DAVE BOLING

PARADISE – The feel-good negative ions flowed in on gentle Waikiki breezes, uke music plinking in the background at the convention center in Oahu.

Fans, coaches, and Anton Watson himself should be clear about one thing as this season unfolds: Watson does not have to be the next Drew Timme for the Zags to succeed, he just needs to be the best possible Anton Watson.

If you’re like me, you often wonder why there aren’t more books written about the thrilling lives of sportswriters.

So, I was 150 words into a column on what a terrific thing it was for Gonzaga basketball that Anton Watson has decided to come back for his COVID “bonus” season when I was informed that the social-media post reporting this was an April Fool’s joke.

LAS VEGAS – Unfortunately for Gonzaga’s basketball team, sporting outcomes that occur in Vegas do not stay in Vegas.

LAS VEGAS – This is still in the workshopping phase, but I’m imagining a cross-generational, buddy-style sit-com. Let’s tentatively title it: “The Fewie and Drewie Show.”

LAS VEGAS – In what looked certain to be Drew Timme’s final game, it seemed he deserved a better sendoff.

The fact that Adam Morrison’s tears created a flood of mockery seems one of the historic low moments for that faction of wrong-headed sports observers.

DENVER – There was a slow-burning fuse on this one. So slow detonation was somewhat in doubt.

DENVER – Nasty isn’t an NCAA-recognized statistic.

DENVER – Julian Strawther plays with such graceful efficiency across all levels of the court. He’s springy, with rise and bounce and hang time, and he continues to invent ways to loft a basketball into the net.