The number of bad picks starts to increase at this point, so to conclude this series, here are some of the names long forgotten picked 12 and later in the NBA Draft since 1980, with some editorial tidbits thrown in.
1980
#16 - Hawkeye Whitney, Kansas City Kings, from NC State - 70 career games, 5.8 ppg, tore up his knee, later served time in prison
#21 - Monti Davis, Philadelphia 76ers, from Tennessee State - 2 games, 3 points, 4 rebounds
#22 - Chad Kinch, Cleveland Cavaliers, from UNC-Charlotte - 41 games, 2.9 ppg, died from AIDS at age 35
#27 - John Stroud, Houston Rockets, from Ole Miss - 9 games, 25 points, 13 rebounds, now owns the John Stroud Insurance Agency
1981
#26 - Brian Jackson, Portland TrailBlazers, from Utah State - never played in NBA
1982
#21 - Eddie Phillips, New Jersey Nets, from Alabama - 48 games, 3.2 ppg, 1.6 rpg
#24 - Oliver Robinson, San Antonio Spurs, from UAB - 35 games, 2.9 ppg, 0.6 apg, currently represents the 58th District in the Alabama House of Representatives
#26 - Ricky Frazier, Chicago Bulls, from Missouri - waived by Bulls, never played in NBA
#28 - Dave Magley, Cleveland Cavaliers, from Kansas - 14 games, 12 points, 10 rebounds
1983
#15 - Howard Carter, Denver Nuggets, from LSU - 66 games, 5.3 ppg, 1.3 rpg
#17 - Leo Rautins, Philadelphia 76ers, from Syracuse - 32 games, 48 points, 35 rebounds, first Canadian ever drafted in 1st Round, underwent 14 knee surgeries, son Andy also played for the 'Cuse
1984
#22 - Tom Sewell, Philadelphia 76ers, from Lamar - 21 games, 20 points, 6 assists, won 5 scoring titles in Europe and South America
#23 - Earl Jones, Los Angeles Lakes, from Univ. of DC - 14 games, 13 points, 10 rebounds
#26 - Victor Fleming, Portland TrailBlazers, from Xavier - never played in NBA
1985
#12 - Kenny Green, Washington Bullets, from Wake Forest - 60 games, 4.4 ppg, 1.7 rpg
#14 - Alfredrick Hughes, San Antonio Spurs, from Loyola-Chicago - 68 games, 5.2 ppg, 1.7 rpg
#27 - Dwayne McClain, Indiana Pacers, from Villanova - 45 games, 3.5 ppg, 1.5 apg
1986
#13 - Dwayne "Pearl" Washington, New Jersey Nets, from Syracuse and #14 - Walter Berry, Portland TrailBlazers, from St. John's - 194 and 205 games, respectively. How did these two talents fizzle out of the NBA so fast after waging some epic Big East battles?
#16 - Maurice Martin, Denver Nuggets, from St. Joseph's - 69 games, 3.0 ppg, 0.9 rpg
#23 - Kenny Barlow, Los Angeles Lakers, from Notre Dame - couldn't agree on contract, never played in NBA
1987
#15 - Jose Ortiz, Utah Jazz, from Oregon State - 64 games, 2.9 ppg, 1.1 rpg
#17 - Ronnie Murphy, Portland TrailBlazers, from Jacksonville - 18 games, 36 points, 11 rebounds
#24 - Freddie Banks, Detroit Pistons, from UNLV - never played in NBA
#25 - Ron Moore, New York Knicks, from West Virginia State - 14 games, 24 points, 8 rebounds
#27 - Nate Blackwell, San Antonio Spurs, from Temple - 10 games, 37 points, 18 assists
#28 - Rickie Winslow, Chicago Bulls, from Houston - 7 games, 7 points, 7 rebounds
#29 - Lester Fonville, Portland TrailBlazers, from Jackson State - never played in NBA
My apologies to Chris Welp, Dallas Comegys and Steve Alford for not being bad enough to be listed for 1987.
