The friendly confines of the best rivalry

It all comes around.

Ask Laettner, or Mashburn. Ask Pitino or Krzyzewski.

I became a Duke basketball fan in 1992. And all that mattered in 1992 in basketball was Duke versus Kentucky. Anyone who knows anything at least knows of the tale of their 1992 Elite Eight battle. The game itself is arguably one of the best ever to be played on any basketball court. The shot that ended the overtime affair — you know…THE SHOT — well its merits as the best aren’t debatable. Not with me anyway.

That was — swallow — 22 and a half years ago. But what any true Duke fan, or any true Kentucky fan can tell you is that no moment is more defining of their program.

For Duke, how do you ever live up to the merits of that game? Of that shot? They went on to win another national title that year, have won two more since that (2001, 2010) and were the national runner up on two other occasions. But when you are a Duke fan and you think about your program, it all comes back to “The Shot.”

For Kentucky, how do you ever get past that moment, perhaps the most soul-crushing moment in the history of sports? Yes, they to have won three national titles since (1996, 1998 and 2012). They too have been the national runner-up on two occasions since. But when you are a Kentucky fan and you think about your program, it all comes back to “The Shot.”

In Durham, the name Christian Laettner is laid among the Gods. In Lexington, the name Christian Laettner is laid among loogies and mass vulgarity.

One thing I have learned as a Duke fan is that Kentucky people will never side with me. Why would they? It is after all, sour grapes. They lost, we won. But I also know how quickly that could be different. Hindsight, being 20/20, points out that one change in coaching technique could have sent that Wildcat squad to the Final Four. And then, in Duke circles, the name Jamal Mashburn would be whispered in hushed tones. And then we’d have all of the sour grapes. Tides and fortunes turn. The three national titles and a pair of 2^nd place finishes aren’t all we have in common. After all, our first round NCAA Tournament losses to Lehigh and Mercer are their first round NIT loss to Robert Morris. For their celebrations of Anthony Davis and Julius Randle, we’ve had the heroics of Shane Battier and Kyle Singler. For their massive downtrodden times of Nerlens Noel, we’ve had injury-killing anti-success of Kyrie Irving.

Ever since that shot, the existences of the Duke and Kentucky basketball programs have had intriguing shades of parallel.

The last year in my house has added a new element to my viewpoint. Both of my stepsons are bred from Kentucky lore. One was born in Kentucky, their father and his family are all Kentucky through and through. To them, U and K have been the only initials that matter when it comes to college basketball.

And then, there I was as a Duke fan. And by hook or crook, intrigue or irony, they (especially the youngest of the two), added some level of Duke fandom to their minds. It is never anything that I asked of them, but I am sure something engrained quickly into their subconscious because of how big of a Duke fan that I am, just as being UK fans was engrained for all of the other years of Wildcat basketball they saw or heard about.

Kids are fickle when they cheer for sports teams. For all the home team cheering there is, there are always just as many kids who pick up teams not so near. In my youth, other than becoming a Duke fan, I cheered from my Indiana home for the Atlanta Braves, another team not within 10 hours from where I lived. My youngest, Ayden — as another example — has an insane array of favorites that span from California (San Francisco 49ers) to Canada (Toronto Raptors).

But is there anything more fickle than being a fan of both Kentucky and Duke?

Bobby Hurley’s face would probably contort grossly at the question. Richie Farmer might puke.

My stepsons, again especially the youngest, have added a new space in my mind. A space where this makes sense, a space where I can actually be ok with it. In 1992, a battle like the two programs put forth brought with it a certain amount of despise and hatred. That is what 1992 was about, that was old school. But in 2014, in a world where UFC fighters bash each others heads in for 15 minutes and then hug and smile, why can’t Duke and Kentucky co-exist? Why can’t we just say good job and be happy with the magic we made together?

Last season, Ayden and I sat on the couch for many a basketball game, always cheering for the blue and white no matter what word actually appeared on the front of the jersey. He developed a favorite Duke player in Jabari Parker (he’s not happy he has to pick a new favorite already) and I took a liking to the Wildcats’ Willie Cauley-Stein. As he learned all of the names of the players on both teams, I too learned about UK. He became a true Duke fan, wore Duke clothes and cheered them on. I cheered too. No, I haven’t brought myself to slide into a Kentucky Wildcat t-shirt or anything like that, but when Kentucky played, I found myself cheering them on, especially in their close bid to become the National Champions. That alone is something that I never thought I would find myself doing.

It must be how my dad felt. He may have never hated Duke, but when I was a kid he was a Purdue fan. Now, I don’t think my dad would want any college basketball team to win more than he would want Duke too. Kids do that. They open yours eyes up just enough.

It is a rivalry that has lasted 22 years, but Ayden’s love of both teams has transcended that rivalry. Is he the first kid to think to their self “why can’t I just like them both?” Probably not. But it clicks. After all, Duke and Kentucky are forever intertwined. Nothing will ever change that. So why does everyone have to choose?

