Bleacher Report - Articles by Mike Radford

Eric Shanteau: Cancer Free and Bound for Rome

Mike Radford — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 11:42:07 -0400

In the week leading up to the Olympic trials, a swimmer has plenty of nerves and anxiousness. A lot goes through the minds of such swimmers.

What if I have a bad race? What if I have a false start or get disqualified and embarrass myself on national television? What if I place third? (the top two swimmers in each event make the Olympics) What if I actually make the team?

All of these thoughts are common for swimmers.

However, Eric Shanteau (a record holder in the state of Georgia, SEC champion at Auburn University, and a world championship team member) had a completely different thought: What if I don't survive?

On June 18, 2008, only one week before the Olympic trials in Omaha, Shanteau was diagnosed with testicular cancer.

Focusing on competing suddenly became a whole lot more difficult.

Despite everything, Shanteau went on to qualify for the Olympic team in the 200-meter breaststroke. He decided to delay treatment until after the Olympics, possibly risking his life.

Eric competed in the Olympics, placing 10th in the 200-meter breaststroke, going a lifetime best, and more importantly, persevering.

Back home from Beijing, Shanteau underwent surgery, and on September 15, 2008, the doctors declared him a cancer free man!

Shanteau fought it, and overcame it!

He didn't waste any time getting back into the pool, and he trained hard for the next Nationals and World Championships.

This past week, the 2009 Nationals and World Trials took place in Indianapolis, and most of the U.S. swimming stars shined bright.

Micheal Phelps finally broke Ian Crocker's 100 butterfly world record that has eluded him for a while. Aaron Piersol dominated both backstrokes as usual, and after having just lost his 100 backstroke recorded less than a month before, he smashed the world record, becoming the first man under 52 seconds in that event. Rebecca Soni, 16-year-old Elizabeth Beisel, Ryan Lochte, Nathan Adrian, Tyler Clary ,and last but not least, Eric Shanteau all made their marks on the meet.

Shanteau took first place in the 200 breaststroke, dominating the event and beating the rest of the field by over two seconds, breaking the American record. Shanteau also took second in the 100 breast and 200 IM.

In total, Shanteau qualified to swim three individual events in Rome at the World Championships.

The United States, as dominant as it is in swimming, is a little bit down in the breast stroke right now. Japan's Kosuke Kitajima still holds the world record in the 100 and 200.

Kitajima may have thought that since his former biggest rival (American Brendan Hansen) is now retired, the record may be safe for a while longer. But with a surging Shanteau at his heels, Kitajima better get back to work!

Hopefully Shanteau will be able to take down Kitajima and his record in Rome at the World Championships that are approaching.

You can't help but cheer for a guy like that. You don't have to worry about toughness with him, and he carries that never back down attitude with him every time he races.

In sport that is on the rise and growing daily, Shanteau is now a star. Yet he is not just basking in it.

Eric has partnered with Lance Armstrong and the LIVESTRONG foundation, and has become a talented motivational speaker along with a front runner in cancer awareness.

The World Championships are coming up, and we expect big things out of Shanteau and the Americans.

USA Swimming: What the Future Holds

Mike Radford — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 17:37:09 -0500

The United States swim team, and Micheal Phelps, accomplished amazing feats this past summer during the Beijing Olympics. With that said, I must ask: What does the future hold for USA swimming?

The United States men's 4X100 freestyle relay had millions worldwide on the edge of their seats. Michael Phelps, Cullen Jones, and Garrett Weber-Gale had already swam, and if the United States was to beat the heavily favored French, Jason Lezak would have to be the man.

I, along with millions of other Americans, jumped out of our seats and cheered as Lezak outtouched the Frenchman Bernard and the U.S. took gold. Not only defeating the trash-talking French, who uttered the remark, "We came here to crush the Americans," but keep Michael Phelps' hopes for eight gold medals alive.

As we well know, Phelps went on to win his gold medals, and the U.S. remained the strongest swim team throughout the week of swimming. Now, Phelps is the most recognizable man in the United States, with a higher recognition rating than Michael Jordan!

We all know that Phelps plans to cut the number of races down next Olympics, and it will also be his last.

So what is the future of USA swimming like?

It is a very bright one!

Phelps will obviously be the headline athlete next Olympics in London, as he was these past Olympics. However, we must look ahead at some of the bright stars in USA swimming. Will we ever see eight gold medals again? Most likely not. But US dominance next Olympics is not out of the question by any means.

