I (don't really) Still Hate Christian Laettner

[Dirty Dutchman]

ESPN has been touting their 30 for 30 on Sunday "I Still Hate Christian Laettner", so I've seen him on a couple of interviews lately plus many in the past. I hated this guy with a passion when he was at Duke and for years after. Maybe I'm getting older, but I can't help but like the guy now. He said his biggest regret was stomping Timberlakes chest. He doesn't apologize for how he played, but why should he? He was great when he came back to Rupp a few years ago to play in the charity game. He had that commercial that said "Remember me?" I'm sure if he would have played for UK, he would've been one of the most beloved players ever. He just played with the kind of passion that we want all of our sports teams to play with.

Just a question, what is your opinion of the guy now? Still hate him or have you gotten past it all? Time heals a lot. Not everything though.

 

[Random UK Fan]

Time and his appearance at our charity game has softened my stance on him, as well as the commercial with Pitino a few years back. I appreciate the fact that he isn't taking himself so seriously now. No issues with him whatsoever.

 

[EvilMD]

I didn't hate him then. I hated that that group of kids didn't get to experience a Final Four. But we would have faced Indiana the next game, who I truly hated.

Coach K was very classy in victory that night, and very classy in defeat six years later. I don't hate Duke the way so many on here do, other than the fact that when we play them they substitute flopping for legitimate defense and the refs bail them out time and again.

Laettner just stood up for Calipari on His and Hers just now. They said that Cal is the villain of college basketball now and Laettner said Cal is a great guy and they need to lay off him with that.

 

[caneintally]

Yeah never really hated him .

 

[BigBlue1121]

I was only 7 years old in 1992 and wasn't even watching UK basketball then. All I know and seen are the repeated highlights. So, no, I can't say I hate him. Dude hit an incredible game winner, it just sucks it was against UK.

 

[Kats23]

Hate the shot.
Hate the fact I have to see it 600 times a year
Hate that he was still in the game
Hate Pitino's defensive setup of the play.
Don't hate him/Don't like him. I have no feelings towards him.

 

[akaukswoosh]

I'm neutral on Laettner but still hate Koach Krybaby.

 

[jwheat]

I have never held the hate for Duke as I have Indiana, Tennessee, or North Carolina.

 

[podgejeff_]

About the only thing Duke has done to anger me is introduce a flopping, weak style of play to basketball. Which I'll take over the four corners any time. If you want to blame anyone for Duke being an annoying program, it's ESPN's fault. They're the ones that decided to make Duke the face of college basketball for twenty years.

Duke isn't the Tobacco Road school that made cheating an institution.

 

[RogerIndy]

Originally posted by ThroughBlue:
I have never held the hate for Duke as I have Indiana, Tennessee, or North Carolina.

This....plus uavel ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

[wyldcatsfan]

I hate we gotta see IT, 600 times in March!!! Laettner has earned respect today with his comments on that game and the way he praises UK-Cal. No hate here, wish the guys could've gone to a FF!!

 

[Bank Cat]

I don't either. I despised him then and for a while after, but really all the guy did was play a perfect game in what I consider the greatest game ever played. He displayed a punk attitude with his stomp and like everyone else I wanted him kicked out of the game. Still, in the end it was a bonehead move no worse than dozens we've all seen in some form or fashion.

At the end of the day, he had industrial-sized stones. He was a winner and when that kind of guy beats you he's easy to dislike. That was also just when Duke was getting to be "Duke".

Confession time - I was rooting them on like crazy when they beat UNLV in 1991. I didn't hate them yet!

 

[JRS_SC]

He was a hell of a player that any team would want. I don't hate him, but I agree with others that I do hate watching his shot replayed each March.

 

[YouKay]

Time heals all wounds. Even that one. And I was at the game.

 

[UKUGA]

Originally posted by TubbysTabbys:


Coach K was very classy in victory that night, and very classy in defeat six years later. I don't hate Duke the way so many on here do, other than the fact that when we play them they substitute flopping for legitimate defense and the refs bail them out time and again.