1988
#26 - Rolando Ferreira, Portland TrailBlazers, from Houston - 12 games, 9 points, 13 rebounds, How did the TrailBlazers ever get good?
#27 - Shelton Jones, San Antonio Spurs, from St. John's - 51 games, 4.8 ppg, 2.2 rpg, finished in 4th place in dunk contest in his only NBA season
#30 - Fennis Dembo, Detroit Pistons, from Wyoming - 31 games, 36 points, 23 rebounds, one of my all-time favorite names
1989
#13 - Michael Smith, Boston Celtics, from BYU - 141 games, 5.0 ppg, 1.5 rpg, now a color-analyst for the Clippers
#20 - Jeff Sanders, Chicago Bulls, from Georgia Southern - 55 games, 2.0 ppg, 1.9 rpg
#22 - Byron Irvin, Portland TrailBlazers, from Missouri - 87 games, 5.2 ppg, 1.4 rpg, now a sports agent who has represented Shawn Marion and Kris Humphries among others
#23 - Roy Marble, Atlanta Hawks, from Iowa - 29 games, 55 points, 32 rebounds, substance abuse problems derailed his NBA potential
#29 - Dyron Nix, Charlotte Hornets, from Tennessee - 20 games, 39 points, 26 rebounds
1990
#15 - Dave Jamerson, Miami Heat, from Ohio - 90 games, 3.4 ppg, 0.9 rpg, now a minister, quoted as saying "'Having to guard Magic Johnson for three games made me turn to God".
#28 - Les Jepsen, Golden State Warriors, from Iowa - 52 games, 53 points, 67 rebounds, "Les is more in Iowa City, baby"
1991
#14 - Rich King, Seattle SuperSonics, from Nebraska - 72 games, 1.9 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 6 surgeries sent him into retirement
#20 - John Turner, Houston Rockets, from Phillips Univ. - 42 games, 2.8 ppg, 1.9 rpg
#25 - Shaun Vandiver, Golden State Warriors, from Colorado - ended up playing in Europe for 9 years, never played in NBA
#29 - George Ackles, Miami Heat, from UNLV - never played in NBA
1992
#16 - Randy Woods, Los Angeles Clippers, from LaSalle - 151 games, 2.4 ppg, 1.7 apg
#26 - Dave Johnson, Portland TrailBlazers, from Syracuse - 59 games, 3.5 ppg, 1.1 rpg
1993
#14 - Scott Haskin, Indiana Pacers, from Oregon State - 27 games, 55 points, 55 rebounds
#15 - Doug Edwards, Atlanta Hawks, from Florida State - 85 games, 2.4 ppg, 1.8 rpg
#18 - Luther Wright, Utah Jazz, from Seton Hall - 15 games, 19 points, 10 rebounds - another story about of a player who has bounced back from addiction, depression and mental health disorders.