1) Michael Phelps

This guy is livin' the high life. He has more endorsement deals than hairs on his head and could probably get just about any lady he wants right now. Phelps will not swim as much in London as he did this Olympics, but I wouldn't expect a drop off in performance.

While he will age over these next four years, he is still the fastest swimmer, and best racer/finisher in the world. That will not change. Expect maybe four or five golds out of him next time.

Probably in the 100 fly, 200 fly, 200 free and a couple relays.

2) Ryan Lochte

At age 24, Lochte is an impressive swimmer. In the next Olympics, he has a lot to look forward to. It will be exciting to watch him duke it out with Aaron Peirsol and Matt Grievers in the 100 and 200 back. It will also be worth watching Lochte's 200 IM, where he will probably take gold—and the 200 free.

3) Matt Grievers/Aaron Peisol

Matt came on the scene in '08 and is now a big stud! And when I say big, I mean BIG. He stands at 6'6" and saying he is muscular is an understatement. This guy will be one to watch in both backstrokes, and probably the free styles as well. Aaron is still the 100 back champ, and even tho he lost to Lochte in the 200, he will be back for more. The U.S. will continue its backstroke dominance.

4)Garrett Weber-Gale/Cullen Jones/Ben Wildman-Tobriner

These three guys are rocking the sprinter world right now. The three of them will continue challenge each other in the 50 and 100 free until London, where the rest of the world better watch out. They will make a beastly relay as well

5) Katie Hoff

Katie is the female version of Michael Phelps. She qualified for the Olympics in five individual races just like Phelps. The best part about Hoff is that she is 19! She will be in her prime at 22 (turning 23) in London and could take gold in events such as the 400 free, the 200 IM, 800 free, and a couple of relays. Watch out for Katie!

6) Natalie Coughlin

Natalie was on the medal stand more than any other US female at the games this year. She will be 29 next Olympics and getting on the older side. But hey, Dara Torres won a gold at 41, why can't Natalie do it at 29?! She will still be a presence next go-round.

7) Rebecca Soni/Margaret Hoelzer

Rebecca had a very impressive showing in the 200 breast by winning gold, and a silver in the 100. She will be back better than ever in 2012, expect a repeat in the 200 and a gold in the 100. Hoelzer is still a dominant backstroker, and will be in 2012. Better watch out for young Elizabeth Beisel though!

8) Kara Lynn Joyce/Elizabeth Beisel/Christine Magnusen

Kara Lynn is a great free styler, and will be back in 2012 on relays and in some individuals such as the 100 free. The woman's relays will be very strong with her on them, maybe as anchor on the 4X100 free.

Elizabeth Beisel swam as a 15 year old in the '08 Olympics! As a 19 year old in 2012, she will be in her prime and ready to rock. She will challenge for gold in both backstrokes and IMs. Magnusen is a very good butterflyer. She took silver in the 100 this year. Look for her to do damage in both flys next olympics.

OTHER SWIMMERS TO WATCH OUT FOR

Gil Stovall, Larsen Jensen, Peter Vanderkaay, Nick Brunelli, Nathan Adrian, Nick Thoman, Eric Shanteau, Mark Gangloff, Scot Spann, Lara Jackson, Lacey Nymeyer, Kara Denby, Kate Ziegler, Kelsey Ditto, Kathleen Hersey, Elain Breeden, Chloe Sutton, Megan Jendrick and many more.

Nationals, the US Open, World Championships, Pan Am games, NCAAs, and all the other meets leading up to and including the Olympics should be great. There is a lot to be excited about.

Detroit Lions: Is a Winless Season Possible?

Mike Radford — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:32:40 -0500

The undeniable best part about sports are all the glorious moments! 14 consecutive years of division titles for the Atlanta Braves, David Tyree's phenomenal catch, the Lakers three-peat, the U.S. miracle hockey team, Michael Phelps winning eight gold medals, and so on. These are just recent glorious moments, and they all make you feel great inside.

But even with every amazing sports feat I have seen, there is still a whole somewhere in my heart.

Of all the great sports moments, I think one area really sticks out to me: the streaks.

I got to witness the Patriots go undefeated for a whole regular season, and I've seen the Houston Rockets win 21 straight games. I saw Cal Ripken Jr. and all of his consecutive games played, as well as the aforementioned Atlanta Braves.

But there is one streak I have never seen, and I absolutely crave. I want to see an NFL team go completely winless throughout the course of a whole season!

That would definitely fit with the great sports moments of all time!

