Hersh and Harsh Plasche on Sasha

[attyfan]

It's from a writer who tends to be harsh on just about everyone (not just in Olys):

http://www.latimes.com/sports/olympics/la-sp-olyplaschke24feb24,1,2936837.column?coll=la-olympics-center&ctrack=1&cset=true

[suzibear]

LA TIMESarticle a few snips


Cohen was the leader before the long program at the Olympic women's figure skating championships, yet she treated her potential triumph as if it were prolonged torture.

She was distracted and eccentric during group warmups. She was reluctant and reticent before her skate.

She took to the ice as uncomfortably as if it were melting. She bounced off her rear on her first jump, fell to her hands on her second jump, and that was that.

Four years, gone in 45 seconds, with an explanation as simple as six words:

She didn't want to be there.

And she basically admitted it.

"I think I was not nervous, but apprehensive, knowing that I missed a lutz and flip in the warmup," she said. "You know, when you go out there and have all the people watching … and you know that your practice hasn't gone completely right, it's hard to feel like you're getting churros at Disneyland."

Hard for silver medalists, perhaps, but easy for champions.

When their team is trailing by a basket in the final seconds, champions want the ball. Just ask Michael Jordan.

When the going gets tough, for champions, that is Disneyland.

I mostly agree with his analysis of Sasha... I espcially liked the bold quote....

EDITED TO REVISE HERSH TO la times...SORRY!

[missmarysgarden]

I think this is a "Harsh" article - not a "Hersch" article....don't want to be slamming Hersch for something he didn't write.

[attyfan]

I think this is a "Harsh" article - not a "Hersch" article....don't want to be slamming Hersch for something he didn't write.

I didn't think of this confusion when I drafted this title. How can I edit it?

BTW -- here is Phil Hersch's article (if this link works):

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/olympics/cs-060223olyfigs,1,7261996.story?page=1&coll=chi-sportsnew-hed

[TwinnerA]

I didn't think of this confusion when I drafted this title. How can I edit it?

BTW -- here is Phil Hersch's article (if this link works):

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/olympics/cs-060223olyfigs,1,7261996.story?page=1&coll=chi-sportsnew-hed

In case you didn't know it, attyfan, you can edit the Title of the thread by clicking on edit twice. I just learned that recently and previously thought only a moderator or administrator could edit a Title.

I heard lots of radio talk wondering how Sasha won a medal at all with two falls. Most of them said it shouldn't matter if she came in first the other night and that no one should win a silver medal with two falls. I am sure they don't know that there have been OGM winners who stumbled and still won.

[DaveSato]

I think my reputation here at MKF should allow me to make the following statement without sounding like a hypocrit.

Sasha Choked big time. Her eyes were like deers in a headlight because she wasn't getting oxygen to her brain. The gag factor was in full effect.

[IzzyS]

Actually, the article's by Bill Plaschke, not Harsh or Hersch, but it is "harsh." Very harsh.

Plaschke can be that way.

[KwansPrayerWarrior]

I heard lots of radio talk wondering how Sasha won a medal at all with two falls. Most of them said it shouldn't matter if she came in first the other night and that no one should win a silver medal with two falls

The difference is, she made it up with that PHAT artistry she has. She is just slowly but surely starting to let that artistry out. She's like a turtle. She's peeking her head out...she's wanting to come out so bad.... :(

[missmarysgarden]

My email to Hersch

I know, I know, Phil - pretty mediocre night in figure skating, wasn't it? But tell me, did it make you just a little tiny bit nostalgic for the days of Kwan? Well, maybe; maybe not. I never can quite figure out which way the wind is blowing for you you. But since you were so concerned about Sasha being injured and drugged up, I was surprised that you didn't suggest that she should have given up her spot to Katy Taylor - clearly this isn't a new body ding. But then again, the new kids on the block weren't exactly burning up the ice either, perky as they are. Maybe you should just lay off the athletes and focus on the new CoP, Phil. There's where the real problem is - and the real story, too.

Well, carry on Phil.

[kazenoyume]

Paschke is an @$$ but I agree with him a great deal in this article. Sasha does not love to skate, and because of that she doesn't have the drive to become as good as she can be. That's her greatest problem, and only she can change that. If she truly wants to.

