ESPN Announces “I Hate Christian Laettner” 30 for 30 Documentary

There’s a saying that if people aren’t hating you, you aren’t doing something right.  ESPN will take this twitter logic to another level for a “30 for 30” documentary all about the detestation many feel for former Duke basketball star Christian Laettner.

[ESPN]

“I Hate Christian Laettner,” directed by Rory Karpf (“The Book of Manning,” “Tim Richmond: To The Limit”), will premiere Sunday, March 15, at 9 p.m. ET after Bracketology on ESPN. Through interviews with former teammates and rivals as well as Laettner himself, the film explores why the polarizing basketball player was—and still is—so disliked.

 

He made perhaps the most dramatic shot in the history of the NCAA basketball tournament. He’s the only player to start in four consecutive Final Fours, and was instrumental in Duke winning two national championships. He had looks, smarts and game. So why has Christian Laettner been disliked so intensely by so many for so long? Maybe it was the time he stomped on the chest of a downed player, or the battles he had with his teammates, or a perceived sense of entitlement. But sometimes, perception isn’t reality.

 

“I Hate Christian Laettner” will go beyond the polarizing persona to reveal the complete story behind this lightning rod of college basketball. Featuring extensive access to Laettner, previously unseen footage and perspectives from all sides, this film will be a “gloves-off” examination of the man who has been seen by many as the “Blue Devil Himself.”

In Duke lore Laettner will go down as one of the best to ever play for the program, but outside of Durham the feelings are obviously very different.  If you’re a fan of college basketball, or the game in general, this is must see tv.