The 2017 NBA draft is happening in 24 hours and the hype is strong! Lots of teams are looking to build their benches or nab a brand new superstar for the ages but lets look back at some of the most memorable busts when the scouts and team selectors got it wrong. How wrong? Just read on.
5. Shawn Bradley: Philadelphia 76ers (No. 2, 1993)
Picking massively tall centres over other prospects is going to be a theme in this list. Philadelphia took this 7'6" monster to be a defensive anchor but Bradley's blocked shots did not outweigh all the times he got posterized. Selectors that year picked Bradley when they could have had Penny Hardaway, Jamal Mashburn or Alan Houston.
4. Michael Olowokandi: Los Angeles Clippers (No. 1, 1998)
Olowokandi was a 7-foot project out of the University of Pacific who did not begin playing organized basketball until the age of 18. Wait what! He averaged a disappointing 8.3 points per game and cracked 45 percent shooting once in his 10 seasons. He was selected before Mike Bibby, Vince Carter, Dirk Nowitzki and Paul Pierce.
3. Chris Washburn: Golden State Warriors (No. 3, 1986)
Oh dear. The 1986 draft was a controversial one but even then getting caught stealing a stereo while enrolled at NC State and despite being known for having no work ethic, Golden State thought Chris was too good to pass up with their third pick. In three years, he failed three drug tests and was banned from the NBA for life.
He was picked before Ron Harper, John Salley, Dell Curry and Arvydas Sabonis.
2. LaRue Martin: Portland Trail Blazers (No. 1, 1972)
Martin had the least productive career of all first overall draft picks. He averaged a 5.3 points per game over his four-year career. Martin shot poor 41.6 percent from the floor even though he was a 7-footer. He blocked half a shot per game and didn't even crack the starting lineup.
That year Portland could have picked Bob McAdoo or Dr J himself Julius Erving.
1. Sam Bowie: Portland Trail Blazers (No. 2, 1984)
Another centre, another fail. In a draft year that includes Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley and John Stockton you're spoiled for choice right? So who do you pick if you're the Blazers?
Sam Bowie right? What? No!
Bowie only managed 139 games in five years with Portland before salvaging his career during a four years with the Nets. Bowie was one of a collection of Blazers big men who never reached their potential.
Hey Portland? These dudes are smiling;
