Who is the worst no 1 draft pick?

[nikkolas]

its gonna be and definitely Michael Olowokandi....His too slow.he cant shoot point blank range woow what a silly player.And might be Andrew Bogut..

[Jugs]

Andrew Bogut being the worst number 1 pick, I don't think so....

Unless he gets this life threatening injury or career threatening one, then yes it would be..

I think Bogut will be okay, but I don't think he is worthy yet of being a bad number 1 pick, he hasn't even played a single NBA game yet, who would've you picked if you were put into Milwaukee's situation?

[Metsis]

The worst is probably Pervis Ellison... He got hurt during his rookie season and never recovered or something like that. The guy was never the same after that.

A fate I wouldn't want anyone to face... Shit happens...

And was Big Country a first overall pick??? I mean Bryant Reeves, he played for a couple of years and wasn't that bad, but he got hurt too.

I would almost draw the line of the bad first pick into a guy who didn't get a new contract to play in the NBA after their rookie contract ended... And in the end, the first pick going south isn't as likely or unlikely as the 20th pick going south is... It's always a gamble and always a risk no matter on which number you are picking with. There's always a risk... Even with LeBron, I was worried how would a 18 year old handle all the pressure and fortune that he got during the summer before his first season. There's always a risk, no matter who you pick and when you pick...

[zmac]

Big Country.....
Ahahaha thats the worst nickname ive ever heard!

For me it would have to be Kandi Man, he hasnt done nothin yet to make him considered 'Good'.
Also, unless Kwame Brown does something in the next few years, he would also be up there.

[Andrew]

And was Big Country a first overall pick??? I mean Bryant Reeves, he played for a couple of years and wasn't that bad, but he got hurt too.

Joe Smith was the first pick in 1995, though right there you have someone else who never quite lived up to first overall status. He's hardly the worst though: LaRue Martin, Michael Olowokandi and Pervis Ellison top the list with Kwame a possible addition if he doesn't break out soon.

Speaking of Ellison, whenever his name comes up I'm always reminded of the bizarre injuries that he and his fellow Celtics sustained during their famous-for-losing-the-Duncan-sweepstakes 1997 season. Dino Radja was stung on the lip by a bee - during a game - Ellision broke his foot after dropping a coffee table on it.

[nikkolas]

Joe Smith during his rookie season was fine and he can stil play decent basketball..Bryant Reeves?no he is not no.1 pick..Deron williams was the best choice instead of Bogut i think but who knows lets see..Kwame is great maybe there in LA he can expand his versatility under the legendary Phil..

[Anthony15]

Ellison is the worst # 1 pick, Olowokandi is still trying to do something...

[Fenix]

Ellison is the worst # 1 pick, Olowokandi is still trying to do something...

Didn't you hear the news? He gave up years ago.

[Bang]

Pervis Ellison had 20 ppg in 1991~1992 season. Olowokandi has never done that. That makes Olowokandi naturally the worst. Not to mention he doesn't even try much. Have you seen him play? He doesn't seem to be interested at all!

[Null17]

in the end, we're still here in front of our computers while they've already been to the NBA and earned some money

[Its_asdf]

Ellision broke his foot after dropping a coffee table on it.

To think that with all those millions he couldn't even afford a proper coffee table.....

[Andrew]

in the end, we're still here in front of our computers while they've already been to the NBA and earned some money

True...but taking things like that into account ruins the experience of being an armchair NBA analyst.

[Null17]

in the end, we're still here in front of our computers while they've already been to the NBA and earned some money

True...but taking things like that into account ruins the experience of being an armchair NBA analyst.

oh I'm not saying we should stop or that they deserved to be the #1 picks. just kinda sucks when you think about it.

[Fresh8]

Well, is it fair to say Ellison is the worst? I mean, injuries was what limited him and... that is quite unlucky.

[Andrew]

Perhaps it's a little unfair, but at the end of the day you can't rank him among the best former first overall picks. I still reckon if that draft was held today, Shawn Kemp would have gone first overall.

[Fresh8]

That is true... but what if he never got injured. There's many different scenarios... but yes, he is one of the worse picks but if u take into account how lucky/unlucky a rookie was, I think Kandi would be the worst pick ever.

[Andrew]

LaRue Martin's numbers are actually worse. He was before my time so I never saw him play, but if stats are anything to go by the Kandi Man isn't the absolute worst former number one...just close to it.

[Fresh8]

Well, statistics don't always tell the whole story. I guess you might not get a certain worst pick.. but you can get 5 of them.

[Andrew]

They certainly don't, but when a number one overall pick lasts four years in the league and never plays more than 17 minutes per game, something's not right.

[Kemp]

For those who are interested about the 1989 draft 1st around, here it is:

1. Pervis Ellison Louisville Sacramento
2. Danny Ferry Duke LA Clippers
3. Sean Elliott Arizona San Antonio
4. Glen Rice Michigan Miami
5. J.R. Reid North Carolina Charlotte
6. Stacey King Oklahoma Chicago
7. George McCloud Florida State Indiana
8. Randy White Louisiana Tech Dallas
9. Tom Hammonds Georgia Tech Washington
10. Pooh Richardson UCLA Minnesota
11. Nick Anderson Illinois Orlando
12. Mookie Blaylock Oklahoma New Jersey
13. Michael Smith Brigham Young Boston
14. Tim Hardaway Texas-El Paso Golden State
15. Todd Lichti Stanford Denver
16. Dana Barros Boston College Seattle
17. Shawn Kemp Trinity Valley JC Seattle
18. B.J. Armstrong Iowa Chicago
19. Kenny Payne Louisville Philadelphia
20. Jeff Sanders Georgia Southern Chicago
21. Blue Edwards East Carolina Utah
22. Byron Irvin Missouri Portland
23. Roy Marble Iowa Atlanta
24. Anthony Cook Arizona Phoenix
25. John Morton Seton Hall Cleveland
26. Vlade Divac Yugoslavia LA Lakers
27. Kenny Battle Illinois Detroit

There are many great players in this 1st round draft, players like Kemp, Rice, Elliot, Hardaway, Divac, Blaylock.

Perhaps it's a little unfair, but at the end of the day you can't rank him among the best former first overall picks. I still reckon if that draft was held today, Shawn Kemp would have gone first overall.

[Bang]

But if statistically Olowokandi is far worse than Pervis, then Kandi should be at least worse than Olowokandi. I was using that logic. As for LaRue Martin...no idea..

[J@3]

That is true... but what if he never got injured. There's many different scenarios... but yes, he is one of the worse picks but if u take into account how lucky/unlucky a rookie was, I think Kandi would be the worst pick ever.

What if's mean nothing in this instance... I mean you could use the #1 pick on the greatest player to ever play basketball. In his first NBA game he could score 2 points, break his neck and never play basketball again. That would be a waste of a pick. If a guy gets injured or whatever it still makes it a bad pick.

[The X]

I don't buy that Jae....I think the Len Bias pick by the Celtics back in '86 was a great pick....the fact he died in my mind doesn't affect that it was a good pick for the team....shame about the drugs though

[J@3]

How was it a great pick? He never played a single game for that team.

We judge players on hindsight after they're drafted. People look back and say "Oh Olowokandi was the biggest bust because he's been shit since he was drafted".. I don't see why different rules should apply to players who had bad injuries, or died for that matter.

[wonkajane]

what about sihugo green? he was ineffective in the nba style type of play, and bill russell who was picked #2 went on to glory.