Dr J for MJ?

[Andrew]

The speculation of what might have been if the Rockets or Blazers selected Michael Jordan in the 1984 Draft has been discussed at length, but here's a new scenario:

Sixers wanted to trade Dr. J for draft pick used on Michael Jordan

In an interview for a forthcoming book, Harold Katz, the former Sixers owner, revealed something that he offered Julius Erving, the Hall of Fame forward, to Chicago on the eve of the 1984 draft for the third overall pick, which the Bulls used to select Michael Jordan.

"I thought I had a deal with Jonathan Kovler (then the principal owner) of the Bulls for the third pick," Katz told Pat Williams, once the Sixers' general manager, in an interview for "Pat Williams' Tales of the 1982-83 76ers."

Ultimately, Katz said, "Rod Thorn [then the Bulls' general manager] killed that one and took Michael Jordan. I would have made that deal."

Thorn, now the president of the New Jersey Nets , confirmed to Williams that Kovler approached him about such a deal, and that he rejected it.

Assuming the Sixers kept the fifth pick in the draft as well, that would have paired Michael Jordan with Charles Barkley. While we can only speculate as to how successful such a duo would have been and whether the Sixers could have surrounded them with players to form an outfit capable of winning multiple championship, it seems a safe bet to suggest that NBA history and the fortune of the Sixers through the 80s and 90s would have been quite different.

[---]

Whats the bet this turns into another Kobe vs MJ debate

Anyway, I also read this over at RealGM. I wonder, if he was willing to swap a proven NBA player and hall of fame lock for an untested Jordan, why did Portland pass on him? I know the Sam Bowie pick was made because they needed a big, but if he knew as well as Katz, which he very well might of, wouldn't he rather draft Jordan who he knows is already worth a Dr J level player and trade his other players for a big?

[debiler]

Until this is confirmed by a former Chicago manager, I declare that story bullshit. Why would anyone wanna trade Dr.J for a guy like Jordan? Erving was a total superstar. It's like trading Kobe for Dwyane Wade on draft night. It just doesn't make sense. Dr.J for Olajuwon would have been believable, but for MJ? I don't know...

[beau_boy04]

Until this is confirmed by a former Chicago manager, I declare that story bullshit. Why would anyone wanna trade Dr.J for a guy like Jordan? Erving was a total superstar. It's like trading Kobe for Dwyane Wade on draft night. It just doesn't make sense. Dr.J for Olajuwon would have been believable, but for MJ? I don't know...

Dr. J was 34 years of age I think and only played 3 more seasons after that year. So please you have no argument here you telling me you wouldn't give your soon to retire future hall of famer for a player like jordan?

Man say for instance i get the top # 2 pick this year i eventually draft Kevin Durant and if Miami approached me with a Shaq for Durant proposal I will just laugh at them. Simple as that... Shaq is old and in decline.... now if LA approached me and offered Kobe for Durant more than likely I will turn it down as well...Kobe might be an superstar already but he's 29 y/o and maybe 5 more years of good productivity while Durant is 10 years younger than him and more than likely to become a superstar maybe not as good as Kobe but still I value youth and potential much greater.

[---]

Until this is confirmed by a former Chicago manager, I declare that story bullshit. Why would anyone wanna trade Dr.J for a guy like Jordan? Erving was a total superstar. It's like trading Kobe for Dwyane Wade on draft night. It just doesn't make sense. Dr.J for Olajuwon would have been believable, but for MJ? I don't know...

I believe Rod Thorn confirmed that the trade was offered but he declined.

Ultimately, Katz said, "Rod Thorn [then the Bulls' general manager] killed that one and took Michael Jordan. I would have made that deal."

Thorn, now the president of the New Jersey Nets , confirmed to Williams that Kovler approached him about such a deal, and that he rejected it.

now if LA approached me and offered Kobe for Durant more than likely I will turn it down as well...Kobe might be an superstar already but he's 29 y/o and maybe 5 more years of good productivity while Durant is 10 years younger than him and more than likely to become a superstar maybe not as good as Kobe but still I value youth and potential much greater.

