If you’re like Bob and I, you love the NBA draft when it comes around, and you love to see the latest college prospects from around the world spring into action into the NBA. Some live up to the hype, some don’t and then there is these rare occasions when a player springs way beyond his limit. Today we’re going to be talking about busts, steals, and players who just shouldn’t have been in the NBA at all. First, Busts.
Chapter 1: Busts
First off, we have busts. These players are in my opinion, the biggest busts in NBA history. I have looked at every draft extensively, and I can tell you, there are so many busts, we’ll have to have sections for every one of these picks. Chapter 1.2: The #1s section.
#10: Danny Manning – 1988
When you’re 1st overall in a draft class starring Mitch Richmond, Rik Smits, and Hershey Hawkins, you have to live up to the hype. Not with Danny Manning, though. At the age of 29, he started only 4 games, and at the age of 33, ( still a good age if you ask me, just look at Lebron) he played 72 games starting none. At the age of just 27, he was already down in the G-League for 1 season. If you ask me, a #1 pick should be in the NBA his entire career.
#9: Austin Carr – 1971
Mr. Cleveland is #9 on this list. And if you ask me, a #1 pick should be at least a 2-time all star, right? Not in Carr’s case. He- like Manning- was in the G-League in his final season, in which 3 teams he played for. He retired as only a 32 year old, tired with the nickname “Current Bust” and preferring the nickname “Retired Bust”. He averaged only 4.4 points per game in the G-League and- WHAT? He averaged only 4 points per game in the G-LEAGUE? Ending this description with a bang, he is the only #1 pick I have heard of that averaged 4 points in the G-League as a 32 year old.
#8: Andrew Wiggins – 2014
I don’t have much to say about Andrew Wiggins – because he’s still a work in progress. But when there’s names like Aaron Gordon and Joel Embiid drafted behind you, you need to assert dominance into how you play basketball.
#7: Fred Hetzel – 1955
This embarrassed b-ball player played a meek 5 seasons, only 468 games played. He, like 2 others before him, played in the G-League. In his last season, he averaged only 4.8 points. He came into the NBA old, and retired young. He was introduced to San Francisco (Now Golden State) as a 23 year old. He retired as only a 28 year old
#6: Kwame Brown – 2001
This man only had 1 season in which he averaged 10ppg or more- your run of the mill BUST. He stuck around only 9 seasons. He played for 7 teams throughout his career, 8 if you include that short period of time that he spent in the G-League. It turned out happily ever after, though, as he currently is playing in the B1G 3 league.
#5: Joe Smith – 1995
Joe Smith? Who in the world is he and why was he #1 in the 1995 draft ahead of names like Jerry Stackhouse, Damon Stoudemire, and *Gasp* Kevin Garnett. And unfortunately, this is the 2nd time we’ve had Golden State on this list. I haven’t even gotten started. He had a career average of 10.9 ppg, played for 12 teams, and *Gasp again* played his first G-League match at 22 years old.
#4: Andrea Bargnani – 2006
Oh, Andrea, you were going to be so good, but then you weren’t. OK, let me put my big Jim pants on and stop mourning. He was first in a draft class that included LaMarcus Aldridge and Kyle Lowry. He stayed loyal to Toronto and stayed for 7 seasons, then moved to New York and then Brooklyn. When you’re released by the Brooklyn Nets you know something’s wrong. That’s what happed to Bargnani. He averaged 14 ppg and is currently enjoying the Euroleague.
#3: Greg Oden – 2007
1 year a bust at #1 and a repeat the next year. Greg Oden was sort of like the early Derrick Rose, injuries stopped his career. He played a game in only 3 seasons. He missed half his career with injury. To add insult to his career, he was picked ahead of all-star center Al Horford and 2x Finals MVP Kevin Durant. Perhaps the saddest of all the busts.
#2: Anthony Bennett – 2012
He is already out of the league! He is in the Euroleague, played for 4 teams in 4 seasons, and only started 4 games in that span! He averaged only 4 ppg! How did he get out of college, never mind being #1 overall!
#1: Michael Olowakandi – 1998
He had a better career than Anthony Bennett, but it was the hype that put him up there. To put it into perspective, he was supposed to be the African Jordan or something like that. But nope.
Well that ends the #1s part. I hope you enjoyed and stay tuned for part 2!