K wasn't so classy when he complained about being sent to Lexington to start the tourney that year.

"Add to the mix what Kentucky fans regarded as a snub by Krzyzewski when this year's tournament pairings were announced, and the aura surrounding this game gets more heated. Duke was sent to Kentucky's home floor, Rupp Arena in Lexington, for its first two games. Krzyzewski said his team should have been placed in a better city (Atlanta) and not in such a hostile environment. Kentucky fans booed him in Lexington all weekend"



Link

 

[Waterview Catfan]

Hate is too strong of a word. I despised him for the stomp, him hitting the shot had nothing to do with it, he played one heck of a game. But he shouldn't have had the opportunity to take the shot, he shouldn't have still been in the game. I guess for me the real disgust is that Duke got by with it then, and likely would again because they are Duke. As for K "consoling UK fans afterward, all for show and to rub it in our face, and nobody will convince me otherwise. He is a great coach no doubt, but is equally a despicable coach to me.

 

[wcc31]

I don't hate him. Dude was one of the best college basketball players I've ever seen. He may have looked the part of some rich cake-eater, but Laettner came from a blue-collar background. He played with an edge, but he backed it up.

It hurt like hell at the time, but I've always had pride about that game. It personified the spirit of the UK program and The Unforgettables in a lot of ways.

Plus- while the media conveniently forgets about this- we got those SOBs back in '98 on the same stage, in a way that was almost as heart-ripping, and which resulted in a national title for UK.

 

[far_away_fan]

Originally posted by Waterview Catfan:
Hate is too strong of a word. I despised him for the stomp, him hitting the shot had nothing to do with it, he played one heck of a game. But he shouldn't have had the opportunity to take the shot, he shouldn't have still been in the game. I guess for me the real disgust is that Duke got by with it then, and likely would again because they are Duke. As for K "consoling UK fans afterward, all for show and to rub it in our face, and nobody will convince me otherwise. He is a great coach no doubt, but is equally a despicable coach to me.

I couldn't agree more with the part I underlined. I couldn't disagree more about the part I put in italics. As for the part that's bold, I am growing to dislike Coach K more and more as we both get older, but I wouldn't call him despicable quite yet.

 

[Guess Who]

Originally posted by RogerIndy:

Originally posted by ThroughBlue:
I have never held the hate for Duke as I have Indiana, Tennessee, or North Carolina.

This....plus uavel ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Copy this.

 

[BlobUK]

Are we talking sports hate or real hate? Real hate them I don't hate anybody. Sports hate then yeah I still hate him.

 

[kyisinmyblood]

I still dislike him, I can't help it. Its engrained in me.

Being away from the state for a few years has softened my stance on Tennessee and Indiana, as I don't come in contact with those two fan bases at all anymore. Now, there are so many people that wear UNC and Duke gear here it is maddening, and when I try to have a conversation about basketball they cant carry one, can't even name their starting 5. Bunch of wanna be fans. That bothers me for some reason. Also tons of KU fans out this way, most of that fan base is alright.

One thing that i've noticed, everyone despises us and I love it. We are the evil empire of college basketball

 

[RDCat07]

same here. but I do enjoy watching duke lose and I think I just hate the national media portrayal of them

 

[*dezyDECO*]

Originally posted by Bank Cat:
Confession time - I was rooting them on like crazy when they beat UNLV in 1991. I didn't hate them yet!

RE: 1991 ---Same here.

The "hate" for Duke really didn't start until a few years later... with the Chris Duhon (crooked!) recruitment and all of the Shane FLOPpier types.

The "hate" grew when Duke got a lot of help from the refs in the 2001 FF. Remember? When you're Duke, this is not a foul:

 

[BoulderCat_rivals187983]

I feel much the same way. What angered me more was the way CBS kept showing that shot for decades. They just continually ripped the scar issue off the wound of most UK fans.

