Redrafting The Top Five Picks In The 1984 NBA Draft

• Career Averages: 30.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists
• Career Accomplishments: 6x Champion, 6x Finals MVP, 5x League MVP, 14x All-Star, 3x All-Star MVP, 10x All-NBA First Team, 1988 Defensive Player of the Year, 9x All-Defensive First Team, 1985 Rookie of the Year, 10x Scoring Champion, 3x Steal Leader, 2x Slam Dunk Champion
• Original Draft Selection: Hakeem Olajuwon

Simply put, Michael Jordan is arguably the greatest basketball player of all time. Drafted third overall by the Chicago Bulls, Michael Jordan went on to change the landscape of basketball forever. His impact on the global game of basketball cannot be understated. There are so many iconic moments from Jordan's career it's impossible to highlight just one.

There is no telling if Jordan's career would play out anywhere near as perfect as it did in Chicago. One thing that would be intriguing is seeing the duo of Jordan and Ralph Sampson. A key part of the Bulls struggles early in Jordan's career was the lack of a center. Having Sampson as a teammate day one would give MJ a significant boost.

• Career Averages: 21.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists
• Career Accomplishments: 2x Champion, 2x Finals MVP, 1994 MVP, 12x All-Star, 6x All-NBA First Team, 3x All-NBA Second Team, 3x All-NBA Third Team, 2x Defensive Player of the Year, 5x All-Defensive Team, 1985 Rookie of the Year, 2x Rebounding Leader, 3x Blocks Leader
• Original Draft Selection: Sam Bowie

Hakeem Olajuwon may never get the true flowers he deserves because he unfortunately had to play in an era dominated by Michael Jordan. The two years that Jordan was retired in 1994 and 1995, Olajuwon took full advantage. He won just about every award imaginable and topped that off with back-to-back championships. There are few centers as versatile as Olajuwon and can compare in terms of foot work.

If Olajuwon did fall to second in the draft, he would've been paired up with Hall of Fame shooting guard and former Houston teammate Clyde Drexler. The funny thing is that Drexler ended up playing with Olajuwon in Houston in 1995 where the pair won a title. I wonder how many titles the Blazers could've won with the duo of a prime Drexler and Olajuwon.

• Career Averages: 1993 MVP, 11x All-Star, 1991 All-Star MVP, 5x All-NBA First Team, 5x All-NBA Second Team, 1996 All-NBA Third Team, 1985 All-Rookie First Team, 1988 Rebounding Leader,
• Career Accomplishments: 22.1 points, 11.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists
• Original Selection: Michael Jordan

There will never be a personality to grace an NBA court again quite like the "round mound of rebound", Charles Barkley. He was a top-rated prospect coming into the 1984 draft, but some scouts and general managers were weary due to his size. The 76ers had asked Barkley to lose some weight before they would draft him, so naturally, Barkley gained 20 pounds before draft night. The 76ers ultimately selected him anyway.

The Bulls obviously get a downgrade as they won't be selecting the GOAT anymore, but Barkley is still a hall of fame addition. Having the personality of Charles Barkley in a market like Chicago would have been a fun mix, as he likely would have been a fan favorite. I would've love to see Bulls fans embrace Barkley like they did when Rodman joined the franchise.

• Career Averages: 13.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, 10.5 assists
• Career Accomplishments: 10x All-Star, 1993 All-Star MVP, 2x All-NBA First Team, 6x All-NBA Second Team, 3x All-NBA Third Team, 5x All-Defensive Second Team, 9x Assists Leader, 2x Steals Leader
• Original Selection: Sam Perkins

No player in NBA history has registered most assists throughout their career than John Stockton. What's even more remarkable about the feat is that Stockton ranks first by nearly 4,000 more assists than runner up, Jason Kidd. Most of those assists can be attributed to playing alongside Karl Malone, one of the NBAs top scorers all-time. Stockton to the Mavericks just makes so much sense with their history of playmakers from Jason Kidd to Steve Nash.

• Career Averages: 12.1 points, 8.4 rebounds, .9 assists
• Career Accomplishments: 2003 NBA Champion, 1x All-Star, 1992 All-NBA Third Team
• Original Selection: Charles Barkley

In terms of all the players left in the 1984 draft, Kevin Willis may not be the best talent wise, but he adds something that no other player in this draft does. Willis's NBA career started in 1984 and stretched all the way to 2007–an astonishing 23 total season. That type of longevity is truly once in a generation. Combine that with Willis's seven foot frame and defensive prowess and you have an impactful player who can certainly help bring your team wins.