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Read an article about what a great NBA exec he is today and every time I see an article about him they give him credit for being the man who drafted MJ. The same authors always forget about Thorns comments.

"We wish Jordan were 7-feet, but he isn't. There just wasn't a center available. What can you do? Jordan isn't going to turn this franchise around. I wouldn't ask him to. He's a very good offensive player, but not an overpowering offensive player."
-- Rod Thorn, then Bulls general manager, after selecting Jordan in the 1984 NBA Draft (Chicago Tribune, June 20, 1984)

Seems kind of unreasonable to retroactively hold Thorn's prognostication against him. Haven't read much about Jordan as a college player, but from what I have read I don't think he played like he dominated the NCAA or anything. Thorn was obviously right about Jordan being a good offensive player, but clearly the best was yet to come.

Exactly. People are misremembering history if they think Jordan was some kind of prodigy like Magic, Kobe, or Lebron. He wasn't.

He became what he became because of his hard work and determination.

The Original Kid Cairo wrote:

Exactly. People are misremembering history if they think Jordan was some kind of prodigy like Magic, Kobe, or Lebron. He wasn't.

He averaged 28 points and 6 or 7 rebounds his rookie year. If that's not a prodigy, I'm not sure what is.

Joe Orr Road Rod wrote:

The Original Kid Cairo wrote:

Exactly. People are misremembering history if they think Jordan was some kind of prodigy like Magic, Kobe, or Lebron. He wasn't.

He averaged 28 points and 6 or 7 rebounds his rookie year. If that's not a prodigy, I'm not sure what is.

Rod Thorn made his comment before Jordan had played an NBA game. That's what I'm talking about. He was not a prodigy coming out of college.

Joe Orr Road Rod wrote:

The Original Kid Cairo wrote:

Exactly. People are misremembering history if they think Jordan was some kind of prodigy like Magic, Kobe, or Lebron. He wasn't.

He averaged 28 points and 6 or 7 rebounds his rookie year. If that's not a prodigy, I'm not sure what is.

Rod Thorn made his comment before Jordan had played an NBA game. That's what I'm talking about. He was not a prodigy coming out of college.

In 1984, there was nothing incorrect about Rod Thorn's statements there. Jordan at the time was simply a good offensive player.

The Original Kid Cairo wrote:

In 1984, there was nothing incorrect about Rod Thorn's statements there. Jordan at the time was simply a good offensive player.

/thread

As an aside, what kind of monumental fuck ups were running the Blazer front office in 1984? They had five picks in one of the great drafts of all time, two being in the first round, and their best pick was the second to last one in the second round, Jerome Kersey.

good dolphin wrote:

I don't think that's necessarily fair. Bowie would undoubtedly have been a Hall of Famer if his feet hadn't kept breaking and then you wouldn't be saying that.

The logic of the Sam Bowie pick makes sense. They already had Drexler, who at the time was more polished than Jordan and already had a year of league experience under his belt.

The Original Kid Cairo wrote:

The logic of the Sam Bowie pick makes sense. They already had Drexler, who at the time was more polished than Jordan and already had a year of league experience under his belt.

they passed on Olajuwan as well

He should have said, "Jordan is likely be a Thorn in the side of NBA teams for years to come", amirite?

Author:	bigfan [ Wed Sep 04, 2013 5:46 pm ]
Post subject:	Rod Thorn
Read an article about what a great NBA exec he is today and every time I see an article about him they give him credit for being the man who drafted MJ. The same authors always forget about Thorns comments. "We wish Jordan were 7-feet, but he isn't. There just wasn't a center available. What can you do? Jordan isn't going to turn this franchise around. I wouldn't ask him to. He's a very good offensive player, but not an overpowering offensive player." -- Rod Thorn, then Bulls general manager, after selecting Jordan in the 1984 NBA Draft (Chicago Tribune, June 20, 1984)

