Quick. What's the first thing you think of, when you hear the name Sam Bowie? If you said Michael Jordan, you are like 98% of Oregonians that regret the 1984 NBA Draft everyday. When the Portland Trail Blazers decided to draft Sam Bowie with the number 2 overall pick in the 1984 draft, they passed up on a chance to have possibly the best player to ever lace up a pair of Nikes; Michael Jordan. Outside of that draft day debacle by Portland, there was not much more information that I had about the 7''1 center out of Kentucky, so I felt compelled to find out. 

Sam Bowie played in the NBA from 1984-1995 with the Blazers, Nets, and Lakers. He was never a spectacular NBA player by any standards, as he was only able to record a double-double average in one of his seasons. As a 7''1 player, the rebounding was surprisingly the stat where Bowie underachieved the most. Most people would attribute his lack of rebounding to his inability to remain healthy, and that is a valid point. Unfortunately for the Blazers, the validity of the excuse did not help them achieve on the court. After only 4 seasons with the Blazers, Bowie was traded to the Nets for Buck Williams.

In his first season with the Nets, Bowie put up 14.7 points per game along with 10.1 rebounds per game; his best season statiscally as a pro. From that season on, Bowie's career went downhill consistently each year. The man that was drafted before guys like Jordan, Barkley, and Stockton, seemed to be struggling to stay afloat in a league that very few do. After 2 injury- plagued seasons with the Lakers, Bowie called it quits in 1995. Bowie's career averages were 10.9 points per game, 7.5 rebounds per game, and 1.8 blocks per game. Not exactly what you are looking for from the number 2 overall pick. At least Ryan Leaf has somebody to share his sorrow with.