#26 - Geert Hammink, Orlando Magic, from LSU - 8 games, 14 points, 7 rebounds, appeared in the movie "Blue Chips"
#27 - Malcolm Mackey, Phoenix Suns, from Georgia Tech - 22 games, 32 points, 24 rebounds
1994
#14 - Yinka Dare, New Jersey Nets, from George Washington - 110 games, 2.1 ppg, 2.6 rpg, passed away from a heart attack at age 32
#20 - B.J. Tyler, Phildelphia 76ers, from Texas - 55 games, 3.5 ppg, 3.2 apg, According to journalist Chris Young's book Drive, Tyler accidentally fell asleep with a pack of ice on his knee, severely damaging it and thus losing all the speed for which he was famed, and subsequently had to retire
#22 - Bill Curley, San Antonio Spurs, from Boston College - 147 games, 2.7 ppg, 2.0 apg
1995
#19 - Randolph Childress, Detroit Pistons, from Wake Forest - 51 games, 2.4 ppg, 1.0 apg, .328 FG%, now an assistant coach for the Demon Deacons
#26 - Sherrell Ford, Seattle SuperSonics, from Illinois-Chicago - 28 games, 3.2 ppg, 0.9 rpg, played for the Harlem Globetrotters
1996
#21 - Dontae Jones, New York Knicks, from Mississippi State - 15 games, 44 points, 9 rebounds
#23 - Efthimi Rentzias, Denver Nuggets, from Greece - 35 games, 52 points, 26 rebounds
1997
#17 - Johnny Taylor, Orlando Magic, from UT-Chattanooga - 54 games, 4.7 ppg, 2.2 rpg
#20 - Paul Grant, Minnesota Timberwolves, from Wisconsin - 16 games, 29 points, 18 rebounds
#22 - Ed Gray, Atlanta Hawks, from California - 60 games, 6.2 ppg, 1.2 rpg, .339 FG%
#24 - Rodrick Rhodes, Houston Rockets, from USC - 72 games, 5.3 ppg, 1.7 apg, .347 FG%
#28 - Keith Booth, Chicago Bulls, from Maryland - 45 games, 2.9 ppg, 2.2 rpg
1998
#18 - Mirsad Turkcan, Houston Rockets, from Serbia - 17 games, 33 points, 33 rebounds
#26 - Sam Jacobson, Los Angeles Lakers, from Minnesota - 68 games, 4.2 ppg, 1.2 rpg
1999
#12 - Aleksandar Radojevic, Toronto Raptors, from Barton County CC - 15 games, 26 points, 36 rebounds
#14 - William Avery, Minnesota Timberwolves, from Duke - 142 games, 2.7 ppg, 1.4 apg, .330 FG%
#15 - Frederic Weiss, New York Knicks - never played in NBA
#25 - Tim James, Miami Heat, from Miami, FL - 43 games, 68 points, 46 rebounds
#29 - Leon Smith, San Antonio Spurs, from High School - 15 games, 33 points, 33 rebounds
2000
#14 - Mateen Cleaves, Detroit Pistons, from Michigan State - 167 games, 3.6 ppg, 1.9 apg
#24 - Dalibor Bagaric, Chicago Bulls - 95 games, 2.6 ppg, 2.5 rpg
#28 - Erick Barkley, Portland TrailBlazers, from St. John's - 27 games, 77 points, 40 assists
2001
#16 - Kirk Haston, Charlotte Hornets, from Indiana - 27 games, 32 points, 27 rebounds
#21 - Joseph Forte, Boston Celtics, from North Carolina - 25 games, 30 points, 17 rebounds, while with Seattle, he was arrested on gun and drug charges in Maryland, as well as an assault charge in which he allegedly punched a man in the face during a pickup game
#22 - Jeryl Sasser, Orlando Magic, from SMU - 82 games, 2.5 ppg, 2.3 rpg, .303 FG%
#23 - Brandon Armstrong, Houston Rockets, from Pepperdine - 108 games, 2.2 ppg, 0.6 rpg
2002
#13 - Marcus Haislip, Milwaukee Bucks, from Tennessee - 89 games, 3.5 ppg, 1.5 rpg
#18 - Curtis Borchardt, Orlando Magic, from Stanford, 83 games, 3.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg
#19 - Ryan Humphrey, Utah Jazz, from Notre Dame - 85 games, 2.3 ppg, 2.2 rpg
#25 - Frank Williams, Denver Nuggets, from Illinois - 86 games, 2.9 ppg, 1.9 apg
#29 - Steve Logan, Golden State Warriors, from Cincinnati - never played in NBA due to contract dispute
2003
#15 - Reece Gaines, Orlando Magic, from Louisville - 71 games, 1.7 ppg, 0.7 rpg
#16 - Troy Bell, Boston Celtics, from Boston College - 6 games, 11 points, 4 rebounds
