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Re: Why is Bill Walton in the HOF?
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Originally Posted by jericho
Laettner claims this, or you're claiming it for him? One of you is being ridiculous in this instance. Laettner was great for 2-4 years in college, but in a historical context was very good at best. He's leagues below the likes of Walton, Chamberlain, Abdul-Jabbar, Sampson, and Hayes. I would say he doesn't hold a candle to the collegiate performance levels of Ewing and Olajuwon, or even Duncan.
Did I misunderstand you?
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See this is why comparing across eras doesn't work, but yes Laettner has been argued as one of the best basketball players to ever play college basketball. I am not comparing them as talents, I merely pointing out that the era Walton played in aides him. Yes he is quite possibly the best college player ever, but Laettner won two championships in the modern era of basketball, with scholarship limitations, a 64 team NCAA field, better competition across the board, a 35 second shot clock.
I think the biggest problem is that people will invariably look at Laettner's pro career and effectively conclude all of those guys were better than him. Duncan for example was not a better college player than Laettner, nor was Shaq or Alonzo Mourning. Would I take Laettner on the pro level? Hell no. Same reason why I wouldn't take Glen Davis or Adam Morrison on the pro level over a Rudy Gay.
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My favorite NBA players: Deron Williams * Kobe Bryant * Carmelo Anthony * Ben Gordon * Joe Johnson * Kevin Martin * Tim Duncan * Kyle Lowry * Thad Young * Amare Stoudemire * Dwight Howard * Josh Smith * Brandon Roy * LaMarcus Aldridge * Rudy Gay * Al Horford * Brandan Wright * Craig Smith * Renaldo Balkman * Wilson Chandler
2008-09 Favorite Rookies: Jerryd Bayless (POR), Roy Hibbert (IND), Greg Oden (POR), Chris Douglas-Roberts (NJN), Joe Alexander (MIL), Patrick Ewing, Jr. (NYK)
College Basketball: "Where 7-Foot Bigs Foul Out Happen"
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