Gator Bait
SLAM takes you live to the ATL for Florida’s 84-75 Tourney win over Ohio State.
ATLANTA — When Lang asked me to cover the title game from the Final Four, it felt like the first time I was assigned to interview Charles Barkley years ago. My editor at the time called me in a panic, asking me to write a feature with a one-on-one interview with Sir Charles. Later, I found out the reason why: my editor was interviewing the University of South Carolina cheerleaders and putting together a full-page spread complete with numerous photos. This time, Lang was hanging with an NBA All-Star. Sometimes leftovers aren’t so bad.
THE SOOTHSAYER
Florida junior Joakim Noah, the loved and hated face of Florida basketball, didn’t make much noise on the court in Florida’s 84-75 victory over Ohio State Monday night in the National Championship Game, but he sure made a lot of noise coming off the court with title tee and hat in hand.
“I told you, Dre,” he screamed. “I wouldn’t lie to you! I wouldn’t lie to you!”
Dre, the security man with flowing dreads from the same part of NYC as Noah, shouted back, “You’re a prophet, man! A prophet!” Dre admitted that he wouldn’t have been so impressed with a prediction of winning the title game — except for the fact that it was the fifth straight prediction from Noah that came true.
“I was here for the SEC Tournament and now the Final Four,” he said. “And Noah predicted a win every time. The man doesn’t lie.”
No word on whether Noah predicted his point total for the game, but surely he expected to produce more than eight points and three rebounds along with two assists. It didn’t matter to him after the victory.
“That was the most nervous I’ve ever been, sitting on the bench and unable to do anything about the game,” Noah said. “But I told my boys, Corey (Brewer) and Al (Horford), that they were going to have to get my back. We couldn’t double down on (Greg) Oden because (Ohio State has) such good 3-point shooters. So, somebody had to do a good job of containing Oden when I went out, and my boys did a great job.
“Right now, I’m just livin’ in the moment, like my coach told me to do.”
NBA DRAFT, ANYONE?
In both locker rooms, there were no outright declarations of turning pro, but the Florida locker room seemed pretty content on taking their two titles and running, even though they wouldn’t budge…especially Noah.
“You people are not going to get me to say anything about a three-peat or playing on the next level,” Noah said. “I won’t do it!”
A rather somber Oden was tight-lipped as well (not to mention that the guy could stand in for the low talker on Seinfeld).
REPORTER: “Greg, does this outcome at all affect your decision on whether you will go pro after this season?”
ODEN: “Absolutely not.”
Even Ohio State head coach Thad Matta is wondering what 2007-08 will hold for his stars. When asked if he thought Oden would return, Matta said, “I have no idea. My gut, I really don’t know. I think Gregory and I will sit down when we get back and kind of talk.” More like Matta will beg for Oden to stay.
BABY SHAQ?
If you close your eyes, Oden sounds like Shaq. Oden already looks old enough to be Shaq’s dad, and he’s got some of the big man’s dry wit.
Earlier in the week, one reporter fueled by Red Bull asked Oden if being in the Ohio State was the best job next to playing on the team. Oden deadpanned: “Being in the band is cool, but I think Brutus the Buckeye has the best job. He gets to hang out with the cheerleaders on all the road trips. Of course, he does have to dress up in a hot suit for the whole game.”
(Who knew dressing up with a giant nut on your head would have such fringe benefits?)
With the title on the line Monday night, Oden was playing like Shaq on the offensive end, getting the crowd on its feet with some rim-rattling dunks. But he’s not interested in hustling back on defense, something that the Gators capitalized on, notching some quick transition points while Oden was still preparing for his dismount from the rim.
But Oden didn’t want to dwell on his marquee performance. “It really doesn’t matter to me how well I played,” he said. “Winning is all that matters. If I play bad and we win, I’m happy. If I play good and we lose, I’m not.”
If winning is all that matters, could the NBA wait another year for Oden as he could return with Mike Conley Jr. to pick up where Florida left off? “There’s no question about it,” Oden said when asked if the team could be playing for the title next year.
WHO’S HODGE?
If you were wondering who No. 15 was running around like he was the reigning M.O.P. in the early minutes of the game, you weren’t alone. That was Walter Hodge, maybe one of the only recognizable names you’ll hear for next year’s Florida team.
