", 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. In four years with Christian Laettner, Duke went 123-26, including a 43-15 mark in ACC play. 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. I was at Five Star. But among the stars, it was Jordan who shined the brightest. 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. That said, his inclusion is somewhat defensible given that the 1992 Olympics was the first year in which NBA players were allowed to compete. In Game 5, Michael Jordan received a pass from Luc Longley from the baseline and dunked the ball over the outstretched arms of Mutombo. Laettner was also named ACC Player of the Year in 1992 and 1993, and was an All-American in 1992 and 1993. The genius play design and perfect execution sent the Blue Devils to their fifth straight NCAA Final Four: https://t.co/tH6Ql7mGL4 pic.twitter.com/VW4Gsbzkxj. Almost 30 years ago, Laettner powered Duke past Kentucky with one of the most famous shots in basketball history. Why is he considered a rising star in the NBA? 16 16. One of the all-time great centers, Ewing eventually found success in the playoffs with bruising power forward Oakley, (a former Bull), and fiery shooting guard Starks. ", Laettner on his game and his areas of improvement: "I have to work on my shot all the time. He played 13 seasons in the NBA for 6 different teams. Michael Jordan scored 42 points to lead the Bulls to a rout of the Knicks, 110-81. A Next Michael Jordan candidate early in his career, the Magics Penny Hardaway combined the scoring ability of Jordan with the court vision of Magic Johnson. MJ was so drained afterward, he collapsed in the arms of teammate Scottie Pippen who assisted him to the bench. Its almost unfathomable to think that a man who was seen as arguably the best college basketball player in the country disappoint in the NBA. Miller was in top form and had another shooter on his squad with former All-Star Mullin. Jay Williams. He is also the only player in NCAA history to have started in four consecutive Final Fours. Christian Laettner was selected third overall in the 1992 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves. It was an NCAA type game, a very intense game. I would've felt special if I had made the free throw, but I'm not sure it could've been any more special. In his NBA career, Laettner averaged 3.8 assists per game. History was made. Christian Laettner enjoyed a successful college career with Duke, winning two National Championships. He, too, was an All-Star. After retiring from the NBA in 2005, it hasnt gotten much better for Laettner. Data Provided By But he still averaged 17.1 points per game and shot over 50% from the field. Laettner's final two seasons in the NBA were spent with the Pistons and the Washington Wizards, before he retired in 2005. Down 103-102 in overtime against Kentucky with a . Shoots: He is also a four-time All-American, two-time National Player of the Year, and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003. He played college basketball for the Duke Blue Devils from 1988 to 1992. Laettner's clutch play against Alonzo Mourning, the Hoya's far-more-heralded freshman, pushed him from the category of 'good play' to the category of 'major star. Christian Laettner hit the most famous shot in the history of college basketball. 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. They had a big opportunity in 1992 when the Cavaliers reached the Eastern Conference Finals. O'Neal, on the other hand, put together a first ballot Hall of Fame career, winning NBA Championships in 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2006 while averaging 24 points and 11 rebounds on 58 percent shooting . In 1989, Olympic officials removed the rules barring professionals. 2 Alabama, No. He made headlines in 2016 when he pledged to donate his entire Olympic gold medal winnings ($108,000) to charity. Russell Westbrook per Forbes, as of September 2019, Russell Westbrook has the most followers of any NBA player on, Read More What NBA Player Has the Most Followers on Instagram?Continue. He wisely didnt call a timeout to keep the Jazz from setting up their defense. In the 1992 NBA draft, Christian Laettner was selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves. He had just won the Wooden Award and back-to-back national championships at Duke. ", Laettner on missing potential game-tying free throws against Arizona in a loss: "The whole Arizona game was the turning point for me. He is also third all-time in total field goals made (2,759) and sixth all-time in assists (2,157). Scottie Pippen and Karl Malone will enter this year, making it 10. Hindsight certainly makes the decision look strange. