First Round busts
Jazzy J
>Can someone compile a list of NBA First Round "busts"???
>Lets define a "bust" as a first rounder that was in the league
>for less than 2 years. Lets also narrow the search down to
>say the last 5 - 10 years...
OK... I'll take on this challenge. Some off of the top of my head:
Roy Marble
Ronnie Murphy
Michael Smith
Chris Washburn (played bits and pieces of 3 seasons)
Michael Young
LeRon Ellis (be it, not yet officially)
Byron Irvin
Limited time at the present -- will post more later... :)
Jazzy J
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| "I am human and I need to be loved, | Jazzy J |
| just like everybody else does..." - The Smiths| jdt2...@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu |
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Dennis Joyce
Lets define a "bust" as a first rounder that was in the league
for less than 2 years. Lets also narrow the search down to
say the last 5 - 10 years...
Any takers? Jazzy?
Dennis J.
Jazzy J
>Any takers? Jazzy?
Alrite -- I came up with a more extensive list now:
1990: #8 -- Bo Kimble, Loyola Marymount, by LA Clippers
Kimble has played 2 injury plagued seasons in the NBA w/ the Clippers,
but was recently traded (along w/ Doc Rivers & Charles Smith) to the
Knicks. His future apparently is playing basketball in Europe.
#24 -- Dwayne Schintzius, Florida, by San Antonio
Already a gamble coming out of college, Schintzius played 2 seasons
for the Spurs and the Kings. He was cut after this season by the
Kings, and currently is probably in someone's pre-season camp, trying
to make the roster.
(Jury is out on):
#12 -- Alec Kessler, Georgia, by Houston (traded to Miami)
Hasn't produced much in 2 seasons w/ the Heat. A question mark if
he'll even make the roster this season. But don't worry about him --
he was a microbiology major in college, and was already accepted to
several med schools out of college (including, I believe Johns
Hopkins). He was a perennial academic All-American at Georgia.
Look for him to be the tallest practicing MD in America.
#15 -- Dave Jamerson, Ohio U., by Miami (traded to Houston)
Didn't show much in 2 seasons, and suffered a knee injury that will
force him to miss the entire 92-93 season. So far, U can classify
him as a "bust".
#26 -- Lance Blanks, Texas, by Detroit
Hasn't played much -- barely at all, in fact -- in 2 seasons in
Motown. Has the NBA build and scoring skills, but just can't get
it all together to get decent PT.
1989: #13 -- Michael Smith, BYU, by Boston
One of the few bad 1st round picks by the Celtics. Played 2 non-
descript seasons, and found himself cut before this past season
started. Nicknamed Michael "Stiff" by some -- he didn't know the
meaning of pass -- unless it was to him.
#20 -- Jeff Sanders, Georgia Southern, by Chicago
Played an injury-plagued rookie season for the Bulls, and didn't show
much of anything. He then was out of the league for awhile, and
resurfaced at the end of the season on the Hawks this year. Was
rumored to be off to Europe to play.
#22 -- Byron Irvin, Missouri, by Portland
Irvin didn't show much at all in stints in Portland, Sacramento,
and Washington. Might latch on to some teams in future years, but
looks like another journeyman player to most.
#23 -- Roy Marble, Iowa, by Atlanta
Another drug victim. Didn't show much for the Hawks in his rookie
season anyways. Kinda sad for a guy who's the all-time leading
scorer in Iowa history.
#25 -- John Morton, Seton Hall, by Cleveland
Morton hasn't shown much of anything playing for the Cavs and the
Heat. Really a shooting guard in a point guard's body -- this was
a man who lit up Michigan for 35 pts in the 1989 NCAA title game.
#27 -- Kenny Battle, Illinois, by Detroit (traded to Phoenix)
Although Kenny had a decent rookie season for the Suns, the numbers
game kicked him off of the roster. Since then, he's latched on as
a CBA refugee on the Nuggets, Warriors, and Celtics. Considering
he's a tireless worker and gives 110%, he is a coach's favorite, and
expect him to land on an NBA roster near U soon.
1988: #16 -- Derrick Chievous, Missouri, by Houston
The "Band-Aid" man scored mightily when he first came into the league,
but when opponents figured they could lay off of him and challenge
his outside shot, his offense died out. Compile that with a bad
attitude, and Chievous was out of the league in 3 seasons.
#18 -- Ricky Berry, San Jose St., by Sacramento
Berry had a decent rookie season, and showed plenty of promise for the
future. However, he had personal problems, and committed suicide
and shot himself in the head during the off season. A sad story.
