Stud: Kemba Walker
Are you kidding me? No, really, are you kidding me? Pitt, how are you going to switch on a screen with 5 seconds left and let your center try to guard arguably the most talented shot-creator in the NCAA. Clearly, this didn’t prove to be the best choice – just ask Gary McGhee’s ankles. Poor decision making aside, if I’m a Pitt fan, I can’t even be mad about the result. When Kemba hits a shot like that, you just have to look yourself in the mirror and say “big players hit big shots”. Kemba has been hitting shots like that on playgrounds and gymnasiums since he was a kid. After all, this is the same guy who upset both Michigan State and Kentucky in the Maui Invitational to start the season. It will be very interesting to see how Walker and the Huskies plan to attack Syracuse’s 2-3 zone.
Dud: LeBron James
Although the Heat pulled out an impressive victory over the LakeShow last night in South Beach, I am still not convinced that LeBron James wants the ball in his hands down the stretch. There were numerous times in the 4th quarter where LeBron drove the lane and decided to dish the rock instead of take it himself. Don’t get me wrong, LeBron obviously has plenty of other weapons on his team who are capable of hitting big shots (I think). It just continues to strike me as odd that LeBron either takes the big shot and misses it (consistently) or seems to treat the ball like a hot potato and dish it to the nearest teammate. The defeat of the Lakers recently halted the Heat’s 5 game losing streak. I would be surprised if LeBron EVER lost 5 games in a row when he was in Cleveland. I think the Heat are still learning how to play with 2 ½ superstars on their team but if something doesn’t pick up soon, I think their chances at a deep playoff run are slim.
I Can’t Believe…
I can’t believe that people are still questioning BYU’s dismissal of Brandon Davies. Whether or not I agree with the BYU honor code is completely irrelevant. The bottom line is that BYU has rules that all student-athletes are made aware of before they choose to attend school there. By choosing BYU, you accept these rules and voluntarily commit to obeying them. It’s the same concept as if you commit to a school where the coach implements a ‘dry season’ policy (no alcohol consumption during season). If you violate this rule, you will be dismissed from the team. It’s the rules, and you chose to accept them by committing to compete for their athletics department. Either way, it’s a shame to see BYU’s chances of making a deep tournament run decrease because of one player’s decisions, but that’s the way it goes. Jimmer Fredette has still created a great buzz for BYU and I am interested to see if he can make it in the NBA – most likely will have to convert to a point guard.
Shhh, The Game Is On:
Big East Semi-Finals, Syracuse vs. Connecticut followed by Louisville vs. Notre Dame
Need I say more? Sorry friends, I will be staying in tonight.
