Worst Picks Ever...
I was just watching "Quite Frankly" with Stephen A. Smith, and a story came up concerning 1998 No. 1 draft pick Michael Olowokandi. Apparently no one in the NBA wants him now, and things have gotten so bad that he has to pay his own way in order for the Phoenix Suns to give him a work-out.
Wow.
Even though I find it hard to believe that no team in the NBA can use an experienced seven footer with a couple (I'm being generous) post moves, this just proves that not all number one picks pan out the way league general managers think they will.
So, this got me to thinking... poor Michael can't be the worst number one pick of all-time, can he?
Well, let's examine further. Here's my list of the other candidates:
Kwame Brown- "Let's be fair: the jury is still out on Kwame," Washington Wizards' fans repeated after each of his first four seasons with the team. Finally, Wizards' management parted with Brown and his underachieving ways, receiving decent compensation in return (Caron Butler). I've never been much of a hater, but I just don't see Kwame getting any better anytime soon. The thing is, the Lakers must still think he has room to grow, as they gave him a ridiculous $25 million contract over the next three years. Click on the link, and if you can honestly tell me that you'd give him that big of a contract if you were an NBA GM, then you must be related.
Pervis Ellison- Unlike Kwame, Ellison had a good pedigree prior to joining the NBA, putting up solid numbers at Louisville. And, you know what, he even had a very good beginning to his career; heck, he averaged a double-double in his third year. And then came the injuries. "Never Nervous" Pervis was never the same after that. I remember watching him near the twilight of his career. I almost felt bad for him and his rickety knees. Honestly, through no fault of his own, injuries brought him to "bust" status.
Derrick Coleman- Based on his numbers alone, you wouldn't neccesarily consider him a bust. Actually, if you go back and look at that draft, he's arguably the second best player out of that draft (him and Gary Payton would flip-flop if you did the whole ordeal over). However, the consensus from NBA scouts over the years was that he never really lived up to his full potential due to his work ethic. Coming out of college many thought he would join that elite class of power forwards--the Charles Barkleys and Karl Malones of that time period. He topped out at 20.7 points per game in his third year, which typifies his career: better than most, but never as good as he should have been.
Joe Smith- He's been a solid player during his 11-year career, but when you're the No. 1 pick in the draft, much is expected, and Smith hasn't delivered like a top pick. In college he looked like he'd be a fluid big man for years in the league, but his fragile frame made him a tweener that couldn't attain consistent success. Even though he makes this list, however, he does earn himself intangible points for being an invaluable role player for the Milwaukee Bucks the past couple of seasons. He's handled his fall from the top very well, and although he never panned out, he is a stand-up guy.
Kenyon Martin- Now this one might surprise a ton of people, but look at his numbers. Granted, the 2000 NBA Draft was atrocious, and somebody had to go first, but I put him here based on what he does on the basketball court versus what he makes financially. Max deals go to superstars, players who have proven over time that they can succeed in the NBA. When Kenyon Martin becomes a consistent 20-10 guy, and when his team plays better with him on the floor, then I'll say that he deserves the money. Until then, he's on this list.
However, when you go back and look at all of that, I think that Michael Olowokandi is the pound-for-pound worst top pick in NBA history. First and foremost, when you go back and look at that draft, the top ten was loaded with upper echelon players in today's game. If the Clippers wanted to go foreign, they could have very easily taken an accomplished seven footer in Dirk Nowitzki who has revolutionized the forward position,. They could have had one of the most entertaining (when healthy) players in the NBA in Vince Carter. Mike Bibby was available for them at point guard. But they chose a project who played mid-level Division I basketball.
But, then again, I have the privilege of having perfect 20-20 hindsight vision. Don't most critics?
Wow.
Even though I find it hard to believe that no team in the NBA can use an experienced seven footer with a couple (I'm being generous) post moves, this just proves that not all number one picks pan out the way league general managers think they will.
So, this got me to thinking... poor Michael can't be the worst number one pick of all-time, can he?
Well, let's examine further. Here's my list of the other candidates:
Kwame Brown- "Let's be fair: the jury is still out on Kwame," Washington Wizards' fans repeated after each of his first four seasons with the team. Finally, Wizards' management parted with Brown and his underachieving ways, receiving decent compensation in return (Caron Butler). I've never been much of a hater, but I just don't see Kwame getting any better anytime soon. The thing is, the Lakers must still think he has room to grow, as they gave him a ridiculous $25 million contract over the next three years. Click on the link, and if you can honestly tell me that you'd give him that big of a contract if you were an NBA GM, then you must be related.
Pervis Ellison- Unlike Kwame, Ellison had a good pedigree prior to joining the NBA, putting up solid numbers at Louisville. And, you know what, he even had a very good beginning to his career; heck, he averaged a double-double in his third year. And then came the injuries. "Never Nervous" Pervis was never the same after that. I remember watching him near the twilight of his career. I almost felt bad for him and his rickety knees. Honestly, through no fault of his own, injuries brought him to "bust" status.
Derrick Coleman- Based on his numbers alone, you wouldn't neccesarily consider him a bust. Actually, if you go back and look at that draft, he's arguably the second best player out of that draft (him and Gary Payton would flip-flop if you did the whole ordeal over). However, the consensus from NBA scouts over the years was that he never really lived up to his full potential due to his work ethic. Coming out of college many thought he would join that elite class of power forwards--the Charles Barkleys and Karl Malones of that time period. He topped out at 20.7 points per game in his third year, which typifies his career: better than most, but never as good as he should have been.
Joe Smith- He's been a solid player during his 11-year career, but when you're the No. 1 pick in the draft, much is expected, and Smith hasn't delivered like a top pick. In college he looked like he'd be a fluid big man for years in the league, but his fragile frame made him a tweener that couldn't attain consistent success. Even though he makes this list, however, he does earn himself intangible points for being an invaluable role player for the Milwaukee Bucks the past couple of seasons. He's handled his fall from the top very well, and although he never panned out, he is a stand-up guy.
Kenyon Martin- Now this one might surprise a ton of people, but look at his numbers. Granted, the 2000 NBA Draft was atrocious, and somebody had to go first, but I put him here based on what he does on the basketball court versus what he makes financially. Max deals go to superstars, players who have proven over time that they can succeed in the NBA. When Kenyon Martin becomes a consistent 20-10 guy, and when his team plays better with him on the floor, then I'll say that he deserves the money. Until then, he's on this list.
However, when you go back and look at all of that, I think that Michael Olowokandi is the pound-for-pound worst top pick in NBA history. First and foremost, when you go back and look at that draft, the top ten was loaded with upper echelon players in today's game. If the Clippers wanted to go foreign, they could have very easily taken an accomplished seven footer in Dirk Nowitzki who has revolutionized the forward position,. They could have had one of the most entertaining (when healthy) players in the NBA in Vince Carter. Mike Bibby was available for them at point guard. But they chose a project who played mid-level Division I basketball.
But, then again, I have the privilege of having perfect 20-20 hindsight vision. Don't most critics?
posted by Justin Cherot @ 11:30 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home