Author:	Beardown [ Wed Sep 04, 2013 5:53 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Rod Thorn
bigfan wrote: Read an article about what a great NBA exec he is today and every time I see an article about him they give him credit for being the man who drafted MJ. The same authors always forget about Thorns comments. "We wish Jordan were 7-feet, but he isn't. There just wasn't a center available. What can you do? Jordan isn't going to turn this franchise around. I wouldn't ask him to. He's a very good offensive player, but not an overpowering offensive player." -- Rod Thorn, then Bulls general manager, after selecting Jordan in the 1984 NBA Draft (Chicago Tribune, June 20, 1984) 1984 Jordan: You don't need to ask, Rod. I'll turn this motherfucker around without being asked. Give me the ball and tell everybody to get the fuck out of my way. Rod Thorn:

Author:	veganfan21 [ Wed Sep 04, 2013 6:57 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Rod Thorn
Seems kind of unreasonable to retroactively hold Thorn's prognostication against him. Haven't read much about Jordan as a college player, but from what I have read I don't think he played like he dominated the NCAA or anything. Thorn was obviously right about Jordan being a good offensive player, but clearly the best was yet to come.

Author:	Nas [ Wed Sep 04, 2013 7:10 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Rod Thorn
bigfan wrote: Read an article about what a great NBA exec he is today and every time I see an article about him they give him credit for being the man who drafted MJ. The same authors always forget about Thorns comments. "We wish Jordan were 7-feet, but he isn't. There just wasn't a center available. What can you do? Jordan isn't going to turn this franchise around. I wouldn't ask him to. He's a very good offensive player, but not an overpowering offensive player." -- Rod Thorn, then Bulls general manager, after selecting Jordan in the 1984 NBA Draft (Chicago Tribune, June 20, 1984) I don't know if it's DB worthy but in hindsight it is funny as hell. Thank God there wasn't another center worth drafting at 3. He shouldn't get any credit.

Author:	Rod [ Wed Sep 04, 2013 7:17 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Rod Thorn
veganfan21 wrote: Seems kind of unreasonable to retroactively hold Thorn's prognostication against him. Haven't read much about Jordan as a college player, but from what I have read I don't think he played like he dominated the NCAA or anything. Thorn was obviously right about Jordan being a good offensive player, but clearly the best was yet to come. I think the point is that Thorn was lucky he had the third pick instead of one of the first two.

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Author:	The Original Kid Cairo [ Wed Sep 04, 2013 8:13 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Rod Thorn
In 1984, there was nothing incorrect about Rod Thorn's statements there. Jordan at the time was simply a good offensive player. Not dominant. Not special or great. Just good. He became what he became because of his hard work and determination. On draft day, he wasn't that guy yet. Not even close.

Author:	Beardown [ Wed Sep 04, 2013 8:28 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Rod Thorn
I'll say this for Thorn, there might have been several other GMs in that 1984 draft that wouldn't have taken Jordan with the 3rd pick if they were in Thorn's shoes. So he deserves some credit. He had the pick and took him. Nobody knew what Jordan was going to become. Not only did he go 3rd, but no other GMs wanted to trade up to get him from the Bulls.

Author:	Rod [ Wed Sep 04, 2013 9:32 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Rod Thorn
The Original Kid Cairo wrote: Exactly. People are misremembering history if they think Jordan was some kind of prodigy like Magic, Kobe, or Lebron. He wasn't. He averaged 28 points and 6 or 7 rebounds his rookie year. If that's not a prodigy, I'm not sure what is.

Author:	Don Tiny [ Wed Sep 04, 2013 9:47 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Rod Thorn
The Original Kid Cairo wrote: He became what he became because of his hard work and determination. And lotsa slightly plump latin bitches, especially in Atlanta. Lotsa 'em.

