Who Got Picked In Front Of Michael Jordan? The 1984 NBA Draft Story

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28 Jul, 2025

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The question, "Who got picked in front of Michael Jordan?" still gets asked a lot, even today. It's one of those sports moments that just sticks with people, a bit like how some folks seek answers to frequently asked Bible questions. This draft class, from 1984, is still talked about, and for good reason. It gave us some truly amazing talents, and yet, two players heard their names called before a legend. It's a story that, in a way, has its own intricate plot and complex characters, much like a highly acclaimed television series that folks just can't stop talking about, you know, the kind with stunning cinematography and detailed worlds.

Many sports fans, especially those who love basketball, often think about this particular draft. It wasn't just any draft; it was a moment that really changed the game. People remember it for the sheer amount of talent it produced, and also for the surprising choices made at the very top. It's a piece of history that continues to fascinate, and so, we still talk about the players who were chosen before one of the sport's all-time greats.

Understanding this draft means looking at the teams involved and what they needed back then. It means considering the players available and the decisions team managers made under pressure. This look back helps us appreciate just how special that draft was, and why the question of who came before Michael Jordan remains so interesting for so many years after it happened.

The 1984 NBA Draft: A Look Back
The First Pick: A True Giant
- Hakeem Olajuwon: Personal Details
The Second Pick: A Story of "What If?"
- Sam Bowie: Personal Details
The Third Pick: A Legend Begins
- Michael Jordan: Personal Details
Why Did It Happen? Understanding the Draft Decisions
The Impact of the 1984 Draft on NBA History
Frequently Asked Questions About the 1984 NBA Draft
The Lasting Legacy

The 1984 NBA Draft: A Look Back

The 1984 NBA Draft is, in some respects, one of the most talked-about drafts in sports history. It happened on June 19, 1984, in New York City. This event saw teams make choices that would shape the league for decades. People often look back at this draft and wonder about the paths taken, the players chosen, and the ones passed over. It was a moment filled with hope for many teams, and a bit of uncertainty too, as is usually the case with these big events.

This draft class produced a number of players who would go on to have Hall of Fame careers. It was not just about the very top picks; players chosen later also made a big impact. That, you know, makes the whole thing even more interesting to consider. The decisions made that day truly set the stage for a lot of basketball history.

Looking at the teams that held the top picks helps us understand the thinking at the time. The Houston Rockets had the first pick, followed by the Portland Trail Blazers, and then the Chicago Bulls. Each team had its own needs and its own ideas about how to build a winning roster. It's almost like a strategic game, where every move matters a lot.

The First Pick: A True Giant

The Houston Rockets had the honor of the first pick in the 1984 NBA Draft. They chose Hakeem Olajuwon, a center from the University of Houston. This choice was not a surprise to many. Olajuwon was seen as a dominant force, a player with incredible skill for his size. He had shown amazing ability in college, and so, he was widely expected to be the top selection.

Olajuwon went on to have a truly amazing career with the Rockets. He became one of the greatest centers to ever play the game. He led his team to two NBA championships in the mid-1990s, and he won numerous individual awards. His defensive skills were particularly strong, and he had a unique offensive game with his "Dream Shake" move. He was, in a way, everything the Rockets hoped for and more when they picked him first overall.

Choosing Olajuwon made a lot of sense for the Rockets. They needed a strong presence in the middle, and he certainly provided that. His impact on the team was immediate and lasting. He brought a level of play that truly changed the team's fortunes, and that is a big deal for any top pick.

Hakeem Olajuwon: Personal Details

Full Name	Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon
Born	January 21, 1963
Birthplace	Lagos, Nigeria
Height	7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)
Position	Center
College	University of Houston
NBA Teams	Houston Rockets, Toronto Raptors

The Second Pick: A Story of "What If?"

The Portland Trail Blazers held the second pick in the 1984 draft. This is where the story gets really interesting for many people. The Blazers chose Sam Bowie, a center from the University of Kentucky. Bowie was a highly regarded player coming out of college, known for his size and skill. However, he also had a history of injuries, which was a bit of a concern for some teams.

The Blazers' decision to pick Bowie over other available players has been debated for years. They already had Clyde Drexler, a talented guard, on their roster. Their thinking was that they needed a strong center to complement Drexler and build a truly competitive team. So, they went with Bowie, hoping he would be the answer to their needs in the paint. It was, arguably, a logical choice given their roster at the moment.

Sam Bowie's professional career was, unfortunately, marked by injuries. He showed flashes of his potential when he was on the court, but he struggled to stay healthy. This led to a career that did not quite live up to the expectations of a second overall pick. His story is often seen as a cautionary tale in draft history, a bit of a sad what-if scenario for the Blazers and for Bowie himself.

Sam Bowie: Personal Details

Full Name	Samuel Paul Bowie
Born	March 17, 1961
Birthplace	Lebanon, Pennsylvania, USA
Height	7 ft 1 in (2.16 m)
Position	Center
College	University of Kentucky
NBA Teams	Portland Trail Blazers, New Jersey Nets, Los Angeles Lakers

The Third Pick: A Legend Begins

And then, at the third pick, the Chicago Bulls made their selection. They chose Michael Jordan, a guard from the University of North Carolina. At the time, Jordan was known for his incredible scoring ability and his amazing athleticism. He had shown great promise in college, including hitting the game-winning shot in the 1982 NCAA Championship. His talent was clear, but perhaps not everyone knew just how much of a game-changer he would become.

The Bulls were a team looking for a player to build around, someone who could bring excitement and wins to the franchise. Picking Jordan turned out to be one of the best decisions in sports history. He quickly became a superstar, captivating fans with his acrobatic plays and his fierce competitive spirit. He was, quite simply, a phenomenon.