My hopes were so high last year with the Miami Dolphins, and they had to crush my dreams. That would have been great; the only franchise to every win ever game in a season, and go winless in a season. While that will not come true, the Detroit Lions have the criteria of a team ready to accomplish the impossible—the unthinkable!

The Detroit Lions are 28th in the league in yards per game, and 31st in yards per game allowed. They are also 28th and 31st respectively in points scored and allowed this season. The Detroit Lions give up on average 133.5 more yards than they acquire this season.

Detroit has used four different quarterbacks this season and will be starting Daunte Culpepper, a recent signee. Daunte was 5-for-10 for 104 yards and an interception last game, along with a 47.5 QB rating.

So I would have to say that things are looking up for Detroit! The possibility of a winless season is over halfway there.

All I can say is if the Lions beat Tennessee for their first win of the season on Thanksgiving, I may throw the turkey across grandma's table!

Celtics-Hawks: Possible Postseason Preview?

Mike Radford — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:03:43 -0500

The 6-0 Atlanta Hawks and the 7-1 Boston Celtics met Wednesday night in Boston for a battle of two of the powerhouses in the Eastern Conference.

Not surprisingly, the game was intense and down to the wire—just like last season when these teams met.

The high-flying, number-one-seeded Boston Celtics met the unlikely Atlanta Hawks as their eighth-seed adversary in the first round of the 2008 NBA playoffs.

The series, which many predicted to be an easy sweep for Boston, turned out to be a hotly contested, emotion-filled series that went seven games.

So when the established powerhouse Celtics met the emerging powerhouse Hawks in an early-season game Wednesday night, NBA fans got exactly what they were looking for.

The Atlanta Hawks were down two with 21 seconds to go, and they had the ball. Joe Johnson drove the lane, and with seven seconds to go, Marvin Williams hit a three to give Atlanta the lead.

The Celtics got the ball with seven seconds to go, and with .5 on the clock, Paul Pierce drained a game winner.

Boston 1, Atlanta nothing.

However, if any team should feel good coming away from this game, it should be the Hawks.

Atlanta played in Boston Wednesday night, where they got blown out miserably in Game Seven of their playoff series against the Celtics last season. The also played the game without the injured Josh Smith, their best defensive player, and the rest of the Hawks bigs were in foul trouble the whole night.

The upper hand goes to Atlanta. It took a buzzer beater to beat Atlanta under all of those circumstances, so wait until the game is in Atlanta and the Hawks have their whole team!

It is no doubt these are two of the better, if not two best, teams in the Eastern Conference. They two teams will surely be able to repeat their playoff duel in the 2009 postseason.

Look for the Eastern Conference championship to be Atlanta versus Boston, with Atlanta prevailing in seven.

Celtics-Cavs: Back to Boston for Not-So-Lucky Number Seven

Mike Radford — Fri, 16 May 2008 17:25:38 -0400

The Celtics have the best regular season record, the best record on the road (including a sweep of the Texas triangle) and three superstar veteran players along with an excellent supporting cast.

That makes them a shoe-in for the Finals—right?

The Celts started off the 2008 playoffs against the eighth-seeded Atlanta Hawks, the youngest team and the team with the worst record to make the playoffs. They handled Atlanta with ease at home, but the young Hawks defended their home court and pushed the series to seven games.

Round two for the Celtics matched them against LeBron James and the Cavaliers. Different results? Not so much. Its a remake of round one, where the team with the best road record in the NBA is unable to win away from Boston. Game seven is in Boston on Sunday.

So what is that is causing the high and mighty Celtics to stumble? These guys were supposed to dominate the playoffs and win that championship! A team of veterans isn't supposed to be rattled by a road game.

To me, it looks like a group of desperate, aging superstars who had a great team in the regular season, but aren't fit for the postseason. Maybe there is a reason that none of the "Big Three" have won a championship. The Celtics have proven to be the biggest underachievers of this post-season.

The chemistry seems to be gone from the team, and the aging superstars are going to need all the chemistry they can get to stop LeBron and company in Game Seven.

Here are the major differences between the Hawks and the Cavaliers, and why Boston may have a much harder time in this game seven.

