NBA Draft Busts and Blessings?

Biggest draft bust has GOT to be LaRue Martin, first overall pick by the Portland Trailblazers. From Wikipedia:

"LaRue Martin (born March 30, 1950 in Chicago, Illinois) is an American former professional basketball player, widely considered to be the worst first overall draft pick in NBA history [1]. Martin was taken first overall out of Loyola University by the Portland Trail Blazers in 1972, drafted ahead of future Hall of Famer Bob McAdoo.

A 6-foot-11 center out of Loyola (Illinois), LaRue Martin entered the NBA with much fanfare in 1972. Unfortunately, he never quite lived up to the hype, spending four seasons on the Portland Trail Blazers’ bench before retiring in 1976.

Martin set the basketball world abuzz when he outplayed Bill Walton in a game between Loyola and UCLA in 1971–72. The Portland Trail Blazers were so impressed that they made Martin the first overall pick in the 1972 NBA Draft.

However, Martin never caught on in the NBA, and after the Blazers drafted Walton in 1974, he never had the chance. In four seasons Martin never scored more than 7.0 points per game, and he never shot better than .452 from the field. He notched both of those numbers during the 1974–75 season, when Walton missed most of the year with injuries."

As for greatest NBA draft surprise... well I won't go with undrafted players, but I'd go with the Lakers' MICHAEL COOPER. Sixth round draft pick in 1978 turns into the ultimate sixth man - NBA defensive player of the year and Larry Bird stopper. Three point shooter, backup point guard, finisher on the break... you name it!

Willis Reed is another one. He was the ONLY second round draft pick to become rookie of the year. He eventually became the first player to win season MVP, all star MVP and finals MVP with the Knicks in 1970.

Busts: Kwame Brown (supposedly the next Kevin Garnett), Michael Olowakandi, Darko Milicic (drafted over Melo, Wade, Bosh), DeSagna Diop (next best Center)

Blessings: great players drafted in the 2nd round - Michael Redd, Gilbert Arenas, Manu Ginobli, Rashard Lewis, Carlos Boozer,

biggest bust would have to be Bowie. never really a force in the nba, especially after being chosen number 2.

biggest draft blessing, michael jordan at number 3. redefined that game of basketball and made it global. u could even include john stockton who in the same draft was picked 18th i think? not bad work by the jazz considering he is now the all time leader in steals and assists

The biggest draft blessing of all time has to be

With the #2 pick in the 1984 draft the Portland Trailblazers select Sam Bowie.

Actually he might be the answer to the other question as well, just because of the sucess of the players drafted before and right after him.

a million. Sam bowie (only because of the fact they might have had Jordan) 2. Kwame Brown ( had lots skill) 3.Darko 4. ricky Rubio ( he will bypass so severe...and be a large bust...have confidence me ) 5. Sheldon williams The dude from duke who replaced into meant to be a beast shot blocker (only ingredient hes customary for now could be his spouse Candace Parker)

I don't know about blessing, but the biggest bust is probably Michael Olowakandi. He was so hyped, and he is so horrible.

Bust = Olowokandi

Blessing = Ginobili

Well, the biggest NBA draft bust to me would either be 1 of these 2 players:

Michael Olowakandi OR Kwame Brown

Both had so much hype about them, both were selected #1 overall, both have had HORRIBLE careers. They are both absolutely pathetic and obviously now the team who selected them with the #1 overall pick are kicking themselves in the asses right now.

Consider this, Kwame was selected 1st in 2001, the Wizards couldve instead had any of these players who have gone on to have great success: Tony Parker (28th), Zach Randolph (19th), Gerald Wallace (25th), Richard Jefferson (13th), Pau Gasol (3rd), Eddy Curry (4th), Jason Richardson (5th), or Joe Johnson (10th). ------Michael Olowakandi was drafted 1st overall in the 1998 draft, other notable players selected in the 1st round of the 98 draft: Dirk Nowitzki (9h), Vince Carter (5th), Mike Bibby (2nd), Antawn Jamison (4th), Paul Pierce (10th), Bonzi Wells (11th), Ricky Davis (21st), Al Harrington (25th). (Guys drafted in the 2nd round of that draft: Rashard Lewis, Rafer Alston, Ruben Patterson, and Cuttino Mobley)

Now the biggest NBA surprise, well i look at this 2 ways. Is this factoring in guys who went undrafted but had their name entered in the NBA draft like a guy such as Ben Wallace? Or only guys who were drafted? I mean Ben Wallace went undrafted and he has since been a benchmark for the Detroit Pistons in their championship run, now for the Bulls who have the second best record in the East, and has won defensive player of the year on several diff. occassions (something like 3 or 4). But if you are only talking about guys drafted then you have to mention guys like: Rashard Lewis/Supersonics (32nd pick, 2nd round), Josh Howard/Mavericks (29th pick, 1st round), Carlos Boozer (35th pick, 2nd round).

These 3 guys have been incredible NBA players despite not having alot of hype surrounding them. This season alone look at what they are each doing:

Rashard Lewis: 22.3 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.2 spg, 46.8% FG, 39.3% 3PT

Josh Howard: 19.2 ppg, 7 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.1 spg, 46% FG, 38.3% 3PT (NBA All-Star this season)

Carlos Boozer: 21 ppg, 11.8 rpg, 2.9 apg, 1.0 spg, 56.1% FG (NBA All-Star this season)

Now there may be greater ones but you have to look at these guys and what they are doing right now, i mean Josh Howard is a big time player on the best team in the NBA (and a team who almost became only the 2nd team to win 70 games). Boozer has been a huge part of the Utah Jazz's success this season, being the 4th best team in the West. Conf. and their big time player and go to man.

complicated step. search using bing and yahoo. that can assist!