On September 24 of last year, former Olympic gold medalist Sam Bowie resigned as commentator for the University of Kentucky's radio network (to be replaced by Mike Pratt) and expressed his interest in returning to the NBA. Bowie, as you may know, missed two full seasons of college basketball with UK before being selected second overall by the Trailblazers in the 1984 NBA draft. At the time, the physically brittle, 7-2 Bowie was deemed fit to play and, of course, be selected over Unanimous Player of the Year and Naismith Award Winner Michael Jordan. It seemed a wise choice, considering the state of their oversized back-court: Drexler, Paxson and Vandweghe. His solid (though unspectacular and injury-plagued) rookie season earned him a spot with Jordan and Barkley of the All-Rookie team... though injuries ruined the remainder of his career with Portland and he was limited to four seasons as a serviceable center. Along with a first round draft choice (ultimately Mookie Blaylock), he was traded to New Jersey for star forward Buck Williams. His scoring average hovered around 14.5 when he was sent to the Lakers for Benoit Benjamin. Pundits hailed it as a steal for Los Angeles, but injuries sidelined him for must of the 93-94 season while "Big Ben" earned the starting role on the fledgling Nets over Williams. By 1995, Bowie was done. Does anyone know how this story ended; did the Nets actually accept him for tryout, notwithstanding their 5 preexisting centers (including Feick and Scalabrine)? The latter article was posted just days before Sam's 41st birthday. If he returns next season he'll be the oldest player in the league - and who would want him?
I don't know how the story ends, but I remember seeing Bowie in his rookie year. He definately looked like he was going to be a very good player, and I don't mean an all-star type. I thought he would've been a Kevin Willis type player if his career wouldn't have ended so shortly.