Author:	beni hanna [ Thu Sep 05, 2013 12:24 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Rod Thorn
Jordan dominated his junior year at NC. He was that good. It was no shock he came out of NC early as he was more than ready. NC basketball at that time didn't have a style of play where 1 player could showcase their talent and jump to the NBA. He was forced to play in a system and as I watched it seemed clear it kept him from being the type of standout say Waymon Tysdale was at OU (only name I could think of in my current condition). I personally was surprised Jordan came out early. That was not the NC way. But he really was ready and Dean Smith said as much. I hadn't ever heard Smith say that about another player that wasn't a senior. Without prejudice, this draft discussion is NOT how I remember it. Jordan was the best on the board that wasn't a center. The league valued a big man more at that time. But make no mistake, Jordan was not considered an average talent out of NC. He was considered a franchise player. Just not one that could affect the game the same way a center would. Thorn was lucky big men were still en vogue. Portland needed a big man. There brain trust scouts were telling them Jordan was the guy to draft but it wasn't a need. They had Drexler for points at that point iirc. Thorn wanted a center like everyone else and was lucky the best remaining centers sucked.

Author:	bigfan [ Thu Sep 05, 2013 4:48 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Rod Thorn
I am not asking Thorn to predict Jordans greatness. It's quite obvious by his 7 foot statement, if he had the 1 or 2 pick, he doesnt take Jordan. So, to place "The Man Who Picked MJ" as one of his 3 great accomplishments, as if he thought he would be great is a myth at best.

Author:	The Original Kid Cairo [ Thu Sep 05, 2013 7:38 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Rod Thorn
Joe Orr Road Rod wrote: The Original Kid Cairo wrote: Exactly. People are misremembering history if they think Jordan was some kind of prodigy like Magic, Kobe, or Lebron. He wasn't. He averaged 28 points and 6 or 7 rebounds his rookie year. If that's not a prodigy, I'm not sure what is. Rod Thorn made his comment before Jordan had played an NBA game. That's what I'm talking about. He was not a prodigy coming out of college.

Author:	Rod [ Thu Sep 05, 2013 7:59 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Rod Thorn
The Original Kid Cairo wrote: Joe Orr Road Rod wrote: The Original Kid Cairo wrote: Exactly. People are misremembering history if they think Jordan was some kind of prodigy like Magic, Kobe, or Lebron. He wasn't. He averaged 28 points and 6 or 7 rebounds his rookie year. If that's not a prodigy, I'm not sure what is. Rod Thorn made his comment before Jordan had played an NBA game. That's what I'm talking about. He was not a prodigy coming out of college. At that time, the big man was valued more than he is today, a big part of that due to Jordan himself. I don't remember exactly, but I'm pretty sure that at the time Jordan was viewed as the best non-big man in the draft. His draft position supports that. I don't want to quibble over the word "prodigy", but he was certainly highly regarded. Magic was something no one had really seen before- a point guard who was as big as some centers. If you're saying nobody had any idea Jordan would be "the best ever". I agree with you. Nobody thought he was "the best ever" until Scottie came and they won all the championships even though Jordan was probably at his best as an individual prior to that.

Author:	SomeGuy [ Thu Sep 05, 2013 8:09 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Rod Thorn
Told ya', Nas.

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Author:	good dolphin [ Thu Sep 05, 2013 8:22 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Rod Thorn
The Original Kid Cairo wrote: Joe Orr Road Rod wrote: The Original Kid Cairo wrote: Exactly. People are misremembering history if they think Jordan was some kind of prodigy like Magic, Kobe, or Lebron. He wasn't. He averaged 28 points and 6 or 7 rebounds his rookie year. If that's not a prodigy, I'm not sure what is. Rod Thorn made his comment before Jordan had played an NBA game. That's what I'm talking about. He was not a prodigy coming out of college. The guy had plenty of skins on the wall coming out of college. He started as a freshman on a STACKED UNC team. He was the guy who took the big shots on that team even with upperclassmen like Worthy and Big Smooth playing with him. He was given the game winning shot to take as a freshman in the NCAA championship game. At the end of that year he was ACC Freshman of the Year. He was an All American as a sophomore and junior and was the player of the year in college basketball his junior year. This was not the watered down NCAA of today. Other upperclassmen that year included Hakeem, Barkley and Stockton...basically an all history of the league team all in college basketball at one time, and Jordan shone above them all. He averaged almost 18 points a game on 54% shooting in college in a Dean Smith system notorious for inhibiting the statistics of stars. He was the leader and captain of possibly the greatest Olympic team before the professional era. This was all before he ever was drafted. Yes he was a prodigy. The only way he wouldn't be remembered as such is because of the talent level in the game at that time.

