“The City” aka Dayton, Ohio is a very happy place because of the outcomes of both NBA Conference finals. Two players are carrying “The City” on their back. The Oklahoma City Thunder’s Daequan Cook and Miami Heat’s Norris Cole will meet in the NBA Finals. While we all know both teams have a big 3 that will get all of the press in deservingly so but if you are from Dayton you will be watching the finals to see which player will be the player from our area to bring home a ring since Ron Harper.
It is amazing how everything has come full circle for Cook and Cole. They both played for Dayton Dunbar at the same time, winning a D-2 state title together in 06. After that year Cook went on to graduate and play ball at Ohio State. Cole went on to help Dunbar win another state title in 07. These two players helped Dunbar turn into a powerhouse in Ohio Basketball.
Cook was the highly touted coming out of high school, he was a McDonald’s All American and had offers from a lot of prominent schools before choosing Ohio State.
Cole on the other hand wasn’t highly recruited coming out of high school, finally getting a full ride to Cleveland State.
What is great is that even though both players had different travels after graduating high school they both reached a common goal. Cook stayed at Ohio State for one year then eventually became the 1st round pick of the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2007 draft. While Cole stayed at Cleveland State all four years in eventually became the 1st round of the Chicago Bulls in the 2011 draft. Ironically both players were obtained by the Heat in draft day trades, Cook just happened to be traded from the Heat to the Thunder.
The NBA Finals start Tuesday, in no matter what happens “The City” will have a 100% chance to have a new champion. Good luck to both Cook and Cole this might be a once in a lifetime opportunity chance for both of them, no matter how much clock either one of you get Dayton will be proud, do ya thing boys much respect.
Well said
Thanks Q!