[shirleyprice1]

Well,after reading that, and after gaining a bit of respect for Sasha, she took it away by giving sick excuses.

[KwansPrayerWarrior]

I'll never believe/accept ANYTHING Phil Hersh has to write about ANYONE anymore.....be it good, bad, or mediocre.....after he slammed Michelle at the press conference by saying: "How does it feel that you will likely end your career WITHOUT the gold medal"?

Stupid Idiot Hersh :grump

[probativev]

My email to Hersch

I know, I know, Phil - pretty mediocre night in figure skating, wasn't it? But tell me, did it make you just a little tiny bit nostalgic for the days of Kwan? Well, maybe; maybe not. I never can quite figure out which way the wind is blowing for you you. But since you were so concerned about Sasha being injured and drugged up, I was surprised that you didn't suggest that she should have given up her spot to Katy Taylor - clearly this isn't a new body ding. But then again, the new kids on the block weren't exactly burning up the ice either, perky as they are. Maybe you should just lay off the athletes and focus on the new CoP, Phil. There's where the real problem is - and the real story, too.

Well, carry on Phil.


But MMG, Phil to his credit has been VERY supportive of Michelle getting a bye. He was one of the most outspoken about it. So I don't really understand your email to him.

[aldreen]

Actually, the article's by Bill Plaschke, not Harsh or Hersch, but it is "harsh." Very harsh.

Plaschke can be that way.

He was VERY harsh with Michelle when he reported Michelle's practice in Torino, saying that MK should quit, etc.

[GardenKitty]

That article seems pretty harsh, but Plashke wrote a great column early in the Olympics about sitting next to Trifun Zivanovic on the flight to Torino, and how thrilled he was to be skating for his country (and how he was trying to make his own clothes with the country symbols). It really appreciated how Trifun has kept up with his skating despite all the obstacles.

[attyfan]

He was VERY harsh with Michelle when he reported Michelle's practice in Torino, saying that MK should quit, etc.

Plasche wrote another article after Michelle withdrew, contrasting her with Bode Miller "from royalty to rude ... from class to crass"

[aldreen]

Plasche wrote another article after Michelle withdrew, contrasting her with Bode Miller "from royalty to rude ... from class to crass"

That's somehow good to know.

[YankeesSuck01]

Plaske can be funny as anything when you agree with him and annoying as something when you don't.

He was the guy who wrote that great article about why Michelle should be in Turino after Nationals but he has written some basketball articles I wanted to beat him with.lol

[missmarysgarden]

As I said, he runs hot and cold - and prior to that article, he wrote a snide one about her age/condition. That's what I mean - you never can tell which way the wind blows with Hersch. He is very fickle, even for a sportswriter.

[gldnkwan]

"Sasha Choked big time. Her eyes were like deers in a headlight because she wasn't getting oxygen to her brain. The gag factor was in full effect"


When she was getting ready for her long starting position, thats excatly what my husband said, a deer in the headlights.
That gold was sooo hers if she wanted it.

[lavender]

Both Irina and Sasha looked scared. I was kind of surprised after she had that look since she was confident for the short. I guess the warmup changed a lot of things.

[aldreen]

Was it just me or did Irina look like she was "lost" as she was skating toward her starting position in the LP? And she seemd like she didn't have any spark at all even before beginning her program?

[fdevine]

Poor Sasha. They're tearing her to pieces. Just like they did Michelle after SLC. I hate those kinds of articles. I thought he was much too hard on her. And personally, I thought the rest of her program, after the two falls, was wonderful. I admire her for pulling herself together. And as for the falls, I don't know why anyone was surprised. She's never skated two clean programs as far as I know.

grannie frances

[iceman]

Another mind reader. Sasha herself probably doesn't know what happened, but everybody else does.

[forestgreen92]

I'll never believe/accept ANYTHING Phil Hersh has to write about ANYONE anymore.....be it good, bad, or mediocre.....after he slammed Michelle at the press conference by saying: "How does it feel that you will likely end your career WITHOUT the gold medal"?

Stupid Idiot Hersh :grump

Then the question back to Hersh from me would be: "How does it feel that you will likely end your career WITHOUT a pulitzer prize?"

:lol