Portsmouth, Ohio —
Kentucky fans, what’s the main reason for tuning into the NBA Draft tonight?
Is it because you want to see Anthony Davis’ reaction when he officially becomes the second Wildcat to be selected No. 1? (John Wall was the first for those of you with sketchy memories.)
Or, do you want to watch perplexed and shake your head if/when teams pass on Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, who captured the adulation of Big Blue Nation for his hustle and heart? (UK coach John Calipari told “Pardon The Interruption,” “He will be the face of some organization in the next three to four years.”
Or, are you anxiously anticipating to see where Darius Miller, the beloved Kentucky boy through and through, will land?
Since Calipari’s arrival, the draft has become a much bigger event in the Bluegrass.
But, here’s my question, BBN ... how do you pick a favorite NBA team?
Do you have one? Or do you just follow individual players?
I’ve received mixed responses from those I’ve asked, but most say they prefer to keep up with individual players rather than choose a team to which to be loyal.
Wildcat fans love seeing “Kentucky” pop up on the screen next to a player’s name.
Does that label really have the same resonating effect, though, regarding a player who spent just one or two years in Lexington as it does with one who dedicated three or four years, such as Miller?
For me, personally, Calipari and his prowess for recruiting future NBA superstars has parked me in front of the TV the past three Junes to see where all the Cats would end up.
But the most joyous moments have come when these names were selected: Patrick Patterson, Josh Harrellson and DeAndre Liggins.
Kentucky has three groups of basketball fans, in my opinion.
There’s the cantankerous clan, mainly comprised of calloused old men (think Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon circa 1993) and women, that still believes Kentucky “can’t win the big one” with the way Calipari utilizes the one-and-done rule, EVEN THOUGH THE WILDCATS JUST DID.
The middle clump adores players while they last, but one-and-done — perhaps even two-and-done such as Rajon Rondo, Doron Lamb and Terrence Jones — players (like Wall, DeMarcus Cousins and Brandon Knight) will never steal spots in their hearts that are reserved for names like Tony Delk, Tayshaun Prince and Jamal Mashburn.
Then there’s the third bunch, mostly made up of fresh-faced followers under the age of 25, who will gladly flaunt “Wall” and “Cousins” on their backs. They possess the same feelings for them as they do Dan Issel and Cotton Nash — wait, they probably ask, “Who the heck is Dan Issel and Cotton Nash?”
Calipari is trying to integrate everybody into a united Big Blue Nation, one that loves and supports them all — even ones that didn’t actually suit up and play (such as Enes Kanter).
Most Kentucky fans have come to appreciate Calipari’s moxy.
For instance, check out this tweet.
@UKCoachCalipari: I want to apologize to all the recruits this week. I’m spending the majority of my time answering questions from NBA teams about my six guys.
Wow, don’t you love the confident bluntness of the statement, which contains a specific number, mind you?
Will any of tonight’s selections help you come up with a favorite NBA team?
Currently, there is just one team that houses multiple Kentucky products — the Sacramento Kings have Chuck Hayes and Cousins.
For those of you that, like Calipari, think it’s a silly notion for teams to pass on Kidd-Gilchrist, maybe you should start rooting for MKG to slide to the fifth spot.
That would put him on the Kings with Hayes and Cousins, making Sacramento an easy team to which to show allegiance.
More and more NBA fans are following Kentucky, for obvious reasons, and while the Bluegrass is slow to make that action reciprocal, I think it’s happening with every passing year and every passing draft pick.
Sure, the Millers’, Pattersons’, and Hayes’ of the Big Blue world may grab most of your pro basketball affection, but there’s always a little more room in a heart that bleeds blue.
AARON SNYDER can be reached at asnyder@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2664.
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AARON SNYDER: Why will you watch the draft, Cats fans?
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