#26 - Ndudi Ebi, Minnesota Timberwolves, from the UK - 19 games, 40 points, 19 rebounds
2004
#12 - Robert Swift, Seattle SuperSonice, from High School - 97 games, 4.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg
#21 - Pavel Podkolzin, Utah Jazz, from Russia - 6 games, 4 points, 9 rebounds
#23 - Sergei Monia, Portland TrailBlazers, from Russia - 26 games, 77 points, 52 rebounds
2005
#12 - Yaroslav Korolev, Los Angeles Clippers, from Russia - 34 games, 39 points, 16 rebounds
#20 - Julius Hodge, Denver Nuggets, from NC State - 23 games, 28 points, 18 assists
#29 - Wayne Simien, Miami Heat, from Kansas - 51 games, 3.3 ppg, 1.9 rpg
2006
#15 - Cedric Simmons, New Orleans Hornets, from NC State - 75 games, 2.2 ppg, 1.9 rpg
#18 - Oleksiy Pecherov, Washington Wizards, from Ukraine - 111 games, 3.9 ppg, 2.4 rpg
#28 - Maurica Ager, Dallas Mavericks, from Michigan State - 82 games, 2.1 ppg, 0.6 rpg
2007
#19 - Javaris Crittenton, Los Angeles Lakers, from Georgia Tech - 113 games, 5.3 ppg, 2.4 rpg, recently indicted on murder charges
#25 - Morris Almond, Utah Jazz, from Rice - 38 games, 3.1 ppg, 1.2 rpg
#29 - Alando Tucker, Phoenix Suns, from Wisconsin - 51 games, 4.1 ppg, 1.0 rpg
2008
#20 - Alexis Ajinca, Charlotte Bobcats, from France - 71 games, 3.1 ppg, 1.6 rpg
#30 - J.R. Giddens, Boston Celtics, from New Mexico - 38 games, 73 points, 54 rebounds
2009-2012
Incomplete
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Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
NBA Finals - Game 7's
After an epic Game 6, the prevailing assumption will be that the Heat will triumph on their home floor in Game 7. Can the Spurs get off the mat after being so close to a knockout of their own? Let's take a look at how other 7-game NBA Finals have played out under the current format.
2010 - Los Angeles Lakers defeat Boston Celtics 4 games to 3
Game 7: Lakers 83, Celtics 79 @Los Angeles
Game 6: Lakers 89, Celtics 67
The Celtics led 3-2 and were blown-out in Game 6 on the road. They did not win the series, but they did not mail it in in Game 7. Still, this result favors the HEAT.
2005 - San Antonio Spurs defeat Detroit Pistons 4 games to 3
Game 7: Spurs 81, Pistons 74 @San Antonio
Game 6: Pistons 95, Spurs 86
The Spurs needed to bounce back after losing Game 6 at home, giving them some hope and some experience in coming back after a loss to win a Game 7. This is the series I am pointing to if I am Popovich, Duncan, Parker and Ginobili. The challenge is that this time it is on the road. This result though slightly favors the SPURS.
1994 - Houston Rockets defeat New York Knicks 4 games to 3
Game 7: Rockets 90, Knicks 84 @Houston
Game 6: Rockets 86, Knicks 84
Another Game 7 win for the Home team, another for the winner of Game 6. The Knicks had a chance to win Game 6 at the end, then seemingly couldn't make a shot in Game 7. If the Spurs offense struggles, Danny Green might be the new John Starks. Favor to the HEAT.
1988 - Los Angeles Lakers defeat Detroit Pistons 4 games to 3
Game 7: Lakers 108, Pistons 105 @Los Angeles
Game 6: Lakers 103, Pistons 102
It is a clean sweep for the Home team in Game 7's under the current 2-3-2 format. The result may have been different had Isaiah Thomas been able to play beyond halftime in Game 7. Once again though, this result favors the HEAT.
4 Game 7's under the current Finals format and 4 wins for the home team. The solace for viewers is that the average margin has been 5 points, so the road team has stayed in the game. The last time a road team won a Game 7 in the finals was 1978 when the Bullets won at the Super Sonics. Can it happen 35 years later? Tune in Thursday for some new history to be written.