He made a couple of great defensive plays and then drained the only 3-pointer he took. In a flash, he set the tone — and just as quickly as he came, he was gone. But that’s what Hodge does. He gives you a little over five points per game and provides some solid defense.
WHY KENTUCKY?
After disposing of Ohio State, Florida head coach Billy Donovan will be faced with a big decision: Stay at Florida or bolt for Kentucky? Honestly, Donovan needs as much time to think about this as Allen Iverson does to decide to take a shot if he has the rock.
Kentucky has as many Final Four appearances in the last 20 years as Florida (3) and just as many titles (2). So, why bolt for the Bluegrass State? There’s just no good reason. Florida will rename its basketball arena after Donovan if he stays. At Kentucky, he’d always be chasing the legacy of Adolph F. Rupp.
Besides, Donovan owns Kentucky, and if he turns them down, he’ll only own them more. Now, that’s a legacy worth having.
In the meantime, Donovan is content to brag upon his current school and label it one of the best teams ever. “I think this team should go down as one of the best teams in college basketball history. Not as the most talented, and not on style points, but because they compassed what the word ‘team’ means. They did it the first year with no expectations, then they did it again with all the expectations.”
38 Responses to “Gator Bait”
Apr.3 at 1:21 am
Lang Whitaker says:
First! Thanks again, Jason.
Apr.3 at 1:36 am
D5 says:
if you ain’t a gator, you’re gator bait
Apr.3 at 2:30 am
Alex says:
Hahhah, we did it again. It’s great to be a Florida Gator!
Apr.3 at 3:45 am
chronically_ill says:
Maaaan, i caught the UCLA-Florida game, and the Gators just absolutely DESTROYED the Bruins. it was like men playing against boys. when green and brewer werent shredding the defense, humphrey would hit long range bombs, and when any of them missed, horford or noah would follow up with a monster jam. all five of em seem like pretty solid pro prospects to me. man, i’m not even that upset the Bruins lost (even tho i’m from UCLA fan). The Gators were just better. plain and simple. Man, much respect to the Gators. Those dudes are just a cut above everyone else.
Apr.3 at 8:50 am
Celtic Fan says:
maaaaaaaaan Oden has to come out and Join the Celts.
It’s the missing link to being an Eastern Finals contending team. well that and good health. Good game last night. Oden kept the Buckeyes in it. Their perimeter players shot them out of it.
Horford looks like the better big man than Noah IMO and I’d draft Horford way ahead of Noah too.
Apr.3 at 9:00 am
Ryan Jones says:
Greg Oden will not be in the 2007 NBA Draft.
Apr.3 at 9:04 am
niQ says:
are u serious?..where u get that from?
Apr.3 at 9:10 am
Lang Whitaker says:
He pulled it out of somewhere, that’s for sure.
Apr.3 at 9:33 am
data187 says:
greg oden will be stupid to pass up the draft.
look at noah, a lock for top 3 pick last draft.
in this draft, noah might not be a top 10 pick.
Apr.3 at 9:35 am
Richie says:
Mike Conley had a good game too. I read somewhere that he wants to play another year at Ohio too.
Apr.3 at 9:42 am
ishootfours says:
Joakim Noah might be the most overrated role player ever. No one should ever be top 10 based on hustle. Horford is a better player in the post, as was/is Richards. If Phoenix picks up Joakim like I see around the internet I might have to start watching some other sport. In a world where the son of Mark Madsen and Anderson Varejao is a potential top ten pick, I don’t think I want to be a fan of the greatest sport on earth.
Apr.3 at 9:56 am
Michael says:
Well all I have to say is that Florida got lucky and that they should get ready next year because Ohio State will beat them for sure! Ohio State is the best and they needed a championship but was taken by an undeserving team just like the Mavericks so if Florida thinks they will win next year then there wrong! Ohio State may had lost because Oden was very tired the first half because he played more than 15 minutes or that maybe the luck of Three-Pointers weren’t with us but something was wrong with Ohio State but they WONT be wrong next year!!! PS:Ohio Rules!!!
Apr.3 at 10:32 am
1hush D says:
twan, great Madsen - Varejao comparison! If Oden and Durant don’t come out, what are all those teams doing competing for a lottery ball?
