Skip Bayless Declares Michael Jordan the Greatest Draft Pick in NBA History

Each NBA draft has its busts and steals. Some excessive draft picks fail to reside as much as expectations, whereas others exceed all. Forward of Day 1 of the 2024 draft, the UNDISPUTED crew tried naming the best decide of their estimation. Surprisingly, Skip Bayless glossed over the slew of Corridor of Famers, who have been low first-round and second-round picks, and named Michael Jordan his selection.

The Chicago Bulls icon was one of many high prospects within the 1984 NBA draft class and was taken third general. Regardless of him being a lottery decide, the veteran analyst argued that had groups recognized how nice he’d turn out to be, they’d have rumbled to select him. As a hardcore MJ fan, he stated,

“I gotta go together with Jordan as the best decide ever as a result of I used to be in the midst of that draft. And now that I look again, he went third general and it looks like he went thirtieth general due to what he turned, to me, by far, the best participant ever. The best drive of nature we’ve ever seen in any sport as a performer and a frontrunner.”  

Bayless made a terrific level. The Houston Rockets picked Hakeem Olajuwon with the primary general decide, a no brainer determination for the franchise. The Portland Path Blazers handed on Jordan and picked middle Sam Bowie. They already had an elite capturing guard in Clyde Drexler and felt that one other can be surplus to the requirement.

Nonetheless, in hindsight, the Rockets and Path Blazers would gladly decide Jordan if they might redo the draft. Particularly Portland, who would’ve traded Drexler had they recognized how nice the Bulls icon would change into. Bayless’ argument has advantage, however Jordan may nonetheless be removed from being thought-about the best draft decide.

Nikola Jokic, infamously picked throughout a Taco Bell industrial, was drafted within the second spherical and has constructed a Corridor of Fame resume. He’s arguably one of the best decide in NBA draft historical past, even higher than the best participant ever.

Bayless’ take stems from his timeless love for Jordan. The analyst goes above and past when he senses a chance to admire the five-time MVP, even downplaying LeBron James’ historic achievements.

Bayless undermined the King to prop up Michael Jordan when he reached 40K factors

Earlier this 12 months, LeBron James turned the primary participant in NBA historical past to attain 40,000 factors within the common season. The Los Angeles Lakers famous person is already the league’s all-time main scorer. Nonetheless, he’s been busy creating daylight between himself and the chasing pack, making certain no person may chase it down within the foreseeable future.

Whereas even James’ harshest critics couldn’t assist however admire the ahead’s achievement, Skip Bayless undermined it and overrated Michael Jordan’s achievement. He posted on X,

“Michael Jordan led the NBA in scoring 10 occasions — to simply as soon as for LeBron James. MJ additionally gained a Defensive Participant of the Yr — LeBron none. MJ: 6-0 in Finals with 6 MVPs. LeBron has as many Finals losses as MJ had wins. However who remembers any of that tonight?”

Bayless’ baffling disdain for James is inexplicable. No matter what the ahead achieves, he finds a method to downplay it, normally resorting to his 4-6 Finals document.

Curiously, James has by no means immediately acknowledged Bayless’ hatred for him, nor has Jordan publicly inspired the analyst to proceed utilizing his identify to berate the Lakers famous person. Nonetheless, that hasn’t deterred Bayless and he’ll probably by no means cease pitting the duo each alternative he will get.