He is best known for his time with the Detroit Pistons, where he won two NBA championships. Biggest rivalry in college hoops: Our starting five all-time in Duke Duke Blue Devils' Christian Laettner's shot against Kentucky: An NCAA Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Sustaining excellence in men's college basketball is no easy task. Last year, I was able to believe it because we were up by eight with 10 seconds left. He was then drafted 3rd overall in the 1992 NBA draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Join us for a March Madness Webinar on Tuesday, March 7 at 8pm ET. Laettner was a very good shot blocker, and was especially adept at blocking shots in the post. Of the rest of the players, Chris Mullin has been nominated several times, and remains a strong candidate. ", Laettner: "When Coach K grabbed me, I felt really special at that point. Years later, Laettner understands he. But Malone and Stockton werent done yet. Click here for the full list of the greatest NBA players who failed to win a ring. In 1997, Hardaway finished fourth in the MVP voting, averaging 20.3, 8.6 assists, and 1.9 steals per game. Christian Laettner was born on August 17, 1969. International Stats at Basketball-Reference.com, College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com, Scores from any date in BAA/NBA or ABA history, Frequently Asked Questions about the NBA, WNBA and Basketball, Basketball-Reference.com Blog and Articles, Subscribe to Stathead Basketball: Get your first month FREE. As soon as his game developed beyond dunking to becoming a complete player, the Seattle Supersonics power forward showcased how far he had come in the 1996 NBA Finals. The highlight of his buzzer-beating shot to beat Kentucky in the 1992 East Regional final remains an annual staple of NCAA . "I Hate Christian Laettner" And How The Arrogance Of The Duke Star Worked They first met in the postseason in the 1990 Eastern Conference Semifinals. 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. Arguments against induction: On Aug. 13, the 1992 gold medal Dream Team will be enshrined into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield. He is a graduate of Indiana University. He is also part of the FIBA Hall of Fame and the US Olympic Hall of Fame and was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame for his achievements in college. He also had a long and successful college career, winning 2 NCAA Championships with Duke University. But which one has the most followers on Instagram? The Christian Laettner NBA career started brightly with Minnesota Timberwolves, as he averaged 18.2 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. What Year Did Christian Laettner Win The Mvp He played for the Cincinnati Royals (now the Sacramento Kings) from 1994 to 1998. Here are the top matchups and tournaments to watch in the non-conference portion of the NCAA softball season. In his three years at Duke University, Christian Laettner became one of the most decorated players in college basketball history. Christian Laettner is one of the most accomplished college basketball players in the history of the sport. Christian Laettner is considered to be one of the greatest college basketball players of all time, and his exploits with the Duke Blue Devils led to him being a part of the 1992 Olympics 'Dream Team'. Christian Laettner was drafted 3rd overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 1992 NBA Draft. Many people believe that he should be a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame, given his impressive career stats and accomplishments. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. Jordan was unleashed in Game 4 as he dropped 54 points. -Laettner was an incredibly successful college player, winning two national championships with Duke and being named National Player of the Year in 1992. The Christian Laettner NBA career then bounced around the league as he spent time . Duke-Kentucky: Looking back at Christian Laettner's historic shot - Yahoo! What impact has he, Read More Jordan Hall: The NBAs Rising StarContinue, ContentsHow much does an average NBA ring cost?How much does the most expensive NBA ring cost?How are NBA rings made?How much does it cost to make an NBA ring?How many diamonds are in an NBA ring?What is the value of an NBA ring?Where can I buy an NBA ring? Where Are They Now: 27 Years After Christian Laettner Made the "The Shot" After vanquishing powerhouse UNLV in the national semifinal and topping Kansas for the 1991 championship, Duke entered the 1991-92 season with a roster full of future NBA players led by senior. After hearing the quotes that analysts like Jay Bilas said to Benjamin Hoffman of the New York Times about Laettner, you would think that hed be destined for greatness in the NBA. That said, his inclusion is somewhat defensible given that the 1992 Olympics was the first year in which NBA players were allowed to compete. Love or Hate Christian Laettner, but It Is Time to Honor Him Laettner couldnt quite capture the high potential from his rookie season until he made the All-Star as an Atlanta Hawk in the 1996-97 season on his way to averaging 18.2 ppg and 8.8 rpg on the season. But just when they appeared to have taken the game-opener in Game 1 of the 1997 Finals, Jordan was there to take and make the game-winning shot over Byron Russell. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Why is he considered one of the best college basketball players of all time? Christian Laettner began his basketball career at an early age. The following year, Jordan once again used his superhuman abilities to post insane averages in the semifinals, crushing the Sixers, 4-1. us, High School: He is also third all-time in total field goals made (2,759) and sixth all-time in assists (2,157). The physicality of the 1992 Knicks team was like the second coming of the Pistons Bad Boys. This time, it came with a soon-to-be Hall-of-Fame center in Ewing. The lead changed 17 times. After his college career, Laettner enjoyed a successful 13-year NBA career with six different teams. Christian Laettner, Duke v. Kentucky, 1992 Elite Eight Arguably the most memorable play in the history of the tournament, Laettner's shot sunk Kentucky and allowed Duke to go on and win its . It would come to be known as The Shot II, sending the Cavaliers home for the summer with another heartbreaker. These are solid but unspectacular numbers, especially for a player who was never named an All-Star or selected to an All-NBA team. This is a very good average, as it is higher than the career averages of block leaders like Hakeem Olajuwon, Shaquille O'Neal, and Dikembe Mutombo. 1. '", Former president Richard Nixon, after Laettner missed a one-and-one, trailing Arizona by two, with one second left: "I know you feel badly, young man. ESPN's Jalen Rose Makes an Idiot Of Himself With Kevin - Sportscasting 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. I was at Five Star. Christian Laettner's buzzer beater knocks out Kentucky and sends Duke With 2.1 seconds remaining and Kentucky up by one, Grant Hill threw the inbound pass from the end line all the way to Christian Laettner by the foul . YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. In the 1992 NBA draft, Christian Laettner was selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Only 5.2 seconds remained, but that wasnt enough time for the Jazz to make a basket. When he channels that energy to the next play in a positive manner, that puts him at a very high level. As a result, the forward has downplayed his participation on the historic team. Amy Sancetta/AP. Second, his skillset was better suited for a more up-tempo style of play, which was not as common in the NBA during his career. Abruptly, because of a sensational sophomore named Christian Laettner. Many great players deserved to win the championship as much as he did. What Happened to Christian Laettner and Where is He Now? He's really a basketball purist. The Ultimate March Madness Trivia Challenge - Pro Sports Quiz He later played for the Atlanta Hawks (1996-99), Detroit Pistons (1999-2000), Dallas Mavericks (2000-01), Washington Wizards (2001-04), and Miami Heat (2004-05). The Indiana Pacers of 1998 had the best chance of any team to dethrone the Bulls in the 1990s. Why Christian Laettner made the 'Dream Team' over Shaquille O - NBA He was a two-time NCAA national champion and the only player to ever start in four consecutive Final Fours. This Day In Sports: Laettner's legacy shot beats Kentucky 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 Bulls finished off the Jazz at home in Game 6 when Jordan passed the ball to an open Steve Kerr for the title-clinching shot. Overall, Christian Laettner had a very successful NBA career. Here's what you may have missed in men's college basketball on Saturday, Feb. 11, a day full of upsets. Malone at 193 games and Stockton at 182. For one thing, if you got the ball passed to you with that lineup, it meant you were pretty wide open.. Is Christian Laettner In The Nba Hall Of Fame? His Elite Eight buzzer beater against Kentucky that year remains iconic. Christian Laettner was drafted 3rd overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 1992 NBA Draft. Enter your information to receive emails about offers, promotions from NCAA.com and our partners. In 12 NBA seasons, Laettner averaged 8.6 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. Laettner was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. Being a top-notch shooting guard, Christian Laettner won a ton of awards. 