If I was a team like Dallas or Phoenix I would definately consider the number one pick for Shaq. If I only was one piece from a championship I would more than likely pull it, especially if I was a team on the rise and not a great team in decline. As for the Kobe deal, I'm a huge Durant fan but I would give Durant for Kobe in a heartbeat. Durant is extremely potential filled but potential means nothing until it is fulfilled. To decline the greatest player in the game today for a 18 year old who could become a great player is nonsense. Think, would you have declined getting a 29 y/o Michael Jordan (32.6ppg/6.7rpg/5.5/apg/2.8spg) for someone with alot of hype, say Chris Webber?

[Ty-Land]

Imagine how different NBA history could have been if this had happened! Wonder if Jordan would have still become the same player he is remembered as now?

[beau_boy04]

now if LA approached me and offered Kobe for Durant more than likely I will turn it down as well...Kobe might be an superstar already but he's 29 y/o and maybe 5 more years of good productivity while Durant is 10 years younger than him and more than likely to become a superstar maybe not as good as Kobe but still I value youth and potential much greater.

A 29y/o Jordan =yes
A 29y/o Kobe = no
A 31y/o Duncan = yes

Kobe is not Michael Jordan and I choose Duncan over Kobe because has bigger impact in a team than Kobe.

Kobe for Durant, I would respectfully decline it. I would rather take my chances with Durant. Now, if the player in question was Dwight Howard for Kobe, then thats no a brainer.

[cyanide]

Wonder if Jordan would have still become the same player he is remembered as now?

I would say so; however, Barkley might be overshadowed by MJ and decide to bolt to say, Phoenix

[Andrew]

Until this is confirmed by a former Chicago manager, I declare that story bullshit. Why would anyone wanna trade Dr.J for a guy like Jordan? Erving was a total superstar. It's like trading Kobe for Dwyane Wade on draft night. It just doesn't make sense. Dr.J for Olajuwon would have been believable, but for MJ? I don't know...

As Shannon said, the story has already been confirmed by Rod Thorn, then-GM of the Bulls and the man who drafted Michael Jordan. Also, I would say that Michael Jordan become a superstar himself; you make it sound like making that deal would be trading Erving away for a scrub. Jordan didn't enter the league with the fanfare one would expect given what he would go on to accomplish during his career but he did win both the Naismith and Wooden College Player of the Year Awards in his final year at North Carolina.

[Drex]

Half of the world would be a Sixers fan. Andrew would have been a Sixers fan, and we would have a 20+ page thread about them




A MJ-Charles tandem would've been awesome, probably one of, if not, the best in history.

[The X]

A MJ-Charles tandem would've been awesome, probably one of, if not, the best in history.

I don't think it would've quite matched up to the MJ-Pippen tandem though

[Matt]

Charles allergy to defence would have held them back a bit.

[shadowgrin]

Wonder if Jordan would have still become the same player he is remembered as now?

He still would be the same MJ skill-wise, I don't know about the number of rings though..
MJ would still be in the East, and the Pistons would still challenge MJ to become one of the best.

Barkley might be overshadowed by MJ and decide to bolt to say, Phoenix

If I remember correctly Barkley bolted Philly because he was unhappy with the team's direction i.e. not surrounding him with players that compliment him in order for the team to win.
Same with KG's situation.

A MJ-Charles tandem would've been awesome, probably one of, if not, the best in history

And Scottie Pippen would be known as the greatest small-forward ever.

[hova-]

Acutally I dont think 29 year old is an age when you start to decline. Actually 26-29 is the best age in my opinion. Still a well trained body and (hopefully) not injuries, but also quite a lot experience in this league which may be the most important thing.

[Andrew]

For a lot of players there's probably some physical decline, if only due to the rigours of playing in the NBA since their early 20s. As far as being productive or being at the top of their game (or near enough to it) I definitely agree. These days players seem to get written off at 30, even if they're in the midst of some of the finest seasons of their career.