What If Michael Jordan Was Drafted Second? An Alternate Sports History

The ripple effects of this single decision would have created an NBA alternate reality, reshaping dynasties, altering legacies, and fundamentally changing the course of basketball history. In our timeline, the Chicago Bulls selected Michael Jordan with the third pick, and the rest is a story of six championships, global superstardom, and the birth of a cultural icon. But what if that story unfolded in the Pacific Northwest? Let’s dive into an alternate sports history and explore the cascading consequences of the Michael Jordan Trail Blazers what-if.

The Ripple Effect Across the NBA

The biggest "what if" scenarios in sports are fascinating because they don't just affect one team. Drafting Jordan second would have sent shockwaves across the entire league, fundamentally altering the landscape of the 1990s.

What Happens to the Chicago Bulls?

Without Michael Jordan, the Chicago Bulls as we know them simply cease to exist. The entire narrative of the franchise changes. With the third pick, who do they select? Former Bulls GM Rod Thorn has stated they likely would have taken Sam Perkins and not gambled on Sam Bowie, given his injury history. This move would have made them a respectable team but certainly not the dynasty they became.

The Bulls' six championships, the iconic moments like "The Shot," and the global explosion of basketball's popularity led by Jordan would have been erased. The city of Chicago, which became synonymous with basketball excellence, would have a vastly different sports identity. The economic and cultural impact Jordan had on Chicago, from the United Center's buzz to the worldwide recognition, would belong to Portland.

The Rise of Other Dynasties

Jordan’s dominance in the 1990s prevented many other all-time great players from winning championships. In a world where a Michael Jordan Trail Blazers team might have been slightly less dominant than the real-life Bulls, the door would have been open for others.

• Hakeem Olajuwon and the Houston Rockets: In our timeline, Hakeem "The Dream" Olajuwon won his two titles during Jordan's first retirement. In this alternate reality, without a Bulls dynasty to contend with, could the Rockets have won even more? Hakeem was one of the most skilled centers ever, and his career highlights showcase his dominance.

• Charles Barkley and Patrick Ewing: Superstars like Charles Barkley and Patrick Ewing were consistently thwarted by Jordan's Bulls. Perhaps in this alternate history, one of them finally captures that elusive NBA title, forever changing their legacy.

• The "Bad Boy" Pistons and Showtime Lakers: The Pistons might have extended their reign, and the aging Lakers could have potentially grabbed another title in the late 80s or early 90s without Jordan's Bulls rising to power so quickly.

The Legacy Question: Jordan, Bowie, and Drexler

An alternate sports history forces us to re-evaluate the legacies of the key players involved. While Jordan's talent would have been undeniable anywhere, his narrative would have been different.

Michael Jordan's Global Brand

A significant part of Jordan's mystique was his six-championship run with the Bulls, a major market team. Would playing in a smaller market like Portland have diminished his global appeal? It’s debatable. While Chicago offered a larger media stage, Jordan's talent was so transcendent that he likely would have become a global icon regardless.

However, the "Air Jordan" brand, so closely tied to Nike's headquarters in Oregon, could have become even more intertwined with his on-court identity. A partnership with a hometown hero would have been a marketing dream. The narrative of his success would have been different, but his relentless drive to win, a core part of his legend, is a trait that transcends geography. That inner fire is what truly matters, a lesson in how to overcome procrastination and boost your productivity in any field.

The Fate of Sam Bowie

In our reality, Sam Bowie is unfairly labeled as one of the biggest draft busts in history, primarily because of who was drafted after him. His career was hampered by significant leg injuries, a fact he later admitted to downplaying to teams before the draft.

If Jordan had gone second, Bowie would have likely been drafted by the Bulls or another team. Without the impossible shadow of Jordan looming over him, Bowie would be remembered differently—as a talented center whose promising career was tragically cut short by injuries, rather than as a symbol of a franchise's greatest mistake.

Clyde Drexler's Place in History

Clyde Drexler is a Hall of Famer and was named one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history. However, he spent much of his prime being compared to Jordan. As Jordan's teammate, he might have won multiple championships, but he would have unequivocally been the "Scottie Pippen" of the duo. His individual accolades might have been fewer, but his ring count could have been higher. It's a classic debate: is it better to be the undisputed leader of a great team or a key contributor to a legendary dynasty?

A Reshaped NBA Universe

The simple act of swapping two names on a draft card in 1984 creates an NBA alternate universe filled with endless possibilities. The Michael Jordan Trail Blazers what-if is more than just a fun thought experiment; it’s a testament to how a single moment can define an entire era of sports. Dynasties would shift, legacies would be rewritten, and the story of basketball in the 1990s would be almost unrecognizable.

While we can never know for sure what would have happened, it’s clear that the Portland Trail Blazers made a decision that not only cost them championships but also altered the destiny of the entire league. The legend of Michael Jordan was destined for greatness, but its path could have been paved in the forests of Oregon instead of the concrete jungle of Chicago.

What do you think? Would a Jordan-Drexler duo have been as dominant as the Bulls? Who would have ruled the 90s in this alternate reality? Share your theories in the comments below!