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. After being drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the 3rd pick in the 1992 draft, Laettner enjoyed a productive 13-year NBA career. The ball went in the hoop. ", Laettner on his game and his areas of improvement: "I have to work on my shot all the time. I just think it helped me grow as a player.. While he will be remembered as a college basketball superstar and the perfect villian for college basketball in the late 80s and early 90s, it would be interesting to see how Laettners career would have been different if he entered the league today. He is the only individual. Christian Laettner reaches deal to possibly avoid bankruptcy - ESPN.com It's also available for football, hockey and baseball. 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. The Round Mound of Rebound was named the MVP to the chagrin of Jordan who wanted to win it for the third straight season. Ranking the 23 greatest moments in NCAA Tournament history He played 13 seasons in the NBA for 6 different teams. He was traded again in 1999, this time to the Detroit Pistons. So why did Laettner never really find success in the NBA? Christian Laettner played for the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 13 seasons from 1992 to 2005. Going one-on-one with Russell, Jordan drove to the middle then went with a crossover to take a jumper from the top of the key as his defender fell to the floor. But the Bulls would bounce back to win the next four games to take the series by the horns. However, injuries derailed his career in his later years, and he was never able to live up to his full potential. Michael Jordan had a long and grueling road to get to the top of the NBA. That didnt stop them from wanting to kill you in the game that night, he said. But an objective look at a player whom fans loved to hate says he should be. 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. The man-child known as Kemp was one of the NBAs best dunkers and one of its most ferocious finishers on the fastbreak. 9. What happened to Christian Laettner? Where is the 1992 NCAA Blue Devils The Shot. March Madness: Duke's Grant Hill on famous pass to Christian Laettner The eighth-seeded Wildcats defeated the Georgetown Hoyas, 66 to 64. Nance and Daugherty would play one more season before retiring without a ring. I was jealous," O'Neal said in a radiointerviewduring the 2012 NBA Finals. In Game 4, with the score tied in the final seconds, number 23 sealed the 4-0 sweep with a series-clinching buzzer-beater. He said he never felt big-timed or snubbed by his more glamorous teammates. As a junior, Laettner averaged 21.4 points and 17 rebounds per game. On the Jazz next possession, Jordan knew Stockton would pass to Malone on the block, so he snuck up on him as soon as the pass was delivered. Laettners NBA career does not carry a Hall of Fame resume, but a strong case could be made for him as a collegian. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. Former Duke star Grant Hill tells story of famous pass to Christian Laettner in 1992 NCAA Tournament win vs. Kentucky Thomas O'Toole USA TODAY 0:00 1:42 When Duke's Grant Hill took the ball. On Aug. 13, the 1992 gold medal "Dream Team" will be enshrined into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield . However, Christian Laettner's NBA career was a bit underwhelming in comparison. He was a prominent American basketball player of the 1990s and early 2000s who is best known for his game-winning shot against Kentucky in the 1992 tournament that helped lead Duke to the championship game, and for the hatred he received from opposing fans. A 6-11 (211 cm) power forward / center, Laettner played at Duke University, where he led them to the Final Four all four years of his college career. Carlesimo out. Christian Laettner | Minnesota Timberwolves | NBA.com Michael Jordan scored 42 points to lead the Bulls to a rout of the Knicks, 110-81. The Pacers would reach the NBA Finals two years later but that was the last time they would get there. UCLA would go on to win its 11th national championshipand its first in 20 yearstwo weeks later. ContentsThe Highest Paid NBA coachesThe NBAs highest-paid coachesThe top 10 highest-paid NBA coachesWho are the highest paid NBA coaches?The 5 highest paid NBA coachesThe 10 highest paid NBA coachesWho are the NBAs highest-paid coaches?The NBAs top 10 highest-paid coachesThe highest paid coaches in the NBAThe top 5 highest paid NBA coaches Who are the highest, Read More The Highest Paid NBA CoachesContinue, ContentsThe Top Games to Watch on NBAs Opening NightThe Top Games to Watch on Christmas DayThe Top Games to Watch During the NBAs Regular SeasonThe Top Games to Watch During the NBAs PlayoffsThe Top Games to Watch During the NBAs FinalsThe Top Games to Watch When Your favorite team is PlayingThe Top Games to Watch, Read More NBA May 17: The Top Games to WatchContinue, ContentsIntroductionWhat is Panhandle Basketball?The History of Panhandle BasketballThe Panhandle Basketball ProgramThe Panhandle Basketball TeamThe Panhandle Basketball LeagueThe Panhandle Basketball TournamentThe Panhandle Basketball CourtThe Panhandle Basketball FansThe Future of Panhandle Basketball If you Love Basketball then the Panhandle is the place to be! Schrempf was a three-time All-Star, an All-NBA Third Team member, and was twice named Sixth Man of the Year. - CGAA. Throughout his career, he averaged 12.8 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. 