Apr.3 at 10:58 am
ishootfours says:
To be honest, even without Oden or Durant, this draft will still be one of the deepest. By no means will it be the draft that was 2003 but it will have its good players. Name one team that could not find use in Al Horford (sans the poor shimmy), and Corey Brewer is easily the best perimeter defender in the NCAA. While Oden and Durant are the cover boys of this draft, you cannot overlook the depth that is.
Apr.3 at 11:03 am
Tommy Patron says:
Horrible officiating, the one guy wasn’t even in shape! College basketball sucks.
Apr.3 at 11:26 am
Sparker says:
“compassed?”
Apr.3 at 11:37 am
Shiz says:
I gotta agree with Ryan on this one. I’ve been saying from the beginning that neither Durant or Oden will come out. Im still pretty confident in both claims. These two dudes do not wanna go out as losers and Im pretty sure that they both know if they come out now, they’ll be doing a lot more losing than winning. Albeit for big bucks, but losing is still losing…
Apr.3 at 12:01 pm
Shiz says:
During the game my homie from Jerz hit me up on the sk3 to holla bout the game. Here’s how it went down, beginning into and thru the 2nd half. Nothing awe inspiring, just 2 homeboys’ poppin shit. We even have a short, short album review section. Mongo: Oden is a beast.
Shiz: He’s a fuckin monster. He’s like Tim Duncan. He dont scream and curse like KG, he just bust ya ass for 18, 11, and 3 blocks. But Brewer’s on fire. Noah’s a bitch.
Mo: Yeah, he [Noah] soft like twinky filling.
Shz: I wanna fight Noah fa real. No frills, just boxing gloves. I’ll knock his ass out like Kimbo Slice.
Mo: He’s pussy, let’s clap em.
Shz: LOL. Yeaaah. Leave that liteskin nigga swishcheesed up.
Mo: Florida got too many gunnas.
Shz: They like phx and Ohio St. r Miami.
Mo: Yeah man. Yo u get that grafh cd? It’s hardly decent, I expected more, too much Chaz.
Shz: Nah, it still had that password shit on every track, but fuck it. It’s a sign I didn’t get that shit.
Mo: I dunno how/why it does that, ur not missing much. I gotta get u this papoose mixtape though.
Shz: Word. I can’t figure it out either. It might b my firewall @ work or something. That Pap is hot?
Mo: Yeah, pretty hot. That kid spits fire.
Shz: Hot fire.
Mo: Maaaan Florida is like “how do u want it”. Everybody dropping on Ohio. Solid team.
Shz: Yup. They hi-octane like bp
Mo: Crazy that this is the bcs championship rematch, Florida bout to sweep all that matters. (11:18 pm)
Shz: Yup. I don’t know. They keep feeding Oden, maybe Florida will miss…Nah…
Mo: Not enuff time.
Shz: Nope… Damn, I’d fuck Billy Donovan broad quick as this.
Mo: I thought the same thing, maybe Noah’s mom too. Haha
Shz: Nah that bitch look like trailer trash now. Lol. Sconey bitch.lol.
Mo: Lol. Maybe back in the day.
Shz: Yeah. Waaaay back in the day. Lol.
Mo: Former Miss Sweden. Sounds good at least. Lol.
Shz: That bitch proly don’t bathe. And that ol’ raggidity ass Lenny Kravitz daddy. Lol.
Mo: Word, lenny on crack. Haha.
Shz: Shit is dunzo, Im about to fall back.
Mo: aight, 1.
Apr.3 at 12:05 pm
Shiz says:
thats pretty much how exciting the 2nd half was. Ohio St.(or rather Oden himself) makes a mini run, Florida & Co. hit a three to push it back to 11. Snoozeville.
Apr.3 at 12:46 pm
Logan Light says:
I gotta think that Conley Jr. pulls Oden back for one more year… Plus, I would love to see all the NBA teams kick themselves for tanking it… Durrant and Oden stay in school and then they get Noah instead. Beautiful.
Apr.3 at 12:49 pm
Logan Light says:
That made it sound like getting Noah would be a deal… I think much the opposite actually. Never have I seen a more over rated, side spin shooting, pony-tail toting, hater complex having, excuse for a “power” forward. Did you read above: “But I told my boys, Corey (Brewer) and Al (Horford), that they were going to have to get my back.” Like Noah was actually holding Oden… hilarious.
