Christian Laettner won two titles at Duke. As a result, the forward has downplayed his participation on. Arguments for induction: 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. 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. Learn more and register. O'Neal said in a radiointerviewduring the 2012 NBA Finals. It would come to be known as The Shot II, sending the Cavaliers home for the summer with another heartbreaker. Here are our 10 reasons to love Christian Laettner, because he was absolutely better for the game of basketball than we remember, and there's ( almost ) no reason to hate him at all. A second can make such a big difference. 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. Christian Laettner was drafted 3rd overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 1992 NBA Draft. Related Read: How tall is christian bale? 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. Related Read: Are the duffer brothers christian? 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. The All-American ended one of the greatest college basketball games ever with a turnaround jumper at the overtime. 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. However, Christian Laettner's NBA career was a bit underwhelming in comparison. 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? The Shot. 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. O'Neal and Mourning went on to become dominant NBA centers, and there's a strong case one of them should have been named the "Dream Team" youngster regardless of how well Laettner performed at Duke. None. After his college career, Laettner enjoyed a successful 13-year NBA career with six different teams. Lenny Wilkens. He was a key player on some good teams, and was named to the All-Rookie First Team. ", Former Nichols High School coach Jim Kramer (December 1987): "Christian is being called the heir-apparent to Danny Ferry at Duke. Despite his accomplishments, Laettner is often considered one of the most polarizing figures in college basketball history. 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. Miller was in top form and had another shooter on his squad with former All-Star Mullin. Please logout and login again. Point guard Price, power forward Nance, and center Daugherty were All-Stars and as good a Big 3 as any you will find in the league at the time. Initial birdie during when it . One of the most controversial and productive college basketball players ever, Laettner laced up for . Subscribe to Stathead Basketball: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Basketball Reference Database. 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. He played on two NCAA champions and holds several tournament records. Almost 30 years ago, Laettner powered Duke past Kentucky with one of the most famous shots in basketball history. 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. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team that year. In 12 NBA seasons, Laettner averaged 8.6 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. The 1989 series was more of the same. The Christian Laettner NBA career then bounced around the league as he spent time . Furthermore, his career was largely defined by his collegiate success rather than his professional accomplishments. But he still averaged 17.1 points per game and shot over 50% from the field. Majerle made a living at the three-point line and was a tough, hard-nosed defender capable of shutting down opponents. His epic . He led the Heat to the playoffs as a no-nonsense floor leader and gave the team its earliest taste of postseason success. Christian Laettner made at least $61,485,000 playing professional basketball. It was just such a sudden thing. The excitement over a letter from . I was jealous," O'Neal said in a radiointerviewduring the 2012 NBA Finals. Laettner led Duke University to two NCAA titles, one runner-up finish and one final four appearances. Laettner was one of the leagues toughest and best power forwards. 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. This was all about revenge for MJ who closed out the series with 45 points on 16-of-23 shooting. But an objective look at a player whom fans loved to hate says he should be. ", Laettner on picking Duke: "You want to go to the best school you can go to, and one that you think has a good chance to do well all the time. 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. His career average of 6.7 rebounds per game is solid, but not spectacular. 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. But which one has the most followers on Instagram? The late Chuck Daly was head coach; Mike Krzyzewski and Lenny Wilkens are also in, leaving only assistant P.J. Except, even at his worst, Michael Jordan would find a way to win. Even the big guys were hauling, the 6-foot-11 Laettner said. 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. He scored 28 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, leading Duke to a stunning upset victory. 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. Christian Laettner is widely regarded as one of the best college basketball players to ever play. 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 . The next year, Ewing brought the Knicks back to the playoffs and was on a collision course with the Bulls again. What are the fundamentals of christianity? ", Former Duke guard Phil Henderson: "He doesn't play like a freshman, but he still has that giddiness about him. Christian used to play basketball in his early years. Once against the Charlotte Hornets, once against the Boston Celtics, once against the Indiana Pacers, and once against the Portland Trail Blazers. Christian Laettner is a retired American professional basketball player. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. He said keeps his medal in a safe at home and almost never takes it out. Was Christian Laettner good in the NBA? Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. 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. 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. Christian Laettner won three NCAA championships with the Duke Blue Devils, an NBA championship with the Milwaukee Bucks, and an Olympic gold medal with the United States in 1992. Get viral NBA graphics, memes, rumors and trending news delivered right to your inbox with the Clutch Newsletter. For two straight years, 1997 and 1998, the Bulls had their hands full containing the Stockton-to-Malone pick-and-roll in the NBA Finals. Jordan scored at least 41 points in four straight games, topping it off with a 55-point performance in Game 4. inAngola,New York In three seasons with the Sixers, Laettner averaged just 8.1 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game and, in 2000, he was waived by the team after averaging only 4.9 points per game in 26 total appearances. Hall of Fame choices based primarily on college play were once common. In the clinching Game 5 win, Jordan had 38 points, 19 rebounds, and 7 assists. After winning the 1991 NCAA title, Duke was favored to repeat in 1992 and was ranked #1 most of the year. Their pick-and-roll is nearly impossible to stop. laettnerbball, Position: Oakley provided the muscle underneath and fortified the Knicks interior defense. 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). Jerry Tarkanian led the Rebels to his only championship win. ", 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. Related. 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 In the first round of the 1988 NBA Playoffs, Jordan lit them up for 50 and 55 points in the first two games. Laettner's Nichols High School (Buffalo, N.Y.) team won the tournament after Laettner had 18 points and 21 rebounds in the final game. MJ stole the ball and raced back to the other end of the court. Overall, Laettner's career was disappointing, as he never amounted to anything more than a below-average player. The man-child known as Kemp was one of the NBAs best dunkers and one of its most ferocious finishers on the fastbreak. Years later, Laettner understands he. Laettner was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. did christian laettner win an nba championship devils hole missing divers. Sadly, Barkley would never play in the NBA Finals again and continued to be ringless until he retired. He continued to be a productive player for the Timberwolves over the next few seasons, but was traded to the Atlanta Hawks in 1996. Enter your information to receive emails about offers, promotions from NCAA.com and our partners. -Some argue that Laettners induction would be more about his accomplishments at Duke than anything he did as a professional player. In the 1992 NBA draft, Christian Laettner was selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Overall, Christian Laettner had a very successful NBA career. -Laettner was an incredibly successful college player, winning two national championships with Duke and being named National Player of the Year in 1992. ", 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. 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. Overall, Christian Laettner had a solid NBA career. I've got to check out Duke. The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NCAA or its member institutions. Smith was a shooting guard who could score in bunches while playing excellent defense. He continued to be a productive player for the Timberwolves over the next few seasons, but was traded to the Atlanta Hawks in 1996.Laettner's time with the Hawks was marked by frequent injuries, and he never quite regained his previous level of play. ", Laettner on his game and his areas of improvement: "I have to work on my shot all the time. The easiest was by 68. But everything will be just fine. 3) How many titles did Christian Laettner win at Duke? After his playing career ended, Laettner became a successful businessman and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020. In Game 5, Michael Jordan received a pass from Luc Longley from the baseline and dunked the ball over the outstretched arms of Mutombo. It's also available for football, hockey and baseball. More importantly, he led the Heat to a 61-21 record and the third-best record in the league. 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. The Bulls had other plans, though, and they dispatched the Cavaliers by winning the next two games. Now, thanks to the. His role as the 12th man on the greatest team in basketball history has not diminished Christian Laettners appreciation of the experience. From 1990-1993, Jordan, and the Bulls were Barkleys roadblock to a championship. But they have vanished since the 1980s, when Bill Bradley was one of the last. But Jordan had more to give as he nearly had a triple-double with nine rebounds and eight assists. He and college teammate Brian Davis started Blue Devil Ventures (BDV), which attempted to revitalize downtown Durham. Armed with his Killer Crossover, Hardaway left opponents in the dust as he found ways to punish them time and time again. Led by one of the best defenders in NBA history in Mutombo, they had a scoring point guard in Blaylock who was an All-Defensive Team member as well. After his junior year, Laettner decided to forego his senior season and declare for the NBA Draft. Laettner won two NCAA national championships with Duke (1991, 1992) and was a two-time National Player of the Year (1991, 1992). Minnesota Timberwolves, 1st round (3rd pick, 3rd overall), 1992 NBA Draft, More Christian Laettner pages at Sports Reference. He would go on to play for another four teams over the next seven years before ultimately retiring from the NBA in 2005. He averaged 12.8 points and 6.7 rebounds per game for his career. He . The Bulls celebrated their 6th championship on Utahs home floor, keeping the Jazz from a championship once again. Laettner's final two seasons in the NBA were spent with the Pistons and the Washington Wizards, before he retired in 2005. In 1997, Hardaway finished fourth in the MVP voting, averaging 20.3, 8.6 assists, and 1.9 steals per game. 