The 1984 NBA Draft is considered one of the best years of all time – after all, it brought the GOAT himself into the league. We are rearranging the year from today’s perspective! There is a big winner…
The legendary draft of 1984 produced a total of four Hall of Famers, including, as is well known, the future six-time NBA champion Michael Jordan.
What is less well known is the fact that “MJ” was only drafted third overall. Among other things, a certain Sam Bowie was given preference. But what happened to him – and what number would we have picked him with today’s knowledge?
Also: A certain Hall of Famer is considered one of the best players at his position today, but he didn’t even make the lottery in the 1984 draft. SPOX clarifies.
NBA Draft 1984: The first 15 picks at a glance
Pick 1 – Houston Rockets: Michael Jordan (originally No. 3)
Original pick: Akeem Olajuwon
The later “Hakeem” was a more than justifiable decision in 1984 and still is today, after all, he led the team to the title in 1994 and 1995 – i.e. in Jordan’s “baseball years”. However, he was not the best player in the draft. How quickly does MJ lead the Rockets to the promised land?
NBA-Legendenserie – Hakeem Olajuwon: More than a Dream
Pick 2 – Portland Trail Blazers: Akeem Olajuwon (1)
Original pick: Sam Bowie
The big winner in our re-draft: Portland. The Blazers wanted a center, now they’re getting one of the best in league history. And a reunion of college buddies Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler!
Pick 3 – Chicago Bulls: Charles Barkley (5)
Original pick: Michael Jordan
The Bulls get one of the best power forwards in history at third. How does Barkley develop if he doesn’t come under the wing of Moses Malone like he did in Philly? As is well known, he taught the overweight talent how to play the flute.
NBA Legends Series – Charles Barkley: Caught on the Blacklist
Pick 4 – Dallas Mavericks: John Stockton (16)
Original pick: Sam Perkins
Short, slight and a genius on the court – that’s Stockton! Dallas gets the NBA record holder in assists and steals – and the fourth absolute legend of this year.
NBA Legends Series – John Stockton: The Invisible First
Pick 5 – Philadelphia 76ers: Alvin Robertson (7)
Original pick: Charles Barkley
Injuries shortened his career (1984-93, 1996), but before that, Robertson was one of the best NBA guards, especially defensively. In 1986 he was even voted Defensive Player of the Year and was a four-time All-Star.
Pick 6 – Washington Bullets: Sam Perkins (4)
Original pick: Melvin Turpin
Now the level drops a bit, but Perkins would have helped the Bullets immediately with his length. MJ’s UNC buddy was one of the league’s first strong throwing bigs.
Pick 7 – San Antonio Spurs: Otis Thorpe (9)
Original pick: Alvin Robertson
The big man was only an All-Star once, but he was a very consistent player for many years. In his best season he averaged 21 points and 10 rebounds. Became champion in Houston in 1994.
Pick 8 – L.A. Clippers: Kevin Willis (11)
Original pick: Lancaster Gordon
The Clippers busted with Gordon, who only stayed in the league for four years. Willis is the exact opposite: The one-time All-Star only ended his career at the age of 44!
Pick 9 – Kansas City Kings: Jerome Kersey (46)
Original pick: Otis Thorpe
The power forward fell into Portland’s lap in the second round and developed into one of the team’s constants alongside Clyde Drexler. Won the title with San Antonio in 1999.
Pick 10 – Philadelphia 76ers: Michael Cage (14)
Original pick: Leon Wood
Cage was the worker personified, leading the NBA in rebounds in 1987-88. Wood, in turn, retrained as a referee after his career as a player.
Pick 11 – Atlanta Hawks: Vern Fleming (18)
Original pick: Kevin Willis
The Hawks are getting a point guard in Fleming who was good for 14 and 7 assists in his prime. A legend for the Pacers.
Pick 12 – Cleveland Cavaliers: Sam Bowie (2)
Original pick: Tim McCormick
It wasn’t Bowie’s fault that MJ was pulled ahead of him, and he wasn’t bad: when fit, he consistently delivered double-doubles. Unfortunately, the legs never wanted to stay healthy.
Pick 13 – Phoenix Suns: Jay Humphries (13)
Original pick: Jay Humphries
Direct hit! Humphries had the highest assist average of this year after Stockton. A rock-solid starting point guard.
Pick 14 – L.A. Clippers: Tony Campbell (20)
Original Pick: Michael Cage
For a long time, Campbell was allowed to watch mostly from the bench, but his breakthrough in Minnesota followed in 1990. There two years with over 20 points per game.
Pick 15 – Dallas Mavericks: Ron Anderson (27)
Original pick: Terence Stansbury
Anderson wasn’t a star, but he was a strong bench scorer for Philly over the course of his career. In this scenario he becomes a pass receiver for Stockton – there are worse things!
2023-12-28 08:00:00
#NBA #picks #redraft
