Good Tuesday

IN THE RELIGION of Basketball, last night's barn-burner of a championship was akin to Moses' parting of the Red Sea or Jesus' feeding the multitudes with five loaves and three fish; proof positive to those who would see, that there is a power greater than our own, and with grit, hard fought determination, some class leadership by both coaches, and just enough "zebra wisdom" to let the boys play, that power produced one of the truly great and enjoyable basketball games in recent memory.

The CBS broadcast wasn't about Coach K and the Duke legacy, nor did it focus on the scandal d'jour or some overdone, heart-tugging insert with numerous camera shots at a nail-biting, single parent. This night was, from beginning to end, about the boys and the game being played on the hardcourt in front of us, and it was truly inspiring.

When I was growing up in high school, I worshipped in my own Church of Basketball. The "roundball godhead" of the day consisted of my own version of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; John Wooden, Bob Knight and Skip Mohatt, respectively. Most everyday, I would head down to the school blacktop that served as my chapel in my "church clothes" (ratty t-shirt, faded gym shorts and sweat-stained, white Chuck Taylor's) and do "the Lord's work"; working on off-ball movement, blocking out for rebounds, and good defensive positioning.

So many of those "team fundamentals" were evident last night in what was close to being, for the observer, the perfect basketbal contest. Throughout the night, I thought about the lessons I had been taught; at Wooden's camp, from Knight's videos, and during those endless, glorious hours on the hardwood, soaking up Skip's genius, offered with the deep, relentless tones of a loving taskmaster.

I am certain all three were, in one way or another, watching last night's contest. Coach Wooden was most likely disappointed with the lack of discipline in shot selection exhibited by the Butler Boys, but applauded their heart and team effort and most surely would have told them aftewards they played like champions.

Coach Knight was probably cheering on his former protege-turned-accomplished master, while hopping up out of his recliner everytime a Duke screen left a man open underneath and wasn't taken advantage of. I hope he didn't strain anything trying to toss his Lazy-boy across the room.

But mostly I thought of Coack Mohatt, looking down from Heaven. Through the raucous crowd, I could almost hear him barking at Butler forward Gordon Hayward to slide over and help out with Duke center Brian Zoubek, or for guard Shelvin Mack to pop that ball down into the post instead of forcing a drive into the paint. And I could see the short white towel fly back into the thrid row everytime the overzealous play of the Bulldog's center Matt Howard landed him another senseless foul.

But most clearly, I saw my beloved high school coach when the game was over. He was, I am sure, smiling. Not because of an exciting game, which it was, or for the hard fought battle waged by both teams, which they did. But rather for the same reason that both Coach K and Butler coach Brad Stevens were smiling as they shook hands after the game, and for the same reason that true lovers of this game were smiling, regardless of who they had in their pool or which team they supported...

because they had just witnessed, in an era of sports, that at all levels is influenced, and many believe tarnished, by PED's and ignoramous management and posse-laden players and all of the other unrelated distractions, a game played, perhaps as purely as any before it. No players arguing with referees, no coaches tantrums, no fights. A good, clean, well-played and intense battle, played the way it was supposed to be played. To the very last second.

The Duke Blue Devils last night were crowned the 2010 NCAA Division 1 Men's Collegiate Basketball Champions. At the end of the game, they had scored more points than their opponents and so it should have been. But think not for a moment there was only one team of championship caliber on that floor last night. I would have been every bit as proud to have been a Butler alum last night as a Dukie.

