Wanting again at USA Basketball's well-known 1992 “Dream Group” roster, Christian Laettner's identify stands out as a particular inclusion among the many Corridor of Fame expertise.
In context, nevertheless, his look on maybe the best crew of all time is considerably defensible.
The 1992 Olympics was the primary 12 months that NBA gamers may compete, however Group USA reserved one spot on the crew for a school participant, so Laettner didn’t take the NBA star's spot. He simply received the Picket Award and back-to-back nationwide championships at Duke. His Elite Eight buzzer beater towards Kentucky that 12 months stays iconic.
So whereas Shaquille O'Neal (LSU) and Alonzo Mourning (Georgetown) have been arguably higher gamers on the time, Laettner had his personal star energy.
MORE: Full roster, 'Dream Group' historical past
Laettner didn't play a lot because the “Dream Group” cruised to the gold medal, averaging 4.8 factors per recreation in his eight appearances. Consequently, the ahead downplayed his participation within the historic crew. He reportedly retains the medal in a protected at dwelling and nearly by no means takes it out.
“I wasn't even the one who did it,” Laettner mentioned on the “Wealthy Eisen Present” final 12 months. “It was another person.
O'Neal and Mourning have develop into dominant facilities within the NBA, and there's a powerful case that considered one of them ought to have been named a “Dream Group” teen no matter how properly Laettner did at Duke. Hindsight will definitely make the choice look unusual.
Laettner, by the way in which, was no NBA scrub. He averaged not less than 16 factors and 7 rebounds in every of his first 5 years within the league. In comparison with his friends, he completed little on the skilled degree.
O'Neal mentioned that whereas he was pissed off by being not noted, he understood the selection.
“I used to be indignant.” I used to be jealous,” O'Neal mentioned in a radio interview in the course of the 2012 NBA Finals. “However then I needed to understand that I'm a extra explosive and stronger participant, however Christian Laettner was slightly extra grounded. than I used to be Furthermore, he stayed for 4 complete years and graduated. I simply suppose it helped me develop as a participant.”
