Phelps vs. le Clos: When poking the bear goes wrong

If you thought le Clos calling out Phelps was bad, imagine what would happen when you poke him and three of his fastest buddies. 

Alain Bernard was confident that France would knock off the Americans in the 4x100-meter relay. So confident in fact that he said that the French were going to “smash” the United States. And for about 350 meters, it looked like he was going to deliver on that promise.

That was until United States 100-meter anchor Jason Lezak kicked it into sixth gear in the final 50 meters to overcome the half-body length lead the French had built. Lezak won the gold for Phelps, who was able to secure a record eight gold medals in one Olympic games.

Au revoir, Alain.

That one guy on the Steelers that predicted a win against the Patriots

Guaranteeing a win is one thing when you’re star. It’s another when you’re just another name on a roster list.

Steelers safety Anthony Smith didn’t shy away when asked whether the Steelers were going to win. The safety took over for the injured Ryan Clark halfway through the season, and wanted the big win.

It didn’t matter that the Patriots were playing in Foxborough, or that they were 12-0 with a record-setting offense featuring Randy Moss and Tom Brady, or that they were deep in the midst of their amazing 2007 undefeated regular season campaign; Smith believed his team would pull off the win.

Thirty-seven New England points later, Smith’s guarantee went unfulfilled.  Brady took it upon himself to make Smith’s night miserable, targeting him constantly with Moss and Welker, and burning the Steelers for nearly 400 yards and four touchdowns.

Well, at least Smith is remembered for something.

Sticks and stones may break bones, but Draymond’s words lose a championship

On the basketball court, many things are said that cannot be repeated. It’s just a part of the game.

Some players use words to affect the play other others. Gary Payton, one of the all-time masters of the art, used it as a weapon against Michael Jordan in the 1996 NBA Finals. Other players use those harsh words to their advantage.

LeBron James found himself on the losing end of Game 4 of the 2016 NBA Finals, leaving him and the Cleveland Cavaliers with a 3-1 series deficit. But that’s not the only way he was hurt.

James got tangled up with Draymond Green in the closing minutes of the game, and the two exchanged words. There are conflicting reports as to what was uttered, but the alleged words range from a euphemism for "female canine" to "starts with F, ends with boy."

In either case, those words brought James to a new level.

James came into Game 4 still putting up great numbers, shooting 48.2 percent from the field, 31.3 percent from the three and averaging 24.8 points per game. For the rest of the series, James upped his three-point percentage to 42.1 percent, cut his turnovers down from 5.8 to 2.7, and averaged 36.3 points per game.

Oh, and Cavs won the came back to win the series and NBA Finals. 

Chael Sonnen talks himself into fighting Anderson Silva, regret ensues

There are a lot of trash talkers in MMA, but Chael Sonnen might be the greatest of all time. After winning for much for their match at UFC 117, Sonnen was feeling pretty good about himself even after losing to Anderson Silva via miraculous triangle choke in the third round.

After coming off a PED suspension, Sonnen easily submitted Brian Stann at UFC 136. After the match, Sonnen grabbed the microphone with Anderson Silva in attendance and exclaimed, “Anderson Silva, you absolutely suck!”

After a win against Michael Bisping, a rematch was set between Sonnen and Silva. Not one to attract more bees with honey than vinegar, Sonnen not only went after Silva, but Brazilian culture as whole, insisting that Brazilians turn to “fish bones” to cure toothaches.

Silva didn’t take too long exact his revenge.

One knee to the chest put Sonnen on his back, where Silva pounded him into a TKO.

We’re going to need some more fish bones.

Matt Hasselbeck is going to score…for the other team

The Seahawks were locked in an epic wild card playoff battle against the Green Bay Packers in 2004. The score was 27-27 going into sudden death overtime.

The Seahawks won the coin toss, and were given first choice to receive or kick.  Hasselbeck, a little charged up, said in full range of the referee’s mic, “We’ll take the ball, and we’re going to score.”

Someone scored all right: the Packers. On a pick-six.

Spike Lee fuels one of the greatest comebacks of all time

Sometimes, it’s not even a competitor that gets an athlete going.

Director Spike Lee is a lifelong fan of the New York Knicks, and talks like it from his courtside seats. In 1995, Reggie Miller was in town with the Indiana Pacers for Game 1 of the 1995 Eastern Conference semifinal.

The Pacers found themselves down by six points with 18.7 seconds left. Spike Lee was waving his towel in celebration as it looked like a done deal for the Knicks, who held Miller to five of 16 shooting at that point.

Reggie Miller had other plans.

Eight points and nine seconds later, the Pacers came away with the win and a satisfying highlight that will live on forever.