Duke Legend Christian Laettner Praises Michael Jordan For Overlooked Aspect Of His Game
During a week in which Duke could potentially secure a spot in the Final Four, legendary Blue Devil Christian Laettner found himself praising a rival Tar Heel, Michael Jordan.
Laettner, arguably the most loved, or hated (depending on who you ask) Blue Devil in the school’s storied history, was asked by Dan Patrick about his Dream Team teammate, Jordan, and immediately recalled something other than his game-winning shots or above-the-rim offensive arsenal.
"My first impression of Jordan and my lasting impression of Jordan is how much effort he put forth on the defensive end," Laettner told the Dan Patrick Show. "People don’t talk about that enough."
Laettner’s not wrong. Jordan’s defense is somehow overlooked. This despite having earned NBA All-Defensive First Team accolades nine times throughout his career and being named the league’s Defensive Player of the Year in 1988.
I guess when you’ve won six titles, five MVPs, averaged 30 points per game, and are synonymous with GOAT, defense tends to get glossed over.
Christian Laettner won two NCAA championships as a member of the Duke University Blue Devils. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)
After noting the many times Jordan occupied a spot on the NBA’s All-Defensive Team, Laettner continued: "People don’t stress that enough."
A former National College Player of the Year who also played 13 NBA seasons, Laettner now coaches youth hoops and aspires to teach the oft-overlooked elite aspect of Jordan’s game.
If only it were that simple.
"I don’t have time on the court to teach the kids defense enough," Laettner commented Thursday. "…you gotta work on offensive stuff. And if you don’t let them shoot three pointers, they cry."
From one youth coach (albeit much less qualified or successful) to another, I feel ya, Christian.
For context, Michael Jordan averaged 1.7 three-point attempts per game during his NBA career (per StatMuse). Steph Curry takes more than 9…
Michael Jordan's Defense Made Lasting Impression On Christian Laettner
Anyway, where were we?
Oh yeah, back to Laettner telling Patrick about the very anti-Jordan habits of the kids he coaches. "And if you don’t let them do the stupid Euro step, ya know, they complain and all this stuff," Laettner bemoaned.
"Well, how about some defensive drills and some defensive work," Laettner half-jokingly suggested. "Michael Jordan was the greatest defender also."
And Laettner didn’t stop at M.J. when discussing the type of defensive effort that seems to be lacking in today’s game.
"Look at the effort Kobe Bryant put forth on the defensive end. That’s where the differences are made," Laettner contends. "The small little things in a game that make a huge difference. Playing defense hard. Playing defense the right way."
A solid effort from Laettner's Alma mater against N.C. State on Sunday (5:05 EST) could propel the Blue Devils to the school's 18th Final Four - which would tie them with UCLA for second most all-time, trailing only North Carolina. However, a loss against the underdog Wolfpack could have Laettner channeling his inner Jordan and being forced to go on the defensive.
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