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. This time, Starks was more prepared to take on the task of guarding Jordan. Last year, I was able to believe it because we were up by eight with 10 seconds left. Oakley provided the muscle underneath and fortified the Knicks interior defense. As a result, the forward has downplayed his participation on. He was then drafted 3rd overall in the 1992 NBA draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves. He is the only player in NCAA Division I history to have won both the Naismith College Player of the Year Award and the John R. Wooden Award in the same season (1992). He was also a very good rebounder, and was often able to tip in missed shots or grab offensive rebounds and put them back in for easy baskets. Laettner didn't play much as the "Dream Team" rolled to a gold medal finish, averaging 4.8 points per game in his eight appearances. He shot 49.1% from the field and 73.6% from the free throw line. This one, I just couldn't believe. Abruptly, because of a sensational sophomore named Christian Laettner. Laettner also had seven rebounds, three assists and two steals. Here are the top matchups and tournaments to watch in the non-conference portion of the NCAA softball season. 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. The Mailman shredded the Bulls defense on the way to a 39-point outing. Overall, Christian Laettner was a very good rebounder during his NBA career. It took him seven years to get there as the Chicago Bulls had to face many obstacles along the way that blocked his path to achieving the ultimate prize. It was the first U.S. loss in Olympic history, other than a highly disputed 51-50 defeat to the Soviets in 1972. He was named to the All-Rookie team after averaging 18.2 points and 8.7 rebounds in his debut campaign. In the first round of the 1988 NBA Playoffs, Jordan lit them up for 50 and 55 points in the first two games. Their pick-and-roll is nearly impossible to stop. The All-American ended one of the greatest college basketball games ever with a turnaround jumper at the overtime. During the 1997 All-Star Game, the finger-wagging Mutombo baited Jordan by saying that MJ had never dunked on him, not even once. 1 seed Georgetown and standout center Alonzo Mourning. He averaged 12.8 points per game and 6.7 rebounds per game over his NBA career. home/away, monthly, etc More Christian Laettner Basketball Reference pages, Compare Christian Laettner to other players. A name most sports fans know, it would be impossible to keep Christian Laettner off this list. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. laettnerbball, Position: As a junior, Laettner averaged 21.4 points and 17 rebounds per game. Laettner's best years statistically were his first two years in the NBA. Duke beat Kentucky 104-103 . What Year Did Christian Laettner Win The Mvp - Christian Laettner Jerseys Blog What Year Did Christian Laettner Win The Mvp The particular 69 forwards from the University or college regarding Mn was your primary circular decide on (14th overall) of this Ut Jazz music within the 2005 NBA Set up He averaged 20.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, and shot an incredible 61.5% from the field. He had an amazing National Basketball Association career. As such, it is unlikely that he will ever be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. . His college career for the Duke Blue Devils is widely regarded as one of the best in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) history. "I remember my second year coaching at Northwestern, the same night he won his 1,000th game, we had a 13-point lead with four minutes to go vs. Maryland and lost on a tip-in buzzer-beater. Do you have a sports website? 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. Laettner finished with 31 points and 7 rebounds, shooting a perfect 10-for-10 from both the field and charity stripe.. CBS' Verne Lundquist delivered the all-time call. Arguments for induction: Trailing 101-100, Kentucky forward Sean Woods hit a shot in the lane to put Kentucky ahead 102-101 and seemingly win the game for the Wildcats, as only 2.1 seconds remained. Christian Laettner made at least $61,485,000 playing professional basketball. 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. Laettner led Duke University to two NCAA titles, one runner-up finish and one final four appearances. However, Laettner's best season came in 1997-98, when he averaged a career-high 8.8 rebounds per game for the Atlanta Hawks. 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. The Blue Devils lost in the Final Four and in the. The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NCAA or its member institutions. Then there's the Kentucky game, when Laettner's iconic jumper lifted the Blue Devils past the Wildcats 104-103 in overtime and into the Final Four. Four NBA championships and three Finals MVP's later, O'Neal was enshrined in the basketball Hall of Fame. Initial birdie during when it . And who did Duke beat that year? The Golden State Warriors finished the 2015-2016 season with a 73-9 record, one of the best . That buzzer-beater shocked the Cavaliers, one that the team would never recover from. How does he compare to other young players in the league? Laettner was a standout high school player at Nichols School in Buffalo who was being recruited by some of the best programs in the ACC by his sophomore year. But even when His Airness couldnt take flight because of stomach flu in Game 5, he still managed to score 38 points, including the deciding three-pointer with about 25 seconds to go. Christian Laettner was a senior at Duke in 1991 and 1992. 