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April 1, 2009
Props go out to the web site NBA.com for remembering where its league came from — college basketball.
This March, as the multi-million dollar ballers at the professional level turned things up a notch for their final push toward playoff positioning, the league’s official site, NBA.com, created a web page devoted to memories of March Madness.
The page stops short of releasing the brackets of the featured NBA stars — good thing, too.... can you imagine how much the entry fee into their “office” pools cost? — but does include just about everything else. From most memorable moments to biggest heartbreakers as well as thoughts about this year’s tourney, the web page features a quick Q & A with 18 current and former NBA players.
Not surprisingly, Kansas University shows up more than a few times, including a complete Q & A with Miami Heat point guard Mario Chalmers, the hero of last year’s NCAA title game.
Here’s a look at Chalmers’ answers, courtesy of www.nba.com:
Name: Mario Chalmers, Miami Heat
School: Kansas, 2005-08
Tournament credentials: Won NCAA title in 2008, hit shot to send national title game into OT
My NCAA Moment: Winning the national championship. We worked hard for that, and that we were able to win. That shot was one of the best moments in my life. I'll always remember that. I knew it was good. I was just trying to concentrate on the rim. I didn't want to look at the defender because that probably would've thrown my shot off.
The feeling: We did it! We worked so hard all year and we were able to come out and get the victory. Coach had come close so many times and we wanted to get him in.
I Think About My NCAA Trip ...: A lot of people bring it up right now because it's March, so I hear it a lot.
At Home to Remind Me: My ring. I've got a piece of the net, a ring, a couple of posters, but that's it.
Who I'm Watching This Year: I'm watching Kansas, the whole team, basically because most of the people were there when I was there. I'm still close to a lot of people on that team. I'm definitely watching all the Big 12 teams that are representing for the conference. But other than that, I'm a diehard Jayhawks fan.
My Final Four: I can't remember right now, but if I didn't have Kansas winning, I had Pittsburgh.
At least three other athletes include some kind of a link to Kansas, including former Syracuse star Hakim Warrick, who talks about blocking Michael Lee’s three-point shot in the 2003 championship game, former Memphis stud Chris Douglas-Roberts, who details how often he is reminded about losing last year’s title game to KU, and former Maryland guard Juan Dixon, whose Terps knocked off KU in the 2002 Final Four and went on to win the national title.
People think I’m crazy for loving the NBA. I always have and expect that I always will. When I was a child, I loved it because of guys like Magic, Jordan, Bird and Dr. J. Today I love it because the bulk of its stars were once my favorite (or least favorite) players at the college level. For me, it’s an extension of college basketball, regardless of the style of play.
When I see Baron Davis, I think UCLA. When I watch Lamar Odom with the Lakers, I think of Rhode Island. And when I see Chris Paul push the ball I think of his time at Wake Forest.
I guess that’s what makes this NBA.com feature so cool. Apparently, these guys remember, too.
Check out CDR's answers first since he talks about losing to the Jayhawks. You can see all the rest of the players' tourney memories from links out of Roberts' article.
Comments
d_prowess (anonymous) says...
I love that Mario brings it up whenever he sees CDR! That is trash talk at its best!!
April 1, 2009 at 9:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
esorrentino (Eric Sorrentino) says...
Tait, great find on the Chalmers interview. Interesting read.
I'm not a massive NBA guy, but I've come around to the league a lot more lately. For me, the low point of the league was the Detroit-Indiana fiasco in 2004. After that, I really had no interest in watching the league. A lot of guys have made me change my mind, though.
The LeBron/Kobe/Wade trio has made the game fun to watch again. Then, there are young guys like Paul/Howard/Deron Williams who can take anyone. The USA winning the gold this summer at the Olympics has a lot to do with my renewed interest in the league.
I'd have to think LeBron/Kobe/Wade is the best trio the league has had since Michael/Magic/Larry.
April 1, 2009 at 1:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
matt_tait (Matt Tait) says...
Don't forget Carmelo, man.... I think huge things are still ahead for him. But you're right, Kobe, LeBron and D. Wade are just incredible to watch.
And, I think a lot of the young guys coming up these days head into the league with the desire to work hard, compete and battle so they can be worthy of being on the same court as those superstars.
April 1, 2009 at 1:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
d_prowess (anonymous) says...
Carmelo... such a Syracuse homer!
April 1, 2009 at 2:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mr_lawrence (anonymous) says...
Don't forget Brandon Roy and the Portland Trail Blazers! They're the most fun team to watch in the NBA.
April 1, 2009 at 4:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )