Bleacher Report - Articles by Heather Stidham

Dikembe Mutombo: An Inspiration with A Cookie Monster Voice

Heather Stidham — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 08:39:47 -0400

Sports stars impact others in countless ways: Young boys want to be them, girls want to date them, and everyone wants to take pleasure in their success.

However, it is rare to find a player who makes a profound impression on multiple generations and motivates others to be better people.

That is exactly what Dikembe Mutombo has done during the last 17 seasons in the NBA. Mutombo’s abilities on the basketball court do not hold a candle to his quality of person.

I was lucky enough to hear Mutombo speak recently—and by lucky I mean truly blessed.

I walked into the building expecting a typical chicken and tea luncheon and left feeling like I had been gifted an unexpected treasure. Mutombo’s roaring laugh and cookie monster voice rang through the crowd of people like a wild fire.

It was amazing to see the glow that he was able to spread to what would have been an ordinary affair.

Mutombo’s sense of humility and ability to find the good in every day has made him more than a basketball player. He is truly an inspiration to anyone who understands why we are all on this earth.

Many people do not know that Mutombo has a degree from Georgetown in linguistics and diplomacy. Or that he speaks nine languages including French, English, Spanish, Portuguese, and four African dialects.

His dedication to his education and to the improvement of life in his home country would be enough to call him a role model.

But, “the Son of Congo,” as George Bush referred to him in the 2007 State of the Union Address, is more than just a smart human being with incredible talents.

He is a model for how we should strive to live our lives. The Dikembe Mutombo Foundation has donated millions of dollars to causes around the world. Mutombo has been hailed as a visionary and a humanitarian, and won numerous awards throughout his life.

The Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital, named for his mother who died in 1997, is the first modern medical facility to be built in the Republic of Congo in nearly 40 years.

In a society that is all about “me,” Mutombo dares to make it all about “us.” He has shared his life with the world and we are all better people because of his willingness to take a stand.

Watching Mutombo honored at the Toyota Center was a moment that I will never forget.

Even in his glory, he still has the ability to make you feel as though you are the one being honored.

He simply said, “I want to thank God for all his blessings.” He then asked his fans to remember that he did his best, “to be his best,” both on and off the court.

As far as I am concerned, this is a simple task.

Sometimes you get lucky, but in Mutombo’s case, we won the jackpot.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Why Can't the Houston Rockets Get Any?

Heather Stidham — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 08:10:16 -0400

The Houston Rockets may not be the smartest, toughest, or most talented team in the NBA, but they are certainly one of the most under-appreciated.

I have to wonder how a team can be on a 19-game winning streak and not grace the front page of every sport magazine or web page in the country. Add in the loss of Yao Ming, and this team is practically a miracle.

Now, I am not saying this has been pretty basketball. The Rockets looked sloppy last night against a weak Nets' squad. The lack of defense and what seemed to be a complete breakdown of offensive flow made the game almost sad to watch.

Either way the truth remains that, despite their lack of rhythm last night, the Rockets are in the midst of something special. They are making history and accomplishing what many have never come close to achieving.

Only the Lakers and the Bucks have registered longer win streaks.

I heard someone say that “Winning messy is better than losing pretty,” and I have to agree.

Will the Rockets break the record for the longest streak? The answer is no, but who really cares! It is not about the streak anymore.

It is about a team—never respected, even in their championship years—coming together and earning their way.

I remember when the Rockets won their first championship. I got my Sports Illustrated the next week, and was surprised to see they weren’t on the cover.

Even yesterday, one flip to ESPN found Barkley and the crew doubting the Rockets' chances of beating the Nets, and calling their streak a thing of luck.

And to think, Barkley used to be a Rocket!

Luck doesn’t beat the Hornets. Luck doesn’t beat the Mavericks. There is nothing lucky about what the Rockets are accomplishing. Why is it luck for some, and skill for others?

If the Lakers were in the same position (and they were twice!), the sports world would be calling them the best team in basketball. At the very least, announcers and sports journalists would be clammering to write about their dominance.

I have tried to reason out why the Rockets have never been appreciated, and I can’t seem to find the answer. I don’t know why a team that has won 19 straight games can’t get the respect they deserve.

I know one thing though—Dikembe Mutombo’s smile says it all. This is a team that is having fun and making the most of the hand they have been dealt.

Win or lose in the playoffs, the Rockets should be proud of what they have done this year. I know I am!

And the Oscar Goes To: Baseball's Top Performers

Heather Stidham — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 05:23:59 -0500

Since I am riding the high of last night’s Oscar presentation, I thought that I would hand out my nominations and winners for the Baseball Academy Awards.

So, here we go…

Best Actor of the Year

Curt Shilling, There will be Blood Part 2

Jonathon Papelbon, Step Up to the Mound

Barry Bonds, Fugitive: Running from the Feds

Roger Clemens, Titanic 2

And the Winner is…Jonathon Papelbon for Step Up to the Mound

Step Up to the Mound is the story of a young dancer turned Red Sox’s closer, on a mission to win a WORLD :) Championship one step at a time. His rendition of River Dance left audiences in awe and helped catapult his career as a pop-sensation.

