Kind of OT - 2001 Draft's #1 overall pick...

[polarcat]

...you are GM of the Wiz, who would you have taken? Kwame Brown had as much hype as Dwight Howard and could've been the first before Howard. Conversely, Howard could've be Kwame Brown as well. It's funny how so many "experts" "talking heads" and "analysts" rip Jordan for this pick, but it wasn't like Brown was expected to go somewhere in the top 10. 3 out of the top 5 were high school big men and the other big was a Euro.....which wasn't as sure of a thing as it is now. So, here's the top 10 from 2001 and without knowing that Joe Johnson and Pau Gasol would turn out to be who they are now, would you honestly not have taken Brown with that pick?

1. Washington- Kwame Brown, F, Glynn Academy
2. L.A. Clippers- Tyson Chandler, F, Dominguez HS
3. Atlanta- Pau Gasol, F, Barcelona
4. Chicago- Eddy Curry, F/C, Thornwood (Ill.) H.S.
5. Golden State- Jason Richardson, G/F, Michigan State
6. Grizzlies- Shane Battier, F, Duke
7. New Jersey- Eddie Griffin, F, Seton Hall
8. Cleveland- DeSagana Diop, C, Oak Hill Academy (Va.)
9. Detroit- Rodney White, F, Charlotte
10. Boston- Joe Johnson, G/F, Arkansas

I don't advocate that Jordan is the greatest GM/front office exec in the league, but I think he does get some unnecessary heat that is probably due in part to his countless successes on the court as a player.

[ziggy]

Wow, that might be the weakest top 10 in the last decade.

At the time it wasn't that crazy of a pick, and I would wager that at least half of the GMs would have drafted Kwame at #1 also.

[BigMike]

I aggree with polarcat....

[SWedd523]

I did a little write up/analysis on the pick a few weeks ago. If I can find it I'll post it up.

[Mustachio]

Wow, that might be the weakest top 10 in the last decade.

At the time it wasn't that crazy of a pick, and I would wager that at least half of the GMs would have drafted Kwame at #1 also.

I think more than half. i'd say 95% would have taken him. its a ridiculous criticism on Michael Jordans career, especially when you see how weak that top 10 is. I mean Kwame looked great for his age, had an unbelievable body type and was productive at his level. His potential was limitless at the time, and when you see that top ten it makes him even more worth the gamble.

Look, sometimes draft picks dont make it in the NBA. some kids just dont have the head for the NBA. If a guy does his due diligence in researching the kid, and its even a 70% agreement from other sources... then you can't blame the GM for the recruit not holding up his end of the bargain.

[polarcat]

that top 10 is pretty damn awful. There are 2 all-stars, but then you get 2 guys that are out of the league, 4 albatross contract-laden bums, and then 2 solid starters. OUCH!

[ND22]

He does get way too much heat for picking Kwame. He had limitless potential, but obviously didn't have the work ethic and wasn't mature enough for the NBA. Unfortuantely, those things usually don't become apparent until it's too late. The only pick MJ should get heat for is Morrison.

[GoBobs]

When you are drafting it is kind of hard to know what a player has between the ears because he is being coached up by so many people. That draft was also full of so many kids. It was a reach to draft them that high, but not nearly as much of a reach as trading two first round picks for Eddy Curry and then signing him to a huge deal.

[BRNC]

I think if Oden continues his injuries his #1 will start getting the same scrutiny that Brown has...as SWedd said (think it was him) 95% of the GMs in that draft would have taken him first...I think (since he was not in the GM frat-boy club) MJ gets knocked when the other GMs know they'd have done exactly the same thing...I've always thought the way MJ was treated for that pick was BS...

[GoBobs]

The Morrison pick however was terrible. That is the draft that really makes you cringe to know we could have gotten Roy or Gay even though we did pick up Tyrus in the end.