Every year, NBA teams draft young players with the hope that they will become future stars in the league. However, not every draft pick lives up to expectations, and some players turn out to be massive busts. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the biggest busts in NBA history.
- Sam Bowie
In the 1984 NBA Draft, the Portland Trail Blazers famously passed on Michael Jordan to select Sam Bowie with the second overall pick. Bowie was a highly-touted center prospect coming out of college, but he struggled with injuries throughout his career and played in only 139 games over four seasons with the Blazers. Meanwhile, Jordan went on to become one of the greatest players of all time, winning six championships and numerous individual awards.
- Kwame Brown
Kwame Brown was the first overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft, selected by the Washington Wizards. However, he failed to live up to expectations, averaging just 6.6 points and 5.5 rebounds per game over his 12-year NBA career. Brown was often criticized for his lack of effort and poor work ethic, and his struggles on the court made him one of the biggest busts in NBA history.
- Darko Milicic
Darko Milicic was the second overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, selected by the Detroit Pistons. Despite being drafted ahead of future stars like Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh, Milicic failed to make an impact in the NBA. He played in just 468 games over 10 seasons, averaging 6.0 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. Milicic’s disappointing career made him one of the biggest busts in NBA history.
- Anthony Bennett
Anthony Bennett was the first overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, he struggled to find his footing in the NBA and played in just 151 games over four seasons with four different teams. Bennett averaged just 4.4 points and 3.1 rebounds per game in his NBA career, making him one of the biggest busts in recent NBA history.
- Greg Oden
Greg Oden was the first overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, selected by the Portland Trail Blazers. Oden was seen as a can’t-miss prospect, but injuries derailed his career, and he played in just 105 games over five seasons in the NBA. Oden’s career was a disappointing one, and he’s often remembered as one of the biggest busts in NBA history.
In conclusion, the NBA has seen its fair share of draft busts over the years, with players failing to live up to expectations and becoming disappointments. The players listed above are just a few of the biggest busts in NBA history. Despite their failures, these players serve as a reminder of the unpredictability of the draft and the challenges of making it in the NBA.
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