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). In Laettner's senior year, the Blue Devils went 34-2 and 14-2 in conference play. the official stats partner of the NBA, NHL and MLB. In the NBA, Laettner's highest blocks game was 5, which he achieved on 3 separate occasions. I know, I've won a few and lost a few myself. 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. He also played in 21 playoff games, starting in 12 of them. Five years later, Christian Laettner was the winner of the NBA All-Star title ward. Christian Laettner averaged 12.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. Kana Gum For NCAA Title DOUQ C2AD A Fitting End To Two Fine . And once again, Duke made it to the NCAA title game; this time, they faced off against UNLV, who were heavily favored to win. In context, though, his appearance on perhaps the greatest squadof all-time is somewhat defensible. Related Read: Who is the founder of christianity pdf? 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. The six-game series showed that Barkley was a star that belonged on the big stage. Long before he was dream-shaking, game-winning Duke legend Christian Laettner, he was just a skinny kid from Angola, New York, who loved to play basketball. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Saturday, March 4, 6:46PM. There are a few reasons why Laettners Hall of Fame case has been met with resistance. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. Except, even at his worst, Michael Jordan would find a way to win. I was pissed off. Laettner's rookie year was also notable because he was the only player in the 1992 NBA draft to play in all 82 games. Late in the fourth quarter, Stockton made a three-pointer to break an 83-all tie with 41.9 seconds remaining. 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. The Dream Team went 8-0, averaging 117.2 points a game and winning by an average of 43.7. Being a top-notch shooting guard, Christian Laettner won a ton of awards. As of February 2023, Christian Laettner has an estimated net worth of $12 million. Roughly, because the Bronx Falcons and the Nichols (Buffalo) Vikings were involved in one of the most physical high school games in years, a game that saw bodies flying all over the Adelphi Academy gym while the referees swallowed their whistles. As the NBA Finals approach, everyone is wondering who will come out on top. Laettner scored a then-career-high 24 points on 9-of-10 shooting, while leading Duke in rebounding with nine boards, plus dishing out four assists, in an NCAA tournament win against No. Even with the addition of Jordan Stopper Gerald Wilkins, Jordan merely took it as a challenge, scoring 43 points in the opening game. In his career, Laettner had 14 assists in a game four times. 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. Sadly, Barkley would never play in the NBA Finals again and continued to be ringless until he retired. The smaller and quicker guys give me a lot of trouble. 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 the Bulls would bounce back to win the next four games to take the series by the horns. Christian used to play basketball in his early years. It was the East Regional final between Duke and Kentucky. 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. When I saw the other (Dream Teamers) in the NBA, we felt we had shared something. However, Laettners time in the NBA was relatively short-lived. 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 ranks fifth all-time in Division I scoring at 24.3 points per game and fourth in rebounds at 10.0 rebounds per game. Subscribe to Stathead Basketball: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Basketball Reference Database. With a little more than 2 seconds left and Duke down by one, Christian Laettner nailed a last-second shot in overtime to beat Kentucky 104-103 and send the Blue Devils to the Final Four for the . Laettner has admitted it was a "stupid move." Kentucky fans still wish he had been ejected so he wouldn't have been in the game to attempt the winning shot. Even the big guys were hauling, the 6-foot-11 Laettner said. 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 was drafted 3rd overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 1992 NBA draft. Though they were the best of friends, MJ would cut his friends heart out during the playoffs three times in four years. After compiling the franchise greatest record 14-2 in the normal time of year, the Steelers defeat Denver colorado 33-10 together with Harrisburg 34-5 in approach miami heat vs atlanta hawks live stream reddit to Very how many points did christian laettner score for the 92 men's olympic basketball team Pan XIII. Christian Laettner is not in the Hall of Fame. He and college teammate Brian Davis started Blue Devil Ventures (BDV), which attempted to revitalize downtown Durham. As a junior, Laettners numbers dipped a bit as he shared the spotlight with fellow future NBA players Grant Hill and Bobby Hurley. Here are the members of the 1992 NBA Dream Team, and where they are today. 