Flash back to 1992.  Picture a little boy cheering on the Kentucky Wildcats.  Sean Woods just hits a crazy lay up that he thought had won the game against Duke . He was jumping up and down going crazy.  A few moments later , Christian Laettner hits the “shot” and wins the game for Duke.  The little boy who just witnessed it starts to cry.   First a few tears down the cheek which turned into Niagara Falls seconds later.  That little boy was me 20  years ago.  Who do I blame for this empty feeling inside when I think about it? Christian Laettner,  that is who.  My blood pressure would go up anytime I heard mention of his name after that.  I hated that he played on the Dream Team with Michael Jordon.  I could barely stand the thought of cheering on any team he played for.

Now, fast forward to today.  Something has changed.  I’m still mad at Christian Laettner, but for a different reason.  He is trying his best to get me to like him, and I hate to admit it but, it is working.  Laettner is going out of his way to get the Big Blue Nation to hate him a little less.  First, he agreed to coach the “Villains” last year.  At the end of the game, he took a towel and cleaned off a spot on Rupp Arena’s floor as to show a little respect.  Why did you do that? I have to like you a little now?  Then, I hear him in a interview where is says that Duke and Kentucky are and always will be the top 2 basketball programs in college.  What? He is giving Kentucky praise?  I have disliked you for 20 years! I don’t want that to change.

The latest is the picture above.  Anthony Davis is hovering over a fallen Laettner, with his foot promptly on Christian’s chest.  It shows a lot of him to offer to pose for that picture.  Now he has done it, I don’t dislike him anymore ! Hold one second though, I still don’t like him.  I’m somewhere in the middle.  What is this world coming to? Do you feel the same way I do?