In 1984, the Blazers, after much discussion, decided that Sam Bowie wasn't worth the pick because of the injuries that he had, even though a big man was their biggest need. So, they decided to take the best player available, which was Jordan. It took a year or two to gel, but eventually the Blazers found the right combination. Jordan turned out to be a superstar far beyond their wildest imaginations, and Drexler was a great compliment to him at the SF spot. Jordan and Drexler, paired with PG Terry Porter, C Brad Daugherty(they traded Kiki Vandeweghe, Jim Paxson, and their 14th overall pick in 86 to the Sixers for the #1 overall pick), Jerome Kersey, and Mychal Thompson formed a good nucleus.
Also, they had a second #1 going into the 86 draft that they obtained from the Clippers at the end of Round 1 that they used to take Arvydas Sabonis. They knew that he would be tough to sign, but, they thought that, if things change down the road, either they can use him if Daugherty doesn't pan out, or trade him if they have problems signing him. So, after they won back-to-back championships in 87 and 88, they tried to sign Sabonis, but they had a hard time with it. So, they trade his rights, along with a 1990 #1 pick, to the Celtics for their 89 #1. After getting upset by the Lakers in the Conference Finals(because Daugherty and Drexler were out with injuries), they draft Shawn Kemp #1 overall with Boston's pick. The Blazers still struggle some in 1990 with injuries, and the Pistons end up winning another ring. But by 1991, they are rejuvenated, and win five straight championships behind a nucleus of Jordan, Kemp, Drexler, Daugherty, C/PF Antonio Davis(obtained in the 1990 draft in round 2 after some more trading to provide depth), Porter, Kersey, Mario Elie, Danny Ainge, and Robert Pack.
The decision to bypass Bowie was the best thing the organization ever did. But, what if they would have taken Bowie, and the Bulls decided to take Jordan?
Also, they had a second #1 going into the 86 draft that they obtained from the Clippers at the end of Round 1 that they used to take Arvydas Sabonis. They knew that he would be tough to sign, but, they thought that, if things change down the road, either they can use him if Daugherty doesn't pan out, or trade him if they have problems signing him. So, after they won back-to-back championships in 87 and 88, they tried to sign Sabonis, but they had a hard time with it. So, they trade his rights, along with a 1990 #1 pick, to the Celtics for their 89 #1. After getting upset by the Lakers in the Conference Finals(because Daugherty and Drexler were out with injuries), they draft Shawn Kemp #1 overall with Boston's pick. The Blazers still struggle some in 1990 with injuries, and the Pistons end up winning another ring. But by 1991, they are rejuvenated, and win five straight championships behind a nucleus of Jordan, Kemp, Drexler, Daugherty, C/PF Antonio Davis(obtained in the 1990 draft in round 2 after some more trading to provide depth), Porter, Kersey, Mario Elie, Danny Ainge, and Robert Pack.
The decision to bypass Bowie was the best thing the organization ever did. But, what if they would have taken Bowie, and the Bulls decided to take Jordan?