Bleacher Report - Articles by Justin Shockley

I Am Tiger, Hear Me Roar: Why Golf's Best Player Will Win At Augusta

Justin Shockley — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 03:56:57 -0400

I wish I had a cool name. Justin: It means to be "true or full of justice". Don't get me wrong, it's better than having a name that means "full of crap".

But it's just OK. Not very memorable though. Easily confusable with other popular names that begin with J; like Josh, Jacob, John, or even Jason.

Tiger. Now that's a name.

Yeah I know his real name is Eldrick, but even that is unique. Tiger is a great name; especially for a supremely dominant and charismatic golfer like Tiger Woods.

Maybe if he was an accountant, it wouldn't command the respect that it does for Tiger Woods the golfer, but it is great nonetheless. As cool as his name is, it is the least important thing that Woods has going for him.

Here are a few good reasons why Woods will win his 15th major at the 2009 Masters Tournament.

1) A perfectly timed tune-up—Coming back from a major knee surgery can be tedious and frightening for the average guy, and even more so for a professional athlete.

There is a great deal of uncertainty after being out of commission for so long. There has to be tangible proof that your knee is ready for normal action. A hard cut. A long stride. A powerful jump.

And in Woods' case, a come from behind victory at Bay Hill.

2)An ageing field—Several of Woods' most worthy adversaries are ageing—albeit gracefully—but their chances of beating him are growing thinner and thinner. Especially on one of golf's greatest stages, where Woods thrives.

Phil Mickelson is 38, five years older than Woods. Now Mickelson is by no means a has-been, but at the very least Mickelson is beginning the downswing of his prime.

Vijay Singh is still one of the best golfers in the world, but he is 46 and has challenged Woods little since 2005.

"Iceman" Retief Goosen has had some great success at Augusta, with a total of four top three finishes there. He is, however, 40 years old and has seen some lengthy slumps in his career.

Add in several other ageing competitors in this year's field: Kenny Perry (48), Jose Maria Olazabal (43), who has two Green Jackets, Ernie Els (39), and Rocco Mediate (46), and it seems even more likely that Woods can get his fifth Masters Championship.

This is not to deny that there are several young and capable golfers in the field who can knock off Woods. Paul Casey, Geoff Ogilvy, Trevor Immelman, Padraig Harrington, and several others have the talent and youth for a good a shot at the Green Jacket.

3) The year of the tiger—No, I'm not talking about the Chinese Zodiac. 2009 is the Year of the Ox just for the record, and 1975 (Woods' birth year) was the year of the rabbit. But it is still the year of the Tiger. Here's why:

Woods won at Augusta in 1997. He did not win in '98, '99, '00. Woods won again in 2001, 2002 and 2005. In '06, '07, '08, no wins.

Woods has never been more than three years between Masters victories. It is like destiny and a mathematical covering law all in one.

4) A completed puzzle—Since Woods has returned, he has shown greatness at every level of his game—only at different times.

He drove the ball tremendously well in his first outing of 2009 in Arizona. He showed great placement with his iron play at Doral, and his putting and clutch play was showcased two weeks ago at The Bay Hill Invitational.

It would stand to reason that if Woods can tighten up all aspects of his game at Augusta he has the best shot of anyone at slipping on another Green Jacket.

5) His name—It's not important how cool his name is. What is important is how people react to hearing his name. The intimidation that Tiger Woods creates with his presence is not a novelty that will wear off—ever.

There is always talk of golfers who are no longer intimidated by Woods. That is a lie. Are they used to the pressure and fanfare that he creates? Probably. But they still fear what he can do.

Every golfer in the field this weekend has a slimmer margin for error because Woods is playing. Even if he shoots an 82 on Thursday, other golfers realize that his rare combination of athleticism, talent, strength, work ethic, and knowledge of the game make him supremely dangerous.

A recent poll on a popular sports web page asked:

"Who Will Win the 2009 Masters?" A) Tiger Woods B) The Field

There is a reason no one else's name was on that poll; there is only one name that matters. TIGER.

Never Act Your Age: Remembering Harry Gant's Incredible NASCAR Win at 52

Justin Shockley — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 00:42:08 -0400

What has no privacy, millions of dollars, and a life span less than that of an average German shepherd? A professional athlete's career—usually.

For NASCAR legend Harry Gant, we will have to settle for two out of three.

In today's world of instant gratification and "what have you done for me lately" mentality, athletes are on a short leash with their teams and the public. Athletes are labeled as "past their prime" early and often during their careers, if winning and performance sags at all.

Don't tell that to stock car racing hall-of-famer Harry Gant. Gant was a staple on several stock car racing circuits for over 20 years. His consistent performance, solid decision making, and tremendous longevity make Gant a living legend.