 

[MakinMusic_rivals]

After hearing a chance interview with him, I find him difficult to dislike. Seems like a top notch guy I would call a friend.

 

[truebluewildcat_rivals34254]

I hate how people have treated "the shot", like it was the most amazing thing they ever seen...as if Duke was some no name college, and Laettner was a no name who wasn't recruited by anyone...

He was one of the best damn players in college basketball, probably the best shooter, Duke is Duke...he was a senior, had 3 final fours under his belt...he was on the "Dream Team" for Christ sake...

he essentially made a wide open free throw...BIG F'ING DEAL...why are folks still so enamored with it?

Had he missed it...now that would have been a big deal and worthy of some documentary today..."Christian laettner: How did he miss that wide open shot?"

I don't hate Laettner...I hate how people continue to act like they've never seen a jump shooter hit a jump shot...

 

[EvilMD]

Originally posted by dezyDeco:

Originally posted by Bank Cat:
Confession time - I was rooting them on like crazy when they beat UNLV in 1991. I didn't hate them yet!

RE: 1991 ---Same here.

The "hate" for Duke really didn't start until a few years later... with the Chris Duhon (crooked!) recruitment and all of the Shane FLOPpier types.

The "hate" grew when Duke got a lot of help from the refs in the 2001 FF. Remember? When you're Duke, this is not a foul:

That would have been his third foul in the first half. And I believe this was after the win over Maryland in the semis, one of the most one-sidedly officiated games ever.

 

[sambowieshin_rivals]

I hate Bobby Knight and Pat Forde more. Way more.

 

[TroutBum]

I don't hate Christian Laettner but I do hate any university that is not held to the same standard as all the rest,no matter which university it is.
On second thought maybe I just hate the NCAA, which is really whose fault it is that some universities aren't held to the same standard. Oh, and the media.
This post was edited on 3/11 9:29 PM by Ky-troutbum

 

[UKUGA]

Originally posted by truebluewildcat:
I hate how people have treated "the shot", like it was the most amazing thing they ever seen...as if Duke was some no name college, and Laettner was a no name who wasn't recruited by anyone...

He was one of the best damn players in college basketball, probably the best shooter, Duke is Duke...he was a senior, had 3 final fours under his belt...he was on the "Dream Team" for Christ sake...

he essentially made a wide open free throw...BIG F'ING DEAL...why are folks still so enamored with it?

Had he missed it...now that would have been a big deal and worthy of some documentary today..."Christian laettner: How did he miss that wide open shot?"

I don't hate Laettner...I hate how people continue to act like they've never seen a jump shooter hit a jump shot...

ummmmm, no.

 

[007LeroyBond]

Originally posted by UKUGA:

Originally posted by truebluewildcat:
I hate how people have treated "the shot", like it was the most amazing thing they ever seen...as if Duke was some no name college, and Laettner was a no name who wasn't recruited by anyone...

He was one of the best damn players in college basketball, probably the best shooter, Duke is Duke...he was a senior, had 3 final fours under his belt...he was on the "Dream Team" for Christ sake...

he essentially made a wide open free throw...BIG F'ING DEAL...why are folks still so enamored with it?

Had he missed it...now that would have been a big deal and worthy of some documentary today..."Christian laettner: How did he miss that wide open shot?"

I don't hate Laettner...I hate how people continue to act like they've never seen a jump shooter hit a jump shot...

ummmmm, no.

I don't necessarily agree 100% with all of what truebluewildcat said..but I at least partly agree with it. Laettner was wide open, our defense froze, and he hit a clutch shot. It was full of pressure because if he does one thing wrong, takes too much time, or shakes just a little, he misses that shot and Duke doesn't go to the Final 4 or win the National Title in 1992...but he was also a veteran and the best college basketball player back then and a damn great shooter and he had hit several clutch and full of pressure shots before that. So, I can also understand if someone or some people look at it like it wasn't all that special.