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. 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. Here are the members of the 1992 NBA Dream Team, and where they are today. Karl Malone averaged 38.8 points per game in his NBA career. The Bulls celebrated their 6th championship on Utahs home floor, keeping the Jazz from a championship once again. Everything was set for an upset. That placed him 11th, ahead of Stockton, the ultimate playmaker, who scored 2.3 per game. More than any other franchise, Jordan owned the Cavaliers during his run towards a championship. Related Read: Why do christians eat pork? Christian Donald Laettner ( / letnr /, LAYT-nr; born August 17, 1969) is an American former professional basketball player. Laettner scored at least 18 points in all six of Duke's NCAA tournament games in 1991, including 28 against UNLV in the Final Four. The third time was on January 14, 1993, against the Los Angeles Clippers. Christian Laettner won two national championships in college as he led Duke to back-to-back national championships in 1991 and 1992. 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. Meanwhile, Alonzo Mourning (who won a championship with the Heat in 2006) was the man in the middle, the All-Star center who patrolled the paint and was the cornerstone of the franchise. 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. The Duke Blue Devils definitely fall into the villain camp in college basketball and the Darth Vader in Duke's history, at least according to opposing fans, is Christian Laettner. Does Christian Laettner have an HOF argument? : r/nba Players who shine bright on the biggest stage of college basketball the NCAA Tournament often become household names. I wanted to face it again, I wanted to challenge it again. Unfortunately, the answer is no. The clock showed two-tenths of a second. Your login session has expired. Everyone should love Christian Laettner - FanSided So why isnt he in the Hall of Fame? Here's everything you need to know about Christian Laettner's college career at Duke. 1 seed Georgetown and standout center Alonzo Mourning. Price played two more seasons for the Cavaliers before bouncing around three teams in three years as injuries shortened his career. Further, his team came third in the 1990 Argentina World Championship, where his team won the gold medal from the FIBA Americas Championships at 1992 Portland. Christian Laettner won two titles at Duke. 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 averaged 12.8 points and 6.7 rebounds per game for his career. He finished with 125 points for the entire tournament. However, the Christian Laettner NBA career failed to reach the same statistical heights after spending four seasons in Minnesota. 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. Ewing was as good as ever, averaging 25.8 points, 11.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game. Laettner shot an extremely efficient 17-23 from the field, including 3-5 from three-point range. He had one of the greatest college careers in the history of the game.. Most of all, Laettner provided was what every star-studded team needs a 12th man who knows his role. He averaged at least 16 points and seven rebounds in each of his first five years in the league. As a result, the forward has downplayed his participation on. Even the big guys were hauling, the 6-foot-11 Laettner said. ", 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. Duke called time-out, however, and on the inbounds play, Grant Hill threw a near court-length pass to Laettner, who caught it at the top of the key, dribbled twice, turned, and hit an 18-foot turn-around jumper as time expired, giving the Blue Devils the victory, 103-102. During the 1997 All-Star Game, the finger-wagging Mutombo baited Jordan by saying that MJ had never dunked on him, not even once. He continued to be a productive player for the Timberwolves over the next few seasons, but was traded to the Atlanta Hawks in 1996. Christian Laettner is best remembered for his outstanding college career at Duke, where he helped lead the team to two NCAA Championships. Twitter: Oakley provided the muscle underneath and fortified the Knicks interior defense. Laettern was the only collegian chosen for the original US basketball Dream Team that dominated the opposition at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Subscribe to Stathead Basketball: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Basketball Reference Database. He quickly became known for being a very undisciplined player, missing countless shots and not playing hard on defense. Christian Laettner attended Nichols School in Buffalo, New York and Duke. Except, even at his worst, Michael Jordan would find a way to win. Get to know him better in this blog. Michael Jordan had to take over. The series was 2-0 in Chicagos favor days later. MJ was so drained afterward, he collapsed in the arms of teammate Scottie Pippen who assisted him to the bench. But perhaps those high expectations for Laettner got in his head and were just too lofty for him to live up to. 