Destiny

"Don't lose your grip on the dreams of the past..."

Dave Bickler - Eye of the Tiger

Last year UNC won the national title and all was well and good again in college basketball...tonight their ACC rival captured the crown, and the mood around the nation is bittersweet.

Everybody Hates Duke

I'm not going to write a recap of the NCAA tournament, or the championship game for that matter, however I will say that this has been one of the best March Madness brackets in years...and while the Cinderella Butler University didn't win...it still had a storybook ending.

Two summers ago I ventured to LaSalle University to watch Michael Beasley workout prior to the 2008 NBA Draft. Beasley wasn't there when I arrived, however there were a few familiar faces including Hakim Warrick, Mardy Collins, Wayne Ellington, Gerald Henderson Jr., Kyle Lowry, and Nolan Smith. Anyone that knows me personally will laugh at what I'm about to tell you...after watching several pickup games and drills I walked over to Smith and introduced myself. He was very down to Earth, and after accepting some friendly advice on how he could improve his game...I kindly asked him why he was wearing Pro Model adidas?

He gave me a puzzled look, as to say what does that have to do with anything...and I informed young Nolan that he attends an Elite Nike Basketball school and that he should wear his Nike tennis shoes with pride.

It was a typical me moment, but what I didn't tell him was that as a child I cheered for his dad when he played for my hometown 76ers. Tonight I thought about Derek Smith, as his son won college basketball's ultimate crown. 30-years ago Derek won it all with Louisville, and enjoyed a solid career in the NBA...in August 1996 he died from a massive heart attack leaving his family and young son with a huge void.

Basketball is an interesting sport that mirrors life...I continue to use it to this day as a catharsis, and if anyone has found solace on the court...it is Nolan Smith.

Everyone loves to hate Duke, however if they understood some of the stories within the bigger picture...I would hope they would be more caring. Butler was the quintessential underdog, however unbeknownst to the rest of the world...Duke was too.

Photo: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Final Destination

"This Philly cat back at it..."

Beanie Sigel - Guess Who's Back

I always talk about how sports are a metaphor to our lives, and every now and then I'm fortunate enough to watch an athlete grow and chase their dream.

Destiny's Child

The beginning of this story begins with Candice Dupree...advances to Kyle Lowry...then on to Wayne Ellington.

I have had the opportunity to watch, and write about each of these players over the years as they now have careers within the professional ranks. I saw Dupree at Temple University, Lowry at Cardinal Dougherty H.S./Villanova, and Ellington as a prep at Episcopal Academy.

Wayne was drafted by the Timberwolves last June, so seeing him play has been difficult, however he made a great name for himself as an NCAA champion, so I know its only a matter of time before his name is back in the headlines. On Friday his team defeated the Mavericks in a rare road win, as he clinched the game with a 3-pointer from the right corner...pushing the lead to 115-108 with 32.3 seconds to go. This could be a sign of the times, as he prepares for his first NBA homecoming on Tuesday.

As a pure shooter, he will have longevity, and if and when the T-Wolves start winning more games, you can be sure that his name will be somewhere near the top of the box score.

Photo: David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images

Requiem

"My story...self explanatory..."

Jadakiss - Money, Power, & Respect

The Lakers were off on Thursday after their 118-96 victory over Indiana...and while their stay in Philadelphia may sound routine...for one player its far from mundane.

Carpe Diem

Upon touching down at Philadelphia International airport yesterday...the Lake Show ventured to 9th and Passyunk Avenue for a taste of that cheesesteak goodness from Geno's, before calling it a night at the team hotel.

This a special place for Kobe Bryant...its the city where his father, sisters, cousins, and uncle cemented their athletic prowess against the opposition. If New York is the mecca of basketball, then Philly is heaven on Earth...birthing and nurturing the likes of Wilt Chamberlain, Walt Hazzard, Wali Jones, Paul Arizin, Tom Gola, Earl Monroe, Dawn Staley, Hank Gathers, Pooh Richardson, Jerome Allen, Aaron McKie, Cuttino Mobley, Rasheed Wallace, Mardy Collins, Kyle Lowry, and thousands of others.

I always knew that basketball in the city of brotherly love was a big deal, however it wasn't until January 22, 2006 when Bryant scored 81-points against Toronto that made me think on a higher plane about this town. I'll never forget that night as I was writing a story...I sat with my back to the television...and with an official news bulletin, ESPN announced that they were going to a live feed, as Kobe had 70+ points in the 4th quarter. I was beside myself...and immediately looked at the time remaining to see if he could score 100.

It was one of those moments when you walk into the history book, witnessing one of the best performances in the spectrum of the game. After making 2 free-throws for 80 and 81, he took a seat on the bench...it was then when I thought about how the two highest individual scoring binges in the NBA were set by Wilt and Kobe...from West Philadelphia.

Basketball is an intricate game, teaching those who coach and play, facets of life on the court and off. For Kobe Bean, a lot of his great performances are behind him, however I trust that he will continue to show and prove...as the best is yet to happen.

Photo: Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images