Don't know if you all watch or catch the ESPN "30 for 30" specials. Last night, they showed "I hate Christian Laettner"---I thought it was one of the better segments that they have done.
I had forgotten how dominant Laettner was during the early 90's with Duke basketball. He still holds several NCAA tourney records that probably will NEVER be broken in this age of 'one and done' eligibility. Laettner had four Final Four appearances and actually won 2 titles. To me, this was just about when basketball was breaking open and gaining huge popularity. Some folks say it gained national fame and became the tourney it has due to the NC State and Jimmy Valvano year but in the late 80's and early 90's, there was some really good basketball being played.
UNLV--the Runnin' Rebels and that outlaw "Tark the Shark"---some great teams.
Michigan and the Fab 5
Duke---Hurley, Grant Hill, Laettner, Brian Davis, Thomas Hill.....those were some very good teams.
Love him or hate him, Laettner was a great college basketball player. Maybe a top 10 player, ever??? Set all sorts of records and still holds many records.
If you get a chance, watch it. Lots of great footage and it gives you some insight as to who he is/was as a person. Arrogant? Sure. Cocky? Yes. A damn good player? You bet. You wanted him on your team.
I had forgotten how dominant Laettner was during the early 90's with Duke basketball. He still holds several NCAA tourney records that probably will NEVER be broken in this age of 'one and done' eligibility. Laettner had four Final Four appearances and actually won 2 titles. To me, this was just about when basketball was breaking open and gaining huge popularity. Some folks say it gained national fame and became the tourney it has due to the NC State and Jimmy Valvano year but in the late 80's and early 90's, there was some really good basketball being played.
UNLV--the Runnin' Rebels and that outlaw "Tark the Shark"---some great teams.
Michigan and the Fab 5
Duke---Hurley, Grant Hill, Laettner, Brian Davis, Thomas Hill.....those were some very good teams.
Love him or hate him, Laettner was a great college basketball player. Maybe a top 10 player, ever??? Set all sorts of records and still holds many records.
If you get a chance, watch it. Lots of great footage and it gives you some insight as to who he is/was as a person. Arrogant? Sure. Cocky? Yes. A damn good player? You bet. You wanted him on your team.
