Shawn Bradley: The Philadelphia 76ers' Failed Experiment

After the Orlando Magic selected Chris Webber with the No.1 overall pick in the 1993 NBA Draft, the Philadelphia 76ers were quickly forced to make an important decision. Who should they grab with the second pick? Should it be Memphis State's Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway, the guard who was drawing  comparisons to Magic Johnson? Or what about Kentucky forward Jamal Mashburn? They could definitely use his scoring punch. Ultimately, Philly wound up taking the most mysterious prospect in the draft, 7-foot-6 giant Shawn Bradley from Brigham Young University. He had missed the past two seasons due to serving as a missionary in Australia, but that didn't discourage Sixer owner Harold Katz from choosing him. Katz was blown away by Bradley's amazing athletic and shot-blocking abilities and felt that he simply could not pass up the opportunity to draft the former BYU star. Katz advised the Philly fans to have patience and give Bradley at least three years before judging him. The Sixers ... (link)