SBNation.com: All Posts by Michael Imhoffhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46737/sbn-fave.png2019-08-24T10:31:37-04:00https://www.sbnation.com/authors/michael-imhoff/rss2019-08-24T10:31:37-04:002019-08-24T10:31:37-04:00Alabama and Georgia’s overtime thriller in the 2018 National Championship deserves a deep rewind
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<p>Freshman Tua Tagovailoa did some wild stuff that covered up how we got there</p> <p id="eoOonj">It’s January 8, 2018. Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football-playoff-national-championship">College Football National Championship</a> game is in overtime and the hometown <a href="https://www.dawgsports.com/">Georgia Bulldogs</a> have struck first, putting a 51 yard field goal through the uprights to make this a do or die drive for the <a href="https://www.rollbamaroll.com/">Alabama Crimson Tide</a>. The fate of the championship lies in the hands of the Alabama offense, but the quarterback of this offense started this game on the bench.</p>
<p id="A8gZXr">Despite coming within one second of winning the 2017 National Championship, Alabama quarterback <span>Jalen Hurts</span> was benched at half time. In the first half he completed just three passes for twenty one yards. Hardly a championship performance. Alabama Head Coach decided to start the second half with true freshman <span>Tua Tagovailoa</span> under center. Now in overtime, Alabama has a chance to win it all but a sack on first down has them in a precarious second and twenty six situation. Welcome to a moment in history.</p>
<p id="Mv9iIU">For more episodes of REWINDER be sure to visit www.youtube.com/sbnation.</p>
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https://www.sbnation.com/videos/2019/8/24/20829793/alabama-and-georgias-overtime-thriller-in-the-2018-national-championship-deserves-a-deep-rewindMichael ImhoffRyan SimmonsJiazhen Zhang2019-08-10T10:03:22-04:002019-08-10T10:03:22-04:00How the Thunder failed to win a title after drafting three MVPs in a row
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<p>Not OK - C. Yea that works.</p> <p id="aUnhm0">On June 6, 2012 the <a href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> eliminated the Spurs in game 6 of the Western Conference Finals.</p>
<p id="8ZQN4j">After falling behind two games to none, the Thunder rallied on their home court and headed back to San Antonio tied 2-2. With a 103-101 lead and under 30 seconds to play in game five, <span>James Harden</span> drilled a dagger three to push the Thunder’s lead to five. OKC left the building with a 3-2 series lead. In game 6 the Spurs led by as much as 18 but a huge third quarter from the Thunder including this lead grabbing three from <span>Durant</span> helped Oklahoma City set a date with <span>LeBron James</span> and the Miami Heat in the Finals. It was their first <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba-finals">NBA Finals</a> appearance since 1996, when they were known as the Seattle Supersonics.</p>
<p id="mZQWsS">The Thunder had home court advantage and momentum as they faced off against a Heat team that was proven to be vulnerable the year before. Could these young guns delay King James his crown one more year?</p>
<p id="eMSTIT">No.</p>
<p id="haGJze">For more episodes of COLLAPSE season 2 please visit <a href="http://youtube.com/sbnation">youtube.com/sbnation</a>.</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/videos/2019/8/10/20798848/how-the-thunder-failed-to-win-a-title-after-drafting-three-mvps-in-a-rowMichael ImhoffJiazhen ZhangMichael Das2019-07-16T11:00:52-04:002019-07-16T11:00:52-04:00How Tiger Woods’ personal life and injury history derailed his major record run
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<p>It was a long road between his 14th and 15th major wins.</p> <p id="EdshmP">On April 13, 1997, Tiger Woods became the youngest golfer ever to win the Masters, but it was only the beginning of what would become a reign of dominance never seen before in the sport. The time he would spend at No. 1 is unparalleled, ranking first in the world for over 260 consecutive weeks on two separate occasions. No other golfer has ever spent even 100 consecutive weeks at the top spot. </p>
<p id="kPUfrn">But the focus of diehard and casual fans alike has always been his chase for major championships. In a nine year span from August 1999 through 2008, Woods won 13 majors. The only man alive with more than 11 in his <em>career</em> is Jack Nicklaus, the leader in major wins with 18. </p>