Best Actress of the Year

Debbie Clemens, Behind Closed Doors

Erin Andrews, There’s Something about Erin

Allyson Footer, A Beautiful Mind

And the Oscar goes to…Debbie Clemens for Behind Closed Doors

The gut-wrenching story of a woman forced to uphold a picture-perfect image for a husband in the spotlight, Behind Closed Doors explores Clemens fight to remain the perfect mother and wife while hiding a deep, dark secret from the world. Critics called it “haunting” and “beautiful.”

Best Supporting Actor

Clay Buchholz, Rookie of the Year

Craig Biggio, Saving the Houston Astros

Joe Torre, Ice Age: The Final Meltdown

The Philadelphia Phillies, The Sting: 10,000 and Counting

And the Winner is…Craig Biggio for Saving the Houston Astros

Saving the Houston Astros is the tale of a brave man who takes on the challenge of saving a whole city, one hit at a time. His grace and humility make his performance the only shining light of the film and saves Astros fans from shredding their season tickets.

Best Picture

San Francisco Giants, The Bonds Witch Project

Colorado Rockies, Mission Possible

New York Mets, Every Which Way but Loose

Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Super-Duper Bad

And the Oscar goes to…The Tampa Bay Devil Rays for Super-Duper Bad

This hard-to-watch depiction of life on the streets in Florida is both nauseating and gut-wrenching. Day-after-day of painful performances makes this a must-see picture for anyone who wants to experience pure agony. The New York Times called it, “vomit-inducing” and “grotesque”

Thank you for joining me for the Baseball Oscars. What do you think? Did the Academy get it right this year? What other awards should be given out?

Roger Clemens: A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words

Heather Stidham — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 08:55:26 -0500

I have refrained from commenting on the Roger Clemens situation because I honestly feel that the steroids era should just be left alone.

Why do we like to tarnish the game? Many journalists can find nothing better to do than pit fans against “alleged” steroid users. They insist on regurgitating the issue of steroids over and over and over again. It is just plain silly.

The players and fans are no different. All that anyone seems to talk about is who used, who didn’t, and who lied about using. When, truth is, nobody really knows for sure what went down behind closed doors. Did your favorite player use steroids? Who knows?

The only reason that I feel compelled to comment on this situation is because of the report that photos have surfaced showing Clemens at a party he swears he never attended. Sure, the photos could be fake or from a different occasion, but, if they are authentic, then Clemens is done.

I wanted to give Clemens the benefit of the doubt when the Mitchell Report came out. I really did. I wanted him to clear his name, and I wanted to be able to wear my Clemens jersey in public again, but I just don’t see it playing out that way.

Do you honestly expect me believe that Brian McNamee injected Debbie Clemens in her bedroom and Clemens had no first-hand knowledge of it?

First of all, why was McNamee in her bedroom alone at all? Second, why didn’t Clemens kick his behind when he found out?

I know two things for sure—Clemens is either innocent or the stupidest man alive. There is no in between. If Clemens really is this stupid, then he deserves to be indicted and charged.

Do I think that players should be hung because they used steroids? Not at all. I think the steroids era included thousands of players that we will never know about, but a man who point-blank lies to his fans and the Federal Government deserves everything he gets.

I am tired of hearing Andy Pettitte referred to as a “role model” and “the most honest man in baseball.” Pettitte is as guilty as Clemens when it comes to using steroids, and he lied to the public once before he was forced to tell the truth. Pettitte isn’t stupid, however. He told the truth when it mattered most, and he will be forgiven by the public and his fans.

Either way, I hope that this topic goes away soon. I am tired of it overshadowing the glow that spring training brings at this time of year.

I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to get back to the ballpark where the cost of beer is the most scandalous topic.

Diving Rolls and Head Bumps: Phoenix Suns on the Way to a Championship

Heather Stidham — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 10:01:19 -0500

After watching last night’s game, I have officially jumped ship and landed on the Suns’ bandwagon.

I am going to throw what little sports credibility that I might have out the window and predict that the Suns will win the Championship this year.

The Suns play a game that resembles that of the jailbreak scene in The Goonies. Many anticipated that the addition of Shaq would slow them down and change their style. However, diving rolls and bumps on the head showed that the Suns will have to keep up with Shaq.

Say what you will about his almost frantic performance, the truth remains that the Suns almost beat, arguably, “the team to beat” in the Western Conference. And, lets face it: Kobe has won three championships, but only with Shaq by his side—Insert Steve Nash here.

With Stoudemire in peak form, Nash leading the league in assists and Bell and Barbosa rapidly evolving their games, the Suns are in a prime position to take it all the way. Add Shaq to the mix, who demonstrated last night with his hustle and determination that he is there to win, and the Suns quickly look like the team to beat.

I watched the Suns last night and saw hunger. Stoudemire has been ridiculed as a selfish player, but the addition of Shaq puts him in a perfect position to shoot for 25 points every night. And let’s face it, the guy is no fool. He has watched his team barely miss the mark on the bench and he knows what he has to do to take them to the end.

But, the Suns do have a long road ahead of them. The Hornets are playing tough basketball and Chris Paul is my vote for MVP at this point in the season. Add in the red-hot Rockets, the new Kidd on the block in Dallas and the defending Spurs and it is clear that only the strongest will survive.

If I was a betting woman I would throw my money on the Suns. They just have that fiery look about them. They are passionate, determined, athletic and exciting to watch.

What more could you ask for?