Joe Johnson is a great player, but he is no LeBron James. A team like the Celtics can shut down a Joe Johnson, but can King James be stopped?
The Hawks are an extremely young team, and are easily rattled by the pressure of game seven in a hostile environment. I don't see the Cavs having that problem, especially after strong battles and close losses for Cleveland in the two of the three games in Boston.
The Cavs match up well against the Celtics, and the role players may cause some problems. Cleveland has an assortment of big men to match up against KG, in addition to the fact that Boston doesn't have a proven center. LeBron James tires out Pierce on the defensive end, and Szczerbiak does Ray Allen. Atlanta didn't have those advantages.
Cleveland has Boston on its heels. All the pressures and expectations that the Celtics have put on themselves seem to be catching up to them. Atlanta played Boston tough, but they never really had them on their heels like Cleveland does.

The "Big Three" may have a legitimate shot next year, as they come to know each other better, but it seems like they've come to the end of their line. Even if they beat Cleveland, they still have the Pistons and then most likely the Lakers waiting to play them.

So all I can say is, better luck next year ,Celtics.

Atlanta Hawks Find a Great Gator in Al Horford

Mike Radford — Sun, 11 May 2008 02:53:05 -0400

The Atlanta Hawks have one of the brightest futures in the NBA, and that future is centered around Al Horford.

On the night of the 2007 draft, no one in Atlanta was sure who the Hawks would pick. The Hawks had spoken with many players, including Mike Conley Jr., Al Horford, and Al's old teammate, Joakim Noah.

When Horford was finally selected, there were mixed reactions. Most cheered because they knew Al could play; however, those who thought the Hawks needed a point guard were not too pleased. That all changed when Atlanta drafted Acie Law, a point guard out of Texas A&M, with the 11th pick.

When big Al stepped onto the court, the fans weren't disappointed.

Al didn't blow people away with his scoring. He did impress with his rebounding and was a pretty good defensive presence, although he was not the greatest passer or shooter. While his stats were not great, there was something about him that was.

As the season progressed, Hawks fans, players, and coaches quickly figured out what it was. Passion!

Al Horford brought a passion and a winning attitude that hadn't been present in Atlanta in almost a decade, and people began to catch the fever.

That same passion in Atlanta grew with the trade for veteran point guard Mike Bibby, and the Hawks began to smell the playoffs. They fought hard the last month of the season, and made it to the postseason for the first time in nine years!

Al Horford continued to impress in the playoffs when in his first game in Boston, he had a double-double!

The intense, eighth-seeded Hawks, behind Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, and Al Horford defended their home court against the top-seeded Celtics, and took the series to seven games.

Joe Johnson said he hadn't seen Philips Arena that full and crazy since he's been in the NBA.

Al finished the season averaging 10.1 points per game, a far cry from Rookie of the year Kevin Durant, who averaged 20.3 ppg.

However, Al had Durant beat in many categories, including 9.7 rebounds per game to lead all rookies. But the real reasons many (including Charles Barkley) believed Al deserved rookie of the year, were the intangibles that he always brings to the table. He has a winning attitude, and hey, Al's team made the playoffs!

Atlanta had the youngest of any playoff team this year, and with superstars in the making, the A-town certainly has a bright future.

Hot Trade in Hotlanta: Mike Bibby Headed to Hawks

Mike Radford — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 05:55:39 -0500

Shaq is now in Phoenix, Pau is in L.A., and Chris Webber is back in Golden State. It was thought that a superstar point guard was next to be moved.

And there was. But it wasn't the one you're thinking of.

Sorry Jason Kidd, that darn Larry Bird rule is keeping you in the northeast.

It's another top point guard, Mike Bibby, who is now joining some new company.

In the midst of all the trade talk and big deals, the Atlanta Hawks GM Billy Knight pulled a fast one.

Tyronn Lue, Anthony Johnson, Lorenzen Wright and Sheldon Williams are all heading out west in return for the veteran and playoff proven PG Mike Bibby. The Hawks were in great need of a talented, proven point guard and they got just that.

So just how did this trade get done?

It was noted over the last month or so that the Atlanta Hawks have been surprisingly absent from the NBA rumor mill and any other trade talks. Blockbuster deals have been going around before All-Star weekend, and not one involved the Hawks.

Then suddenly on Saturday Billy Knight made a huge move to gain Bibby, the best move of his career after the Joe Johnson deal. Billy had been taking a lot of flack for the his huge draft day mistakes. For example, passing up names like Deron Williams, Chris Paul, Rudy Gay, and Brandon Roy.

I think Billy is well on his way to redeeming himself with a postseason berth this year.

What the Hawks Gain

A veteran playoff tested leader who can create his own shot as well as shots for others. Bibby is Mr. clutch taking and making many big shots. This will take some of the pressure off of Joe!

