The draft class that changed Basketball: 1984

In 1984, the NBA was in a state of transition. The stars of yesteryear, Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell and Oscar Robertson had long since retired. The future superstars Magic Johnson and Larry Bird were just getting acclimatised to the NBA. There was a new NBA commissioner at the helm. While things looked promising, there was nobody who was capable of being the “face” of the NBA.

And then the 1984 NBA draft happened. Four of the league’s biggest superstars walked in. Hakeem Olajuwon, Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, John Stockton were all part of the most illustrious draft class in NBA History. In this article, we will take a look at five members of the 1984 NBA draft who left a lasting mark on the game of basketball.

5. Alvin Robertson; 7th Overall pick; 1984-1996; San Antonio Spurs, Milwaukee Bucks, Toronto Raptors

Career Averages: 14 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 5 APG, 2.7 SPG

Best known for his defence, Robertson was a multi-dimensional Shooting guard. He is one of only four people in NBA history to have recorded a quadruple-double (double digits in four statistical categories in a single game) when he registered 20 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists and 10 steals while playing for the Spurs against the Phoenix Suns on February 18, 1986. He is also the only player to do so with steals as the fourth category (the other three were with blocks).

It should be noted that it wasn’t possible to record a quadruple-double before the 1973-74 season as that was when blocks and steals began to be recorded as statistics.

Robertson was a four time All-Star, Defensive Player of the Year and he led the league in steals twice during his career. He was the inaugural winner of the NBA Most Improved Player award in 1986. He is ranked 9th in career steals.

Robertson scored the first points in the Toronto Raptors history with a three-pointer. He ended his career in the NBA in 12 years due to pre-existing back problems.

4. John Stockton; 16th Overall; 1984-2003; Utah Jazz

Career Averages: 13.1 PPG, 10.5 APG, 2.7 RPG, 2.2 SPG

Stockton, a ten time All-Star, spent his entire career with the Utah Jazz. He was arguably the most complete Point Guard to have ever played in the NBA.

He holds the NBA record for career assists and career steals. He’s one of the three people to have recorded more than 1000 assists in a single season. While this list in itself is exclusive, Stockton achieved this feat seven times throughout his career. He formed a landmark partnership with Karl Malone, establishing themselves as the quintessential pick and roll duo.

Defensively, Stockton was a hard-nosed, no nonsense defender. He had a work ethic bordering on the fanatic which led to many calling him a dirty player. He was lightning quick and stuck close to his opponent enabling him to accumulate a record 3625 steals.

Stockton was extremely durable, missing merely 22 games in his entire career. He played 1504 out of a possible 1526 games and maintained the same high level of play till the very end of his career . His #12 jersey was retired by the Jazz. He was inducted into the Hall of fame in 2009.

3. Charles Barkley; 5th Overall Pick; 1984-2000; Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, Houston Rockets

Career Averages: 22.1 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 3.9 APG, 1.5 SPG

Barkley was a perennial All-Star and won MVP Honours in 1993. He was an extremely physical player which earned him the nicknames “Sir Charles” and “The Round Mound of Rebound”. He was an explosive scorer and was instrumental in helping the 1992 and 1996 Dream teams achieve a perfect 16-0 record at the Olympics. When he retired, he was one of 4 players in history to have recorded 20000 points, 10000 rebounds and 4000 assists in their career.

Throughout his career, he was known as one of the most controversial, outspoken, dominating and humorous players both on and off the court. He got a number of national level controversies due to his confrontational behaviour. Despite all this, he remained extremly popular with the fans due to his humour and honesty.

In recognition of his numerous contributions on and off the court, his no. 34 jersey was retired by the Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns and the Auburn University. He was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006.

He’s currently an analyst on the television program Inside the NBA.

2. Hakeem Olajuwon; 1st overall; Houston Rockets; Toronto Raptors

Career Averages: 21.8 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 2.5 APG, 3.1 BPG, 1.7 SPG

Olajuwon is a 2 time NBA Champion, 1 time MVP and 12 time All-Star. He was as versatile as they come and earned the nickname “Dream” for his incredible footwork. Olajuwon perfected a set of fakes in the low post which began to be called the “Dream Shake”.

He’s the only player to have more than 200 blocks and 200 steals in one season. Olajuwon is also the only center to feature on the top 10 All-time steals leaders. He’s also one of four players to have recorded a quadruple double.

On defence, his rare combination of quickness and strength allowed him to guard a wide range of players effectively. He was an incredible shot-blocker and for a frontcourt player, turned out to be a surprisingly good ball thief.

When asked who he would choose as the center for an all-time team, Jordan went with Olajuwon. Need one say more?

If I had to pick a center [for an all-time best team], I would take Olajuwon. That leaves out Shaq, Patrick Ewing. It leaves out Wilt Chamberlain. It leaves out a lot of people. And the reason I would take Olajuwon is very simple: he is so versatile because of what he can give you from that position. It’s not just his scoring, not just his rebounding or not just his blocked shots. People don’t realize he was in the top seven in steals. He always made great decisions on the court. For all facets of the game, I have to give it to him.

1. Michael Jordan; 1984-1998; 2001-2003 Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards

Career Averages: 30.1 ppg; 6.2 rebounds; 5.3 assists; 2.3 steals

There really isn’t anything I can say which will add to the glory of this incredible athlete. Jordan was truly one of a kind.

We all know about his incredible scoring ability, his astounding 48 inch vertical which earned him the nickname “His airness” and his multitude of individual accolades.

Jordan’s contributions to the game went beyond than that of a player. He was a brand ambassador. He was the face of the modern, revamped NBA. David Stern realised this early on and did whatever he could do to get Jordan to popularise the game.

His theatricality captured the minds of millions of people from around the world. While there have been many statistical marvels before Jordan and there will be many more after him, what makes Jordan so special is his attitude.

Name one other former player who rates how good the current players are, not based on their statistics but on whether he (Jordan) could beat them in their prime? It was this attitude, this “devil-may-care” approach which made Jordan this popular. Oh and also his atrocious, tongue waggling style of play and his numerous slam dunks.