2010 - Los Angeles Lakers defeat Boston Celtics 4 games to 3
Game 7: Lakers 83, Celtics 79 @Los Angeles
Game 6: Lakers 89, Celtics 67
The Celtics led 3-2 and were blown-out in Game 6 on the road. They did not win the series, but they did not mail it in in Game 7. Still, this result favors the HEAT.
2005 - San Antonio Spurs defeat Detroit Pistons 4 games to 3
Game 7: Spurs 81, Pistons 74 @San Antonio
Game 6: Pistons 95, Spurs 86
The Spurs needed to bounce back after losing Game 6 at home, giving them some hope and some experience in coming back after a loss to win a Game 7. This is the series I am pointing to if I am Popovich, Duncan, Parker and Ginobili. The challenge is that this time it is on the road. This result though slightly favors the SPURS.
1994 - Houston Rockets defeat New York Knicks 4 games to 3
Game 7: Rockets 90, Knicks 84 @Houston
Game 6: Rockets 86, Knicks 84
Another Game 7 win for the Home team, another for the winner of Game 6. The Knicks had a chance to win Game 6 at the end, then seemingly couldn't make a shot in Game 7. If the Spurs offense struggles, Danny Green might be the new John Starks. Favor to the HEAT.
1988 - Los Angeles Lakers defeat Detroit Pistons 4 games to 3
Game 7: Lakers 108, Pistons 105 @Los Angeles
Game 6: Lakers 103, Pistons 102
It is a clean sweep for the Home team in Game 7's under the current 2-3-2 format. The result may have been different had Isaiah Thomas been able to play beyond halftime in Game 7. Once again though, this result favors the HEAT.
4 Game 7's under the current Finals format and 4 wins for the home team. The solace for viewers is that the average margin has been 5 points, so the road team has stayed in the game. The last time a road team won a Game 7 in the finals was 1978 when the Bullets won at the Super Sonics. Can it happen 35 years later? Tune in Thursday for some new history to be written.
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
NBA Draft - Worst #11 Picks Since 1980
Worst #11 Picks since 1980
Just Missed...Keith Lee and Todd Fuller.
In Process Member - Cole Aldrich, New Orleans Hornets, 2010, from Kansas (89 games in 3 seasons with 3 teams, 2.0 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 0.5 bpg) - Aldrich has yet to find his footing in the NBA and time might be running out, although he had his best stretch of his career with the Sacramento Kings at the end of this season. Rarely does one start a career like this and recover in the NBA though.
5. Trajan Langdon, Cleveland Cavaliers, 1999, from Duke (119 games, 5.4 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 1.3 apg) - Langdon had a stellar career at Duke, but his limited athleticism and inability to create his own shot ultimately led to him not fitting in with today's NBA game. Langdon went on to play 8 solid years in the Euro League, including two championships and two first-team all Euro League honors. His quick realization that he was not suited for the NBA led to a fulfilling career elsewhere. College teammate Corey Maggette or Ron Artest were picked shortly after Langdon in 1999.
4. Acie Law IV, Atlanta Hawks, 2007, from Texas A&M (188 games, 3.9 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 1.6 apg) - Law was the first senior taken in the 2007 draft, but maybe the Hawks should have looked elsewhere. Law never found his NBA footing or shooting touch, playing for 5 different teams in 4 seasons. A natural right-hander, Law taught himself to shoot left-handed after an injury to his right hand in junior high. Less-heralded Rodney Stuckey out of Eastern Washington was picked 4 selections after Law.
3. Kedrick Brown, Boston Celtics, 2001, from High School (143 games, 3.6 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 0.7 apg) - One of three Celtic draft picks in 2001, Brown never thrived in the NBA. To make matters worse, when the Celtics acquired Tony Delk and Rodney Rogers from the Suns, they insisted it be Joe Johnson and not Brown as the trading piece. Richard Jefferson, Troy Murphy and Zach Randolph were selected after Brown.