What the Hawks Lose

Good leaders/secondary coaches to the young guys and talented bench players in Lue and Johnson.

Those two made some big plays for the Hawks and were even better people. Best of luck to them as well as Lorenzen and Sheldon Williams.

Neither of them got much playing time with the Hawks so hopefully the three vets will finish off their careers well and Sheldon's career will flourish.

The Hawks, now, have an extremely formidable starting five, with Bibby at point, Joe Johnson at two-guard, Josh Smith and Marvin Williams on the wings, and Al Horford, a star of this rookie class, in the middle.

Not many starting fives in the East are going to match that, with the exception of the obvious Boston and Detroit crews, and maybe Orlando and Cleveland.

That being said, this is a great day for the Hawks and they are definitely now a force to be reckoned with in the East.

Hawks-Bulls: Joe Johnson and Co. Charge Past Chicago

Mike Radford — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 10:29:22 -0500

Atlanta came out firing in the first quarter and never looked back, as they beat Chicago 105-84. Prior to the matchup, Atlanta had gone four years without a victory against Chicago.

The Hawks played with the same consistency they played with during a five-game win streak earlier this season.

They shared the ball well and continually made the extra pass. Everyone who saw the floor scored, and that's including Solomon Jones who contributed off the bench with six points and seven boards.

Josh Childress also provided a nice spark off the pine with 14 points and nine rebounds.

Oh by the way, Joe Johnson was 5-6 from three point land with 37 points and nine boards. Johnson had it going all game.

At one point after hit three consecutive jump shots, sparking the crowd with chants of "J-J-J-Joe Johnson is ON FIRE!"

The game was not even close. Atlanta gained a double-digit lead in the first quarter and never looked back.

Atlanta shared the ball and got out into the open court. At the half, the Hawks were up 69 to 49. Joe Johnson scored 25 of his 37 in the first half.

The Hawks struggled in the third quarter, however Chicago failed to take advantage.

It seemed as if the officials were the only ones out there.

Foul after foul was called. Tyronn Lue and Joe Johnson had a nice fourth quarter to close out the win for Atlanta.

Chicago shot poorly from behind the arc, and the result showed in the final score.

The Bulls lived and died by the three.

Atlanta outshot the Bulls behind the charity stripe 62.5 percent to 23.1 percent.

The Hawks finally got back to good basketball. You never know, maybe the Hawks have another win streak up their sleeves.

Hawks Play Well, But Fall to WIzards

Mike Radford — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 04:51:29 -0500

Just when it seemed like the Hawks were about to pull out a tough win against a conference opponent when it mattered, the wheels fell off.

The Hawks are in the thick of a tightly packed race for the fourth to eigth playoff spots in the eastern conference, and losing in Ovetime to a team that was just ahead of them in standings is hard to swallow. Atlanta had lost four out of its last five coming into the game and was looking to get back above 500. and into the "W" column.

There was a constant theme in throughout the game. When the Hawks got into the open court and ran, they made plays and scored. In the halfcourt set, they struggled mightily.

Quarter number one got off to a slow start for the hawks and was a quiet all-around quarter to say the least. The second quarter was much of the same as the Hawks entered halftime down six.

The Hawks came out strong in the third quarter and played like a well-oiled machine. The "Run N' Gun" offense was a staple in the quarter as the Wizards had no answer for the Hawks fastbreaks. Everyone ran including Al Horford who displayed a superb ability to use the outlet pass.

The Hawks fastbreak points slowed in the fourth quarter and turnovers began to mount. Bad passes, forced shots and other turnovers were costly. However none hurt as bad as the missed free throws. Joe Johnson, Marvin Williams, Josh Smith and the rest of the Hawks continued to leave points on the board by missing their free throws. The fourth quarter ended in a tie after Josh Smith blocked Caron Butler's three-point shot that would have one the game had it gone.

In overtime turnovers continued to hurt the Hawks, especially on inbounds plays. In one sequence Joe Johnson lost an inbound pass that went into the backcourt for a turnover. In another the ball was inbounded with five seconds on the shot clock and the hawks just passed it around and stood there until the time ran out. This was after a time out! Joe Johnson had his shot blocked late which led to a two possesion lead for the Wizards and they never looked back. The final score was 102-98 Wizards.

The lone bright spots in the game were Al Horford and Josh Smith. Josh scored a game high 35 points and Al pulled down 19 boards to set a season high for rookies.

In the post-game press conference coach Woodson stated "We just didn't execute".

I think Hawks fans are tired of "Just not exexuting."