Among some, the Trail Blazer's cemented their NBA legacy in 1984 by drafting Sam Bowie before Michael Jordan. To my point, MJ's off-the-cout indulgences, from women to gambling, have been well-documented. In contrast, even though the NBA's statistical history books will never note it, informed Blazermaniacs like myself know that Sam Bowie is a great person. It's unfortunate that his basketball career didn't reach the height that his character does. (For anyone interested, Flip Bondy's book about the 1984 NBA draft has a great interview with Sam about the draft and his career, circa 2007.) After MJ won one of his title he shouted to a crowd of Bulls fans "thank God Chicago drafted me instead of Portland!" That makes two us.
You are glad we passed on MJ? Women, gambling, and six freaking NBA titles. Denial...you have it.