#22 -- Randolph Keys, Southern Miss, by Cleveland
Keys played 3 seasons in the NBA, but never really distinguished
himself. He later played for the Charlotte Hornets, and then found
himself out of the league.
#25 -- David Rivers, Notre Dame, by LA Lakers
Rivers simply could not fit into the NBA. He was too short, and
didn't have the point guard mentality needed. Not even tutalage
under Magic helped. Rivers has thrown up big numbers in the CBA,
however, so expect to see him travelling around from NBA roster to
NBA rosters in upcoming seasons.
1987: #15 -- Jose Ortiz, Oregon St., by Utah
A dominating force inside in college, Ortiz showed practically nothing
to the NBA. In fact, he ended up playing in Spain (was involved in
a Mel Turpin deal) and has since carved his niche playing
internationally for Puerto Rico.
#16 -- Chris Welp, Washington, by Philadelphia
Welp never was 100% in the pros, and really didn't show much when
he was. He ended up playing token games and token minutes for the
Sixers and the Warriors. I think he ended up retiring due to
injuries.
#17 -- Ronnie Murphy, Jacksonville, by Portland
A question mark from the very start, Murphy showed up late to Blazers
camp, with an attitude, and overweight. He had a horrible rookie
season, and was cut by the team.
#20 -- Jim Farmer, Alabama, by Dallas
Farmer played forward in college, and just could not adapt to the NBA
as a point guard (the position he was drafted at). He ended up sitting
on the bench next to Steve Alford. He has resurfaced out of the CBA
w/ teams like the Jazz, Hornets, and Sonics -- but he's your everyday
journeyman.
#21 -- Dallas Comegys, DePaul
Can't remember who drafted Comegys, but he played for the Hawks,
Nets, and Spurs. He was OK -- but never really could get it all
together to match his college reputation. He ended up booting off
for Europe.
1986: #2 -- Len Bias, Maryland, by Boston
Died before he even stepped onto the parquet floor. I think everyone
knows this story.
#3 -- Chris Washburn, NC State, by Golden St.
Was the #1 player coming out of high school, and certainly had all
the talent in the world to be in the same class as Ewing, Robinson,
and Olajuwon. However, he had the bad attitude, and the drug habit,
which banned him from the league. He is, however, making a comeback,
but expect him to fall far short of getting back.
#13 -- Dwayne "Pearl" Washington, Syracuse, by New Jersey
Pearl was overweight, and was not a prototypical point guard. He
wore out his welcome in New Jersey, hooked on w/ the Heat in their
first season, and ended up out of the league. A huge dissapointment
for anyone who saw him operate at Syracuse.
#14 -- Walter Berry, St. John's, by Portland
Berry played w/ Portland, San Antonio, and Houston before heading
off to Europe. Seemed to catch a break w/ the Spurs, and averaged
as much as 16ppg, but coaches questioned his attitude and he was
traded around like a bent-up basketball card. All this from a
national POY in college. Was in the Celtics' preseason camp trying
to get back into the NBA.
#16 -- Maurice Martin, St. Joseph's, by Denver
Reported to camp late, and overweight, and immediately fell into
Doug Moe's doghouse -- who needed someone to rag on after Rob
Williams was cut. Never got out of it, and was out of the league
within 2 seasons.
#17 -- Harold Pressley, Villanova, by Sacramento
Pressley had some decent seasons w/ the Kings, but was lured to
play in Europe by big $ over there. Ever since, he's stayed on that
side of the Atlantic.
#21 -- Anthony Jones, UNLV
Can't remember who drafted this guy, but he did play with the Mavs
and has since been a regular journeyman around the league. Is decent,
but no superstar -- contrary to the big numbers he piled up at UNLV
and what was a very weak Big West back then.
#23 -- Ken Barlow, Notre Dame, by Atlanta
Has never played a single minute in the NBA. Bolted off to Europe
immediately after being drafted. Has since been acquired by the LA
Lakers, but apparently he likes it over there in Europe.
1985: #11 -- Keith Lee, Memphis St., by Chicago (traded to Cleveland)
Played some injury-ridden years for Cleveland, and was traded to
the Nets -- and the deal was recinded because he failed a physical.
I believe he officially has announced his retirement. Simply didn't
have the skills to make it in the NBA, even when piling up big
numbers in college.
#12 -- Kenny Green, Wake Forest, by Philadelphia
Didn't show anything for the Sixers for someone who bolted school
early for the NBA. Is probably somewhere in the CBA...
#14 -- Alfredrick Hughes, Loyola (Chicago), by San Antonio
Could score a ton of points, but played defense like your grandmother.