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. First and foremost, his career numbers simply dont stack up compared to other Hall of Famers. A story published in The Post-Star noted how a week after Syracuse was eliminated from the 1986 NCAA tournament, Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim was on hand watching Laettner, then a sophomore in high school. He played for the Duke University basketball team, and with his performance, he led the team to win two national titles. How does he compare to other young players in the league? In the Elite Eight, they played a tough Kentucky team and the game went into overtime. 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. Related Read: Was betty white a christian? Related Read: Why do christians eat pork? Malone is widely considered to be the second greatest power forward of all-time, next only to Tim Duncan. Hardaway was one of the games elite point guards, capable of scoring a basket and finding the open man. After finishing as a two-time state champion for the Nichols School (Buffalo, N.Y.), he became one of the most well-known basketball . Do you have a blog? But Jordan thrived on adversity and the tide quickly changed with the Bulls capturing the next three games. Malone and Stockton were their usual sensational selves, taking the middle games for the Jazz to tie the series at two games apiece. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Christian Laettner was drafted 3rd overall in the 1992 NBA draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Plus he stayed all four years and graduated. He had an amazing National Basketball Association career. The second time was on December 16, 1992, against the Indiana Pacers. Power Forward and Center The highlight of his buzzer-beating shot to beat Kentucky in the 1992 East Regional final remains an annual staple of NCAA . ", Laettner: "When Coach K grabbed me, I felt really special at that point. Late in the fourth quarter, Stockton made a three-pointer to break an 83-all tie with 41.9 seconds remaining. His no. Here are the top matchups and tournaments to watch in the non-conference portion of the NCAA softball season. 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. Christian Laettner averaged 12.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. In his NBA career, Laettner averaged 3.8 assists per game. 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. His father told him to take the lead and let everyone else follow. I was pissed off. Scottie Pippen and Karl Malone will enter this year, making it 10. Laettner's rookie year was also notable because he was the only player in the 1992 NBA draft to play in all 82 games. In the NBA, Laettner's highest rebounding game was on March 3, 1993, when he had 24 rebounds against the Indiana Pacers. As a thrill in my career, the Olympics rank right up there with my two NCAA championships at Duke, said Laettner, who turns 41 four days after Enshrinement. 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. There is no definitive answer, as opinions will vary. Christian Laettner was selected third overall in the 1992 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Im bringing my whole family to Springfield, for this is a wonderful honor.. He was a member of the 1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team ("The Dream Team"), which won the gold medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics. He was perfect. They lost in six games to the Los Angeles Lakers. As a sophomore, Laettner was even better. The Bulls eliminated the Sixers easily in five games. 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. 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. However, the Christian Laettner NBA career failed to reach the same statistical heights after spending four seasons in Minnesota. It was the perfect picture of Jordans competitive will to win that brought down the Hawks. He is the only individual member of that team that is not currently in the Hall of Fame. I just think it helped me grow as a player.. Also Read: NBA Rumors: Ben Simmons wants Philadelphia 76ers to pay for Doc Rivers' comments on the Australian, Be the first one to comment on this story. Here are the top 10 stars, pairs, trios, and ensembles who never won a championship because of Michael Jordan. With his follow-through in perfect form, number 23 scored his 45th point of the ballgame to give them an 87-86 lead. The time was ripe for them to make it to the NBA Finals. Duke beat Kentucky 104-103 . Of the 12 Dream Teamers, eight are individual Hall of Famers Charles Barkley, Larry Bird, Clyde Drexler, Patrick Ewing, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, David Robinson and John Stockton. He was named to the All-Rookie team after averaging 18.2 points and 8.7 rebounds in his debut campaign. Find out more. He was often overshadowed by more decorated teammates like Shaquille ONeal, Alonzo Mourning, and Anfernee Hardaway. He played 23 out of 24 possible NCAA games during his 4-year tenure, winning 21 of them. He made the Final Four in all four years of college and playedin the national championship game three consecutive years. Nichols School in Buffalo, New York, Draft: Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. Why Christian Laettner made the 'Dream Team' over Shaquille O'Neal and Alonzo Mourning, Complete roster, history behind"Dream Team". He was a two-time NCAA national champion and the only player to ever start in four consecutive Final Fours. On Aug. 13, the 1992 gold medal "Dream Team" will be enshrined into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield . First, at 611, Laettner was considered undersized for a traditional center, which limited his role on most teams. - 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? What do his teammates and coaches think of him? 