Dunking With Wolves
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Top-5 big men in Timberwolves history

By Jarrett Spence

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) /
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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

Per-game stats over four seasons with Timberwolves:

17.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.1 blocks

The former Duke star was considered a bust during his NBA career but he actually had some very good seasons during his time with the Wolves.

The third-overall pick of the 1992 NBA Draft made the All-NBA Rookie First Team during his 1992-93 campaign, averaging 18.2 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. Laettner was coming off an amazing career in college at Duke, having won two championships, being named NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player in (1991), College National Player of the Year (1992), Consensus first team All American (1992) ACC Player of the Year (1991, 1992), and Consensus second team All American (1991). He was also the USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year (1991).

Laettner was the only amateur player to make the 1992 Dream Team that took gold in the Olympics in 1992 and was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame and the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame for his participation in Barcelona.

It’s easy to forget that Laettner was legitimately a good player during his years in Minnesota even though they did not have much success as a team, failing to miss the playoffs every season he suited up for the Wolves. Laettner was still a force for the Wolves during his time there and beyond. He would probably been higher on this list if he would have stayed on the team longer and made some postseason appearances.

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