Maybe even a little more so.

iQuit

THE iPAD RELEASED this weekend and more than 300,000 lemmings were up until all hours Easter morning, loading more than 1 milliom apps onto their new toys. That following a Good Friday evening when thousands who did not pre-order the latest techno-marvel in the "i" series, stood in line outside Apple stores nationwide, hoping to be among the first to own pied piper Steve Jobs' the latest creation . The real marvel though is, at a $499 retial price with a 51 per cent gross margin mark-up, that slides approx 75mil in black ink into the hands of Apple shareholders, in one day. Trying to remember the last thing Microsoft did that was exciting or innovative, am thinking it may be time to call my buddy, stock wiz extrordinaire and former AVHS compadre Jeff Oster, and slide the MSFT into AAPL...

iBULLDOGS...Tonight's finale between #1 seed Duke (Boooo!) and underdog Butler (Yeah!) will either be a disappointing blowout or one of the great sport stories of the new millenium. This was an amazing Tournament with top seeds falling like Republicans who fought the Health Insurance Reform bill. The only thing I'd change about this year's Tourney (other than CAL's early exit) would be that the NCAA move the start-date back so the Tournament can end in March. Not a big deal, but it's like the Super Bowl being played in February or The World Series in November, it's just not right...

iDO...Yours truly got played BIG TIME on April Fool's Day, soon to be re-named MY DAY. First my neice (or is it second cousin - once removed, I can never remember that stuff) Ashley Davison suckered me in, posting ever so subtley on her FB page, that, and I quote, "Can't believe we're getting MARRIED!!! I didn't think I could forgive him until he asked me to marry him!!!!!!! =)", then about an hour later, changed her status from "In a relationship" to "engaged'. I bow in deference to your youthful wit and hereby surrender...

iDON'T...Not to be outdone, former Princess turned SLS, Renee LeVeira Flores, daughter of AVHS '78 grads and highschool sweethearts Rob and Michelle, merely changed her status from "Engaged" to "Single" and left it there, for noodniks like moi to flip a nutty over. Nee tells me that several of her other FB friends called or wrote with concern, two actually offering to pay for counseling services to help bring the two back together. The kicker here was the big wedding shower was held the day before, so it was fresh on the minds of those who know. Touche', Miss Thang! My only response to both of you is to beware. For as the old axiom goes...sometime, someplace, when you least expect it.....BANG! I always repay a debt, including interest...

iWISH...I had never been such an idiot. These are the words that will most likely be rambling around inside the head of PGA pro and philanderer-par-excellance (if there can be such a thing, and pardon the pun) Tiger Woods, who jumps back into real life this week at Augusta, where on Thursday he will play his first competitive round in 144 days. Wise call on Eldrick's part, getting back inside the ropes here. This Tournament is run with such a tight fist and tix are so hard to come by (perhaps the toughest ducat in all of sports) it's unlikely much of a fuss about the former World's #1 player's sex scandal will seen or heard. Here's hoping for a great Tournament...

iLL BELIEVE IT when I don't see it. In a hastily called press conference yesterday, the Rolling Stones announced they will be touring in 2010, perhaps the and their largest concert tour ever. Hard to believe following their last go around which took more than two years and shattered attendance and gross rev records that would have had Bill salivating (and still figuring out ways to do it better). Because the band annouced plans to play virtually nothing from 64-72 (through "Exile...") on this go around, and that the show will include tributes to each of their former band mates, including a one-off song per show with former bassist Bill Wyman joining them onstage, word is that this will be the last hurrah for the Glimmer Twins. If Vegas lays odds, I'll lay 100 smackers that says no way. I can not imagine Keith agreeing to hang it up ever and if this were the Grand Finale, you can bet your bottom dollar Mick would have built up a much more grand presentation, including at least a 6-9 month build up to increase interest (and revenue). Plus, can yo imagine them walking off a stage for the last time withOUT having played Satisfaction? Just wouldn't be cricket, wha?...

iAM GRATEFUL...Yesterday was Easter. And while many get lost in the buffett brunches and egg hunts and chocolate indulgances (guilty on that last bugger!) that surround the day, I AM grateful for what the true meaning of the day signifies. That Our Heavenly Father sent down His only begotten Son, so that our unwise choices and unlearned lessons might be forgiven; that we may repent from our sometimes foolish and hurtful actions, that we too might rise again and be returned to His presence. A greater gift we could not receive and though perhaps undeserved, one we shall continue to strive to be worthy of.