Apr.3 at 1:28 pm
Sam Rubenstein says:
Oden does seem pretty happy in college:
http://64.111.216.59//ul/2510-oden%20couch.jpg
Apr.3 at 2:00 pm
cjclean says:
none of you know sh!t about who is staying or going.
Apr.3 at 2:06 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Greg loves him some white girls, huh?
Apr.3 at 3:21 pm
data187 says:
i think sam would be happy with a bunch of white girls on his lap.
i know i would be…lol
Apr.3 at 4:28 pm
Hersey says:
Love the picture Sam. That’s better than the pic of Oden freak dancing at a house party. I’m glad Florida won. Noah has gotten so much hate and criticism all year and his team repeats as champions. Not many people could deal with that type of heat. Maybe Christian Laettner but he played before mass use of the internet. Noah will be a better pro because of that experience. Even if he’s a glue guy or glorified role player. Every good team needs that guy.
Apr.3 at 4:31 pm
Raul Concepcion says:
Who was the MOP of this game?!?? Was it ever announced?
Apr.3 at 7:43 pm
Zach F. says:
Corey Brewer was MOP. Noah very overratted. Shiz, if you ever fight him hit me up. i’d love to see him get his ass beat. lol.
Oden says he wants to be dominant when he gets to the league. he’ll have to stay at least stay 1 more year for that to happen.
You ask why he would stay? why not he’ll be the #1 pick whenever he comes out so might as well stay and enjoy college life while you have the chance.
He’ll def. win the ship if he comes back w/ him, conley, lighty, cook, butler, hunter, twig, koufas, diebler, and lauderdale.
Durants my boy. i’d love to see him come back but i doubt it. Best of luck to both.
Apr.3 at 11:22 pm
Kujaun says:
Ohio state shoulda had that game. I think the coach should have rested Oden a little more cuz he was too tired to get a rebound at the end of the game. Ohio hit like 3 for 23 three pointers…They were off like crazy. If they hit like they usually do they woulda dominated that game…or atleast beat Florida by like 10
Apr.4 at 1:05 am
Jason Chatraw says:
Ohio State never had a prayer. Florida loafed through the tournament and still dominated. We were only a one-for-the-ages 3-pointer by Ron Lewis away from seeing Georgetown or someone else on the court Monday night, which is reason enough for Oden to go pro now. They won’t dominate like everyone thinks — there are some good teams with experience returning, such as UCLA.
Apr.4 at 1:06 am
deestarbuckz a.k.a The Notorious H.A.T.E. says:
Florida just made big shots everytime OSU tried to make a run. They just could not get over that hump. I don’t understand how or why D. Cook fell out of the lineup or out of favor with Coach Matta! Word to Dayton, Ohio and all Dunbar alums…
Apr.4 at 2:00 am
Betablare says:
Corey Brewer and Humpreys need more credit. Those two were way too much for Lewis and Conley in that game. I hope that result doesn’t keep Oden in Ohio.
Apr.4 at 6:04 pm
Mac-C says:
Hodge is so awesome. Can anyone say “Unsung Hero”. I mean, while Joakim Noah and Cory Brewer (i have nothing against them) get all the glory Hodge is doing the dirty work.
Apr.4 at 11:54 pm
rj says:
if oden and conley jr. come back i like their chances but i doubt oden stays
Apr.5 at 12:49 am
j c says:
this is great for the Gator program once again the national champs one off the best teams in college basketball history but not one off the most talented by far
Apr.12 at 9:31 am
Bill Biehl says:
F@#K Florida
Apr.16 at 3:31 pm
Chad Nothe says:
Great basketball team and players, a lot of confidence and very clutch when they needed the shots they fell. Great coach as well. They need to get a little more class though, thats fine to be excited about your win, but Al Horford’s shimmy shake into the camera after his dunk in the second half is inexcusable, I would of sat him on the bench for that. Show-offs can go sit on the bench. After they won they (some of the players) showed very little respect and class. Great players and great game, ########’s could hit from about twelve rows back probably… They could have gone for the money last year , but chose to stay another year and that in itself is great to see.
Apr.16 at 3:32 pm
Chad Nothe says:
Conley jr. best guard out on the floor, plays the game very smart… and lets the game come to him.