The 1986 draft presents probably the greatest collection of "what ifs" in basketball history. Littered with stories of drugs, alcohol, unfulfilled potential and just plain hard luck, it for better or worse changed the course of the NBA for the last 20 years. Some funny names to be seen too.
http://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1986.html
Here's some of the story:
#1 overall pick by Cleveland
Brad Daugherty
7'0", 245lb C
Perrenial 20 and 10 guy and one of the great passing big men of all time, he was cut down in the prime of his career (aged 28) by back problems.
#2 overall pick by Boston
Len Bias
6'8", 225lb SF
Suffered a fatal cardiac arrhythmia that resulted from a cocaine overdose fewer than 48 hours after the draft. Described as a "Michael Jordan type who was bigger, with a better jump shot, but who didn't go to the basket as well". His brother Jay was also shot dead in 1990 after an arguement at a jewellery store in Maryland.
#3 overall pick by Golden State
Chris Washburn
6'11", 225lb C
Never as good as advertised, he was furthur derided for his poor work ethic and lazy attitude, until cocaine took hold, resulting in his eventual bannishment from the league.
#5 overall pick by New York
Kenny "Sky" Walker
6'8", 210lb SF
Only real claim to fame in the NBA is his win in the 1989 Slam Dunk Contest. Eventually slowed by knee injuries.
#6 overall pick by Phoenix
William Bedford
7'0", 225lb C
A journeyman who never lived up to his potential, sat out the entire 1988-89 season due to drug ban, until eventually bein ousted for good for cocaine abuse in 1993.
#7 overall pick by Dallas
Roy Tarpley
6'11", 230lb C
His stats show his ability
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/tarplro01.html
Yet he was banned between 1991-1994, until a lifetime ban in 1995, both for cocaine abuse. Still hoping to make an NBA comeback, aged 42.
#8 overall pick by Cleveland
Ron Harper
6'6", 185lb SG
Almost a mini-Jordan early in his career
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/harpero01.html
Yet knee injuries robbed him of his explosiveness. Still managed to be a starter in 5 NBA Championship seasons (1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001).
#22 overall pick by Milwaukee
Scott Skiles
6'1", 180lb PG
Overcame alcoholism to carve out a decent career in both the NBA and overseas. Now one of the NBA's top coaches with Chicago.
#24 overall pick by Portland
Arvydas Sabonis
7'3", 279 C
Sabonis in his prime would have most likely meant the late 80s/early 90s being very different. Portland lost 2 NBA Finals during this era, they probably would have won 4. Sabonis finally arrived in the NBA in 1995, by which time knee, ankle and Achilles' injuries had robbed him of much of his mobility. Supposedly better than Hakeem, Robinson and Ewing before injury took hold.
#25 overall pick by Dallas
Mark Price
6'0", 170lb PG
4-time All-Star who's career was eventually cut down by injury, causing his retirement at age 34. Now coaching the South Dragons in the NBL.
#27 overall pick to Detroit
Dennis Rodman
6'7", 210lb SF (eventually listed as a 6'8", 220lb PF)
Part of 5 NBA Champion teams (1989, 1990, 1996, 1997, 1998), 2-time NBA All-Star (1990, 1992), 2-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year (1990, 1991), 7-time NBA All-Defensive First Team (1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996), 7-time NBA rebounding champ (1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998), and probably my favourite player of all time. Rodman was able to overcome being a few inches shorter than his counterparts with his willingness to put his body on the line for any rebound, his intense work ethic, his incredible physical strength, and his expert knowledge of the game, but battled alcoholism and constant controversy for most of his prime. A noted excentric, Rodman is now a recovered alcoholic, still attempting to come back in the NBA aged 45.
#60 overall pick by Portland
Drazen Petrovic
6'5", 195lb SG
The Croatian hero is argueably the greatest European player of all time, and the first to make a real impact in the NBA. Once scored 112 points in a game in Europe, he was tragically killed in his prime in a car accident in 1993, aged 28.