Did you know these NBA facts?

Question

1) We all know that Portland passed on Michael Jordan in the 1984 draft and drafted Sam Bowie and everyone makes Portland eat it, but in 1983 The Bulls had the 13th pick and choose Enis Whatley, while the Blazers had the 14th pick and choose Clyde Drexler. Of course the Bulls made out better with MJ, but huge draft blunder by the Bulls nonetheless.

2) Did you know that Clyde Drexler and Enis Whatley both played for the Blazers in the 92 finals against the Michael and the Bulls? weird twist of fate.

3) Did you know that in 1995 The Rockets tried to trade Robert Horry to the Spurs for Sean Elliott, but a failed physical killed the deal. Would Horry have ever been a Laker and have as many rings if he was traded to the Spurs back then. Something to ponder.

4) Did you know that Lebron James had his second child Bryce James on the same day that the Cavs were swept by the Spurs in the Finals. Hard for Lebron to be disappointed about losing when he just had a child. Seems like what should be a happy time.

5) Did you know that Red Auerbach and Phil Jackson have only been coach of the year once each, while Don Nelson and Pat Rileyhas done it 3 times. Seems weird that people are always fighting between Jackson and Auerbach that they only won once.

6) One of my favorite facts is that Bill Russell and Dave Cowens are the only two players in the history of the NBA to be named MVP and not be on the all NBA first team. Does that make sense to anyone.

7) Did you know that the 70's saw 3 teams that didn't win 50 games during the regular season win the championship, Portland, Washington, and Golden St. Since Washingston in 1978 only one team has done it in the last 31 years and that was the 95 Rockets. 

8) Did you know that Jerry West was the first ever finals MVP and they gave him the award the year his team lost in the NBA finals. Hasn't happened again since West in 1969.

9) Did you know that the all-time leader in PLAYOFF turnovers is Magic Johnson? Wow who would have thought, what is amazing is Shaq is 2nd.

10) For those who crap on Lebron, in this years playoffs even though they lost he averaged 35.2 ppg which is higher than an ACTIVE player in the NBA has ever done in the playoffs. Only Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain, Bob McAdoo, Jerry West and Elgin Baylor have had beter playoff scoring averages.

Robert · Accepted Answer

Wow great stuff TWas as always.  Gonna have to look it back over later when I have time to digest.

Here's a quick one though and speaking of the 83 84 draft.  Hakeem has a book he is working on, and in his book he has information that from the 83 draft which the Rockets picked 1st and 3rd (Ralph Sampson and Rodney McRay) there was a deal on the table to trade the Rockets #1 83 pick for the Blazers #14 and their 1st round pick in 84.  If that happened the Rockets could in theory taken McCray still at #3 in 83, Clyde still there at #14 in 83.  In 84 they would have the 1st and 2nd picks. Hakeem and MJ.  Along with Clyde and McCray on the same team.  And if my Aunts had nads shed be my uncle, oh well.

mntwolves · Answer

numbers 4 and 9 were the only ones that I did not know - I think for #9 it is more amazing that Shaq is second more than Magic being first in turnovers.  I am not surprised that even great point guards lead in turnovers, since they handle the ball the most often.  

Can't kill the Rockets for #3 - that was at the time Elliot was having his kidney problems.  And for #7, all three champs beat a much better team in the finals for the win.  The Bullets were much better than the 75 warriors - but Barry went crazy in the finals.  in 77, the Sixers had one of the best teams ever assembled - Dr. J, McGinnis, Free, a young Dawkins...that was when Bill Walton made his mark as a pro.  I always thought that the Sonics were better than Washington in the late 70s (Jack Sikma never got his due, and Dennis Johnson was already a huge star), so at least that got corrected in 79 after the Bullets pulled the upset in 78.

? · Answer

Number 3 is some more ammo for the point that I make that in the last 20 years the best franchise in professional sports is the Spurs. Given the record, the titles, the coaching stability, the front office smarts, the attendance and the fact that you don't see their players on the daily police blotter, I have always felt San Antonio was the poster child of how to run a team. Number 7 is great. To add a little to the 1988 playoffs, that Laker run is also memorable for me because after the Jazz, they had to use all 7 games to beat the Mavericks in the conference finals and again in the Finals over the Pistons. I think (can you verify) that this is the only time that a team had three consecutive seven game series in one playoff year. Each of the teams that the Lakers defeated had a good shot to win the series, but the Lakers had the moxie that year. No surprise about Howard, either. He is still young and has lots of room to grow - not ready to be a challenger for GOAT just yet.

? · Answer

Yes, I did know the things you listed, but you mentioned some great info! 

Most NBA teams like to have the franchise center who is the standard 7 (or close) feet tall. However, it is proven a team can win with a short center. Proof? 6' 9 Ben Wallace was center for the 2004 championship Detroit Pistons. Ben Wallace did get some help from Rashhed Wallace.Dave Cowens was only 6'9 but he won championships with 6'7 Paul Silas. Wes Unseld was only 6'7 but won with the help of Elvis Hayes for the team formerly known as the Washington Bullets, when they used to play in Landover, Maryland.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have had some bad drafts. When they picked a seasoned Christian Laetner, many thought the Wolves picked a great player. Ironically, the very youngest person they ever drafted turned out to be their best player ever (KEVIN GARNETT)

Anonymous · Answer

I knew number 3 cuz im a spurs fan and was back then in the Sean Elliott days(ended up in a miserable stint w/Pistons b4 coming back to the Spurs)

i just looked at the all-time playoff leaders in turnovers - impressive list of names

pac2391 · Answer

Great stuff, knew a couple of them, most were a surprise.  I feel that everyone does crap on Lebron, so # 10 will hopefully silence some of that.  I will never understand why people can't just enjoy the level of talent we have in the NBA again and stop comparing to this and that.

King Of NJ · Answer

I knew everything except 5 and 9

and now I can use number 9 as a tool against Laker fans who try to say Magic is better than Jordan

VISA187-R.I.P goerge · Answer

I knew all of them besides (9) and (5) which was very surprising to me there both considered top 3 coaches of all time and they have only won it 1 time

John · Answer

Yeah, I knew some of these.. I can't believe Mike Brown got a CoY by just making plays giving the bball to LeBron.. maybe that's why... =.="

S.I.N · Answer

Very good stuff you have posted. Maybe it will kill some ignorance in this section ^_^ 

I knew most of these things but what really caught me off guard was Number 9. Magic? Really?

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Did you know these NBA facts?

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