And as far as money goes, don't forget that endorsement offers these days are just as valuable as actual basketball contracts. Cleaves has undoubtedly set himself for life with his performance Monday night. A clutch national championship effort is certainly a more marketable feat than anything ever accomplished at a Clippers game.

Former Michigan star Chris Webber's mental breakdown in the 1993 championship game sharply contrasts with Cleaves' performance under fire.

Take a close look at the five freshman starters of that Michigan team. Their appearance in the title game that year convinced Wolverine fans that they'd be seeing two or three more national titles.

Michigan didn't win a single national title in the 90's. Chris Webber cost the Wolverines the 1993 title game by calling a timeout he didn't have, and then he jumped ship to the NBA in only his sophomore year. Jalen Rose and Juwan Howard left the next year, and Michigan's days as a title contender were numbered.

What's happened to these three players? Rose has had moderate success with the Indiana Pacers. Webber has finally emerged as an All-Star with Golden State, yet he still has more marijuana-related arrests than championships of any kind.

As for Juwan Howard, he earned a $15 million contract with the Washington Wizards a few years ago. Since then he has been booed every night by the fans, who know that he isn't worth his salary. Howard's absurd contract has prevented Washington from trading him and building up any other talent.

The basketball gods have looked kindly upon players that have stayed for four years. A fated bounce of the lottery balls gave him Tim Duncan a spot with the San Antonio Spurs, and a national championship in 1999, in lieu of a cursed existence with the Clippers or the Boston Celtics.