It is also what will make this upcoming college basketball season so much fun and possibly pretty interesting. The fact is, in my humble and moderately professional opinion, there are no better teams in college basketball this year than Kentucky and Duke. Always intertwined, we find ourselves at the top of the food chain once more.

Kentucky returned the vast majority of their near-championship core. The Harrison twins, Cauley-Stein, all back to team up with the second best recruiting class in the country that includes freshmen Karl Towns, Tyler Ulis, Devin Booker and Trey Lyles. Duke has a lot of veteran experience in tow too, even if they did underachieve last year. They also add the number one recruiting class in the country with soon-to-be NBA players Jahlil Okafor, Tyus Jones and Justise Winslow.

It will be another layer on one of the best rivalries in sports. There is a very good chance that the paths of the Blue Devils and Wildcats could cross in Indianapolis come April with the best trophy on the line. Sure would make for an interesting evening in my house.

I spent more than 20 years on one side of this rivalry. Duke was always greater than Kentucky. Do I still believe that to be true? Of course I do. Should they meet up in Indianapolis this Spring, or ever before, I will have one of my Duke jerseys on while Ayden sits down the couch with a UK hoodie. His brother and his mom will probably do the same as him. I know this to be true.

But I also know that win or lose; I will be content with being a fan of the greatest rivalry in sports. Content knowing that without Kentucky, there is no Duke and without Duke, there is no Kentucky. Our teams did this together. So whenever they meet again, I will be there.

I will be there, praying for the ghost of the not-dead Christian Laettner and Kentucky fans will be there, spitting and cursing his name.

But now, thanks to that space in my mind where Duke and Kentucky co-existing finally makes sense, I will be smiling the whole time.

Redrafting the 1992 NBA Draft

1992 is such pertinent place to start because, like in 2014, the class was headlined by three guys who you could, conceivably do no wrong in drafting. Those three (Shaquille O’Neal, Alonzo Mourning and Christian Laettner) were the talk of all of the draft. The field behind them was just OK in comparison, so most eyes were solely on those three, which is where it differs from this year.

O’Neal and Mourning were, as was then and is still often a draft trend, the biggest two. Although Laettner had the best college career and was fresh off being part of the original Dream Team, the allure of quality centers has always made for some of the drafts biggest decisions, steals and blunders. And Shaq and Zo were certainly thought to be far from the highlight reel of busts. And while Laettner had a pretty sweet resume, how his game would transfer to the NBA was a mystery. He did pretty much just OK as part of a Team USA squad that didn’t need him and his frame and position in the NBA were still kind of unknowns.

Pick 1: Orlando Magic

Who they took: Shaquille O’Neal

Who they should have took: Shaquille O’Neal

Why: Shaq will go down as one of the best big men to ever play in the league. When Orlando took him, they didn’t even have an idea how dominant he would be. As he got bigger and better, he became even more of a threat that his early, rip tearing down days. He also helped lead Orlando to a Finals appearance. They would love one of those right about now. In retrospect, they would try harder to keep him away from LA, but Shaq looms today as far more the better choice even than he was then.

Pick 2: Charlotte Hornets

Who they took: Alonzo Mourning

Who they should have took: Alonzo Mourning

Why: A fringe Hall of Fame talent, Mourning was absolutely a top post player of this era. His size and footwork was stellar, and like any good big man, he wasn’t afraid to play the physical role (see his tenure with the Miami Heat vs. the Knicks). Again, Charlotte would have liked to hold onto him longer, but with Shaq off the board, this remains the right pick.

Pick 3: Minnesota Timberwolves

Who they took: Christian Laettner

Who they should have took: Christian Laettner

Why: There are people who did go after Laettner who had more productive (in ways) careers. While I wouldn’t label Laettner a bust by any stretch, pro Laettner was no college Laettner. He made one All-Star appearance (as a Hawk) and had an above average career. But even knowing all of what we know now, there is no way the Wolves could have or should have passed on such a talent here. He answered the questions about his size and position by putting on weight and becoming a power forward, though he probably would have benefited from not as much weight and playing as a stretch three.

Pick 4: Dallas Mavericks

Who they took: Jimmy Jackson

Who they should have took: Robert Horry (11^th pick)

Why: While Jackson was the first part in the Mavericks’ eventual ‘3J’ plan with Jamal Mashburn and Jason Kidd, there is no way to logically pass on ‘Big Shot Rob’ (who more than earned that moniker) here. Horry was a critical part of many championships in Houston and with the Lakers. Imagine if he could have helped do the same thing in Dallas and made them a contender earlier than they were, bringing titles earlier than their 2011 crown.

Pick 5: Denver Nuggets

Who they took: LaPhonso Ellis

Who they should have took: Jim Jackson (4^th pick)

Why: A win-win here for the Nuggets in keeping Ellis versus taking Jackson, but the heart of me feels that a more up-tempo look from Jackson would have benefited the Nuggets.