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. A story published in The Tampa Tribune in December 1987 noted how Laettner's Nichols School team competed in the Kingdom of the Sun Holiday Classic in Ocala, Florida, and Laettner scored 39 points, capped off by a jumper at the buzzer that give his team a 70-69 win. However, Laettner's best season came in 1997-98, when he averaged a career-high 8.8 rebounds per game for the Atlanta Hawks. But perhaps those high expectations for Laettner got in his head and were just too lofty for him to live up to. 16 16. Christian Laettner enjoyed a successful college career with Duke, winning two National Championships. The Blue Devils lost in the Final Four and in the. Finally, Laettner was known to be arrogant and aloof, which rubbed some people the wrong way. He is also third all-time in total field goals made (2,759) and sixth all-time in assists (2,157). There were 16 ties. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? Christian Laettner is a retired American professional basketball player. O'Neal has said that while he was frustrated to be left out, he understood the choice. He had one of the greatest college careers in the history of the game.. Christian Laettner's basketball career was of success. They had a big opportunity in 1992 when the Cavaliers reached the Eastern Conference Finals. Price, Nance, and Daugherty played great basketball and the series was tied 2-2 after four games. . Join our linker program. Challenge accepted. After his college career, Laettner enjoyed a successful 13-year NBA career with six different teams. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. 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. Christian Laettner was drafted by Minnesota Timberwolves, 1st round (3rd pick, 3rd overall), 1992 NBA Draft. Whatever the reason, Christian Laettners time in the NBA was relatively unsuccessful compared to his collegiate career. Christian Laettner played for six NBA teams - the Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Detroit Pistons, Dallas Mavericks, Washington Wizards, and Miami Heat. It was the East Regional final between Duke and Kentucky. Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. More than any other franchise, Jordan owned the Cavaliers during his run towards a championship. 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. 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. You could tell that Miller and company gave everything they had to take down the Bulls. And who did Duke beat that year? Laettner led Duke University to two NCAA titles, one runner-up finish and one final four appearances. Americas Olympic team had lost to the Soviet Union in 1988. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. Mourning had 11 points and five rebounds. After being drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the 3rd pick in the 1992 draft, Laettner enjoyed a productive 13-year NBA career. 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 their championship windows, unfortunately, coincided with Jordans stranglehold on the Larry OBrien trophy. Amy Sancetta/AP. 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 Supersonics were loaded with enough talent to present enough of a challenge to the Bulls in the championship round. He scored 31 points (13-25 from the field), grabbed 18 rebounds and had an unbelievable 16 blocked shots. He scored 23 points in the first half to stay within striking distance of the Jazz before halftime. But some teams have active ongoing streaks that have lasted two decades. The Pacers would reach the NBA Finals two years later but that was the last time they would get there. He was a tough matchup for any team with the ability to match MJs athleticism and knack for controlling a basketball game. -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. He was named First Team All-ACC and First Team All-American. His college career for the Duke Blue Devils is widely regarded as one of the best in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) history. 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. 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. In the Final Four, he went for 19 and 14 against Arkansas. He also had a long and successful college career, winning 2 NCAA Championships with Duke University. 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. Everybody checked their egos at the door, and everybody on our team played basketball the right way, he said. He led the Bulls to a 4-2 series win, averaging a series-high 27.3 points per game to go along with 1.7 steals and taking home the Finals MVP trophy. 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. 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 For the 1992. In 1989, Olympic officials removed the rules barring professionals. Price played two more seasons for the Cavaliers before bouncing around three teams in three years as injuries shortened his career. Hence he won many titles and awards throughout his career. 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. 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. Michael Jordan was adamant about not going back to Utah and finishing off the Jazz. After retiring from the NBA in 2005, it hasnt gotten much better for Laettner. 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.. The six-game series showed that Barkley was a star that belonged on the big stage. Player stats broken down into various categories; i.e. As such, it is unlikely that he will ever be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Related Read: What are the fundamentals of christianity? 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. Players who shine bright on the biggest stage of college basketball the NCAA Tournament often become household names.