Who Was Drafted Ahead of Michael Jordan?
Who Was Drafted Ahead of Michael Jordan?
By Jocelyn Alano July 31, 2024 07:05
The 1984 NBA Draft, originally known as one of the best draft classes ever, is home to an astounding collection of players who would substantially impact basketball. This draft class does feature Michael Jordan, who was taken number three overall by the Chicago Bulls. Yet, as much as Jordan's legendary career deserves all the accolades it receives, the tale of the two players picked ahead of him offers a fascinating insight into the draft dynamics and the unpredictable nature of talent development in professional sports.
Players Drafted Before Michael Jordan
Hakeem Olajuwon
- Draft Position: 1st Overall
- College University of Houston
Hakeem A Olajuwon, C - Drafted first overall by the Houston Rockets. His college career at the University of Houston was nothing short of sensational, a linchpin for the "Phi Slama Jama" team that became runner-up in the national championship game to North Carolina State Wolfpack in 1983. Olajuwon displayed tremendous defensive skills, athleticism, and footwork, pictured as his marks in the NBA.
Olajuwon became on of the best centers in the NBA. The two-time NBA Finals MVP (1994-95) earned 12 All-Star selections and did it on both ends of the court.
Sam Bowie
- Draft Position: 2nd Overall
- School or College: University of Kentucky
Sam Bowie, C - was drafted at #2 by the Portland Trail Blazers. He was a coveted center from the University of Kentucky, displaying his talents as an excellent rebounder and shot blocker. Although a talented player, Bowie's college career was stigmatized by injury questions lingering on his durability coming into the draft.
Bowie struggled with injuries throughout his career and sustained two major leg injuries that slowed him down considerably. For his career, which ran from 1984 to 1995, he averaged 10.9 points and 7.5 rebounds with a somewhat impressive average of almost 2 blocks per game. He enjoyed flashes of success and had a pretty good rookie campaign, but he never hit the ceiling we were expecting. He is considered by many to be the biggest miss of all time over Jordan.
Why These Picks?
A combination of comments, needs, potential for players, and scouting reports affected the choices of the Houston Rockets and the Portland Trail Blazers in the 1984 NBA Draft.
Houston Rockets: Hakeem Olajuwon
Houston needed a quality big man in the worst way, and Olajuwon was tailor-made for that role. This is still an incredible inside-out NBA, where players such as Sir Charles and Shaq dominated because having that interior side force was so vital to actually winning. It was a pretty low-risk choice in terms of his talent level, but the Rockets were coming off an 18-64 season, and that made Olajuwon ideal.
Portland Trail Blazers: Sam Bowie
At the time of the draft, the Trail Blazers had a strong roster with notable depth in the guard and wing positions. Most significantly, Portland had Clyde Drexler, a promising young shooting guard/small forward who had shown great potential in his first season. Drexler's presence and playing style were similar to Michael Jordan's, leading the team's management to believe that selecting Jordan would be redundant. Instead, their primary need was identified as a center who could anchor their defense and add a new dimension to their frontcourt alongside power forward Mychal Thompson.
Demographics and Career Outcomes
Hakeem Olajuwon
Career Achievements:
- 12× NBA All-Star
- 2× NBA Champion
- 2× NBA Finals MVP
- 1994 NBA MVP
Given Olajuwon's history with the Rockets, most notably during his championship days in the mid-1990s, it established him as a Hall of Famer. The fact that he can take over games on both ends of the floor, plus his effect in helping Houston win this season, makes him a solid No. 1 overall pick.
Sam Bowie
Career Achievements:
- 1× All-NBA Rookie Second Team
- Per game averages of 10.9 points, 7.5 rebounds
While his career was not bad, it did not live up to the expectations thrust upon him as the No. 2 pick. Injuries prevented him from making an impact, and he never lived up to the college hype.
The 1984 NBA Draft is a story of how Michael Jordan slipped through the draft lottery cracks. Although Olajuwon stayed healthy and succeeded in cementing his accomplishments as a player, Bowie's injury-ridden career left him with little to offer professional basketball at the NBA. A stark contrast to Michael Jordan, who rose into superstardom with an impact unparalleled in the history of basketball, is a testament to his immense talent and work ethic. The 1984 NBA Draft stands as a crossroads for sports, a testament to the blind crapshoot that is talent evaluation and the indelible mark left by those charged with such evaluations.
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