Gant trounced any notion of being past his prime, when he became the oldest driver ever to win a NASCAR Winston Cup (now Sprint Cup Series) race on August 16, 1992. Gant was 52 years, 219 days old.

"Handsome" Harry Gant was definitely not favored in the Champion Spark Plugs 400 at Michigan International Speedway. Sure, Gant was a long shot to win because of his age, but he had other issues blocking his path.

You know how Toyota is "the car of tomorrow?" Well, Gant drove an Oldsmobile—"the car of yesterday." He also started in the 24th position and was in the middle of the pack for almost the entire race.

A caution on lap 97 would help showcase Gant's great decision making and driving ability. While leaders like Bill Elliott and Ernie Irvan stayed out on the track, in large part, because they had pitted during the previous caution, Gant pitted.

A green flag pit stop on lap 149 helped Gant take the checkered flag with a convincing 4.94 second margin of victory over young bucks such as Darrell Waltrip, Elliott, Dale Jarrett, and Kyle Petty.

While this was the last Winston Cup win of Gant's career, it wasn't the only memorable performance that Gant had when most would be considered past their prime.

Gant is also the oldest driver ever to win a 500 mile race at 52 years, 142 days, when he won the Budweiser 500 at Dover Downs International Speedway. He was 42 years old before getting his first Winston Cup victory, taking the checkered flag at Martinsville Speedway on April 25, 1982.

Known as "Handsome" Harry Gant to many because of his rugged good looks, he earned a new nickname in 1991 at the chipper age of 51—Mr. September.

Gant won all four Winston Cup races in September of that year at some of the circuits' most difficult tracks like Martinsville and Darlington. He also added in two Busch Series victories just for good measure.

Act your age. Past your prime. Over the Hill. Say what you want about older athletes, but Gant is proof that age is simply a number. Gant didn't have time to act his age; he was too busy acting like a winner.

The Anatomy of Hate: What Makes Us Despise College Basketball's Elite?

Justin Shockley — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 20:53:08 -0400

Usually hate is too strong a word. Your in-laws? Rude? maybe. Weird? probably. Annoying? Undeniably. But do you truly hate them? For the vast majority the answer is probably no. It is just is easier to say we hate something rather than expand in detail about what we dislike about them. From vegetables to bosses to backseat drivers and know-it-alls, America uses "hate" frivolously to describe any aspect of life that doesn't measure up to our standards and desires. But "hate" is usually unwarranted and inaccurate in describing our true feelings. Except when it comes to basketball. When it comes to college basketball's elite programs, "hate" may not be harsh enough. Sure, we all have a team that we cheer for and love. But even more importantly we have a team that we loathe and despise. A team we have an unequivocal, unrelenting detestation for. You know the feeling. You will stay up way past your bedtime if the team you hate is playing in a tight one, just because of the slight chance to see them be defeated. You scoff at sleep just for the chance to revel in a team's misfortune. You seriously contemplate choosing a 16 seed over a 1 because the No. 1 is your nemesis. Who cares if your bracket is busted before the tournament ever begins? Simply writing that name down is pure agony; like you are vindicating all that is evil in the world and committing treason at the same time. But why? What makes us so passionate about hating America's elite programs? The science of why we despise the best teams is by no means exact, but there are several common factors that feed the creature that is hate in college basketball. So what is the true anatomy of hate? The following is an attempt to evaluate and give examples of what teams are hated the most and why. There is no particular order to the teams or reasons discussed; that is another debate all-together.

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Upset Alert: Why the Texas Longhorns Are Not a Long Shot

Justin Shockley — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 00:25:47 -0400

When you filled out your NCAA Tournament Bracket this year, I hope you looked ahead at the potential matchups throughout the tournament. If not, then you may be surprised when a team like the No. 7 seeded Texas Longhorns bust your bracket.

Sure, Duke seemingly has all the advantages going into this second-round game Saturday.

They are playing a mere hour from Cameron Indoor Stadium; so for all intents and purposes, it will be a home game. They have lost just once since Jon Scheyer has taken over at the point-guard position, including an impressive run to the ACC Tournament Championship.

Even more impressive, Duke only turns the ball over about 12 times a game, even fewer in recent games. So how are the Longhorns going to take down the Dukies from Durham? Oh, let us count the ways.

Size

Duke lacks size and overall athleticism to match up with Texas. Duke's two biggest players, 7'1" Brian Zoubek and 6'10" Miles Plumlee, average a combined 18.7 minutes per game and an underwhelming 5.9 points per contest.

Texas has four players standing at least 6'10", with two seeing significant minutes.

Senior Connor Atchley provides solid post play for the Longhorns and will be able to defend shorter players in the post like 6'8" Lance Thomas. Three hundred pound man-child Dexter Pittman could also prove to be problematic for the Blue Devils inside.

