UK Basketball: These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things

As the holiday season starts into it’s full swing, I want to let everyone know that I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas. And, no, I do not say, “Happy Holidays”. Here in Kentucky we still remember why the Christmas holiday is celebrated. For any of you I offend with that statement, sorry, but I am not taking it back.

I got to thinking with all of the blessings we have here in the Capitol of College Basketball, that I wanted to just list a few of MY favorite things, to steal a song title. So here we go, and remember these are mine…..feel free to list your own in the comments section, but I am not changing mine!!

John Calipari. For all of the critical, whining, overzealous complainers out there, just let me tell you this. You could give your right arm for a coach and not get one any better than John Calipari. He is smart, savvy, hard-working, marketable, connected, well-trained, and truly cares about those he coaches, and those he works for. And he knows the fans are who he works for. Mitch may sign his checks, but we keep him here, and he understands it better than anyone whom I have ever had the privilege of watching patrol the sidelines.

I love blogging about the Wildcats. The Internet was the greatest invention for a Kentucky fan ever invented after the satellite dish and big screen TV’s. There is no better feeling than being able to put your thoughts into words for everyone to read and share. Even when they don’t like, believe, or understand what you are talking about.

The UK Fan base. Everyday I learn about more people who know more about the game of basketball who are UK fans than you can imagine. I am taught something new just about every time I log on. Anyone who does not believe that UK fans are some of the smartest and most knowledgeable in the world about basketball, only need to check out a few other schools and their fans. The difference is obvious, very quickly. And it is not just about Kentucky Basketball either. UK fans know the game and all of it’s facets.

Every game the Cats play. Win or lose. Yeah, I know the losses are hard to take, and I know that I have probably raised my blood pressure higher than is medically possible a few times, but I just love to watch the Cats play. Call in breeding, call it brainwashing, call it mind control for all I care. But if you are a true Kentucky fan, and not some half-baked, fair weather wanna be, you have to be where you can see that game every time they play. You reschedule dinners, parties, doctor’s appointments, and in my case, even the birth of one of my children to make sure there is nothing that gets in the way of game time.

I love passionate players. On both sides of the ball. And passionate coaches. Dick Fick of Morehead State to me was the epitome of the passionate coach. Dick came out at the beginning of the game, well groomed, sharply dressed, and looking very stately. By halftime he looked like he was trying to keep the Titanic from sinking and at the end of the game he looked like he had been in a war. Not one of Dick’s players ever gave more in a game than Dick did. As far as players go, I was a sucker for DeMarcus Cousins. Yes, I know he was undisciplined and raw, and had a mouth on him that no one could close, but he left it all on the court every night. And he was having more fun than anyone else in the building doing it.

I love the icemen. You know who I am talking about. The silent assassins who come out onto the court, play the game with that cold unemotional look on their faces, and just when you think you have them, they bury a three on you in the corner, or they blow by you and dunk the ball when you are looking the other way. Tony Delk and Jodie Meeks, I am talking about you. And there are a host of others. Tayshaun Prince was one of the best. Turn your back on him and he had 20 before you could stop it.

I love the showmen. I love a guy who can take the entire crowd and have them eating out of his hand in about 40 seconds. Earvin “Magic” Johnson was the ultimate showman. John Wall is a great one as well. They love to have the ball, they want the cameras all on, and they will break your heart in a New York Minute if you take your eyes off of them.

I love tradition. I love the fact that UK’s legacy is not rooted completely in one man anymore. Don’t get me wrong, there is no bigger fan of Coach Rupp than myself. But we have now won it all with Rupp, Hall, Pitino and Smith, and I don’t think that Cal is far away. No other program boasts that kind of continued success. No other program has the traditions that we do.

I love witnessing history. 2000 wins. 5 1st round draft picks. 35 win seasons. All of those things are recorded for the rest of time. I have personally witnessed the last three National Championships, every player since Dan Issel walked on the court, countless SEC Championships, both regular season and tournament, the dreaded ’92 season ending loss, the LSU Comeback, The Unforgettables, The Basketbowl. All of these things were once in a lifetime moments that I have been a part of, and I will always have them.

I could probably write a book about everything that this post represents, and someday maybe I will, but for now, These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things.

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