2. Jerome Moiso, Boston Celtics, 2000, from UCLA (145 games, 2.7 ppg, 2.7 rpg, .5 bpg) - Moiso joins the parade of busts from the 2000 draft, but he may be the bustiest of the top 20. Moiso was drafted for his athleticism, but it never translated. He was able to play successfully in the Chinese league after flaming out in the NBA. Hedo Turkoglu and Desmond Mason were picked 16 and 17 in 2000.
1. Fran Vazquez, Orlando Magic, 2005, from Spain (never played in the league) - Vazquez surprised the Magic when he decided to remain in Spain after being drafted. He never came to the NBA. A wasted pick. Danny Granger would not have been a wasted pick for the Magic.
Just Missed...Keith Lee and Todd Fuller.
In Process Member - Cole Aldrich, New Orleans Hornets, 2010, from Kansas (89 games in 3 seasons with 3 teams, 2.0 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 0.5 bpg) - Aldrich has yet to find his footing in the NBA and time might be running out, although he had his best stretch of his career with the Sacramento Kings at the end of this season. Rarely does one start a career like this and recover in the NBA though.
5. Trajan Langdon, Cleveland Cavaliers, 1999, from Duke (119 games, 5.4 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 1.3 apg) - Langdon had a stellar career at Duke, but his limited athleticism and inability to create his own shot ultimately led to him not fitting in with today's NBA game. Langdon went on to play 8 solid years in the Euro League, including two championships and two first-team all Euro League honors. His quick realization that he was not suited for the NBA led to a fulfilling career elsewhere. College teammate Corey Maggette or Ron Artest were picked shortly after Langdon in 1999.
4. Acie Law IV, Atlanta Hawks, 2007, from Texas A&M (188 games, 3.9 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 1.6 apg) - Law was the first senior taken in the 2007 draft, but maybe the Hawks should have looked elsewhere. Law never found his NBA footing or shooting touch, playing for 5 different teams in 4 seasons. A natural right-hander, Law taught himself to shoot left-handed after an injury to his right hand in junior high. Less-heralded Rodney Stuckey out of Eastern Washington was picked 4 selections after Law.
3. Kedrick Brown, Boston Celtics, 2001, from High School (143 games, 3.6 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 0.7 apg) - One of three Celtic draft picks in 2001, Brown never thrived in the NBA. To make matters worse, when the Celtics acquired Tony Delk and Rodney Rogers from the Suns, they insisted it be Joe Johnson and not Brown as the trading piece. Richard Jefferson, Troy Murphy and Zach Randolph were selected after Brown.
2. Jerome Moiso, Boston Celtics, 2000, from UCLA (145 games, 2.7 ppg, 2.7 rpg, .5 bpg) - Moiso joins the parade of busts from the 2000 draft, but he may be the bustiest of the top 20. Moiso was drafted for his athleticism, but it never translated. He was able to play successfully in the Chinese league after flaming out in the NBA. Hedo Turkoglu and Desmond Mason were picked 16 and 17 in 2000.
1. Fran Vazquez, Orlando Magic, 2005, from Spain (never played in the league) - Vazquez surprised the Magic when he decided to remain in Spain after being drafted. He never came to the NBA. A wasted pick. Danny Granger would not have been a wasted pick for the Magic.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
NBA Draft - Worst #10 Picks Since 1980
Worst #10 Picks since 1980
4. Leon Wood, Philadelphia 76ers, 1984, from Cal State Fullerton (274 games, 6.4 ppg, 1.2 rpg, 3.2 apg) - Wood played with 6 teams in 6 seasons, starting just 19 games in his career. He was a Gold Medalist on the 1984 Olympic team and sued the NBA over the rookie salary cap of $75,000 in 1984. Ironically, he still works for the NBA as an official. Kevin Willis, Jay Humphries, Michael Cage and John Stockton were all picked between 11 and 17 in 1984.
