Moreover, they had Larry Bird as their coach. ", Joe Frisaro of The Tampa Tribune (December 1987): "Imagine, a 6-foot-10 center who's a deadly shooter, has excellent athletic ability and is willing to dive all over the court for a loose ball. The lucky passenger on the most dominant basketball team ever was Christian Laettner, and Shaq acknowledges it was the right choice to make, despite the fact he had just been selected no.1 in the Draft. Laettner's final two seasons in the NBA were spent with the Pistons and the Washington Wizards, before he retired in 2005. He dribbles behind his back and hustles more than a shopping clerk at Christmas. Johnson and Majerle would never get the chance to play in an NBA Finals again. Some believe that he is one of the greatest players ever to come out of Duke University, while others argue that his success was due largely to playing for one of the best college basketball programs in the country. Laettner had a strong rookie season, averaging nearly 15 points and eight rebounds per game, and was unanimously named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. Laettner was named to the New York State High School Class C All-Tournament team after setting a tournament record with 40 rebounds in two games. He had only been in the league for two seasons at this point, but he was already establishing himself as a very good player. He was traded six times in his career and never spent more than three seasons with one franchise. He was named the NCAA Tournaments Most Outstanding Player in 1992 and was a first-team All-American in both his junior and senior seasons. -Some argue that Laettners induction would be more about his accomplishments at Duke than anything he did as a professional player. He attended Duke University from 1988-1992, playing as a power forward and center for the Blue Devils. He is also known for his clutch performances in college, most notably the jumper he scored against Kentucky in the regional final. Karl Malone averaged 38.8 points per game in his NBA career. He averaged 12.8 points per game and 6.7 rebounds per game over his NBA career. Christian Laettner Position: Center 6-11 , 235lb (211cm, 106kg) School: Duke (Men) Draft: Minnesota Timberwolves, 1st round (3rd pick, 3rd overall), 1992 NBA draft 2x NCAA Champion 2x NCAA All-Tourney 4x NCAA All-Region NCAA Tourney MOP HS Parade AA 1991-92 AP POY 2x Consensus AA Wooden Award Naismith Award Rupp Trophy SUMMARY Career G 148 PTS 16.6 Plus he stayed all four years and graduated. MORE: Complete roster, history behind"Dream Team". The combined 370 points scored in the Pistons 186-184 triple-overtime win over the Denver Nuggets on Dec. 13, 1983, has to be pretty high on the list. MJ stole the ball and raced back to the other end of the court. the official stats partner of the NBA, NHL and MLB. Jerry Tarkanian led the Rebels to his only championship win. All information published on this website is provided in good faith and for general use only. Though he was a very successful college basketball player, Laettners NBA career was relatively short-lived. The closest win was by 32 points. This was all about revenge for MJ who closed out the series with 45 points on 16-of-23 shooting. Christian Laettner is on Twitter at laettnerbball. Overall, Christian Laettner had a solid NBA career. He was named to the All-Rookie team after averaging 18.2 points and 8.7 rebounds in his debut campaign. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010. Arguments against induction: He's a perfectionist. If there ever was a more balanced NBA team in the Eastern Conference that had the chance to take down the Bulls Dynasty, it was the Hawks. He made 2 All-Star game appearances, in 1997 and 1998, and won an Olympic gold medal as part of the famed "Dream Team" in 1992. He also chipped in with eight rebounds, four assists, and two blocks in the game. However, it is worth noting that he is not a part of the Hall of Fame for his individual achievements as an NBA player, unlike other players of the aforementioned Olympics team. He was drafted third overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves and managed to make the NBA All-Rookie first team in his debut season. Christian Laettner was a senior at Duke in 1991 and 1992. Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski once told reporters that Laettner was so good, they had to get in contact with him early in the process, near the end of his sophomore year. The Christian Laettner NBA career then bounced around the league as he spent time . Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. Laettner said the foregone conclusion of a U.S. gold medal did not dim the competitive fire of the players. In 12 NBA seasons, Laettner averaged 8.6 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. Amy Sancetta/AP. Your login session has expired. Christian Laettner attended Nichols School in Buffalo, New York and Duke. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Laettners NBA career ended in 2005, and he has not played professionally since. Laettner told the "Rich Eisen Show" last year. In his three years at Duke University, Christian Laettner became one of the most decorated players in college basketball history. But Michael Jordan was more than any man could handle. In his NBA career, Laettner averaged 12.8 points and 6.7 rebounds in 742 games. Laettner, 47, led Duke to national championships in 1991 and '92. There are a number of factors that could have contributed to Laettner not living up to expectations, whether it be said expectations being too high, the Dream Team experience shattering his confidence, and his lanky frame not quite translating with the grit-and-grind that was ever so prevalent in the 90s era of the NBA. Christian Laettner played for six NBA teams - the Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Detroit Pistons, Dallas Mavericks, Washington Wizards, and Miami Heat. The excitement over a letter from . Throughout the game, he was visibly in pain but even at 50 percent capacity, Pippen was still better than any player the Bulls could replace him with. Kana Gum For NCAA Title DOUQ C2AD A Fitting End To Two Fine . He is best known for his time with the Duke Blue Devils, where he won two national championships and was a part of the famed "Fab Five" recruiting class of 1991. He made headlines in 2016 when he pledged to donate his entire Olympic gold medal winnings ($108,000) to charity. MJ was so drained afterward, he collapsed in the arms of teammate Scottie Pippen who assisted him to the bench. They were the most unfortunate of any franchise to have run into the Bulls during that stretch, facing them four times in six years. ", Laettner on missing potential game-tying free throws against Arizona in a loss: "The whole Arizona game was the turning point for me. Malone and Stockton were their usual sensational selves, taking the middle games for the Jazz to tie the series at two games apiece. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? After college, Laettner was drafted 3rd overall in the 1992 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves. A name most sports fans know, it would be impossible to keep Christian Laettner off this list. 16 16. He was born and raised in Angola, New York (near Buffalo and Niagara Falls). Miller was tough to cover as he would run through so many screens all designed to set him free for his lethal jumpers. If I took 20 shots in the whole tournament, no one acted like (it wasnt his place). Javascript is required for the selection of a player. CGAA will not be liable for any losses and/or damages incurred with the use of the information provided. Laettner started off his career pretty well for the Minnesota Timberwolves, as he averages a promising 18.2 points per game and 8.7 rebounds per game and was a member of the 1992-93 All-Rookie team. ", Larry Felser of the Buffalo News (March 1989): "His performance in Duke's victory over Georgetown Easter Sunday makes it fairly clear that Christian Laettner could end up ranking with Bob Lanier as the greatest basketball player ever to come out of Buffalo. Keep reading to find out! Sadly, Barkley would never play in the NBA Finals again and continued to be ringless until he retired. As Laettner's skills and reputation grew -- Nichols won state titles in 1985 and 1986 and reached the state semifinals in 1987 -- so did the recruiting efforts. If his place on the 1992 U.S. roster seems curious to some who question why even one collegian was kept (while NBA stars including Isiah Thomas were left off), his teammates recognized his value. Christian Laettner is a retired professional basketball player who was a star player in the NBA for many years. Smith was a shooting guard who could score in bunches while playing excellent defense. Laettner was a very good shot blocker, and was especially adept at blocking shots in the post. I loved every second of it, playing 1-on-1 against those guys in practice and trying to learn. As a result, the forward has downplayed his participation on. He was selected third overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 1992; he remains one of only two college players (Manning being the other) to be drafted in the first round without having played in either the McDonalds All-American Game or the Nike Camps (the latter did not exist until 1987). But everything will be just fine. Contents The Steve with 8 NBA championships The Journey to 8 NBA Championships The Legacy of Steve with 8 NBA Championships The Impact of Steve with 8 NBA Championships The Influence of Steve with 8 NBA Championships The Significance of Steve with 8 NBA championships The Significance of 8 NBA championships The Importance of Steve, Read More Steve with 8 NBA ChampionshipsContinue, Contents Why NBA Valentines Day cards are the perfect way to show your love for the game How to choose the perfect NBA Valentines Day card for your loved one The top 10 NBA Valentines Day cards to give your loved one The history of NBA Valentines Day cards How to make your own NBA, Read More NBA Valentines Day Cards: The perfect way to show your love for the gameContinue, Contents82 Games in an NBA Season Why the NBA Season is 82 Games What Happens if Theres a Tie in the NBA Season How the NBA Season is Structured How the NBA Season Ends An NBA season consists of 82 games. Or write about sports? Christian Laettner enjoyed a successful college career with Duke, winning two National Championships. The late Chuck Daly was head coach; Mike Krzyzewski and Lenny Wilkens are also in, leaving only assistant P.J. Game 6 was back in Utah and the Bulls ran into early problems when Pippen aggravated a back injury after dunking the ball on a play. He faked right, turned over his left shoulder, double-pumped and made a miraculous . Christian Laettner averaged 12.