Christian Laettner is considered to be one of the greatest college basketball players of all time. He was a four-time All-American at Duke University and led the Blue Devils to back-to-back National Championships in 1991 and 1992. Laettner was also an NBA player for 13 seasons, playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Atlanta Hawks, the Detroit Pistons, and the Washington Wizards.
College Career
Laettner had an outstanding college career. He was named to the All-ACC First Team four times and was the ACC Player of the Year in 1991 and 1992. He was also a two-time consensus National Player of the Year and was named to the NCAA All-Tournament Team three times. Laettner is one of only two players in NCAA history to be named All-American four times. He was also the first player to ever start in four consecutive Final Fours.
NBA Career
Laettner was selected third overall in the 1992 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves. In his first season, he averaged 11.2 points and 6.2 rebounds per game, while also shooting a career-high 53.2 percent from the field. Laettner was named to the All-Rookie Second Team.
Laettner went on to have a solid NBA career. He averaged double figures in scoring in ten of his thirteen seasons and was one of the better shooting big men in the league. He made two All-Star teams, in 1997 and 2001, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team in 1998.
Stats Analysis
Laettner was a very efficient scorer in the NBA. He had a career field goal percentage of 50.2 percent and a three-point percentage of 37.2 percent. He was also a good rebounder, averaging 6.7 rebounds per game for his career.
Laettner was an excellent free throw shooter. He shot 85 percent from the line for his career, which was the fourth-best mark in NBA history at the time of his retirement. He also had a career-high of 95.2 percent in the 1997-98 season.
Styles of Play
Laettner was a versatile player who could play both inside and outside. He was able to take advantage of mismatches and was a great shooter from all areas of the court. He was also an excellent passer and was very effective in the pick-and-roll.
Leadership and Intangibles
Laettner was a leader on and off the court. He had a great work ethic and was a positive influence in the locker room. He was also a great teammate and was always willing to help the younger players on his teams.
Legacy
Laettner left a lasting legacy in the NBA. He was a two-time All-Star and a member of the All-NBA Third Team. He was also an excellent shooter, rebounder, and passer and was one of the most versatile players of his era.
Criticism
Despite his success, Laettner was often criticized for his attitude and lack of effort on the court. He was also known to be a “bad teammate” who often put his own interests ahead of the team’s.
Conclusion
Christian Laettner was one of the best college basketball players of all time and had a solid NBA career. He was a two-time All-Star and was an excellent scorer and rebounder. He was also an excellent passer, shooter, and defender. Laettner was criticized for his attitude and lack of effort, but overall he was an effective NBA player who left a lasting legacy.
FAQ
What was Laettner’s career field goal percentage?
Laettner had a career field goal percentage of 50.2 percent.
What awards did Laettner win in college?
Laettner was a four-time All-American at Duke University and was the ACC Player of the Year in 1991 and 1992. He was also a two-time consensus National Player of the Year and was named to the NCAA All-Tournament Team three times.
How many seasons did Laettner play in the NBA?
Laettner played in the NBA for 13 seasons. He played for the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Atlanta Hawks, the Detroit Pistons, and the Washington Wizards.
What was Laettner’s career free throw percentage?
Laettner had a career free throw percentage of 85 percent. He had a career-high of 95.2 percent in the 1997-98 season.
What intangibles did Laettner bring to the court?
Laettner was a leader on and off the court. He had a great work ethic and was a positive influence in the locker room. He was also a great teammate and was always willing to help the younger players on his teams.
What was Laettner’s style of play in the NBA?
Laettner was a versatile player who could play both inside and outside. He was able to take advantage of mismatches and was a great shooter from all areas of the court. He was also an excellent passer and was very effective in the pick-and-roll.
What awards did Laettner win in the NBA?
Laettner was a two-time NBA All-Star and was named to the All-NBA Third Team in 1998. He also made two All-Star teams, in 1997 and 2001.
How many NCAA Tournament games did Laettner win?
Laettner won 15 NCAA Tournament games, the most in NCAA history. He was a part of the Duke teams that won back-to-back National Championships in 1991 and 1992.