What 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 of: Dale Ellis, Byron Scott, Clyde Drxler, Derek Harper.Drafted 2nd in the 1983 NBA draft. He put up medicore numbers for his first few NBA seasons, However horrific recurring knee injuries knee injuries forced him into retirement after only 5 pro seasons.College Stats: 14.3 ppg 7.7 rpg NBA Stats: 13.2 ppg 7.8 rpg <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 Cavalier General Manager than anything.College Stats: 15.1 ppg 7.0 rpg NBA Stats: 7.0 ppg 2.8 rpg <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 never averaged over 15 points per game in college as a senior. His numbers were not generally the type that would make you a top 5 draft pick. He was traded midway through his first NBA season.College Stats: 13.2 ppg 7.9 rpg NBA Stats: 7.6 ppg 4.7 rpg <u>7) Michael Olowokandi</u>Selected ahead of: Mike Bibby, Vince Carter, Antawn Jamison, Dirk Nowitzki, Larry Hughes, Paul Pierce, Bonzi Wells, Rashard Lewis.Drafted 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 on this list.College Stats: 13.5 ppg 7.5 rpg NBA Stats: 8.6 ppg 7.1 rpg <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 as if he will only be remembered for being selected before 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 would he be considered a decent player. It's the Hall of Famers he was picked ahead of that make him a draft bust, Injuries didn't help either.College Stats: 13.4 ppg 8.8 rpg NBA Stats: 5.7 ppg 5.4 rpg <u>5) Ed O?Bannon</u>Selected ahead of: Kurt Thomas, Theo Ratliff, Michael Finley.After winning the Wooden Player of the Year award and leading his team to a national championship in college, He was drafted 9th overall by the New Jersey Nets in 1995. He was drafted with very high expectations, He didn't fit in well with the NBA system. He played for 3 teams in his first 2 seasons, After only 2 NBA seasons he retired from the game.College Stats: 15.5 ppg 7.0 rpg NBA Stats: 5.0 ppg 2.5 rpg <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 the god around 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. College Stats: 16.8 ppg 5.7 rpg NBA Stats: 10.9 ppg 2.8 rpg <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. He is known for driving Larry Bird away from Indiana University.College Stats: 14.3 ppg 7.7 rpgNBA Stats: 9.1 ppg 5.7 rpg <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, He had a beautiful soft touch around the basket. It's a shame He was banned from the NBA after only 3 seasons for three positive drug tests.College Stats: 16.4 ppg 6.6 rpg NBA Stats: 3.1 ppg 2.4 rpg <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 continued to put up horrible numbers season after season.College Stats: UnknownNBA Stats: 5.3 ppg 3.2 rpg Honerable Mention: Marcus Fizer, Richard Washington, Kwame Brown, Joe Smith, Pervis Ellison
Nice article, and good information. There are so many that could go up there on that list and be a good pick. Another person who's name I would just like say, is Christian Laettner, as it could be argued that he is one of the biggets busts of all time. Any which way though, nice list, and a good read dude.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (G=K @ Nov 13 2006, 03:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>penny hardaway as well.</div>How the hell was Hardaway a Draft Bust? You should put Stro though.