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. If there ever was a more balanced NBA team . The game is usually considered the greatest ever in college basketball, and Laettners shot has been re-run on television numerous times since 1992. All rights reserved (About Us). Laettner's final two seasons in the NBA were spent with the Pistons and the Washington Wizards, before he retired in 2005. Brad, Read More Brad Davis, NBA Player and Stamford NativeContinue, ContentsIntroductionWhat time is the game?What channel is the game on?Who is playing?Conclusion If youre a fan of the NBA, youre probably wondering if theres an NBA playoff game tonight. He has since gone on to business success. Show More. Overall, Laettner's career was disappointing, as he never amounted to anything more than a below-average player. He played 13 seasons in the NBA for 6 different teams. Hindsight certainly makes the decision look strange. The next year, Ewing brought the Knicks back to the playoffs and was on a collision course with the Bulls again. The Bulls had no answer for the 7-foot Georgetown alumnus. Looking back at the famous USA "Dream Team" basketball roster from 1992, Christian Laettner's name sticks out as a strange inclusion among Hall of Fame talents. I was pissed off. Throughout his career, he averaged 12.8 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. John Laettner is not in the NBA Hall of Fame. Williams, the No. I was recently thinking that since college achievements are considered when selecting people for the Basketball Hall of Fame it would make sense that a guy who arguably had the greatest college basketball career ever in the modern era gets in. Although he was close to filing for bankruptcy in 2016, he seemed at peace with how his basketball career had went in the 2015 documentary of his life, perfectly titled I Hate Christian Laettner. He played at Nichols School in Buffalo, and then at Duke University from 1988 to 1992. It was the first U.S. loss in Olympic history, other than a highly disputed 51-50 defeat to the Soviets in 1972. Laettner had a solid if not spectacular 13-year NBA career that gets underrated. Lets be clear about something here; Laettner wasnt necessarily a bust in the NBA, as he was a solid rotation player who was able to carve out a space for himself in the league for more than a decade. Does Christian Laettner have an HOF argument? The series was 2-0 in Chicagos favor days later. Starks was clueless on how to stop the rampaging Bull and he remained unshackled until the series was over. Laettner and the Dream Team went on to win the Olympics by bulldozing their way through the group stage and the knockouts, and the Duke star was the only college player on that team. There were 16 ties. In Laettner's highest scoring game in the NBA, he scored 40 points against the Charlotte Hornets. In his NBA career, Laettner averaged 3.8 assists per game. When he channels that energy to the next play in a positive manner, that puts him at a very high level. Laettner's knack for hitting clutch shots started long before he arrived in Durham. Why is he considered a rising star in the NBA? When it comes to championships, the two are infamous for having played the most playoff games without winning a title. As of right now, Christian Laettner is not in the NBA Hall of Fame. Laettner had a strong rookie season, averaging nearly 15 points and eight rebounds per game, and was unanimously named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. April 23, 1943 - Nov. 26, 2017 Bonnie Laettner, mother of basketball great Christian Laettner, became a celebrity in her own right during the height of her son's stellar career -He is one of only 10 players in NCAA history to amass more than 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, 400 assists, and 200 blocks in their career. There is no doubt that Laettner had a successful college and professional career, but the question remains should he be in the Hall of Fame? He was a prep All-American and Howard Garfinkel of Five-Star Camp said Laettner was the third-best center in the his high school class. He is particularly well-known for his game-winning shot against Kentucky in the 1992 regional final, as well as for the hatred he received from opposing fans. What NBA Player Has the Most Followers on Instagram. Even the big guys were hauling," the 6-foot-11 Laettner said. ", Laettner after Duke beat UConn in the 1990 NCAA tournament: "This game was by far the most fun I've had in my whole life. 1 seed Georgetown and standout center Alonzo Mourning. Note, this is done in an automated way, so we apologize for any errors, & please. In the NBA, Laettner's highest blocks game was 5, which he achieved on 3 separate occasions. Laettners number 32 jersey was retired by the Duke Blue Devils in 1992. From 1991-93 and 1996-98, His Airness took on all challengers to the throne and vanquished them all. He was a tough matchup for any team with the ability to match MJs athleticism and knack for controlling a basketball game. I just have to post up on them. Laettner was an aggressive, some said dirty, player, who was not always well-liked. It has been almost 30 years since Duke standout Christian Laettner was picked over to Isiah Thomas to represent America in the Olympics with the 1992 Dream Team. Laettner's best years statistically were his first two years in the NBA. During the 1997 All-Star Game, the finger-wagging Mutombo baited Jordan by