After one season, the Spurs had enough and he was out of the league.
Has since latched on w/ the WBL (6'5" and under league) and has
been a perennial all-star there. That's probably where he belongs.
#16 -- Bill Wennington, St. John's, by Dallas
#17 -- Uwe Blab, Indiana, by Dallas
The Mavs got absolutely nothing out of this draft. They drafted
Detlef Schrempf earlier, but never utilized him the way he produces
today. Wennington and Blab got scrub minutes, and Wennington became
a towel-waver extrodinaire. That's about all these 2 ever did.
#19 -- Steve Harris, Tulsa, by Houston
Harris played parts of 3 seasons in the NBA, for the Rockets and
the Warriors. In fact, he was part of the Ralph Sampson trade
involving Sleepy Floyd and Joe Barry Carroll (looking back, I don't
think anyone got the better of this trade!). Had a decent outside
shot, but barely anything else. And rarely said anything either.
1984: #6 -- Mel Turpin, Kentucky, by Washington (traded to Cleveland)
Dinner Bell Mel simply ate himself out of the league. Played seasons
for the Cavs, Bullets, and Jazz -- and basically "weighed" down the
bench. Even played for Spain for a season or two. If he kept his
weight down, he was a good inside scorer. Is now a security guard
for an Indianapolis prison.
#8 -- Lancaster Gordon, Louisville, by LA Clippers
Gordon just never could get it going in 3 seasons w/ the Clippers.
Perhaps the atmosphere had something to do with it, but he couldn't
hit anything in his entire career. Would probably have missed the
side of the barn.
#10 -- Leon Wood, Cal St - Fullerton, by Philadelphia
Wood was a member of the '84 Olympic team, but didn't show anything
in the pros. "Wrong Way" Wood, as some knew him. Has latched on
to NBA rosters here and there -- but will never be anything but a
journeyman.
#15 -- Terrence Stansbury, Temple, by Seattle
Stansbury played parts of seasons w/ the Sonics and the Pacers, but
never showed anything except for the fact that he could dunk. In
fact, I believe he once participated in the All-Star game slam dunk
contest.
#19 -- Bernard Thompson, Cal St - Fresno, by Houston
Thompson didn't show much except for defense in his NBA career.
He found himself quickly out of the league.
#21 -- Kenny Fields, UCLA, by Milwaukee
Fields had the opportunity as a rookie to play behind veterans like
Marques Johnson, Sidney Moncrief, and Paul Pressey at the small
forward slot, and along w/ Don Nelson's reluctance to play rookies
at the time, he never got it going. Played a season w/ the Clippers
and showed nothing there either.
1983: #6 -- Russell Cross, Purdue, by Golden St.
Played 1 season, and showed absolutely nothing. I have no idea what
has happened since then to this fellow.
#15 -- Howard Carter, LSU, by Denver
Another rookie who fell into Doug Moe's disfavor early. Didn't
show the jump shot he had in college, and then hooked up w/ Dallas
to have one of the worst Strat-O-Matic basketball cards I've ever
seen in my entire life. In and out of the league in 2 seasons.
Any additions?
Andrew Busa
for sure?
Andy
Bobby Davis
>1985: #11 -- Keith Lee, Memphis St., by Chicago (traded to Cleveland)
> Played some injury-ridden years for Cleveland, and was traded to
> the Nets -- and the deal was recinded because he failed a physical.
> I believe he officially has announced his retirement. Simply didn't
> have the skills to make it in the NBA, even when piling up big
> numbers in college.
I remember hearing the big publicity about how great Keith Lee was (while
still in college). But every single time I would watch a Memphis State
game, he would look pitiful. Funny how some players who are good play
poorly every time you see them, other run-of-the-mill guys always have
terrific games when you tune in. At any rate, judging by how he played
when I saw him I was not surprised at all when he never made it in the
pros. He just wasn't overpowering or quick, and to play power forward
in the NBA you gotta be at least one of those.
> #10 -- Leon Wood, Cal St - Fullerton, by Philadelphia
> Wood was a member of the '84 Olympic team, but didn't show anything
> in the pros. "Wrong Way" Wood, as some knew him. Has latched on
> to NBA rosters here and there -- but will never be anything but a
> journeyman.
Before the 1984 Olympic team was selected, there was an article in (I think)
Sport Magazine about Leon Wood, the greatest college guard that no one has
heard of. The article was basically a puff piece, saying Wood could score
at will and create easy shots for his teammates, and that scouts agreed he
was the college guard with the most pro potential outside of Jordan. There
were some reservations about his defense, though. Was this what kept him
from being successful in the NBA? I really never got a chance to see him
play, but since he only ever got five minutes a game at garbage time that
ain't surprising.