Forward Gary Johnson is also long and athletic at 6'6".

Familiarity

Sure, Rick Barnes spends a lot of time in Texas these days, but this is not unfamiliar territory for him. Born and raised in North Carolina, Barnes played his college ball at Lenoir-Ryhne College in Hickory, about an hour northwest of Charlotte.

While Rick Barnes grew up being exposed to the deep-seated basketball traditions that Duke has provided over the years, he has even more familiarity with the Blue Devils.

Barnes was head coach for the ACC's Clemson Tigers, coaching against Mike Krzyzewski in several games from 1994 to 1998.

The Iron Unkind

It's no secret that Duke lives and dies by the three-point shot. Lack of size and numerous good shooters fuel that fire, but all good things must come to an end.

Duke has been on a tear recently, knocking down jumpers from all over the court but with the perimeter defense that Damian James, A.J. Abrams, and Justin Mason can provide it will be more difficult to get open looks.

While Texas has struggled this season to find a true offensive identity at times, their first round game gave a clue of what can happen when A.J. Abrams is firing on all cylinders.

If No. 7 Texas beats No. 2 Duke on Saturday, they won't be giant killers, they will just be winners.

Florida State Guard Toney Douglas: Actions Speak Louder Than Words

Justin Shockley — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 11:21:13 -0400

When No. 5 seed Florida State faces off against No. 12 Wisconsin today in the NCAA Tournament, you won't hear Toney Douglas mouthing off about how good he is.

In fact, mute your television and you will still get a message from Douglas loud and clear: "They can't stop me."

The 6'2" senior guard is averaging over 21 points per game to go along with four rebounds and two steals per contest. Douglas has a great ability to rise up over his defender to score, and his calm demeanor and smooth shooting touch make this star hard to rattle and even harder to stop.

While Wisconsin will have a difficult time defending Douglas, they have bigger problems to deal with.

Above all else, Douglas is a tenacious perimeter defender, and was voted ACC Defensive Player of the Year despite being in a league deep with talented defenders such as UNC's Danny Green and Ty Lawson, Duke's Gerald Henderson, Wake Forest's L.D. Williams, and Clemson's Trevor Booker.

Wisconsin averages just over 64 points a game and has struggled to find consistent scoring this season. Inconsistent scoring and renaissance man Toney Douglas will give Wisconsin fits today, but Florida State is far from a one-man show.

Florida State is tall and athletic, highlighted by 6'9" Uche Echefu and 7'1" center Solomon Alabi who gets over two blocks a game. 6'4" Derwin Kitchen provides another strong perimeter defender for the Seminoles, who are in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in more than a decade.

The stage is set for a great game in the night cap of the first round tonight at 9:55 ET, and when it comes to Toney Douglas and Florida State, remember that actions really do speak louder than words.

A Scorer for All Time: Tyler Hansbrough Breaks ACC Scoring Record

Justin Shockley — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 23:17:06 -0400

Tyler Hansbrough broke the all-time ACC scoring mark on Thursday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to gain control of yet another record during his illustrious career. How did Hansbrough react after knocking down the record-breaking free throw with 15:43 remaining in the first half? It was business as usual for the senior from Poplar Bluff, Missouri.

Hansbrough was only three points away from breaking J.J. Redick's record going into the game against Radford, so it was almost a foregone conclusion that the hard-nosed power forward would eclipse the record early in the game.

A powder blue sea of Tar Heel faithful rose to their feet to congratulate Hansbrough on his incredible record-breaking career. Even several teammates clapped excitedly on the bench as he swished in the free throw. Hansbrough just ran back down the court, ready to keep playing.

Tyler Hansbrough has passed some legendary names on his way to the top of the ACC scoring mountain. Most recently, J.J. Redick lit up the box score with his outside range and shoot first, ask questions later mentality. Fellow Tar Heel Phil Ford scored 2,290 points and ranks second in the Tar Heel record book, and No. 10 all-time in the ACC.

Just as impressive is NC State's superstar David Thompson and his No. 9 overall ranking with 2,309 career points and consistent domination of the ACC in the mid '70s.

Though a Tar Heel would not normally be found in the company of a Blue Devil, Hansbrough shares history with several Dukies. Christian Laettner and Mike Gminski are ranked sixth and seventh respectively on the all-time list, and longtime Duke assistant Johnny Dawkins ranks third all-time.

While Hansbrough has publicly recognized that all of his individual accomplishments are a great honor, this blue-collar player with unmatched intensity has his eyes on the real prize: a National Championship. If he can lead his Tar Heels to the title, we will undoubtedly see some celebration from Hansbrough, but until then expect nothing but unparalleled focus and intensity from this All-American.