I got rid of the articles section so I will post this here.Written by: BALLAHOLLICWhat makes an NBA draft bust? Expections? Injuries? Drug abuse?Any questions you have can be answered by any one of these ten men.<u>10)Steve Stipanovic</u>Selected ahead ofale Ellis, Byron Scott,Clyde Drxler, Derek Harper,Drafted 2nd in the 1983 NBA draft. He put up medicore numbers for a few seasons. However horrific recurring knee injuries knee injuries forced him into retirement after only 5 pro seasons.<u>9)Danny Ferry</u>Selected ahead of: Sean Elliott, Tim Hardaway, Shawn Kemp, Glen Rice, Drafted 2nd overall in the 1988 draft by the LA Clippers. He had a great senior season at Duke but never sniffed those numbers while wearing an NBA uniform. He averaged 7 points and 3 rebounds for his NBA career. Those numbers are suspect for a 2nd overall draft pick. He had much more success as the Cleveland GM than anything.<u>8)Rick Robey</u>Selected ahead of: Michael Cooper, Michael Ray Richardson, Larry Bird, Maurice Cheeks, Reggie Theus.3rd Overall Selection by the Indiana Pacers in 1978. It was surprising to see him go number three when he didnt even average over 15 points per game in college as a senior. Those numbers are not generally the type to make you a top 5 draft pick. He was traded midway through his first NBA season. I wish I could write more about him but he is one guy I have yet to study.<u>7)Michael Olowokandi</u>Selected ahead of: Mike Bibby, Vince Carter, Antawn Jamison, Dirk Nowitzki, Larry Hughes, Paul Pierce, Bonzi Wells, Rashard LewisDrafted 1st overall by the LA Clippers in the 1998 draft. Has yet to live up to his potential that he showed in college. He puts up very similar numbers to Kent Benson. Another former draft bust.<u>6)Sam Bowie</u>Selected ahead of: Alvin Robertson, Michael Jordan, Sam Perkins,Charles Barkley, John Stockton, Kevin Willis.Drafted 2nd overall in the 1984 draft by the Porland Trailblazers.It seems he will only be remembered for being selected befoe Michael Jordan. From what I watched of him he was a decent player. He had a sweet outside stroke and a rare passing ability for his size. Had this been any other draft he would not be considered a bust nor a decent player. Its the Hall of Famers he was picked ahead of that make him a draft bust.<u>5)Ed O?Bannon</u>Selected ahead of: Kurt Thomas, Theo Ratliff, Michael FinleyAfter winning the Wooden Player of the Year award and leading his team to a national championship he was drafted 9th overall by the New Jersey Nets in 1995. He was drafted with very high expectations. He didn't fit in with the NBA system. He played for 3 teams in his first 2 seasons. After only 2 NBA seaons he retired from the game.<u>4) Dennis Hopson</u>Selected ahead of: Kenny Smith, Kevin Johnson, Scottie Pippen, Reggie Miller, Mark Jackson 3rd Overall Selection by the New Jersey Nets in 1987. He was a popular Ohio State Buckeye, More like a god to Ohio State. He was picked 3rd in a fairly deep NBA draft. Hopson only lasted 5 pro seasons all of which he spent on the bench. He was arrested at age 35 after threatening to kill his wife. <u>3)Kent Benson</u>Selected ahead of: Benard King, Jack Sikma, Norm Nixon, Cedric Maxwell, Marques Johnson 1st Overall Selection by the Milwaukee Bucks in 1977. He displayed medicore career numbers of 9 ppg and 6 rpg. However those are not the type of numbers you would suspect from a number 1 overall draft pick.<u>2) Chris Washburn</u>Selected ahead of: Dennis Rodman, Chuck Person, John Salley, Roy Tarpley, Ron Harper, Mark Price, Jeff Hornacek Taken third overall by the Warriors in 1986. This was considered the "cursed" draft class of 1986. He had tons of potential, had a nice soft touch around the basket. He was big but versatile. He was banned from the NBA after only 3 seasons for three positive drug tests.College Stats: 16.4 ppg 6.1 rpg 55% FG%NBA Stats: 3.1 ppg 2.4 rpg 41% FG%<u>1) LaRue Martin</u>Selected ahead of: Bob McAdoo, Julius Erving, Paul Westphal The number 1 overall draft pick by the Portland Trailblazers in 1972. Never averaged more than 7 ppg in his short 4 year NBA career. He was a 6'11 forward who still holds the career rebounding record at Loyola University. Portland hoped he would carry his strong rebounding ability over to the NBA. That was obviously not the case as he continuned to put up horrible numbers.Honerable Mention: Marcus Fizer, Richard Washington, Kwame Brown, Joe Smith, Pervis Ellison
Good list, heres another guy.Todd Fuller. 11th pick by the Worriors in 1996. Players picked after him: Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Peja Stojakovic, Jermaine O'Neal, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, etc.Here's his career averages.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (pjcolpitts @ May 12 2006, 01:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Good list, heres another guy.Todd Fuller. 11th pick by the Worriors in 1996. Players picked after him: Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Peja Stojakovic, Jermaine O'Neal, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, etc.</div>Great call. He only lasted 4-5 seasons in the league from what I remember.He was decent in college.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Nemesis @ May 12 2006, 06:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Damn, Clippers f*ed up big time with the Olowakandi draft!</div>And we got a steal with Pierce at the 10th pick :rock:
I want to know how the Kandy Man was only number 7. In my opinion he should have been in the top 3. He was a beast in college and has been nothing but dissapointment since he has been in the league. Also to be selected ahead of all of those players is ridiculous.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (JustBlaze @ May 12 2006, 08:13 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>And we got a steal with Pierce at the 10th pick :rock:</div>No I think Toronto and Dallas got a steal, Toronto with Vince and Dallas with Dirk. But yeah Paul is the shyt he is nasty as hell, but I dont think he is better then Vince or Dirk.
Alot of these players just sounded like they were overhyped,the Draft is a roll of the dice,You might get a hall of famer in the 3rd round and a total bust with the first pick overall.I don't see how Kwame is a dissapointment just yet,he's still young and can still prove he can be reliable.
In recent memory, Nikolozov Skitisvilli (sp) was a guy drafted rather high (i believe the 3rd pick?) who never met expectations and has been bouncing around the league..
