Biggest Bust in Sports all time

[DarthJaker]

I say
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_Leaf

[Swampdog]

Poor Leaf. I am not sure why he failed so miserably. At the time he was drafted, as I recall, many, many "experts" believed that he was better than Peyton Manning. Things didnt work out that way.

[DarthJaker]

http://cardboardmania.blogspot.com/2...f-arrived.html
Read this Dumba$$'s work

[DarthJaker]

David Carr's Pretty high on my list

[YEAH DAAAAWG]

This is an insanely difficult and impossible question to answer.

However Leaf has to be pretty high up on this long list. Some of the other more notable and notorious ones would probably include Brien Taylor, Sam Bowie, Lawrence Phillips, Brian Bosworth, and Ed O'Bannon.

Its harder to remember the MLB ones because in the NBA and NFL the draftees are playing on the big stage in a matter of months, as opposed to a matter of years, if ever in Major League Baseball.

[YEAH DAAAAWG]

David Carr's Pretty high on my list

What happened to Carr wasn't entirely his fault. The Texans never put a decent offensive line around him and he got killed because of it, and eventually it made him gun shy. I think he would've been a very good QB if he ever had a decent offensive line. Plus he had some good year's and he's still in the league, maybe his career will have a renaissance.

Although he did bring to mind Joey Harrington. Now THERE is a bust.

[Swampdog]

Steve Chilcott, drafted #1 overall in the 1966 MLB draft. He and Brien Taylor, through 2005, are the only #1 picks to fail to even reach the majors, I believe. That draft consisted of 63 rounds (63....although most teams had dropped out by about round 55, leaving the Yankees and Dodgers to rotate picks), and featured dozens of prospects who would eventually make the majors, including Steve Garvey, Ron Cey, Bill Russel (thats odd, dont ya think? Where was Lopes?), gary Nolan, Richie Hebner.... and the #2 overall, Reggie Jackson.

[YEAH DAAAAWG]

I can't remember his name now, but the guy drafted by the Bulls in the early 2000's that got in a motorcycle accident and was temporarily paralyzed.

EDIT: Jay Williams! That was his name.

[iklinck]

Morgana the Kissing Bandit.

Or was that not what you meant by "biggest bust"?

[OregonDuck1989]

Sam Bowie and Ryan Leaf easy. I bring up the fact that 1. The Trailblazers passed on Mike Jordan. 2. The Chargers passed on Fred Taylor, Greg Ellis, Charles Woodson, Randy Moss.

I understand team needs for the Chargers but they did need a RB, DT, CB and WR too so...

Also, Bowie ranks number one for me because of the Mike Jordan disaster. When they asked Bob Knight if he would draft Bowie and he said "No". When asked why because the Blazers needed a big man he said "Play Jordan inside, hell he's good enough".

And wow...I guess the Blazers blew it.

[etothep]

hard to label someone as a bust if they can't play due to injury (see: jay williams) & or play frequently enough to be effective due to injury (see: sam bowie)


you aren't a bust b/c someone drafted after you was better, you're a bust b/c you didn't play up to what your potential was thought to be

[Swampdog]

I cant agree with Bowie. Sure, we all know NOW that he wasnt as good as Jordan. But, to me, a bust is someone who accomplished nothing, or next to nothing. Bowie was injury prone, but he played about 10 (?) years in the NBA. He also made the All-Rookie team his first season. Not really a bust, at least as I defined it.

[YEAH DAAAAWG]

hard to label someone as a bust if they can't play due to injury (see: jay williams) & or play frequently enough to be effective due to injury (see: sam bowie)


you aren't a bust b/c someone drafted after you was better, you're a bust b/c you didn't play up to what your potential was thought to be

I define a bust as someone who did not reach their supposed Superstar/Hall of Fame/All-Star potential, regardless of the cause. Was it entirely their fault? No, probably not. But it still stands to reason that they were a bust.

Sam Bowie wasn't a bust because of who he was drafted ahead of, but the fact that he was drafted ahead of one of the best (possibly THE best) and most decorated players in NBA history just adds to the story.

[etothep]

I define a bust as someone who did not reach their supposed potential, regardless of the cause. Was it entirely their fault? No, probably not. But it still stands to reason that they were a bust.

Sam Bowie wasn't a bust because of who he was drafted ahead of, but the fact that he was drafted ahead of one of the best (possibly THE best) and most decorated players in NBA history just adds to the story.

More power to you, but when Jay Williams is happy to simply be alive after his motorcycle injury, I won't label that a bust since he didn't even get a chance to live up to his potential.

And yeh, when you're drafted ahead of a future hall of famer, it does enhance your story of being a bust. But hindsight is always 20/20 & the blazers needed a big man, & couldn't have counted on bowie to have chronic knee problems.

[OregonDuck1989]

Bowie actually had that on his scouting report. The Blazers took their chance, and failed.

I just go off Bobby Knight after he coached Mike in the 84 Olympics. "Greatest player ever" he said.

He was already considered it by Bob Knight and multiple scouts. The fact he was passed on is an incredible part of the story. It adds to Bowie being the largest bust. Being chronically hurt is a waste of money and therefore: a bust.

Ryan Leaf's temper figures more to me along with his horrible play. Not a team player either.