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Post by ebes1099 on Aug 1, 2021 0:14:21 GMT -5
Phil is almost like the Tiger Woods of BVB for how much he moves the needle on interest in the game. People who don’t follow BVB will tune in to watch Phil, but if he’s not there then viewership drops. He’s been at the top of USA volleyball for so long.
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Post by tamz on Aug 1, 2021 0:17:01 GMT -5
For sure going to miss rooting for Dalcena in international tournaments.
I applaud them for laying it out and making this Olympics run. 🇺🇸
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Post by woodandsand on Aug 1, 2021 0:18:22 GMT -5
For sure going to miss rooting for Dalcena in international tournaments. Absolute class act all the way!
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Post by tamz on Aug 1, 2021 0:20:29 GMT -5
For sure going to miss rooting for Dalcena in international tournaments. Absolute class act all the way! Phil wished Qatar good luck at the end when they hugged. It sucks that his last Olympics was spent doing covid testing (21 they mentioned) and in a quarantine hotel, unable to train. I’m proud that they avenged Alison for the Rio QF knockout though. 🤪
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Post by ajm on Aug 1, 2021 0:21:38 GMT -5
I can’t tell you how much I respect Phil for his loyalty to Nick. He’s a throwback to the old school where you go with who got you there. Yes, he played with Todd Rogers for a bit, but aside from a few other stand ins, Phil remained loyal to Nick until the end. Nick was a top 15 talent, who inspired the loyalty of a top 2 partner. If Phil had played with any of the other top 8 players. He would have won more. Likely, at least another medal, if not another gold. Hats off to you for your loyalty, Phil. You were incredible to watch and root for. Top 8? Not sure about that. The only other choice was Taylor and in hindsight they wouldn’t have won either.
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Post by haze on Aug 1, 2021 1:54:40 GMT -5
There isn't anyone outside of Taylor that would have been better for Phil to play with. Nick is easily a top 3 dedender on the US side the last 5 years even at 40 years old
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Post by VolleyFanFL on Aug 1, 2021 5:51:26 GMT -5
Phil is almost like the Tiger Woods of BVB for how much he moves the needle on interest in the game. People who don’t follow BVB will tune in to watch Phil, but if he’s not there then viewership drops. He’s been at the top of USA volleyball for so long. Agree. His move back to FL will turn up the quality of players coming from the East coast.
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Post by tamz on Aug 1, 2021 6:24:17 GMT -5
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Post by gr8ful on Aug 1, 2021 7:40:54 GMT -5
Phil is the greatest blocker to ever stop foot on the beach, and is probably one of the top 5 setters of all time as well...it has been an absolute pleasure watching the big man for years
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Post by tamz on Aug 1, 2021 8:50:51 GMT -5
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Post by pepperclove on Aug 1, 2021 14:46:12 GMT -5
That match is why you don't want to draw Qatar. Phil and Nick played great. I actually think Phil did what we were all hoping and turned back the clock to his old dominant days for long stretches of that match - and they still lost.
I have to disagree with this though. I don't think Phil moves the needle much at all. He's quite possibly the greatest blocker ever, so I'm not trying to downplay his greatness on the court, but I don't think he draws fans the way he probably should. I'm thinking about that "which one is Phil?" humor piece that Barnett did at an AVP a couple of years ago. People who were fans enough to be at an AVP tournament couldn't pick Phil out of a line-up of bald guy head shots. Or see all the posts about how boring Phil is on the beach board over the years.
The best comp to Tiger Woods in volleyball is Misty and Kerri. They moved the needle and got non-volleyball fans to watch, but they aren't coming back. (No, I don't think Kerri will make the 2024 Olympics even if she tries, but that debate is another thread.)
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