saying that MJ had never dunked on him, not even once. And once again, he led Duke to the NCAA championship game; this time they faced off against Michigans Fab Five team featuring future NBA stars Chris Webber, Jalen Rose, Juwan Howard, Jimmy King, and Ray Jackson. Wilkens is already enshrined as a player and coach. Initial birdie during when it . Once again Laettner came up big in the title game, scoring 23 points and grabbing 12 rebounds as Duke won their second straight national championship. After his playing career ended, Laettner became a successful businessman and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020. He played just three seasons with the Timberwolves before being traded to the Atlanta Hawks in 1995. In the clinching Game 5 win, Jordan had 38 points, 19 rebounds, and 7 assists. It was the perfect picture of Jordans competitive will to win that brought down the Hawks. In Game 5, Michael Jordan received a pass from Luc Longley from the baseline and dunked the ball over the outstretched arms of Mutombo. The third time was on January 14, 1993, against the Los Angeles Clippers. -He was never named an All-Star during his time in the NBA. What are some of his most impressive accomplishments? The Jazz had another chance in 1998 and they didnt waste time showing that they were a better team after their previous experience. Laettner's best season statistically was his rookie year when he averaged 16.0 points per game and 6.9 rebounds per game. So why isnt he in the Hall of Fame? Unfortunately, the answer is no. Finally, Laettner was known to be arrogant and aloof, which rubbed some people the wrong way. The Blue Devils lost in the Final Four and in the. ", Former Nichols High School coach Jim Kramer (December 1987): "Christian is being called the heir-apparent to Danny Ferry at Duke. History was made. He played for the Duke University basketball team, and with his performance, he led the team to win two national titles. jamaican boiled dumplings nutrition facts; toronto marlies coaches list; ripon commonwealth sports; wayne mackins age; hilo unsolved murders; the ranches at royal pines livingston tx; So why did Laettner never really find success in the NBA? It's also available for football, hockey and baseball. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team that year. Below we take a look at some of the arguments for and against his induction into the Hall. Laettner was a key player on some very good teams, including the Detroit Pistons and the Atlanta Hawks, and he helped those teams to a lot of success. Challenge accepted. He had one of the greatest college careers in the history of the game.. Joakim Noah, Al Horford and Corey Brewer did it at Florida in 2006 and 2007 and Christian Laettner, Bobby Hurley and Grant Hill did it at Duke in 1991 and 1992. He has earned this net worth from his NBA career, where he played around 13 seasons and was paid $61 million. Weve got all the latest news and information on the sport, as well, Read More Panhandle Basketball: The Place to Be for Hoops FansContinue, Contents Brad Davis, NBA Player Stamford Native NBA Career Early Life high school Career College Career Professional Career Personal Life RetirementLegacy Brad Davis, NBA player and Stamford native, is one of the best players in the league. Here are some of the awards Christian Laettner won in college: Here are some of the records Christian Laettner set in college and where he ranks in all-time statistical lists: Bill Travers of the New York Daily News (March 1986): "Our Saviour Lutheran's season ended roughly and abruptly Tuesday night. Christian Laettner was born in Angola, New York. In the end, Jordan could be seen breathing heavily and tugging at his shorts. Many great players deserved to win the championship as much as he did. After retiring from the NBA in 2005, it hasnt gotten much better for Laettner. While he enjoyed a decorated career at Duke University and was a key member of the 1992 USA Olympic team, his NBA career failed to live up to expectations. Sustaining excellence in men's college basketball is no easy task. Player stats broken down into various categories; i.e. Introduction The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North, Read More Is There an NBA Playoff Game Tonight?Continue, ContentsRussell WestbrookLeBron JamesKevin DurantKyrie IrvingStephen Curry We all know that NBA players are some of the most popular athletes in the world. While the Fab Five seemingly won the war of words, Laettner's Blue Devils won on the court, beating U-M twice in the 1991-92 season, including in the NCAA national championship. He is best known for his time with the Detroit Pistons, where he won two NBA championships. We present them here for purely educational purposes. I was jealous," O'Neal said in a radiointerviewduring the 2012 NBA Finals. He enjoyed a lengthy NBA career, appearing in 868 games, scoring over 11,000 points and grabbing nearly 6,000 rebounds. Christian Laettner was drafted 3rd overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 1992 NBA Draft. There are very few players in the history of the game that can match his college career, said Bilas, an ESPN analyst who played at Dukeand was an assistant coach during Laettners time there. Duke was led by no other than Coach K. This game famously ended with UNLV giving Duke the largest loss in NCAA Tournament history, 103-73. The clock showed two-tenths of a second.