeah, well so-and-so left the boards because of me. Ain't I great?" Such wonderful self-important accomplishments...

 

[Phil]

Deuce, Deuce, Deuce or, D-3 - What makes you think I dislike you? I am hurt and disappointed that you would label me, your Web pal, as a "Jerk"-a horrible and soul-crushing term if there ever was one (well, at least circa 1958, Leave It To Beaver).

I NEVER said I dislike you. Really. And I hope I haven't given you the impression that I dislike you. You can be ANNOYING, sure, but you aren't important enough for me to dislike. You ENTERTAIN me. In fact, you're the reason I don't need to buy a Sony Play Station-so you also save me some cash, too.

I have no psychic need to be Big Man On Campus-I've always said, take or leave what I write. I would add, though, that as someone who constantly hijacks threads with irrelevant and pompous posturing and pathetic and outdated political and social pronouncements, you are someone certainly begging to be heard, even if much of the response to your drivel is ridicule-hey, better than nothing, for you at least...but not for most people. You, of all people, telling someone that they're desperate for attention is a joke in itself-but what can you expect from an ego-driven attention ***** of a buffoon? And hey, Deuce, nice of you to take the bait, Pal.

 

[Phil]

Gee, somehow, "attention lady of the night..." doesn't deliver the same impact, but I'm LOL anyway.