In the end, it was luck. You know that last second, cliffhanger, Hail Mary good fortune that blessed the Noles all season long? Poof.
A smiling Lady Luck who almost always appeared just in the nick of time, suddenly revealed her dark side, breaking Garnet hearts and killing Golden dreams of a run deep into the finals.
Was Wisconsin that good? Were the Noles over-confident? Did they foolishly count on Toney to be the hero one more time? Or was Leonard's half time speech too much X's and O's and not enough Gene Hackman?
Hamilton and his promising roster of returing talent have nine months to ponder all that. But there's one thing this team does know. They can't put their blind faith in Toney Douglas next season -- or Lady Luck.
It's difficult to question Hamilton's decisions since the Noles had a great year, but I wonder if the outcome would've been different if he stuck with three Guards? The Noles built the 12 point lead in the 1st half when they had three Guards on the floor. In the 2nd half he stuck with 2 Guards even before Loucks got hurt.
Posted by: nolemoremrniceguy | March 22, 2009 at 05:29 PM