Jordan went on to lead the Bulls to six NBA championships in the 1990s, creating a dynasty that still stands out. He won multiple MVP awards, scoring titles, and defensive player of the year honors. His impact went beyond the court, making basketball a global sport and inspiring millions. His career is a testament to what a single player can achieve, and it all started with that third pick, you know, in 1984.

Michael Jordan: Personal Details

Full Name	Michael Jeffrey Jordan
Born	February 17, 1963
Birthplace	Brooklyn, New York, USA
Height	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Position	Shooting Guard
College	University of North Carolina
NBA Teams	Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards

Why Did It Happen? Understanding the Draft Decisions

To really get why Sam Bowie was picked before Michael Jordan, we need to think about the basketball philosophy of the time. Teams often prioritized big players, especially centers. The thinking was that you needed a dominant center to win championships. Legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Wilt Chamberlain showed how important a strong big man could be. So, when teams had a high pick, they often looked for a center first.

The Portland Trail Blazers, for instance, had a strong backcourt with Clyde Drexler. They felt their biggest need was a center. They saw Hakeem Olajuwon go first, and then they had to choose between Sam Bowie and Michael Jordan. Bowie was a 7-foot-1 center, a position they truly wanted to fill. Jordan, while incredibly talented, was a shooting guard. The Blazers just felt they were good at that position already, so they passed on him. It was, in a way, a decision based on perceived team needs at that exact moment.

It's easy to look back now with perfect hindsight and say they made the wrong choice. But at the time, the decision made a lot of sense to them. Drafts are tricky. Teams try to predict future success and fit, but it's never a sure thing. The pressure to pick the right player is immense, and sometimes, you know, the best player isn't always the one who fills the most obvious hole on your team.

This situation is a classic example of how draft strategy can play out. Sometimes, a team's needs outweigh the sheer talent of a player at a different position. This happens in sports all the time, and it makes for some truly interesting historical footnotes. It's a bit like trying to solve a puzzle with incomplete information, and the stakes are very, very high.

The Impact of the 1984 Draft on NBA History

The 1984 NBA Draft had a massive impact on the league's history. It gave us three Hall of Fame players right at the top: Hakeem Olajuwon, Sam Bowie (though his career was cut short by injuries, his selection shaped history), and Michael Jordan. This draft is often called one of the best, if not the best, draft classes ever. That, you know, says a lot about the quality of talent that came out of it.

Michael Jordan's career, of course, reshaped the NBA. His incredible play, his championships, and his global appeal made the league more popular than ever before. He became a cultural icon, and his impact is still felt today. The Bulls, thanks to Jordan, became a dominant force and a worldwide brand. It's almost hard to imagine the NBA without him.

Hakeem Olajuwon also had a Hall of Fame career, leading the Rockets to two titles. His success showed that picking a dominant center first could still lead to great things. So, in a way, both the first and third picks proved to be incredibly successful for their teams, just in different ways. The second pick, Sam Bowie, serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of sports and the challenges of predicting a player's future health and performance.

This draft also highlights the importance of player development and team fit. The choices made that day set different teams on different paths. It's a story that sports fans often revisit, especially when talking about "what if" scenarios in basketball history. It really makes you think about how small decisions can lead to very, very big outcomes down the road. You can learn more about NBA draft history on our site, and link to this page for more details on specific player careers.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 1984 NBA Draft

Who was the first player picked in the 1984 NBA Draft?

The Houston Rockets chose Hakeem Olajuwon with the first overall pick in the 1984 NBA Draft. He was a center from the University of Houston, and his selection was widely expected. Olajuwon went on to have a truly amazing career, leading the Rockets to two championships and becoming one of the league's all-time great centers. His impact was, you know, felt right away.

Why did the Trail Blazers pick Sam Bowie over Michael Jordan?

The Portland Trail Blazers picked Sam Bowie with the second overall pick because they felt they needed a center more than a shooting guard. They already had Clyde Drexler, a talented guard, on their roster. At that time, many teams believed that a dominant center was essential for winning championships. Bowie was a highly-rated big man, even though he had some injury concerns. They were, in a way, filling a perceived need on their team.

How many Hall of Famers were in the 1984 NBA Draft class?

The 1984 NBA Draft class produced four Hall of Fame players. These players are Hakeem Olajuwon (first pick), Michael Jordan (third pick), Charles Barkley (fifth pick), and John Stockton (16th pick). This makes it one of the most talent-rich draft classes in the history of the sport, and that is, you know, a very impressive fact to consider.

The Lasting Legacy

The question of "Who got picked in front of Michael Jordan?" continues to spark conversations among basketball fans. It's a historical footnote that reminds us how unpredictable sports drafts can be. While Hakeem Olajuwon had an amazing career as the first pick, the second pick, Sam Bowie, serves as a reminder of the challenges players face. Michael Jordan, picked third, went on to redefine the game. His career, you know, really changed everything.

This draft, from way back in 1984, still gets talked about today because of the incredible talent it brought into the league and the decisions that were made. Fans still chase down every detail about these past picks, just like how people look for the latest news, rumors, and scores about their favorite teams, like the Denver Broncos, to stay informed. It's a story that, in a way, just keeps on giving.

It's fascinating to look back and see how these choices shaped the NBA. The 1984 draft remains a key moment, a turning point for many franchises and for the sport itself. For more insights into sports history, consider checking out a reputable sports history site. The discussions about this draft will, apparently, go on for a very long time, and that's a good thing for sports fans.

So, the next time someone asks, "Who got picked in front of Michael Jordan?", you'll have the full story. It's a tale of talent, team needs, and the sheer unpredictability of professional sports. It really makes you think about how many small decisions lead to big moments. What do you think was the biggest surprise from that draft? Share your thoughts!