Just look at how many Hall of Fame NBA players came out of the 1984 NBA Draft.
If we go back in time, the Lakers and Celtics were building their dynasties. Magic Johnson (Lakers) and Larry Bird (Celtics) were young and already in the league. Magic and the Lakers won the 1980 NBA Finals against the Philadelphia 76ers. Larry Bird and the Celtics won the following year against my Houston Rockets. Moses Malone was at center, and Calvin Murphy, one of the greatest small men ever, was also on that team, too.
WOW! (photo courtesy Rolling Stone)
Then came the 1984 Draft. The Rockets had the first selection, and it very well could have been a North Carolina player named Michael Jordan. But, instead, they picked another player, one who also (like Jordan) become an all-time great. He was Hakeem Olajuwon from the University of Houston.
Olajuwon was coming off the Phi Slama Jama days, suffering the heartache of losing the national championship to Jim Valvano and his unforgettable North Carolina State team. Olajuwon went on to have a tremendous 1994 season, and he retired a Houston legend with two championship rings.
Sam Bowie, the 2nd pick, went to the Portland Trail Blazers. Michael Jordan went third to the Chicago Bulls. With Scottie Pippen, Steve Kerr, and others, Jordan dominated the 1990s as Bulls and had two three-peats. Jordan retired with six championship rings and is widely regarded as the greatest basketball player in history.
Charles Barkley was selected 5th pick by the Philadelphia 76ers. A future Hall of Famer and NBA analyst, despite numerous accolades, Barkley never got a championship ring. He came close with the Phoenix Suns in the 1993 NBA Finals, but Jordan had a different idea. Otis Thorpe was selected to the Sacrament0 Kings, and he got his championship ring with the Rockets and Olajuwon. At #16, John Stockton went to the Utah Jazz. With Karl Malone, Stockton would lead the Jazz to the Finals in 1997 and 1998.
I could go on because several other 1984 draftees represented the U.S.A. in the 1992 Olympics, playing on “The Dream Team.” The point is that the 1984 NBA Draft may be the greatest draft in pro basketball history.
I love this article! I been a Jorden fan since he was with Noth Carolina and I’m a Bulls fan to this day. I’m very familiar with this draft. Houston made a good pic with Olajuwon and filled the center spot. However, it could have been just as good with Jodan. But, Portland definitely picked the wrong player. I think Jordan should’ve went 2nd. It doesn’t matter, he’s still the GOAT! Here’s food for thought…If Jordan didn’t retire at the end of the ’93 season the Bulls could’ve won 8 straight. That will always be up for debate! No one will ever know the answer! Very good article Mr. Paris. Love this one!