1984 NBA draft
On the 19th of June 1984, the Felt Forum at Madison Square Garden in New York City hosted the 37th annual NBA draft. This event marked a turning point for basketball history as it was the last time the league would select players without a lottery system to determine order. The Houston Rockets won a coin flip to secure the first overall pick, while the Portland Trail Blazers held the second selection after acquiring an Indiana Pacers' first-round pick through trade. Twenty-three teams participated in selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players and other eligible international talent across ten rounds. A total of 228 players were chosen during this process. David Stern oversaw his first draft as commissioner, beginning a thirty-year tenure that would reshape the league. The broadcast aired nationally on the USA Network, marking the final year of such coverage before moving to TBS and later TNT.
Akeem Olajuwon became the second foreign-born player selected first overall after Mychal Thompson from the Bahamas in 1978. He played center for the University of Houston and went on to win two NBA championships with the Houston Rockets. Michael Jordan entered the league as the third pick from North Carolina, winning Rookie of the Year Award immediately. Charles Barkley joined the Philadelphia 76ers as the fifth pick from Auburn University. John Stockton was selected sixteenth by the Utah Jazz and later became the all-time leader in assists and steals. These four players plus Oscar Schmidt were inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Jordan won six NBA championships and five Most Valuable Player Awards during his career. Olajuwon retired as the league's all-time leader in blocked shots with 3,830 blocks. Barkley earned MVP honors in 1993 while Stockton co-MVP'd the 1993 All-Star Game with Karl Malone. Jordan, Barkley, and Stockton later formed part of the legendary 1992 Dream Team.
The Portland Trail Blazers chose Sam Bowie from Kentucky with the second pick over Michael Jordan. Bowie had missed two of three seasons due to injuries during college but still received a ten-year NBA career averaging 10.9 points per game. Five leg surgeries limited him to only 139 games played with the Blazers. The team already possessed Jim Paxson and Clyde Drexler at shooting guard positions when making their decision. Alvin Robertson won both Defensive Player of the Year and Most Improved Player awards in 1986. Otis Thorpe and Kevin Willis each made one All-Star appearance despite not winning championships. Rick Carlisle became coach after playing and won Coach of the Year Award in 2002 with Detroit Pistons. He also coached Dallas Mavericks to an NBA Championship in 2011. Brazilian Oscar Schmidt was selected 131st by New Jersey Nets but declined to play in the NBA. He stayed in Italy and Brazil representing his country internationally until FIBA allowed NBA players on national teams in 1990. Schmidt scored 49,703 career points across clubs and national team play. University of Houston track star Carl Lewis was drafted 208th by Chicago Bulls without ever playing college basketball. He dominated Olympic Games in Los Angeles that summer winning nine gold medals.
Cleveland acquired draft rights to sixth pick Melvin Turpin from Washington while Washington received Cliff Robinson and Gus Williams from Cleveland and Seattle respectively. The L.A. Clippers obtained Jay Murphy's rights from Golden State for Jerome Whitehead. Portland used a first-round pick from Indiana to select Sam Bowie after acquiring it on the 5th of June 1981. Dallas picked up a first-round selection from Cleveland on the 16th of September 1980 to choose Sam Perkins. Philadelphia secured Charles Barkley using a pick obtained from San Diego Clippers on the 12th of October 1978. The league structure included compensation picks like those awarded to Cleveland Cavaliers due to previous owner Ted Stepien trading away future selections. The draft consisted of ten rounds before being reduced to two rounds starting in 1985. No undrafted players entered the NBA until 1985 when multiple such players began joining teams annually. Green room invites went to only nine prospects believed to be top tier including Charles Barkley, Akeem Olajuwon, Otis Thorpe, and Kevin Willis. Michael Jordan and John Stockton were notable absentees from green room invitations despite their eventual success.
The 1984 draft class produced five Hall of Famers and seven All-Stars making it one of basketball's greatest classes. Alvin Robertson and Akeem Olajuwon are among four players ever recording quadruple doubles. Jordan won six Finals MVP Awards while Olajuwon earned two Defensive Player of Year honors. Barkley received eleven All-NBA Team selections during his career. Stockton retired as the all-time leader in assists and steals with Karl Malone. The final pick number 228 by Boston Celtics was Dan Trant of Clark University who never played a regular season game for the team. Trant worked at World Trade Center on the 11th of September 2001 where he died in terrorist attacks that day. Mike Whitmarsh drafted 111th by Portland Trail Blazers starred in both basketball and volleyball at University of San Diego. He played professional basketball in Germany for three years before switching to beach volleyball winning Olympic silver medal. This draft marked the last time no college underclassmen withdrew early entry into the league. Nine total players qualified for this year's event including junior Charles Barkley and sophomore Sam Norton. Two Nigerian-born players and one Panamanian-born player were also selected showing increased international diversity.
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Common questions
Who won the 1984 NBA draft first overall pick?
The Houston Rockets secured the first overall pick by winning a coin flip. They selected Akeem Olajuwon from the University of Houston.
When did the 1984 NBA draft take place and where was it held?
The event occurred on the 19th of June 1984 at the Felt Forum in Madison Square Garden, New York City. The broadcast aired nationally on the USA Network that same year.
Which players from the 1984 NBA draft are in the Hall of Fame?
Akeem Olajuwon, Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, John Stockton, and Oscar Schmidt were inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. These five individuals represent the class of 1984.
Why is the 1984 NBA draft considered historically significant for basketball history?
This event marked the last time the league selected players without a lottery system to determine order. It also featured the final year of USA Network coverage before moving to TBS and later TNT.
How many rounds were played during the 1984 NBA draft and how many players were chosen?
Twenty-three teams participated across ten rounds to select a total of 228 players. The format remained this way until being reduced to two rounds starting in 1985.