NBA Draft Busts

After the drafting, NBA front office types proceed directly to the worrying phase.

What if they guessed wrong? What if they accidently reeled in the next Michael Olowokandi or Kwame Brown? What if the team right behind them comes up with, oh, say, the next Michael Jordan?

Busts happen, and when they do, fans and media aren’t likely to let anyone forget. With the NBA Draft in the news, here’s a look back at some previous fateful picks, blasts from the past that helped ruin more than just the draftee’s career.

Sam Bowie, No. 2, Portland, 1984. A solid player whose career was shortened by foot and ankle problems. Trail Blazers fans may recall that he was selected ahead of Michael Jordan (3), but the team also passed on Sam Perkins (4), and Charles Barkley (5).

Chris Washburn, No. 3, Golden State, 1986. Gifted man-child whose drug problems kept his career from every getting started. Selected ahead of Chuck Person (4), Roy Tarpley (7), Ron Harper (8), Mark Price (25), and Dennis Rodman (27).

Michael Olowokandi, No. 1, Los Angeles Clippers, 1998. That’s why they’re the Clippers. This dud went ahead of Mike Bibby (2), Vince Carter (5), Dirk Nowitzki (9), and Paul Pierce (10).

Kwame Brown, No. 1, Washington Wizards, 2001. Proof positive that not every great player (Jordan) is necessarily a great talent evaluator. Selected ahead of Pau Gasol (3), Jason Richardson (5), Richard Jefferson (13), and Tony Parker (28).

Darko Milicic, No. 2, Detroit, 2003. One of the great busts of the past 10 years. Selected ahead of Carmelo Anthony (3), Chris Bosh (4) and Dwayne Wade (5).

Shawn Bradley, No. 2, Philadelphia, 1993. Enjoyed a long career, but hardly anyone else enjoyed it. Selected ahead of Penny Hardaway (3), Sam Cassell (24) and Nick Van Exel (37).

Steve Stipanovich, No. 2, Indiana, 1983. A major reach who never amounted to much of anything. Selected ahead of Rodney McCray (3), Dale Ellis (9) and Clyde Drexler (14).

Dennis Hopson, No. 3, New Jersey, 1987. A questionable pick, made moreso painful for Nets fans when Scottie Pippen (5), Kevin Johnson (7), Horace Grant (10), and Reggie Miller (11) fared a bit better.

Jay Williams, No. 2, Chicago, 2002. Career was ruined by a motorcycle wreck. Selected ahead of Amare Stoudemire (9).

Joe Smith: No. 1, Golden State, 1995. A journeyman who intrigues, but never seems to make much of an impact. Selected ahead of Rasheed Wallace (4) and Kevin Garnett (5).

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