Skip to main content

I Wannabe Like Mike: The Effects of Phelps Success.

B-R-E-T-T. Brett, Brett, Brett!!

For the time being, that chant is falling on deaf ears as Brett Favre has been pushed off the main pages and out of the headlines.

And with the coverage Favre has been drawing for his momentous change in uniform (shade of green), it would take a special event and person to do so. Especially, in the world of ESPN.

Right now, everyone wants to be like Mike. Michael Phelps that is.

What Michael Phelps has accomplished in Beijing in the 2008 Olympics far exceeds the standard of special. Phelps' accomplishments were historic, impressive and downright transcending.

If you had the opportunity to witness one of Phelps' races in the Olympics you understand the magnitude of his feat. Phelps' ability to not only defeat the best in the world, but dominate them by body lengths is immeasurable. He possesses the type of God-given ability that causes you to shake your head in disbelief of his athleticism, poise, and dominance. Simply put, Michael Phelps is a monster.

He is now hailed amongst the untouchables in the sporting world. Now acknowledged as one of the greatest athletes of all-time (even debatable as the greatest), Phelps has helped put the sport of swimming to the forefront and put some of that lost prestige back into the Olympic games. Heralded with the likes of Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Floyd Mayweather and others, Phelps has created a phenomenon that may transcend the sport of swimming the way Jordan, Woods, and Mayweather did for theirs.

With Phelps being only 23, its exciting to think about the possibilities in London for the 2012 games. With the dominance of young phenoms in various sports such as Phelps, and even Jamaica's Usain Bolt in Track and Field, the Olympics is no longer a mini-platform for political issues, but once again the ultimate stage for athletics and competition.

Dark green, light green, forrest green, or lime green; no matter what shade Favre wears, that is something he could not have given the world over the past week and a half.

Through his 8 gold medals, he made us believe in the games again. Shattering history, impressing the world, transcending all competition...and made wearing a speedo cooler than a green number four football jersey.

Who wouldn't want to be like Mike?

Recent Favorites

50 Wins and the #2 Seed

The New York Knicks are the #2 Seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs.  Unbelievable.  Oh yeah, they also put together an unbelievable fifty-win season to do so.  I've already expressed some thoughts on this season - from the trade of RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley to Julius Randle's injury and obvious absence to the brilliance that was Jalen Brunson - there has been so much to take in, and appreciate.  I can't say it enough - I love this team. THIS team.  Just a few other quick thoughts as we reflect on 50 wins and the #2 seed before heading into a tough first-round series with either the Miami Heat or Philadelphia 76ers:  I know Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the hot narrative for MVP and there is a big-time Serbian in Denver who easily makes a claim for the award once again, but damn it, Jalen Brunson deserves recognition and some lower-place votes. That's all I'm asking for... Speaking of giving flowers to Jalen Brunson, it's about time a real basketball dis

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 4/14/24

3 Up 1. Gun Control? - Wow. We have somewhat new gun legislation - so it is possible?! Of course, I'm being a bit cheeky in regards to the recent new plan to offer background checks for gun purchases, which really is a big part of the gun control debate. No?  2. Solar Eclipse - I didn't get a chance to experience it, but the idea of it is rather cool. Our world - and universe - is a remarkable experience and thought.  3. Women's Basketball Ratings - The boost continues as women's hoops continue its surge in ratings, interest, and overall star power. It will likely continue next week with the WNBA Draft.  3 Down  1. Iran Missiles on Israel - The entire saga in Gaza continues to get more complex. Throwing Iran into the mix, and now the US intercepting drones and missiles, the entire thing is super sad as innocent people continue to be killed.  2. Tennessee Teachers Carry - Well, just when we thought the gun debate was moving toward a reasonable decision, we get the sta

Exorcising Demons with a Breen "Double Bang!"

These sorts of moments feel like they don't happen to us.  Well, they happen VERY rarely - I'm talking Larry Johnson's 4-point play-rare. Yeah, it's been THAT long.  But watching this New York Knicks team score eight points in less than thirty-five seconds, including a sequence that will forever live in my fandom, sits right with that LJ garden-rocking shot.  I sat on my couch in absolute shock at what I just saw.  "How the hell did they just win that game?!"  It's the kind of moment this fanbase deserves. It's the moment that releases and exorcises some demons that haunt us from the trauma of experiences.  Namely you, Reggie Miller.  I loved it. And the icing on the cake was Mike Breen - Oh, Mike Breen, the loveable man with the most epic voice that has narrated so much of my basketball-loving fandom - with not one, but two signature "Bang!" calls.  I'll never let this one down. Ever.  I'm not sure where this team will wrap up the se