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 . Get this Asheville Citizen-Times page for free from Monday, April 1, 1991 ; Baseball5D Sports Fax251-0585 Monday, April 1, 1991 Dnke. -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. Hardaway and the Heat had the misfortune of going up against some of the best Bulls teams in the 1996 and 1997 NBA Playoffs. -Laettner was an incredibly successful college player, winning two national championships with Duke and being named National Player of the Year in 1992. Although he never won an NBA Championship, Laettner was a very good rebounder throughout his career. He knew when to score and when to pass the ball. John Laettner was the Most Valuable Player of the NCAA mens basketball tournament in 1991 and 1992, leading Duke to back-to-back championships. He has earned this net worth from his NBA career, where he played around 13 seasons and was paid $61 million. A NBA Championship ring is a, Read More How Much Does a NBA Ring Cost?Continue, ContentsThe teamsThe Los Angeles LakersThe Miami HeatThe playersLeBron JamesAnthony DavisJimmy ButlerThe coachesFrank VogelErik SpoelstraThe historyThe Lakers in the FinalsThe Heat in the FinalsThe predictionsWho will win? Twenty-seven years ago today, Duke's Christian Laettner swished perhaps the most famous shot in NCAA Tournament history. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. A versatile player, he was able to play both power forward and center. 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. The next year, Ewing brought the Knicks back to the playoffs and was on a collision course with the Bulls again. He hounded the superstar throughout the 1993 Eastern Conference Finals. But once he had overcome those teams, Jordan never let anyone else take the title from him except for the time he had just returned from baseball prior to the Bulls second three-peat. Related Read: Who is christian in after we fell? In 1997, Hardaway finished fourth in the MVP voting, averaging 20.3, 8.6 assists, and 1.9 steals per game. Keep reading to find out! Jay Williams, the former Duke sensation, won a national championship with the Blue Devils in 2001 and was a two-time player of the year. He is the only individual member of that team that is not currently in the Hall of Fame. He also helped them win the NCAA title in both 1991-92, the first college team to repeat as champions since the 1970 heyday of the UCLA Bruins. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Laettner, of course, went on to hit famous NCAA tournament buzzer-beaters against UConn and Kentucky, the latter later named the best moment in NCAA tournament history during the 75 Years of March Madness celebration. The accolades are endless, but more than anything, Laettner is known for "The Shot." In the. Laettner, Hill, Bobby Hurley, Thomas Hill, Antonio Lang, Cherokee Parks, Brian Davis, and Erik Meek were drafted into the NBA, with Laettner, Hill, Hurley, and Parks ending up as lottery picks. On Aug. 13, the 1992 gold medal "Dream Team" will be enshrined into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield . But Malone and Stockton werent done yet. He also chipped in with eight rebounds, four assists, and two blocks in the game. We present them here for purely educational purposes. Arguments against induction: To appease that part of the basketball community, a decision was made to save one spot on the team. Laettner was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. 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. "It was someone else.". Your login session has expired. 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. I loved every second of it, playing 1-on-1 against those guys in practice and trying to learn. But Jordan thrived on adversity and the tide quickly changed with the Bulls capturing the next three games. He has since gone on to business success. He found time to talk trash to the leagues MVP and dunked on him in the waning moments of Game 2, one that has been replayed over and over again on classic NBA games and highlights. Jordan went to work once again. Will the Golden State Warriors repeat as champions, or will the Cleveland Cavaliers take home, Read More Who Is Up In The Nba Finals?Continue, Why some people think he should be in the Hall of Fame, NBA Valentines Day Cards: The perfect way to show your love for the game. Laettner, 47, led Duke to national championships in 1991 and '92. After being drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the 3rd pick in the 1992 draft, Laettner enjoyed a productive 13-year NBA career. The competition there is real intense. In Game 7, His Airness was grounded by great defense from the Pacers who gave him different looks. Laettner was infamously chosen for the 1992 Olympics . The bad news for this pair is that Michael Jordan and the Bulls have foiled their attempts to seize the championship trophy away. After his junior year, Laettner decided to forego his senior season and declare for the NBA Draft. He appeared in 838 games, starting in 588 of them. His father told him to take the lead and let everyone else follow. Christian Laettner still holds the following records - most points scored (407), most free throws made (142), most free throw attempts (167), and most games won (21). Despite his accomplishments, Laettner is often considered one of the most polarizing figures in college basketball history. The Phoenix Suns were Americas darlings during the 1992-93 season. O'Neal said in a radiointerviewduring the 2012 NBA Finals. 