Worst recent draft picks

Discussion in 'NBA General' started by snailtrail83, Jan 1, 2004.

  1. snailtrail83

    snailtrail83 JBB JustBBall Member

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    Could there be any worse than:

    Olowokandi at no.1
    Tractor Traylor at no.6
    Antonio Daniels at no.4
    Adonal Foyle at no.8
    Olivier Saint-Jean at no.11
    Ed O'Bannon at no.9
    Bryant Reeves, Carlos Rogers, Shawn Bradley, Billy Owens?

    All lotery picks, and all of them sucked...

    But the worst draft ever has to be 1990. Besides Derrick Coleman and Gary Payton(and maybe a few others), everyone else can be described was a hack.
     
  2. starman85

    starman85 JBB JustBBall Member

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    I wouldn't say that those are all bad picks that you listed. In retrospect, they all could have been used to get better players, but hindsight is 20/20. [​IMG]

    All of those guys were bright prospects, and were expected to do marginally well. In fact, the only guy you listed that I'd say sucks is Olivier Saint-John, and maybe Carlos Rogers, and they weren't picked with high lottery spots.

    Kandi - still developing, but already one of the top 5 centers in the leage

    Traylor - a disappointment, yes, but a reliable banger who gets boards and plays decent defense

    Daniels - came out of a very weak draft class, and was considered the second best point guard after Billups(who was picked 3rd), and the Grizz needed a point guard after drafting big men with their 2 previous lotto picks

    Foyle - same draft as Daniels, and like I said, very weak class(only stars are Duncan and TMac, followed by Van Horn, Billups, Fortson and Mercer) that year. he's still one of the best shot blockers in the game, a good center to have and a great backup to have

    OBannon - toronto booed the raps for picking Damon over this guy at #7, since he was an amazingly athletic star at UCLA. he was amazingly athletic in the NBA too until injuries cut him down. he still had several SlamADaMonth's in Slam Magazine, one over Shawn Bradley. He just couldn't hack the NBA style

    Reeves - this guy by no meanssucked. He was the 2nd best player on the Grizz for a couple years, and provided the best inside compliment to Reef's game to this day. he was cut down in his prime by injuries, but the Grizz held out for him to return until he retired because of how valuable as a center he was. Big Country could bang

    Bradley - never should have been picked #2, ahead of Penny, Mash, Vin Baker, Nick the Quick, Isiah Rider, and a whole slew of others. Still, he is one of the greatest shot blockers to play the game, and would be higher on the list if he got consistent minutes.

    Billy Owens - got a bad rap off the bat by being traded for Mitch Richmond on draft day, but he had a solid career with the Heat, Warriors and Kings. definitely didn't suck. drew a lot of comparisons to MJ in college, which undoubtedly set him up for failure, but he still had over half a dozen years averaging double figure points

    ps - I agree, the '90 draft did suck. Kendall Gill came out of it though, not a hack
     
  3. sunsfan1357

    sunsfan1357 JBB JustBBall Member

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    Wasn't Todd Fuller a lottery pick? How's that for bad.
     
  4. Chucksta

    Chucksta JBB JustBBall Member

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    Kwame Brown at 1... [​IMG]
     
  5. Ed!

    Ed! JBB JustBBall Member

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    Sam Bowie at #2. Yeah i know that the Blazers already had an MJ-type SG in Clyde Drexler so they didnt draft MJ, but still. 10 pts 7.5 rpg for Sam Bowie

    <font size="1">And yes i know his career was slowed down by injuries.</font>
     
  6. Sir Desmond

    Sir Desmond JBB Stig!

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    <div class="quote_poster">Quoting ThaLord:</div><div class="quote_post">Kwame Brown at 1... [​IMG]</div>

    I have a feeling this kid just needs to get out of DC and start afresh somewhere. The talent is there, but he's weak mentally; he wasn't mentally ready to make the transition to the NBA, let alone with the added pressure sof the number 1 pick.
     
  7. Mamba

    Mamba The King is Back Staff Member Global Moderator

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    <div class="quote_poster">Quoting ThaLord:</div><div class="quote_post">Kwame Brown at 1... [​IMG]</div>


    Like Sir Dez said he needs a new team, he isnt being treated right in DC, Eddie jordan is treating him like it is his rookie year, he is only getting 6.7 shots a game, that isnt enought to break out
     
  8. jjdaman20

    jjdaman20 BBW Member

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    Kwame Brown has gotta be the worst. He's not producing in D.C.....trade him to Dallas and I guarantee he'll develop fast [​IMG]
     
  9. DajuanWagner#2

    DajuanWagner#2 JBB JustBBall Member

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    Darko Milic is for sure the worst, he sucks big time!
    Have scored 2 points in his NBA Carrer and went as the second round pick!
    That's the worst **** the Pistons ever have done!
     
  10. Hunter

    Hunter Administrator Staff Member Administrator

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    <div class="quote_poster">Quoting DajuanWagner#2:</div><div class="quote_post">Darko Milic is for sure the worst, he sucks big time!
    Have scored 2 points in his NBA Carrer and went as the second round pick!
    That's the worst **** the Pistons ever have done!</div>

    [​IMG]

    First off clean up your language.

    Second off what are you talking about???

    Darko Milicic is a long-term project and Joe Dumars knew this when he drafted him at the 2nd position. He has the potential to be a 20-10 basketball player later on. Claiming he is the worst player, is absolutely ludacris.