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 scored 28 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, leading Duke to a stunning upset victory. Schrempf was no pushover as well as he scored 16.3 points per game while shooting 38.9 percent from the three-point line. Though he was a very successful college basketball player, Laettners NBA career was relatively short-lived. Christian Laettner is best remembered for his time at Duke, where he helped lead the Blue Devils to back-to-back national championships in 1991 and 1992. Scoring on a drive quickly to cut the lead to one, 86-85. How Rich Are Christian Laettner and These Other Former NCAA Tournament It was in this first round series that Jordan made The Shot at the buzzer to advance to the next round. He and college teammate Brian Davis started Blue Devil Ventures (BDV), which attempted to revitalize downtown Durham. Malone is widely considered to be the second greatest power forward of all-time, next only to Tim Duncan. He is also known for his clutch performances in college, most notably the jumper he scored against Kentucky in the regional final. Related Read: How old is christian nodal? Christian Laettner made at least $61,485,000 playing professional basketball. Jordan shot 9-of-25 from the field but wound up with 28 points on hustle plays. ", Laettner on missing potential game-tying free throws against Arizona in a loss: "The whole Arizona game was the turning point for me. Laettner was also named ACC Player of the Year in 1992 and 1993, and was an All-American in 1992 and 1993. I was the bag boy, the waterboy, said Laettner, a Duke University superstar and the only player without NBA experience to play on the 1992 U.S. Olympic mens basketball team. Christian Laettner averaged 12.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. Do you have a sports website? In fact, in 2015, ESPN produced a 30-for-30 documentary entitled I Hate Christian Laettner. Laettner also ran into trouble later in life with investments in Durham, NC, where he went to college. Villanova won the tournament in 1985. That, his college success, and his clutch shots, led one basketball writer to dub him one of the two luckiest people to ever live, along with Ringo Starr.. Five years later, Christian Laettner was the winner of the NBA All-Star title ward. He never averaged less than 6.0 rebounds per game in any season and his career-high of 8.8 rebounds per game is a testament to his ability on the glass. Then again, theres only one trophy and Jordan was not about to let it slip away from his grasp. He faked right, turned over his left shoulder, double-pumped and made a miraculous . That season, Laettner played in all 82 games and averaged double figures in points and rebounds, something he would do only one other time in his career. Initial birdie during when it . Dikembe Mutombo, Mookie Blaylock, Steve Smith, and Christian Laettner. Laettner's best season statistically was his rookie year when he averaged 16.0 points per game and 6.9 rebounds per game. Jay Williams. But MJ elevated his game beyond All-Star levels in the NBA Finals such that he was able to carry the Bulls on his back en route to a 4-2 series win (more on this later). 5 Surprising Things We Know About Christian Laettner Michael Jordan would have his revenge in the epic 1993 NBA Finals. With his follow-through in perfect form, number 23 scored his 45th point of the ballgame to give them an 87-86 lead. 2 Alabama, No. He also holds several NCAA records. 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. Of the 12 Dream Teamers, only Laettner (whose 13-year NBA career began immediately after the Barcelona Games) would have had a chance to be eligible under the old rules. Later that year in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, the Hawks tied the series against the Bulls at 1-1, showing them that they had the firepower to keep up with the NBAs best team. Kana Gum For NCAA Title DOUQ C2AD A Fitting End To Two Fine . He was drafted third overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves and managed to make the NBA All-Rookie first team in his debut season. Everybody checked their egos at the door, and everybody on our team played basketball the right way, he said.