Surviving "Paradise"

Kobe Bryant caught fire in the 4th period in the Staples Center last night and helped lift the Lakers back into the 8th playoff spot with a 104 – 96 victory over the Hornets.  Now, granted, the Lakers had no business losing this game.  Non the less, it was actually quite close until Kobe took over.  He finished with 30 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists and scored 23 of his 30 points in the final twelve minutes.  Great to see Pau Gasol comfortable in the paint and he was a huge contributor, especially when Dwight Howard picked up his 5th foul in the fourth period.  Gasol finished with 22 points and 11 rebounds, Howard added 19 points.  Yes, World Peace did play, for a short period anyway.  His defensive intensity is sorely missed by the Lakers and he was attempting to return from knee surgery after only twelve days when it had been announced he would likely miss six weeks.  The Lakers are still without the services of Steve Nash.  The playoff march continues tonight when the Lakers take on Portland on the road.

Earlier, OKC took care of the Jazz, 90 – 80 which helped boost the Lakers back into the 8th playoff spot.  Also, Melo and the New York Knicks took care of the Wizards, 120 – 99 for their 13th straight victory.  Just how serious a threat are the Knicks to the Heat in the Eastern Conference?  I would say substantial, yet remember that in their last meeting, both LeBron and Wade were dressed in nice suits sitting out on the bench.  Can the Knicks possibly stop the Heat in the playoffs should they both make it to the Eastern Conference final?  In a best of seven, anything is possible, but the Heat would be the smart bet!

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WOW!  That game last night was certainly worthy of being called a great NCAA Basketball Championship game.  These two teams were both fantastic and the pace was frenzied and electric along with the atmosphere.  Michigan raced out to a twelve point lead in the first period, then guard Trey Burke picked up his second foul and had to sit the remaining eleven plus minutes of the first half.  (Some question Coach Beilein’s decision to keep him on the bench, not sure it really affected the outcome of the game in the end!)  Next thing you know, Louisville goes on a 14 – 1 run behind the hot hand of Luke Hancock (MOP – Most Outstanding Player of the game) who nailed three point shot after three point shot.  To be fair, Michigan had enjoyed a three point flurry from unexpected first half star, Spike Albrecht (17 points), and Louisville weathered the storm and made a run behind Hancock of their own.  At the half, the Cardinals trailed by one, 37 – 38.

The second half was all about Louisville imposing their will in the paint.  Peyton Siva and Chane Behanan put on a clinic.  Siva drove into the paint and Behanan put the ball in the net, rebounded and cleared the way for Siva to drive in and score.  Siva finished with 18 points and Behanan finished with 15 points and 12 rebounds.  There was a bit of confusion by Michigan regarding the foul situation with about 50 seconds left in the game and trailing by four points, but you know what, there are always could have, should have, did not, etc. stories.   The real story here was two GREAT teams going at it for a complete game.  Louisville was both lucky and good, as they have been all year long (they had won 16 straight games since Feb. 14th).  Michigan is young ,the youngest in the tourney, and Trey Burke was awarded the Naismith Award at the Atlanta Tip-Off Club the night before to go along with his Wooden Award, both well deserved.  But Louisville cut down the nets in Atlanta, with the goal being lowered and injured guard Kevin Ware making the final snips to wave to the Louisville faithful with a smile and tears in his eyes.  Well done Louisville and Michigan.  Congrats to Louisville, 2013 National Champions!  First title since 1986.  Motto for the Cardinals, courtesy of Kevin Ware, just go win the game…and that they did!!

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WOW!  That game last night was certainly worthy of being called a great NCAA Basketball Championship game.  These two teams were both fantastic and the pace was frenzied and electric along with the atmosphere.  Michigan raced out to a twelve point lead in the first period, then guard Trey Burke picked up his second foul and had to sit the remaining eleven plus minutes of the first half.  (Some question Coach Beilein’s decision to keep him on the bench, not sure it really affected the outcome of the game in the end!)  Next thing you know, Louisville goes on a 14 – 1 run behind the hot hand of Luke Hancock (MOP – Most Outstanding Player of the game) who nailed three point shot after three point shot.  To be fair, Michigan had enjoyed a three point flurry from unexpected first half star, Spike Albrecht (17 points), and Louisville weathered the storm and made a run behind Hancock of their own.  At the half, the Cardinals trailed by one, 37 – 38.

The second half was all about Louisville imposing their will in the paint.  Peyton Siva and Chane Behanan put on a clinic.  Siva drove into the paint and Behanan put the ball in the net, rebounded and cleared the way for Siva to drive in and score.  Siva finished with 18 points and Behanan finished with 15 points and 12 rebounds.  There was a bit of confusion by Michigan regarding the foul situation with about 50 seconds left in the game and trailing by four points, but you know what, there are always could have, should have, did not, etc. stories.   The real story here was two GREAT teams going at it for a complete game.  Louisville was both lucky and good, as they have been all year long (they had won 16 straight games since Feb. 14th).  Michigan is young ,the youngest in the tourney, and Trey Burke was awarded the Naismith Award at the Atlanta Tip-Off Club the night before to go along with his Wooden Award, both well deserved.  But Louisville cut down the nets in Atlanta, with the goal being lowered and injured guard Kevin Ware making the final snips to wave to the Louisville faithful with a smile and tears in his eyes.  Well done Louisville and Michigan.  Congrats to Louisville, 2013 National Champions!  First title since 1986.  Motto for the Cardinals, courtesy of Kevin Ware, just go win the game…and that they did!!

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OK folks, it is Monday and the NCAA Basketball title game is tonight in Atlanta.  I promised my pick today and I am struggling with it.  My head tells me Louisville, the number one overall seed in the tournament.  My heart tells me Michigan, a bit of an upset and redemption for the former Fab Five and the timeout call for the timeout that did not exist.  Gee…I don’t know, someone told me yesterday they were picking Michigan and it almost swayed me but….I am going with the Cardinals, Louisville cuts down the nets in Atlanta.

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OK folks, it is Monday and the NCAA Basketball title game is tonight in Atlanta.  I promised my pick today and I am struggling with it.  My head tells me Louisville, the number one overall seed in the tournament.  My heart tells me Michigan, a bit of an upset and redemption for the former Fab Five and the timeout call for the timeout that did not exist.  Gee…I don’t know, someone told me yesterday they were picking Michigan and it almost swayed me but….I am going with the Cardinals, Louisville cuts down the nets in Atlanta.

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