Fansided

NBA Draft: Every NBA team’s worst draft pick

By David Rouben

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 27: Anthony Bennett of UNLV poses for a photo with NBA Commissioner David Stern after Bennett was drafted
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 27: Anthony Bennett of UNLV poses for a photo with NBA Commissioner David Stern after Bennett was drafted /
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TERRE HAUTE, IN – FEBRUARY 25: General view of the statue of former Indiana State Sycamores and NBA legend Larry Bird before the game against the Wichita State Shockers at Hulman Center on February 25, 2015 in Terre Haute, Indiana. Wichita State defeated Indiana State 63-53. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
TERRE HAUTE, IN – FEBRUARY 25: General view of the statue of former Indiana State Sycamores and NBA legend Larry Bird before the game against the Wichita State Shockers at Hulman Center on February 25, 2015 in Terre Haute, Indiana. Wichita State defeated Indiana State 63-53. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

3. Indiana Pacers – Rick Robey (1978)

The most common complaint about the Celtics and Lakers of old is that the championships were shared between the two teams. All the best players in the league played for them, and nobody got a shot at the title. But that might not have been the case had Indiana played their cards right.

Larry Bird has strong ties to the Pacers now, having coached them for a brief time and currently serving as team president. But he could’ve easily played for them. Having spent three seasons at Indiana State and averaging 30.3 points per game, he would’ve been a folk hero had he played for the Pacers. It was almost too good to be true that he was still on the board at number 3, yet the Pacers opted for Kentucky Wildcat Rick Robey as they could only watch when Bird fell into the Celtics’ lap at number 6.

Robey was a key member of Kentucky’s 1978 winning team, and he recorded a double-double in the Championship Game, but outside of that he averaged a little over 13 points a game during his time there. Why did they pass up on Larry Bird? Nobody knows for sure, but Robey left the Pacers after his rookie season to join the Celtics, presumably after he heard of that blunder.

The history books will say Robey won a ring, but his contributions were limited to four starts and 9 points per game that season. Bird’s current role in the Pacers organization, however, has likely done little to quell their fans’ anger towards their front office.

Next: 2: Charlotte Hornets

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