<p id="QODgtI">What many consider Woods’ greatest championship, however, came at the 2008 US Open.</p>
<p id="0N7OhF">Woods had entered the final round with a one shot lead but dropped three shots on the opening holes and lost the lead to Rocco Mediate. On the 18th hole, he needed a birdie to tie it and send it to a playoff. He put it on the green with a beautiful approach and then sunk a now iconic putt. </p>
<p id="gmJZTo">Woods and Mediate played another 18 holes to a tie. Then in sudden death, Woods just missed a birdie and tapped in for par. Mediate’s par putt was off and Woods claimed his 14th major Championship.</p>
<p id="q53eC3">With 14 major wins under his belt, the countdown clock began, it was inevitable that Woods would break Nicklaus’ record of 18 majors. But just like frozen soup in the microwave, time keeps getting added to the clock and eventually you find yourself wondering, will it ever be done? </p>
<p id="uGOKT6">For more episodes of COLLAPSE visit <a href="http://www.youtube.com/sbnation">www.youtube.com/sbnation</a>.</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/2019/7/16/20695285/tiger-woods-personal-life-and-injury-history-derailed-major-record-runMichael ImhoffRyan SimmonsPhil Pasternak2019-07-06T11:04:50-04:002019-07-06T11:04:50-04:00Mike Tyson’s historic fight against Buster Douglas deserves a deep rewind
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<p>A 42 to 1 underdog story</p> <p id="XpGzHG">On February 11, 1990, Mike Tyson fought James “Buster” Douglas in Tokyo, Japan for the heavyweight title. It was the tenth title defense for Mike Tyson, who entered the fight unbeatable in the eyes of many boxing fans. This fight wasn’t meant to change anyone’s mind either. It was a tune up fight for Tyson leading to a match up against the number one contender, Evander Holyfield.</p>
<p id="cZ3XDE">The fight was so lopsided that American fans wouldn’t pay to see it, so it was shipped overseas to Japan. Casinos wouldn’t even take bets on the fight. The only legal sportsbook to take wagers was The Mirage who had to raise the odds all the way to 42 to 1 in order to finally get bets placed on Douglas. No one expected Buster to make it out of the first couple rounds but he held his own into the 10th in one of the most memorable boxing matches in history.</p>
<p id="70g1YV">To appreciate why, we need to rewind. For more episodes of Rewinder please visit www.youtube.com/sbnation</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/2019/7/6/20681020/mike-tysons-vs-buster-douglasMichael ImhoffJoe Ali2019-06-18T12:07:47-04:002019-06-18T12:07:47-04:00How many bases can you rack up in a single MLB game?
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<p>Probably not as many as Shawn Green.</p> <p id="W0zsSe">From the early total base leaders the likes of Ty Cobb and Lou Gehrig to today’s leaders, <span>Shawn Green</span> and <span>Josh Hamilton</span>, the total base record has always required a player’s single best game of their career. Today, the best route to the top of the list is with MLB’s first five home run game, but it’s not the only way. </p>
<p id="DL7Y8d">There are only 18 players who have ever hit four home runs in a game and the leaders in total bases for a single game tend to be a four home run game with flair. Whether it be tacking on a single or double. This makes Green’s 19 total base game extremely difficult to surpass. Even Mike Cameron, who hit four home runs plus a shot to the warning track a few weeks before Green’s outburst, finds himself three bases short of the top of the leaderboard. One thing is for sure, when the total base record is broken, it will be a performance for the history books. </p>
<p id="x7cxWd">Be sure to check out more episodes of <em>High Score</em> at <a href="http://www.youtube.com/sbnation">www.youtube.com/sbnation</a>.</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/2019/6/18/18683740/mlb-total-base-recordMichael ImhoffSBN Studios2019-05-23T12:16:08-04:002019-05-23T12:16:08-04:00How the Jets crashed and burned after back-to-back AFC Championship appearances
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<p>This circus was not worth the price of admission.</p> <p id="IrmSaU">On Jan. 16, 2011 the <a href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/">New York Jets</a> defeated the <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> to advance to their second consecutive <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/afc-championship-game">AFC Championship</a> game. Becoming the first team in NFL history to win back-to-back road playoff games in back-to-back seasons in the process. A fanbase starved for success finally had its moment in the sun.</p>
