When you think of flops, who comes to mind first.my list:Sam Bowie (drafted before MJ)Rafael Araujo (drafted 8th by TOR in 2005)Kwame Brown (1st overall pick in 2001)Jonathan Bender (drafted 5th by TOR then traded to IND in 1999)Nikoloz Tskitishvili (drafted 5th in 2002 by DEN)Darko Milicic (drafted before Dwyane Wade, Carmelo and Bosh)Thats all I can think of right now.Anyone got any players.
I don't think that Sam Bowie is really a flop, he was drafted before MJ, but the Blazer picked up someone they needed, and they needed a center not a sg.
That doesnt matter because how long did Sam Bowie play in the NBA. 5 years maybe. Where is he today. No one knows.
Mind as well repeat myself,<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
Nikoloz Tskitishvili is the greatest bust and has done nothing in the NBA and his career is finally over. I don't know what the Nuggets saw in him when they drafted him and I didn't even respect the pick on draft day. The Raptors did a great job trading Bender away because he hasn't done anything in the league and has been a failure and a complete disaster with his miserable injuries. He had loads of potential but it all went to waste because of his horrible work ethic and non stop injuries.
Darko is expected by most to have a breakout season this year in Orlando. As far as I know he will be a starter, or get starter minutes, and could become the player he was so highly touted to be in the 2003 draft. Bender is a good pick for a big flop. He had a solid season coming off the bench with Al Harrington in Indy in the 2003-2004 season, but no real success to consider him as a good pick at all.
I dont consider Darko Milicic a flop anymore because he has shown progress and potential for the future. He will finally start for Orlando after 3 years of sitting on the bench.
Yeah, Mateen Cleaves was supposed to be really good coming out of Michingan State with J-Rich and Mo Pete and I think winning a NCAA championship.And now he switches between NBDL and reserve in the NBA.