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. Everybody checked their egos at the door, and everybody on our team played basketball the right way, he said. But it wasnt until the 1992-1993 season that Barkley had his best opportunity to win the championship when he was traded to the Suns. Even the big guys were hauling," the 6-foot-11 Laettner said. When it comes to championships, the two are infamous for having played the most playoff games without winning a title. New York employed plenty of roughhousing techniques to get under Chicagos skin much like Detroit. And we havent even talked about Gary Payton who isnt on this list because he won a championship with the Miami Heat in 2006. Michael Jordan would have his revenge in the epic 1993 NBA Finals. Challenge accepted. Amy Sancetta/AP. He attended Duke University from 1988-1992, playing as a power forward and center for the Blue Devils. He faked right, turned over his left shoulder, double-pumped and made a miraculous . Laettners NBA career ended in 2005, and he has not played professionally since. He continued to be a productive player for the Timberwolves over the next few seasons, but was traded to the Atlanta Hawks in 1996. CGAA will not be liable for any losses and/or damages incurred with the use of the information provided. None. He led the Heat to the playoffs as a no-nonsense floor leader and gave the team its earliest taste of postseason success. Here's what you may have missed in men's college basketball on Saturday, Feb. 11, a day full of upsets. Panhandle Basketball: The Place to Be for Hoops Fans, Brad Davis, NBA Player and Stamford Native. -Laettner had a successful 13-year NBA career, averaging over 14 points per game during his time in the league. Laettner was an aggressive, some said dirty, player, who was not always well-liked. 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. Christian Laettner played for the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 13 seasons from 1992 to 2005. Man for man, the Bulls didnt appear to have a chance against a powerhouse team like the Cavaliers. Laettner's final two seasons in the NBA were spent with the Pistons and the Washington Wizards, before he retired in 2005. Christian Laettner: Center (1998-92). Laettner said the foregone conclusion of a U.S. gold medal did not dim the competitive fire of the players. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010. MORE: Complete roster, history behind"Dream Team". The Los Angeles Lakers finished the 2000-2001 season with a 56-26 record and went on the win the NBA Finals over the 76'ers. Christian Laettner had a unique and dizzying career arc. The 1989 series was more of the same. After college, Laettner was drafted 3rd overall in the 1992 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves. A member of the 1992 USA Olympic Dream Team, Laettner is one of only two players to have started all eight games during the teams dominant run to the gold medal. Schrempf was no pushover as well as he scored 16.3 points per game while shooting 38.9 percent from the three-point line. Laettners number 32 jersey was retired by the Duke Blue Devils in 1992. 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. He is a graduate of Indiana University. The Bulls eliminated the Sixers easily in five games. The Round Mound of Rebound was named the MVP to the chagrin of Jordan who wanted to win it for the third straight season. 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. 1969 Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. I wanted to face it again, I wanted to challenge it again. 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 also holds several NCAA records. He was a productive player for 13 seasons and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in his first season. It was the perfect picture of Jordans competitive will to win that brought down the Hawks. Williams, the No. In the end, Jordan could be seen breathing heavily and tugging at his shorts. In his NBA career, Laettner averaged eight blocks per game. Every March Madness montage features his 15-foot turnaround jumper that capped off a historic game in NCAA Tournament history. Laettner led Duke University to two NCAA titles, one runner-up finish and one final four appearances. More than any other franchise, Jordan owned the Cavaliers during his run towards a championship. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? Jordan was unleashed in Game 4 as he dropped 54 points. - GetAnyAnswer, Exactly what went wrong with Christian Laettners NBA career, Christian Laettner Wisely Knew to 'Keep Your Mouth Shut, Was christian laettner good in the nba? All rights reserved (About Us). After finishing as a two-time state champion for the Nichols School (Buffalo, N.Y.), he became one of the most well-known basketball . 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.