<p id="jlRArd">Their second year head coach, <span>Rex Ryan</span> and sophomore quarterback <span>Mark Sanchez</span> had known nothing but success in green and white. It was a Cinderella story that no one saw coming and the Jets had their first Super Bowl appearance since 1969 within their grasp. But midnight struck and they all turned back into pumpkins. Those pumpkins then sat out in the sun and slowly rotted. </p>
<p id="85ZN5x">This episode of <em>Collapse</em>, is all about just how rotten they got. For more episodes of <em>Collapse</em>, be sure to check out the playlist <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUXSZMIiUfFQ_PvIFxhH7yQ3Hd-lNkWJn">here</a>. And, as always, thanks for watching.</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/2019/5/23/18637176/jets-crashed-and-burned-back-to-back-afc-championship-nfl-collapseMichael ImhoffRyan SimmonsPhil Pasternak2019-05-12T11:02:41-04:002019-05-12T11:02:41-04:00J.R. Smith’s NBA Finals blunder deserves a deep rewind
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<p>J.R. FTW! Oh wait...</p> <p id="kptjeC">On May 31, 2018, the Golden State Warriors faced off against the Cleveland Cavaliers in game one of the NBA Finals. In a tie game with 4.7 seconds left on the clock, Cavs guard, George Hill, was at the line.</p>
<p id="lcWByP">After sinking the first of two free throws, Hill has a chance to give Cleveland a late lead. And this narrow margin is exactly what everyone expected. Because these two teams are facing off in the finals for the 4th consecutive year. Something that has never happened in the four major North American sports. But to truly appreciate the moment, it’s important to take a look back at all the little moments that led up to it. </p>
<p id="wOooAY">This episode of REWINDER takes you into that moment — one Cavs fans will never forget — and tries to grapple with the idea that maybe, we all should have seen this coming. For more episodes of REWINDER, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUXSZMIiUfFT6WwhB2Sk2gqz7agE9FlLg">check out our playlist</a>.</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/videos/2019/5/12/18564647/j-r-smiths-nba-finals-blunder-deserves-a-deep-rewindMichael ImhoffRyan SimmonsJoe Ali2019-04-25T11:00:22-04:002019-04-25T11:00:22-04:00The ‘01 Mariners set a win record, choked in the ALCS and never returned to the postseason
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<p>But hey, Ichiro.</p> <p id="9Wqzxc">On Oct. 6, 2001, the Seattle Mariners won their 116th game of the season. Tying the MLB record set by the 1906 Chicago Cubs and breaking the AL record of 114 set by the ‘98 Yankees, widely considered one of the greatest teams in MLB history.</p>
<p id="RIrYGy">Part of what makes this achievement so astonishing is they did so in the wake of losing three Hall-of-Fame-caliber players. </p>
<p id="iHvOBN">At the 1998 trade deadline, in the midst of a down year, Seattle traded Cy Young award winner, Randy Johnson to the Houston Astros. In return, the Mariners received three important pieces to the 2001 team, shortstop Carlos Guillen as well as pitchers John Halama and Freddy Garcia, the latter of which would make the 2001 MLB All-Star team.</p>
<p id="NsS8qx">After the 1999 season, Pat Gillick was hired as GM and given the duty of handling franchise icons Ken Griffey Jr. and Alex Rodriguez, both of whom were on expiring contracts entering the 2000 season. A-Rod played the year out and walked in free agency but Griffey was flipped to his hometown Cincinnati Reds before the start of the season. The returning package included center fielder Mike Cameron, who would go on the be an all-star and Gold Glove winner in 2001. </p>
<p id="1e1mDx">But by far, the most consequential move by the Mariners was the signing of Japanese phenom, Ichiro Suzuki. In Ichiro’s 2001 rookie season he became the first player in Major League Baseball history to win MVP, rookie of the year, Silver Slugger, a Gold Glove, and start in the all-star game. A mind-numbing feat. </p>
<p id="fkSN8q">He went on to lead his team to their historic win total, but it’s there that the fairytale came to an end. Facing a Yankees team carrying the hope of a city still reeling in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks, the Mariners lost the first two games at home. Manager Lou Piniella guaranteed his Mariners would win two of the next three games in New York and bring the series back home. But no one on that 116-win team ever played another postseason game in Seattle again.</p>
