On Friday, Damon Amendolara had Gerry McNamara on The DA Show on to remember Syracuse’s 2003 National Championship run. One of the things the two talked about was Jim Boeheim’s relationship with the only team that has delivered him a national championship. 
McNamara believes the bond Boeheim has with the 2003 team is different than it might be with other players.
“There’s got to be a certain degree of appreciation for both sides,” McNamara said. “When you have that group that does it, that has to mean a great deal to him.
Even though McNamara was only a freshman, he played a massive role in the win over Kansas.
McNamara remembers that team as one of the youngest in the NCAA Tournament, relying on underclassmen like Josh Pace, Hakim Warrick and of course Carmelo Anthony. Warrick made the most famous play in Syracuse history when he flew out of nowhere to deny Michael Lee a last-second three shot.
And then of course there was Carmelo who was named Most Outstand Player of the tournament. He also led Syracuse to victory over 1 seed Texas in the Final Four.
McNamara has a unique insight on Boeheim’s thought process, and his relationship with the ‘03 team since he now serves as an assistant at Syracuse. After ending his professional basketball career, McNamara returned to the Hill in 2009 as a Graduate Assistant under Boeheim. A couple of years later G-Mac was promoted to assistant coach.
“It’s been a lifelong bond we developed,” McNamara said of Boeheim and the 2003 team. “At some point throughout a day – anybody that’s won a National Championship or ended on a pile at half court – at some point it probably crosses your mind.”
