My Least Favorite Question...

I think in writing and life, it's always important to disclose your biases. So right off the bat I'll say this. I love Mike Krzyzewski. I think he's a phenomenal teacher, basketball coach, and human being.

Last night, Coach K took a Duke team that many thought didn't deserve to be a number 1 seed, to the elite 8.

I don't need to list his myriad accomplishments, suffice it to say, he's really good.

So why is it, during EVERY Duke game I watch, I always get asked my LEAST favorite question.

Why does Duke have so many white players?

I get asked that by people who are dead serious, I get asked that in jest, people say it with a smile.

First of all, most people aren't comfortable talking about race in this country. We're told it's impolite and frankly, most people aren't educated enough to do it intelligently.

I'm not a sociologist. Having taken a few soc classes and a few classes on race in America, does not make me an expert.

But I have a few thoughts on this question.

First of all, why does anyone care? It's not like Coach K tells his assistants, I want you to go out and find me the best 6 white kids. Go to the McDonald's All-American game, if you see any pale dudes, grab 'em.

Coach K is in the winning business, not the race business.

If you look at Duke's greatest players under Coach K, there's a mixed bag of race. Johnny Dawkins (black), Christian Laettner (white), Bobby Hurley (white), Grant Hill (black), Shane Battier (bi-racial), Jason Williams (black), JJ Redick (white).

That sure seems to mix things up.

Secondly, I tell people, Duke's basketball team looks more like its student body than most schools. Sure there are a lot of white players on Duke, and black players as well. Isn't that what the college experience is SUPPOSED to be about? People from all backgrounds, thrown into the same environment, getting drunk, and writing papers about arcane subjects no one understands? (I'm looking at you Roman History Paper).

Then there's the question of Duke's perceived lack of success in the NBA. The argument goes, Duke's whiteboys are good in college, but all suck in the pros. Grant Hill couldn't hear you over his decade-long career. Carlos Boozer seems to have found a few extra minutes of playing time in the NBA.

I will concede the following, North Carolina players have had more success in the NBA. But that's an unfair comparison, they have Michael Jordan.

I think the bigger issue is this: Why can't white players be good? We all laughed at the movie "White Men Can't Jump," but has anyone seen the flying Plumlee brothers for Duke? Those dudes can fly.

This perception that white people can't be good at basketball is as foolish, ignorant, and I would argue hurtful as any sterotype against blacks, jews, gays, or any other group.

The only color that matters to Coach K and real Dukies: is blue.

And if you'll hold your stupid question, we have a Final Four to reach.