3. Keith Edmonson, Atlanta Hawks, 1982, from Purdue (87 games, 6.0 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 0.6 apg) - After trying to latch on with 3 teams in 2 seasons, Edmonson's NBA career was over and the Hawks had a bust at #10 in 1982. All was not lost for the Hawks though in the 1982 draft. The Utah Jazz selected Dominique Wilkins with the 3rd selection, but Wilkins did not want to play for Utah and the Jazz also had cash flow problems. A few months after the draft, the Jazz shipped 'Nique to Atlanta where he became the "Human Highlight Film". He could have been paired with the likes of "Fat" Lever or "Sleepy" Floyd has the Hawks chose differently at #10.
2. Luke Jackson, Cleveland Cavaliers, 2004, from Oregon (73 games, 3.5 ppg, 1.2 rpg, 0.8 apg) - Stints with 4 teams in 4 seasons led to a disappointing career for the former Oregon Duck. He shot a dismal 36% from the floor and struggled to find playing time. The Cavaliers could have paired up a young LeBron James with Al Jefferson or Josh Smith, but alas Jackson was the choice in 2004.
1. Saer Sene, Seattle SuperSonics, 2006, from Senegal (47 games, 2.2 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 1 career assist) - A project selected from the Senegal, Sene never matched this potential and the NBA infatuation with large wingspans. He played 260 minutes in his career...LeBron James just played over 300 in the 7-game series against the Pacers. On the bright side, Sene did not improve Seattle as a team and the following season they were able to pick #2 and select Kevin Durant.
4. Leon Wood, Philadelphia 76ers, 1984, from Cal State Fullerton (274 games, 6.4 ppg, 1.2 rpg, 3.2 apg) - Wood played with 6 teams in 6 seasons, starting just 19 games in his career. He was a Gold Medalist on the 1984 Olympic team and sued the NBA over the rookie salary cap of $75,000 in 1984. Ironically, he still works for the NBA as an official. Kevin Willis, Jay Humphries, Michael Cage and John Stockton were all picked between 11 and 17 in 1984.
3. Keith Edmonson, Atlanta Hawks, 1982, from Purdue (87 games, 6.0 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 0.6 apg) - After trying to latch on with 3 teams in 2 seasons, Edmonson's NBA career was over and the Hawks had a bust at #10 in 1982. All was not lost for the Hawks though in the 1982 draft. The Utah Jazz selected Dominique Wilkins with the 3rd selection, but Wilkins did not want to play for Utah and the Jazz also had cash flow problems. A few months after the draft, the Jazz shipped 'Nique to Atlanta where he became the "Human Highlight Film". He could have been paired with the likes of "Fat" Lever or "Sleepy" Floyd has the Hawks chose differently at #10.
2. Luke Jackson, Cleveland Cavaliers, 2004, from Oregon (73 games, 3.5 ppg, 1.2 rpg, 0.8 apg) - Stints with 4 teams in 4 seasons led to a disappointing career for the former Oregon Duck. He shot a dismal 36% from the floor and struggled to find playing time. The Cavaliers could have paired up a young LeBron James with Al Jefferson or Josh Smith, but alas Jackson was the choice in 2004.
1. Saer Sene, Seattle SuperSonics, 2006, from Senegal (47 games, 2.2 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 1 career assist) - A project selected from the Senegal, Sene never matched this potential and the NBA infatuation with large wingspans. He played 260 minutes in his career...LeBron James just played over 300 in the 7-game series against the Pacers. On the bright side, Sene did not improve Seattle as a team and the following season they were able to pick #2 and select Kevin Durant.
Sunday, June 2, 2013
NBA Draft - Worst #9 Picks Since 1980
Worst #9 Picks since 1980
Just missed the list...Eric Montross, Brad Sellers, Samaki Walker and Rodney White.
4. Mike Sweetney, New York Knicks, 2003, from Georgetown (233 games, 6.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 0.6 apg) - Sweetney had two solid seasons in his 2nd and 3rd in the NBA, but weight issues cut short any of the potential and staying-power he had in the league. After a disappointing 4th season, Sweetney was out of the league. His selection proceeded Nick Collison and David West in 2003.