Pick 6: Washington Bullets

Who they took: Tom Gugliotta

Who they should have took: LaPhonso Ellis (5^th pick)

Why: Knowing the injury woes that were on the way, Washington needed another playmaker and Horry’s jump would allow them to pass on big man Gugliotta here. Ellis would have helped a lot when Rex Chapman and Calbert Cheany slowed with injuries in the next couple of years.

Pick 7: Sacramento Kings

Who they took: Walt Williams

Who they should have took: Latrell Sprewell (24^th pick)

Why: I’m not sure. At this point, the Kings were a total joke and not much was going to help. Sprewell was one of five future All-Stars from this class and did a lot of good on the court in averaging over 18 points per game in his career. His downside was clearly (mostly) off the court. The on the court issue? Would he have still choked his coach in Sacramento? Who knows.

Pick 8: Milwaukee Bucks

Who they took: Todd Day

Who they should have took: Tom Gugliotta (6^th pick)

Why: Gugliotta was a quality big who you were going to get minutes and hard work from. He scored over 9,000 career points and had over 5,000 rebounds. Not a world breaker, but still sustainable numbers. And maybe the Bucks could have kept him for the two years he eventually averaged over 20 points per game in Minnesota. Day on the other hand spent more time out of the league than in it.

Pick 9: Philadelphia 76ers

Who they took: Clarence Weatherspoon

Who they should have took: Clarence Weatherspoon

Why: In a draft of journeymen, Weatherspoon would be a critical off the bench element. There was no 76ers of this era without him. The right pick then remains the best choice for Philly.

Pick 10: Atlanta Hawks

Who they took: Adam Keefe

Who they should have took: Doug Christie (17^th pick)

Why: After early struggles/mediocrity, Christie had a tremendous career during the years 1996-2005 in Toronto and Sacramento. He became the Raptors all-time steals leader and was one of the lynch pins in the Chris Webber led Kings teams that gave the Lakers a run in the West year after year. Keefe’s nine year NBA tenure barely left him with better numbers than his four years at Stanford.

Pick 11: Houston Rockets

Who they took: Robert Horry

Who they should have took: Bryant Stith (13^th pick)

Why: If there was a Denver Nuggets Hall of Fame, Stith would probably be the face of the 1990’s wing. He was a constant in a town without much promise. Not to say that he had a great career, but Stith was loyal and showed flashes of the ability that made him tough at the University of Virginia. He was solid, nothing more and nothing less. And while he wouldn’t have been as valuable as Horry ended up being, I still think he would have been valuable enough that the Rockets still would have won back-to-back titles with him instead.

Pick 12: Miami Heat

Who they took: Harold Miner

Who they should have took: Malik Sealy (14^th pick)

Why: Malik Sealy’s career and life ended too early and tragically in 2000. His presence on the court was intimidating, especially in years with the Clippers and T-Wolves. His face, his frame…Malik had athletic ability for days, even if it didn’t always translate. He finished his career just shy of 5,000 points (still a 10.1 ppg average) and could have been valuable to the slow years in Miami before Alonzo Mourning made his way to South Beach.

Pick 13: Denver Nuggets

Who they took: Bryant Stith

Who they should have took: Anthony Peeler (15^th pick)

Why: Peeler was a sharpshooter who rarely found his accuracy. In 2003-2004 he was on to the tune of 48.2 percent from long range. Drafting him was taking a chance that he would be on more often than not. Sadly, the Lakers found out he rarely was. Still he averaged almost 10 ppg and became the first Laker rookie to average double digit scoring in nine years and also cleaned up his off court issues.

Pick 14: Indiana Pacers

Who they took: Malik Sealy

Who they should have took: Walt Williams (7^th pick)

Why: Williams was a NBA dud. His career at Maryland was more than just strong, but he never found a beat in the league. Still, at this spot, taking a chance on the 6-8 post was not going to hurt the Pacers. He was an All-Rookie second team selection and put up over 1,000 points in that first year, which would have been a boost for the Pacers off the bench.

Pick 15: Los Angeles Lakers

Who they took: Anthony Peeler

Who they should have took: Harold Miner (12^th pick)

Why: Part of me says that this pick should have gone to either Hubert Davis, Jon Barry or Tracy Murray, but I think even knowing what we know, that you have to take the chance on “Baby Jordan.” The toughest thing for Miner in that moniker (which has been often called the beginning of his downfall) is that he was really the first person to have to carry the weight of being the “next Michael Jordan.” That tag holds no weight anymore. Everyone seems to be the next someone. And there have been plenty of other “next Jordans” like Grant Hill and Allen Iverson, but it didn’t sting anyone like it stung the first. And perhaps he would have gotten more playing time and better work in LA than he did in Miami, extending his (what would be) short career beyond just a sideshow dunker.