Unveiling the dream of a super team alongside Michael Jordan, the 7-foot giant once exposed the hesitation of a $3.2 billion franchise

In 1984, Michael Jordan was drafted by the Chicago Bulls and changed the NBA forever. He made an incredible contribution to the popularity of the NBA in the 1980s, and his iconic championship runs in the 1990s shaped the future of the NBA in many ways. However, what if Michael Jordan was never drafted by the Chicago Bulls in the first place?

In 1984, a 7-foot-tall NBA legend revealed that a $3.2 billion team was hesitant to draft Michael Jordan.

7-foot Giant exposes hesitation of $3.2 billion franchise

in his autobiographyachive dreams” 7-foot-tall Houston Rockets legend Hakeem Olajuwon revealed shocking information about a potential trade that could have taken place during the 1984 NBA Draft. Olajuwon claims the Houston Rockets The team received an offer from Portland – trading Sampson for the second overall pick in the NBA draft.

The Houston Rockets declined the offer. In 1986, with the help of Olajuwon and Sampson (Twin Towers), the Rockets did reach the NBA Finals, but lost to the Boston Celtics in 6 games.

The Houston Rockets legend noted in his autobiography, “From 1984 to today (1996), the Rockets could have had a roster of me, Clyde Drexler and Michael Jordan, developing together, playing together, winning together. But the Rockets never took action.“.

Ralph Sampson had a decent NBA career with the Houston Rockets, but injuries derailed him. He was eventually traded by the Rockets because he didn’t reach his maximum potential as a player. Imagine if the Houston Rockets front office actually gave Sampson the second overall pick in the NBA draft.

Jordan, Drexler, Olajuwon trio

Hakeem Olajuwon (center) was the first overall pick in the first round of the 1984 NBA draft. The Portland Trail Blazers went with the second pick, selecting Sam Bowie (center), but the Chicago Bulls selected Michael Jordan, the third overall pick in the 1984 NBA draft. Legendary NBA coach Bill Fitch insisted that the Rockets were committed to retaining Olajuwon and Sampson. However, he did admit that the Houston Rockets do have some thoughts on Jordan.

Bill Fitch mentioned in an interview at the time, “I played against Dean Smith when I was in the service — we were friends,” Fitch said. “He called me and said, ‘I’m telling you, Bill, this guy is going to be the greatest. ‘ Dean thinks so highly of him. But we don’t know that in hindsight.“

Having a young Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon on the same team, along with the legendary Clyde Drexler, would certainly change the dynamic between NBA teams at the time. The dream of Jordan and Olajuwon playing on the same team is definitely a distant dream.

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