3. Ike Diogu, Golden State Warriors, 2005, from Arizona State (225 games, 6.0 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 0.3 apg) - Diogu played for 6 teams in 7 seasons and made little impact for any of the six, despite a career FG% over 50%. Diogu was selected one pick ahead of Andrew Bynum and 8 picks before Danny Granger in 2005. The Warriors would have the 9th pick again the following season and with worse results...
2. Ed O'Bannon, New Jersey Nets, 1995, from UCLA (128 games, 5.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 0.8 apg) - After a stellar college career and National Title with UCLA, big things were expected from O'Bannon when the Nets made him the 9th selection in 1995. O'Bannon summed up his NBA journey..."It wasn't injury, it was confidence," O'Bannon said about his NBA career. "I missed shots, got pulled from games, it affected my defense, and I lost all my confidence." O'Bannon was selected before more successful NBA players such as Kurt Thomas, Corliss Williamson and Theo Ratliff.
1. Patrick O'Bryant, Golden State Warriors, 2006, from Bradley (90 games over 4 seasons, 2.1 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 0.4 bpg) - O'Bryant parlayed a surprising Sweet Sixteen run with Bradley into rising stock amongst NBA scouts, ending up the #9 selection by the Warriors. Don Nelson's quote summarizes O'Bryant's plight very well..."I told him if he goes down to the D-League and isn't a dominant player, there should be red flags all over the place, and he should be the first to notice. He's not only not dominating, he's not playing very well. He's a long-term project. I really liked him the first week of training camp, but I assumed there would be great progress. [...] He hasn't gotten better one bit. O'Bryant was selected before Rajon Rondo in 2006, but once again, Paul Millsap is the best interior player selected after #9 in 2006, but he lasted until #47 proving almost every other team wrong.
Just missed the list...Eric Montross, Brad Sellers, Samaki Walker and Rodney White.
4. Mike Sweetney, New York Knicks, 2003, from Georgetown (233 games, 6.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 0.6 apg) - Sweetney had two solid seasons in his 2nd and 3rd in the NBA, but weight issues cut short any of the potential and staying-power he had in the league. After a disappointing 4th season, Sweetney was out of the league. His selection proceeded Nick Collison and David West in 2003.
3. Ike Diogu, Golden State Warriors, 2005, from Arizona State (225 games, 6.0 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 0.3 apg) - Diogu played for 6 teams in 7 seasons and made little impact for any of the six, despite a career FG% over 50%. Diogu was selected one pick ahead of Andrew Bynum and 8 picks before Danny Granger in 2005. The Warriors would have the 9th pick again the following season and with worse results...
2. Ed O'Bannon, New Jersey Nets, 1995, from UCLA (128 games, 5.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 0.8 apg) - After a stellar college career and National Title with UCLA, big things were expected from O'Bannon when the Nets made him the 9th selection in 1995. O'Bannon summed up his NBA journey..."It wasn't injury, it was confidence," O'Bannon said about his NBA career. "I missed shots, got pulled from games, it affected my defense, and I lost all my confidence." O'Bannon was selected before more successful NBA players such as Kurt Thomas, Corliss Williamson and Theo Ratliff.
1. Patrick O'Bryant, Golden State Warriors, 2006, from Bradley (90 games over 4 seasons, 2.1 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 0.4 bpg) - O'Bryant parlayed a surprising Sweet Sixteen run with Bradley into rising stock amongst NBA scouts, ending up the #9 selection by the Warriors. Don Nelson's quote summarizes O'Bryant's plight very well..."I told him if he goes down to the D-League and isn't a dominant player, there should be red flags all over the place, and he should be the first to notice. He's not only not dominating, he's not playing very well. He's a long-term project. I really liked him the first week of training camp, but I assumed there would be great progress. [...] He hasn't gotten better one bit. O'Bryant was selected before Rajon Rondo in 2006, but once again, Paul Millsap is the best interior player selected after #9 in 2006, but he lasted until #47 proving almost every other team wrong.
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