From: jdt29225@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Jazzy J )
Newsgroups: rec.sport.basketball.pro
Subject: Re: Bye Bye Fatman
Date: 12 Oct 92 16:04:01 GMT
Article-I.D.: news.Bw0nAr.99p
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana

halpin@sw.stratus.com (Jim Halpin) writes:

>	How many "top 10" picks have crashed & burned over the last decade???

>	Danny Ferry

	I think that the year in Italy really hurt Ferry.  If he had gone
	into the NBA immediately, I think we could have seen better results
	than now (but then again, he'd be playing for the Clippers -- and
	back then, he probably would have sucked just as bad).

>	Len Bias? (The ultimate C&B!!)

	While Bias did crash & burn due to drugs -- I think that if he
	had stayed alive, he would have been the 6th man on some VERY
	powerful Celtics teams.  They would have won back-to-back titles
	before the Lakers, Pistons, Bulls if he had still been alive.

>	Steve Stipanovich

	Hold on here -- while Stipo was never a star in the NBA, he did
	put up consistent numbers in the NBA for more than 6 seasons.  He
	would consistently average around 11 ppg, and 7 rpg.  While he
	wasn't spectacular, he was solid -- much more than any center since
	his retirement.

>	Chris Jackson

	I think the jury's still out on Jackson.  Remember, this next season
	should be his rookie season, since he left school 2 years early.
	Perhaps he can get a new start under new coach Dan Issel.

>	Dennis Hopson

	Hopson had an OK season last season -- but ended up getting released.
	
>	Chris Washburn

	Again, drugs did this man in.  Really sad when U think about all
	the talent that was wasted.

>	Kenny Walker

	I don't think Walker was ever meant to be a star.  He just didn't
	have the game to fit the pros.  However, he was a good role player
	who hit the boards, played tough defense, and flat out tried his
	hardest.  Kenny was a good man, and deserved better than what he
	received in NY.

>	John Koncak

	Heck, he's done nothing, but he's getting $2 million for it...

>	William Bedford

	Another drug bozo.  Wasted talent.

>	Joe Kliene

	U could do worse than Kleine at backup center.  He shoots a decent
	perimeter jumper, and does a decent job at filling in.  Not a star,
	but servicable.

>	Mel Turpin

	Dinner Bell Mel.  Turpin was just a victim of the overeating disease.
	(See John Williams, etc.)

>	Russell Cross (who?)

	U mean Russell Cross out of Purdue who played for Golden St. one
	season?  They gave up on him pretty fast...

>	George McCloud

	McCloud has become a decent player for the Pacers, and he's projected
	as the backup small forward this coming season.  Again, not a 
	superstar, but servicable.

>	Bo Kimble

	Maybe he'll get a new start w/ the Knicks or in Europe.

>	Randy White

	Another "decent" player who's not a superstar he was always made to'
	be coming out of Lousiana Tech.

>	Lancaster Gordon (who???)

	The thouroughbred from Louisville.  Gordon just never seemed to
	get it together after 3 non-descript seasons in Clipperland.  
	Probably had some to do w/ the fact he played for all those pathetic
	teams in the mid-80's.

>	Tom Hammonds

	Hammonds has a new lease on his career in Charlotte.  Project him
	as a backup power forward.

>	Brad Sellars

	No comment.

	
	I think what U really have to define is whether or not these
	"failed" 1st round picks are superstars or not.  While none of the
	players U listed above have become NBA All-Stars, some of them
	have become decent players in the NBA -- and actually worth something!
	Like other sports, there are often mistakes made in drafting
	(i.e. Bill Garnett, Danny Vranes, etc.)  But often we hype up
	these high picks to be players they simply aren't.

	Jazzy J

-- 
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|  "I am human and I need to be loved,            | Jazzy J                   |
|   just like everybody else does..." - The Smiths| jdt29225@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu | 
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Newsgroups: rec.sport.basketball.pro