THE STORY
In the 1984 NBA Draft, the Portland Trail Blazers selected center Sam Bowie from the University of Kentucky with the second overall pick, passing over Michael Jordan, who was chosen third by the Chicago Bulls. Bowie's career was marred by injuries, while Jordan became a six-time NBA champion and widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time.
TEAMS / PEOPLE:
NBA teams and players
WHY IT MATTERS
This decision is often cited as one of the most significant draft mistakes in NBA history, highlighting the challenges of talent evaluation and the impact of draft choices on franchise success.