It was 30 Years Ago ... Final Four -Indianapolis

Nolan Smith was 8 yrs old when his father died. Derek Smith was highly successful NBA performer for 9 years. Besides being one of the initiators of the "high five" hand slap, Smith had some incredible NBA performances as you can see in the above video. But it was what Nolan's dad did 30 years ago that makes this year's Final Four pretty interesting for me. You may call it a coincidence.

Since a friend gave me the James Redfield book called Celestine Prophecy around 1993, I've held a new belief regarding coincidences. In the novel, the main character undertakes a journey to find and understand a series of nine spiritual insights from an ancient manuscript in Peru.

Synchronicity. Like a book falling off a shelf at the library that ends up being exactly what you were looking for.

Derek Smith was a leading player for Louisville in 1980 when the "Doctors of Dunk" won the NCAA Championship. Coincidentally, or not, Smith and his fellow Cardinals knocked off UCLA 58-54 to take the title. And James Redfield [author of Celestine Prophecy] would definitely say, that it was not a coincidence that the 1980 Final Four took place in Indianapolis, Indiana; Yes, the same place that Nolan Smith and his Duke teammates will join Michigan State, Butler and West Virginia to battle for this years Gold Ball.

Smith's Career Game

Duke and Baylor were in slugout for 37 minutes with the Bears having more control during the 2nd half. I believe a "blown" call took a basket away from Baylor while at the same time kept Duke's postman from fouling out, and the Devils rode the inspired performance of Nolan Smith to earn their trip to Indy before a crowd of over 47,000 fans.

Smith popped in a career high 29 points to lift the Dukies to victory. With Baylor up 59-57 Smith scored Duke's next 7 points including a 3 pt dagger with 3:33 left to play that practically nailed down the Blue Devil victory. Baylor really appeared to be in control; but Smith's quickness and strength enabled him to penetrate the long and difficult Baylor zone, and he added 4 out of 6 from beyond the arc.

Since the day his father died, Smith took over and tried to be a ROCK,, even though he was just 8 yrs old.

Just after Derek died, Nolan wrapped his mom in his arms and told her, "I'm the man of the house now."

When interviewed after the Baylor game, he could have said the same thing.

It sure does appear that it's a script out of Hollywood. And the proper ending would seem to be another DUKE National Championship. With Derek Smith's son Nolan leading the way.

Now wouldn't that be a coincidence~?