Curry makes Davidson fans feel like winners
So which college team would you rather be a fan of today, Davidson or Memphis? OK, it's something of a trick question .. or at least, a tricky answer.
Davidson, a 10th seed from the Southern Conference, was eliminated last night by Kansas in a two-point game where the losing Wildcats had the ball for the last shot. Just didn't work out.
Meanwhile, Memphis, a No. 1 seed, rolled over Texas and stormed into the Final Four with a chalk field that includes fellow No. 1 seeds, Kansas, UCLA and North Carolina.
So you'd rather be a Memphis fan, right? Makes sense. But consider that Memphis freshman Derrick Rose, an incredible talent who played gangbusters in getting his team to the F4, is pretty much assured of entering the NBA draft while Stephen Curry, Davidson' sparkling shooting guard who can go point on occasion, just announced he's returning to college for his junior year.
None of that is to suggest what the prospects will be for either team a year from now in college basketball's last-man-standing free-for-all, if that's the primary reason you invest yourself in college sports. But if you're the type of fan who appreciates watching young athletes mature and play their hearts out for a concept as corny as alma mater, I think those Davidson fans are just as fortunate today as those pulling for Memphis.
Yep, Memphis still has life for college basketball's grail -- and in spectator sports, that's all that seems to matter ("We're No. 1!") -- but should Memphis fail, their season will wind up like 64 other tournament hopefuls. With a loss. And they won't have Rose next season despite those pleading chants of "One more year!"
Meanwhile, Davidson fans will be able to look forward to another season of the smooth operating Curry -- perhaps with even a few more muscles on that slender 6-foot-3, 185-pound frame -- sinking three-pointers, driving the lane and representing his university. In declaring his intentions to postpone a pro career, Curry -- son of former NBA star Del Curry -- said something absolutely shocking for a young athlete these days: "I don't think I'm ready." Talent and honest self-awareness. Wow.
So who's the lucky one? Memphis or Davidson? Depends on where you place value, I suppose.
Photo credit: L.G. Patterson/AP
Comments
It was a pleasure watching Davidson compete so hard. I like the way Curry honestly admitted that he had some good looks at the end but was just plain tuckered out. He gave credit to the great Kansas athletes and their defensive abilities. Yup, WOW. Refreshing to say the least...
Posted by: brian | March 31, 2008 12:03 PM
I agree refreshing. Stay in college one more year and continue to light up the college courts and enjoy your limelight.. Being a great point guard in the college scene, doesn't always transfer well to the NBA court and their game style.
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Capt.,
I think he'll wind up being a shooting guard in the pros but I'm no Red Auerbach. In any case, 185 pounds would be pretty light for an NBA player regardless where he plays and he can use the extra year of maturity, which he and I'm sure his father recognize. At the end of the day, it is good seeing a player stay with his university and to continue to give his team a familiar identity. Too bad for Elon and Wofford and Georgia Southern.
-- Bill O.
Posted by: Captain Jack | March 31, 2008 1:21 PM
Don't be surprised to see him graduate from Davidson in four years. It's a special place, and I think there are things other than basketball/money that make him and his family tick.
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Tim,
That would be a special decision.
-- Bill O.
Posted by: Tim | April 1, 2008 11:48 AM