RB’s Monday Morning Hot Cakes: Late Festival Brunch

I understand that sports happened over the weekend and don't worry. We will get to them...but first, why did Festival International de Louisiane have to end?

Alright, we can talk sports. Do I still have to go to work though? Bring me a bread bowl filled with spinach and crawfish, at least. Speaking of Cajun traditions, how about those Ragin' Cajuns on the baseball diamond?

1. Did You Say The Cajuns Needed A Broom? Here's A Sweep.

It's always a good weekend when you go on the road and spoil the atmosphere. Three games. A total tally of 12-3. Mission accomplished.

Somebody get Kyle Clement a steak, medium rare. The man raked in 6 RBI's in the Ragin' Cajuns sweep of the UT-Arlington Mavericks on his way to earning Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week honors, but the freshmen pitchers deserve their time to shine.

Gunner Leger and Will Bacon (mmmm, bacon) combined for the shutout on Friday, and Evan Guillory and Wyatt Marks both went seven strong in their outings as well. What are they feeding these guys? I could insert another bacon joke here, but I think we're all done acting like Will Bacon is just a good twitter joke. To be honest, they probably eat a lot of oatmeal. It sticks to the ribs. Try it.

Whatever the breakfast menu was in Arlington, the Cajuns should keep it up. Tony Robichaux's squad is catching stride, but is it too little too late in the eyes of postseason committees?

FINAL NOTE: To make a boxing analogy, a safe way for the Cajuns to avoid a judge's decision would be to carry this late round momentum into a Sun Belt Tournament Knockout. Their gloves are taped and ready.

I wish I could say the New Orleans Pelicans are poised to keep swinging as well, but the brooms were a little unkind in the NBA this weekend.

2. Speaking of Sweeps, I Hate Golden State...and Eric Gordon.

That heading is a little harsh, but come on. Stop acting like judging Eric Gordon for his late, ill-advised, three-pointer in Game 3 wasn't a big deal.

Please, don't put the Pelicans series sweep by the Golden State Warriors directly on Monty Williams' shoulders either. It wouldn't be fair. Yes, I'm completely ignoring Game 4. After the loss in the most pivotal game of their initiation into postseason ball, there was no chance of recovery.

May I offer a silver lining, at least? With a (somewhat) healthy playoff roster, New Orleans competed with the best team in the league. Moral victories are cheap, unless that morale carries into a franchise's first ever postseason after a playoff appearance. As their Head Coach referred to after the critical Spurs victory in the regular season, the Pelicans are on the other side of the NBA moon. Step out of the shade and into the blinding spotlight of the NBA Playoffs.

Speaking of spotlights, the Ragin' Cajuns and Oregon Ducks were in one of their own. Eugene is a pretty town, but it was very ugly this weekend to the Cajun faithful.

3. See Why Oregon Is The Best Team In The Country? 

Cheridan Hawkins is the real deal. The entire Ducks roster combined for a dominant 20-3 series victory. It might sound completely wrong, but the trip was still worth it.

The expectations for the Ragin' Cajuns are always to make a postseason run. If they want to compete with top-tier competition, the trip to Eugene could serve as a wake up call. After getting mercy ruled in the first two games of the series, the Cajuns bounced back to play an incredibly competitive game to cap off their trip.

The final game was a loss as well, but the fight displayed in the 2-1 loss (8 innings) shows the proper mentality. This wasn't quite yet the championship fight. When the time comes, maybe this will help Michael Lotief's team in the late rounds.

It's still in the early rounds of the NBA, but since the Pelicans are out, why not check out the brunch buffet of options left to dive into. Who doesn't like brunch?

4. NBA Roundup

Get outta here, in order, please: Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors. The same doesn't go for the New Orleans Pelicans. I will at least help them carry their bags to the bus stop that takes teams out of the NBA Playoffs.

The only curveball in the Eastern Conference came with a Brooklyn win over the Hawks on Saturday. Earth shaking, right? Nope. Hawks in five. Don't lose a wink over it. I know how concerned you were with that series to start with...the last trailing thread is the Bucks-Bulls series, but who cares? Seriously. Please comment below why you care so much about it. It would make great comedic relief on a Wednesday.

Now to the Wild West, where things really matter. Will Smith wouldn't make a movie about it if it didn't require your immediate attention.

Pels out. Portland looks pathetic, soon to be gone as well. James Harden and his beard are trying to make a statement against Dallas, but it's all about the Clippers and Spurs.

Doc Rivers was far from pleased about the early round matchup with Gregg Popovich, and honestly, he was right in terms of ratings. Spurs-Clippers could be a Western Conference Finals series, but one of them will be cancelled out of the equation. Brutal. With the series tied at 2-2, don't miss the finale. You might kick yourself if you do.

Instead of mourning over the discrepancy between the East and West conferences, spend your time thinking about how much fun you had at Festival this weekend.

5. Please Come Back, Festival International.

How are we all supposed to go back to work after that? You can't go from wandering downtown with a drink in hand all day to sitting at a desk and filing paperwork. It's just not fair.

Live music, original artwork and an entire city turned into an international bonding ground: it's what makes Festival International de Louisiane what is is.

The city opened its arms to the world, and everyone who spent some time at the happiest festival on the planet would agree the times were indeed good. We'll get back into the sports world now, but it doesn't mean we can't day dream about Festival punches and bread bowls. Also, can somebody tell my why my pants are a little tighter today? I refuse to blame it on all the delicious festival food.