Dunking With Wolves
Fansided

Top-5 block leaders in Timberwolves history

By Sam Nygaard

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 6: Kevin Garnett #21 of the Minnesota Timberwolves is seen during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 2, 2016 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 6: Kevin Garnett #21 of the Minnesota Timberwolves is seen during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 2, 2016 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
OAKLAND, CA – 1995: Christian Laettner #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots the ball against the Golden State Warriors circa 1995 at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1995 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – 1995: Christian Laettner #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots the ball against the Golden State Warriors circa 1995 at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1995 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /

5. Christian Laettner

Arguably the best Duke Blue Devil of all time, Christian Laettner made history during the 1992 NCAA Tournament with “The Shot” to beat Kentucky in the tournament final as the buzzer sounded.

After his college career concluded, Laettner was picked by the Timberwolves with the third-overall pick of the 1992 NBA Draft. He was relatively small for a power forward/center during a physical era in the NBA, coming in at 6’-11” but weighing a meager 235 pounds.

Laettner didn’t let that stop him from having a successful NBA career, however. He spent his first four seasons in Minnesota before being traded to the Atlanta Hawks in the middle of the 1995-1996 campaign. In total, he played 13 seasons in the NBA with six different teams.

During Christian Laettner’s time in the Twin Cities, he tallied a total of 299 blocks. Although he was often labeled as a draft bust, he did great things for the Wolves on both sides of the ball, excelling at the fundamentals of basketball.

Laettner wasn’t an overtly flashy player like many of today’s NBA stars, but he did his job well and stuck around the league for 13 years. His physical glass cleaning, polished post work, and hustle on defense led him to average over 16 points per game and seven rebounds per game throughout his tenure with the Timberwolves.

Some of his best seasons, including his lone All-Star nomination, came with the Atlanta Hawks. But 299 blocks over three-plus seasons in Minnesota was enough to slot him fifth on this particular list.

Home/Timberwolves News