    Also he has scored 28 points this season and he was a first round draft pick

    Here is a very good post about Darko and his selection. I suggest that everyone read it: http://justbball.hotmel.com/forums/showpos...63&postcount=93
     
  11. BigMemo

    BigMemo JBB JustBBall Member

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    <div class="quote_poster">Quoting DajuanWagner#2:</div><div class="quote_post">Darko Milic is for sure the worst, he sucks big time!
    Have scored 2 points in his NBA Carrer and went as the second round pick!
    That's the worst **** the Pistons ever have done!</div>
    I knew somebody would say Darko. He's only eighteen years old, he doesn't speak English, and he's in a brand new league that he doesn't know how to play in. Joe D knew all of this when he drafted him, and Darko has impressed the Pistons' staff with his improvements and dedication. Right now, he has met all the expectations Detroit scouts had when they drafted him.

    One of the worst picks I can remember is the Pistons taking Mateen Cleaves 14th in the 2000 draft. All the fans loved it because he starred for Michigan State and people were just crazy about him. However, he was never good enough to meet the expectations people had for him. It didn't take long for him to be traded, and he never really found his place in the league. I don't think he's even playing anymore.

    Another bad one, obviously, is Boston taking Len Bias at #2 in 1986. Of course, they couldn't have known how it would turn out.
     
  12. PyroManiac

    PyroManiac JBB JustBBall Member

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    I also expected somebody to mention Darko. Look at the rookie years of Dirk Nowitzki and Zach Randolph. Nowitzki averaged 20 minutes in the games he played, so it is not too great. However, Randolph is a good example. He player in 41 games and averaged 6 minutes a game. In his 3rd year, he began to have a bust out year. Darko should be the same way, but Darko is also 18.

    As for my pick, I have to go with Len Bias, more a tragedy then a basketball problem however.

    Yeah, I remember Mateen Cleaves too! That was pretty bad, and unfortunate because the fans loved him.

    Actually, I agree with everything Big Memo said.
     
  13. jbbKing James

    jbbKing James JBB Banned Member

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    Len Bias, how can you say that was a bad pick? That guy had mad game. He died, so you can't say thatw as a bad selection.

    As for Darko, I have defended him a lot by saying that he could score on just about anybody right now, but as far as everything else the game is just too fast and physical for him right now.

    Kid has all the tools to be an all star someday, just has to get comfortable so he can assert himself.
     
  14. PyroManiac

    PyroManiac JBB JustBBall Member

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    Well, it wasn't a BAD pick for Len Bias. However, it was a wasted pick, which is unfortunate because he was a good player.

    I still think Kwame Brown is too early to judge. He sometimes shows flashes of a break out season but then falls short. He needs more shots. He is still young so he could still develop like Jermaine O'Neal did, after a few years.
     
  15. Kid Canada

    Kid Canada JBB Banned Member

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    Jonathen Bender. Alexander Radojevic.
     
  16. Ming637

    Ming637 BBW Banned

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    <div class="quote_poster">Quoting ThaLord:</div><div class="quote_post">Kwame Brown at 1... [​IMG]</div>



    I agree, Kwame is doing a poor job with the wizards. He should of gone through college first.
     
  17. jbbKing James

    jbbKing James JBB Banned Member

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    <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Ming637:</div><div class="quote_post">I agree, Kwame is doing a poor job with the wizards. He should of gone through college first.</div>

    Overrated. The % of success of the high schoolers is higher than the success % of college kids.

    Bottom line, if you know they will draft you, go. I am sure Darko is learning a lot seeing a lot of Ben Wallace in practice every day, he would not find that at the college level.

    School is not for everybody either, and many have families to take care of. It's not like they are some NBA groupy on a message board complaining about the lack of an entertaining game.
     
  18. Vintage

    Vintage Defeating Communism...

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    <div class="quote_poster">Quoting PyroManiac:</div><div class="quote_post">Well, it wasn't a BAD pick for Len Bias. However, it was a wasted pick, which is unfortunate because he was a good player.

    I still think Kwame Brown is too early to judge. He sometimes shows flashes of a break out season but then falls short. He needs more shots. He is still young so he could still develop like Jermaine O'Neal did, after a few years.</div>


    I still believe Kwame will be a star in this league. Before the draft, he had the most tools of any player.

    For a near 7'0"(he has grown since the draft.....at the time, he was 6'11") he has an amazing array of skills.

    For someone his size, he has good handles. Has a good jumper. Good range. Great athleticism. Great speed and range. Good defense. Good shotblocker. And much more.

    All these things combined, make him unique. He has the raw tools to be Garnett-like(in versatility and skills). When you look at Garnett, its clear his game is very refined. And when you look at Kwame, its clear Kwame's isn't. But what is interesting is that Kwame, if he puts it all together, is in the Garnett mold. A big man with great all around skills. That's why he was taken #1 overall. If he ever puts it together, there is no doubt in my mind that he will become one of the best players in the league.
     
  19. BigMemo

    BigMemo JBB JustBBall Member

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    <div class="quote_poster">Quoting King James:</div><div class="quote_post">Len Bias, how can you say that was a bad pick? That guy had mad game. He died, so you can't say thatw as a bad selection.
    </div>
    His death is the reason it was a bad selection. It isn't good to pick a player who's about to OD on drugs, even though the Celtics had no idea it would happen. It's like Sam Bowie; he was a good in college, arguably as good as MJ, but then he got injured so much, and the Blazers couldn't have known it.
     
  20. Rave

    Rave JBB JustBBall Member

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    I don't really see any, Darko is decent, and pretty much everyone is playing well in their teams, even the veterans whom weren't playing too well like Vin Baker. Look compare Darko to Nene and you'll see he'll be top tier someday.
     

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