 

[UKCatsFan10]

I've never really hated Duke with the same passion that a lot of our fanbase has, but that's because being young I was always just TOLD that I hated Duke. I didn't see the Laettner game or some of the roots as to why UK fans hated Duke. Obviously I had seen highlights and old game films, but I didn't live through those moments in real time with real emotions. At least not at an age where I could fully understand what was going on.... Now there have been plenty of Duke teams that I didn't like growing up, and I always said I hated Duke, but I never really did with the same intensity that I hated some of the other programs. I actually like this years Duke team quite a bit. They seem like good kids, they play hard, and they are fun to watch. A lot of similarities really to our UK team... Only thing is they can't play defense.

 

[Trublupopeye]

I don't understand all the hate Laetner thing. Tubby paid them back 4 years later. Also some people act like that game was for the title. Which of course it's wasn't allthough it was for a final four bid. Tubby on the other hand IMO made a fool out of Coach K in that game. He ran Duke out of time outs and completely took it to Ky.

 

[FlCATFan_rivals26961]

I never hated him. I thought the stomp was bad sportsmanship but understand how young men can get caught up in the moment.

I really wish Pitino had guarded the inbounds pass.

I really wish Pelphrey had done something other than become a spectator when the pass went to Laettner.

 

[eku69]

Originally posted by Dirty Dutchman:

ESPN has been touting their 30 for 30 on Sunday "I Still Hate Christian Laettner", so I've seen him on a couple of interviews lately plus many in the past. I hated this guy with a passion when he was at Duke and for years after. Maybe I'm getting older, but I can't help but like the guy now. He said his biggest regret was stomping Timberlakes chest. He doesn't apologize for how he played, but why should he? He was great when he came back to Rupp a few years ago to play in the charity game. He had that commercial that said "Remember me?" I'm sure if he would have played for UK, he would've been one of the most beloved players ever. He just played with the kind of passion that we want all of our sports teams to play with.

Just a question, what is your opinion of the guy now? Still hate him or have you gotten past it all? Time heals a lot. Not everything though.

Life went on once I got over "the shot." I don't think I ever hated him. His shot did teach me to not get so emotionally in UK games and not to be so discouraged when the Cats lost.

 

[EmCats3]

I was born in 94 so I didn't have to experience it, but I don't mind him. I hate the fact that he hit the shot and that I have to see it 1000000 times a year but no real animosity towards him.

 

[Blue Bigfoot]

Actually, I hated Hurley. That little pr*ck ran his mouth and mean mugged non-stop.(Unfortunately he could back it up)

 

[RacerX.ksr]

Originally posted by truebluewildcat:
I hate how people have treated "the shot", like it was the most amazing thing they ever seen...as if Duke was some no name college, and Laettner was a no name who wasn't recruited by anyone...

He was one of the best damn players in college basketball, probably the best shooter, Duke is Duke...he was a senior, had 3 final fours under his belt...he was on the "Dream Team" for Christ sake...

he essentially made a wide open free throw...BIG F'ING DEAL...why are folks still so enamored with it?

Had he missed it...now that would have been a big deal and worthy of some documentary today..."Christian laettner: How did he miss that wide open shot?"

I don't hate Laettner...I hate how people continue to act like they've never seen a jump shooter hit a jump shot...

If you think that is all it meant, or that we should accept it without remorse, then change your name. It's a lie.

 

[CB3UK]

Originally posted by sambowieshin:
I hate Bobby Knight and Pat Forde more. Way more.

Seconded. That's legit hate. Eff those guys.

 

[akers65]

He was a great player, his teammates didn't like him, called him the a-hole.
I didn't like him before the game, but I never said he wasn't a great player.
Today, well, I hate the replays but, don't care either way for him.

Playing in the charity game was a nice move for him and he's never spoke too ill towards UK,
so I'll give him two thumbs up.....(like he cares what I think)