I Apologize for Making Duke Lose

By Spencer Hall
Duke basketball, I apologize. I wrote the piece on “Why People Hate Duke,” and not 24 hours after its appearance on this site you lose to Miami, whose fans were so giddy after your defeat they risked being choke-slammed by security to rush the floor. (See Mottram’s post. A chiropractor is richer today thanks to that guard.)
To review, here’s my formula for why people hate Duke:
[img=http://i.tsn.com/i/photos/20080221/86925.jpg]
I’ve had this effect before, though mostly in reverse. Some of my earlier headlines directly affecting the outcomes of sports events include:
ISIAH THOMAS SET TO RETURN KNICKS TO GREATNESS
WHY WOULD ANYONE TAKE STEROIDS IN BASEBALL?
LASER TAG: THE NEXT GREAT SPORT OF THE 21ST CENTURY
NICK SABAN AND MIAMI ARE A MATCH MADE FOR FOREVER
Obviously, I cursed you, and accept responsibility, though I take no joy in your loss. Okay, maybe just a little, a tiny frisson backing up my point: People love it when talented, gifted people with all the advantages in the world take the big stage, give it all they have, and then fail spectacularly.
Even in French, Nelson Muntz’s “HA-ha” is a universally understood phrase for moments just like these.

This post brought to you by the International Haters Club: hatin’ on playas and all other paragons of excellence since 923 B.C.
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