Author:	Frank Coztansa [ Thu Sep 05, 2013 8:32 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Rod Thorn
The Original Kid Cairo wrote: In 1984, there was nothing incorrect about Rod Thorn's statements there. Jordan at the time was simply a good offensive player. /thread

Author:	good dolphin [ Thu Sep 05, 2013 8:36 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Rod Thorn
As an aside, what kind of monumental fuck ups were running the Blazer front office in 1984? They had five picks in one of the great drafts of all time, two being in the first round, and their best pick was the second to last one in the second round, Jerome Kersey.

Author:	good dolphin [ Thu Sep 05, 2013 8:37 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Rod Thorn
Frank Coztansa wrote: The Original Kid Cairo wrote: In 1984, there was nothing incorrect about Rod Thorn's statements there. Jordan at the time was simply a good offensive player. /thread Kids...

Author:	Rod [ Thu Sep 05, 2013 8:48 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Rod Thorn
good dolphin wrote: As an aside, what kind of monumental fuck ups were running the Blazer front office in 1984? They had five picks in one of the great drafts of all time, two being in the first round, and their best pick was the second to last one in the second round, Jerome Kersey. I don't think that's necessarily fair. Bowie would undoubtedly have been a Hall of Famer if his feet hadn't kept breaking and then you wouldn't be saying that.

Author:	jimmypasta [ Thu Sep 05, 2013 9:13 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Rod Thorn
It would be interesting to go back and research what other GM's,coaches,etc. said after drafting all-time great players. I wonder what the Bears said after drafting Payton,etc.

Author:	good dolphin [ Thu Sep 05, 2013 9:24 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Rod Thorn
http://www.nbadraft.net/node/16360 Turns out Thorn was wrong on other great talents as well. He didn't think Barkley could play in the NBA...and Jordan's coaches knew he was great after the first practice. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7v_6GzDO20 can't miss...in the class with Dr. J...nice pornstache David Stern

Author:	good dolphin [ Thu Sep 05, 2013 9:32 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Rod Thorn
Joe Orr Road Rod wrote: good dolphin wrote: As an aside, what kind of monumental fuck ups were running the Blazer front office in 1984? They had five picks in one of the great drafts of all time, two being in the first round, and their best pick was the second to last one in the second round, Jerome Kersey. I don't think that's necessarily fair. Bowie would undoubtedly have been a Hall of Famer if his feet hadn't kept breaking and then you wouldn't be saying that. Mr. Glass already had all of those problems in college so it was completely forseeable. He was a great talent but that was an Angelo type of pick

Author:	good dolphin [ Thu Sep 05, 2013 9:33 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Rod Thorn
The Original Kid Cairo wrote: The logic of the Sam Bowie pick makes sense. They already had Drexler, who at the time was more polished than Jordan and already had a year of league experience under his belt. they passed on Olajuwan as well

Author:	Frank Coztansa [ Thu Sep 05, 2013 9:52 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Rod Thorn
He should have said, "Jordan is likely be a Thorn in the side of NBA teams for years to come", amirite?

Author:	jimmypasta [ Thu Sep 05, 2013 9:59 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Rod Thorn
Frank Coztansa wrote: He should have said, "Jordan is likely be a Thorn in the side of NBA teams for years to come", amirite? Or Jordan is the Rod the Bulls will ride to the Championship.