> #15 -- Terrence Stansbury, Temple, by Seattle
> Stansbury played parts of seasons w/ the Sonics and the Pacers, but
> never showed anything except for the fact that he could dunk. In
> fact, I believe he once participated in the All-Star game slam dunk
> contest.
Yep - he made the famous "Leap over two spectators sitting in chairs and
jam" dunk. One of the best dunks I have ever seen.
Jazzy, thanks for this list - made me think of a lot of players I hadn't
thought about in a while.
Bob Davis
Richard P. Muller
#10 -- Leon Wood, Cal St - Fullerton, by Philadelphia
Wood was a member of the '84 Olympic team, but didn't show anything
in the pros. "Wrong Way" Wood, as some knew him. Has latched on
to NBA rosters here and there -- but will never be anything but a
journeyman.
I actually know Leon--we work out at the same gym. He is currently coming
back from a knee injury and was trying to play in Europe last time I spoke
with him.
--
Hack first, -Rick Muller
ask questions later r...@wag.caltech.edu
Matthew Merzbacher
> #12 -- Alec Kessler, Georgia, by Houston (traded to Miami)
> Look for him to be the tallest practicing MD in America.
I know Jazzy is being facetious, but I'd have to guess that Rusty
Clark is taller than Kessler. Clark played for the great UNC teams
of the late 60's but didn't go pro. He went to Med school instead.
--
Matthew Merzbacher ARPA: mat...@CS.UCLA.EDU
Moo - Moo Moo UUCP: ...!{uunet|rutgers|ucbvax}!cs.ucla.edu!matthew
This time, *with* the oys
Steven L Harrington
mid to late 80's by the Houston Rockets very high in the first round.
I believe Harris is now in the CBA, last I heard.
-steve
tamu
Gidi Avrahami
>How about Steve Harris from the University of Tulsa drafted in the
>mid to late 80's by the Houston Rockets very high in the first round.
1985, #19. Is that "very" high?
--Gidi
Michael K. Tamada
>Jazzy J writes:
>> #10 -- Leon Wood, Cal St - Fullerton, by Philadelphia
>> Wood was a member of the '84 Olympic team, but didn't show anything
>> in the pros. "Wrong Way" Wood, as some knew him. Has latched on
>> to NBA rosters here and there -- but will never be anything but a
>> journeyman.
>
>Before the 1984 Olympic team was selected, there was an article in (I think)
>Sport Magazine about Leon Wood, the greatest college guard that no one has
>heard of. The article was basically a puff piece, saying Wood could score
>at will and create easy shots for his teammates, and that scouts agreed he
>was the college guard with the most pro potential outside of Jordan. There
>were some reservations about his defense, though. Was this what kept him
>from being successful in the NBA? I really never got a chance to see him
>play, but since he only ever got five minutes a game at garbage time that
>ain't surprising.
Yeah, lack of defense. Also, inability to score consistently --
Wood has had I think several 30 point outburst in the NBA, but then
he'd have a bunch of 1-9 nights too. And apparently he didn't bring
any dimensions to the game other than his shooting, so if his shooting
was anything less than brilliant, he was a liaibility. (I think he was
a big assist guy in college too, but in the NBA he was no Magic Johnson.)
At one Fullerton game I saw last year, Leon Wood was an ass't. coach!
However, I think later on in the season he was gone -- probably got a
slot on a CBA roster or something.
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|__ o
| W Mike Tamada
|\ Institutional Research Office
\O Occidental College
| tam...@oxy.edu
/|
| |
Jim Nagle
a bust.
-jim
Jim Nagle
in first round or 2nd round pick.
-jim
Jim Nagle
This was by far the worst pick of many controversial picks by then
GM Bob Ferry.
Many of his other picks I don't beleive were _that_ bad.
Muggsy and Manute were highly criticized but have played several
years each as contributing players.
-jim
Jim Nagle
Was a streaky 3pt shooter who could get hot on a fairly reg basis
but his lack of control limited his minutes and he never developed/matured
-jim
Jazzy J
>I beleive Anthony Jones was a Bullets Draft pick...either 2nd pick
>in first round or 2nd round pick.
Jones was a 1st-rounder (can't remember what number). I don't ever
remember him playing for the Bullets -- but he did play some for the
Mavs.
Jim Nagle
of times before being released or traded. I thought it was SanAn that
he later played with but perhaps it was Dallas too.
-jim
Jim Nagle
-jim