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https://www.sbnation.com/2019/4/25/18515895/the-01-mariners-record-setting-seasonMichael ImhoffJiazhen ZhangMichael DasPhil Pasternak2019-03-06T12:55:57-05:002019-03-06T12:55:57-05:00How the Buccaneers fell apart after dominating the 2002 Super Bowl
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<p>The schadenfreude is strong with this one.</p> <p id="cDJpGM">On Jan. 26, 2003, the <a href="https://www.bucsnation.com/">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a> defeated the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Oakland Raiders</a> for their first <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/super-bowl">Super Bowl</a> victory in franchise history. </p>
<p id="eGxYqr">The Tampa defense picked off Rich Gannon <em>five</em> times (he’d only thrown 10 interceptions during the regular season), including one by Super Bowl MVP <span>Dexter Jackson</span> to help grab an early lead, and one by <span>Dwight Smith</span> among the final ticks of the clock in the fourth quarter, with players already celebrating on the sideline. </p>
<p id="ESdBIX">But the path to the Super Bowl started well before the players took the field that season. General manager Rich McKay spent the mid 1990s and early 2000s constructing this champion, including drafting seven of the 11 players on the NFL’s No. 1 defense. And that defense came together under coordinator Monte Kiffin and former head coach Tony Dungy, who crafted the now iconic Tampa 2 defense. </p>
<p id="IKXtGu">However, it was Dungy’s shortcomings that ultimately led to their championship. Following back-to-back losses in the Wild Card round, both on the road in Philadelphia, Dungy was let go. Tampa Bay then stacked first- and second-round picks onto a pile of cash and sent it to the Raiders for the rights to their head coach, Jon Gruden. After leading the team to a franchise best 12-4 record, Gruden did what Dungy couldn’t — he defeated Philadelphia on the road in the postseason. And when staring down the barrel of his former team, the Bucs buried them, 48-21.</p>
<p id="21SJPc">Gruden was the difference maker. With him at the helm, they couldn’t lose. The future was bright and nothing could stop this team from becoming a dynasty. </p>
<p id="2AdRYi">Oh, wait — I’m reading this wrong. It was all downhill from there.</p>
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https://www.sbnation.com/videos/2019/3/6/18252222/buccaneers-fell-apart-after-2002-super-bowl-nfl-gruden-eagles-raidersMichael ImhoffMichael DasPhil Pasternak2019-02-23T09:03:00-05:002019-02-23T09:03:00-05:00Game 1 of the 1995 NBA Finals deserves a deep rewind
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<p>Shaq vs. Hakeem and Anderson vs. free throws</p> <p id="qpcara">It’s June 7, 1995. Game one of the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba-finals">NBA Finals</a> at the O-rena in Orlando, Florida. The <a href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/">Magic</a> and <a href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/">Rockets</a> are tied at 118 with five and a half seconds left in overtime. Houston is inbounding at half court. </p>
<p id="VckhJQ">The Magic, a young franchise who has become the quickest expansion team to reach the finals behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s Bucks in 1971, are trying desperately to keep hold of home court advantage. An advantage they got from their 57 win season which earned them the number one seed in the Eastern Conference.</p>
<p id="3ShneG">The Houston Rockets have clawed back from a twenty point deficit and are looking for a leg up in their chase of back to back championships. With the return of Michael Jordan only months prior, this may be Olajuwon’s last chance at another ring and the recently acquired Clyde Drexler’s only chance at one. </p>
<p id="pZTDDZ">This game obviously won’t decide the championship, but game one is important for setting the tone for the series. The effect on morale if the Magic were to squander such a huge lead on their home court could be devastating. The momentum gained by Houston’s comeback could fuel their rockets for the rest of the series. But we can’t forget the build up to this moment so, let’s rewind.</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/videos/2019/2/23/18236673/game-1-1995-nba-finals-rewindMichael ImhoffJoe AliRyan Simmons