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Tip-Off: How the 1984 NBA Draft Changed Basketball Forever
The 1984 NBA draft is one of the most controversial in NBA history. Teams were losing games very suspiciously during the regular season to enhance their draft position. And who wouldn't, when the draft featured four future members of the Top 50 NBA Players of All Time team-Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley, John Stockton, and Michael Jordan. But this draft is most often remembered as the one where Michael Jordan slipped to third and was a reason the lottery system was introduced the next year. How could the experts have been so wrong and, even more astoundingly, how could the Portland Trailblazers, who held the second pick, pass on Jordan and choose the injury-prone Sam Bowie? Filip Bondy sets out to answer that question and many more. Talking to general managers, coaches, and players, Bondy provides the entire back story of the draft: trades that were never made; wrong-headed assessments of players like Charles Barkley and John Stockton, and how Bobby Knight, coach of the 1984 U.S. Olympic team, played a major role in advising certain teams about key players.
300 pages, Hardcover
First published April 24, 2007
34 people are currently reading
750 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
January 15, 2009
The 1984 Draft changed the face of the NBA for the next decade. Micheal Jordan, Charles Barkley, John Stockton, among others were in the draft. As a sad footnote, Jordan the all time great was not the 1st pick of this draft. That goes to Sam Bowie, who was drafted by the Portland Trailblazers, who never was the player worthy of this status, thanks to health problems. I reccomend the book to anyone who likes reading about the world of professiional basketball.
April 12, 2015
Not the greatest writing display, but plenty of interesting stories about the '84 draft and how any of a dozen things going slightly the other way would have drastically altered the NBA landscape for the next 15 years. Four of the best 20 to ever play the game came from this group - Jordan, Stockton, Barkley & Hakeem, so that's enough to keep you reading, even if the text is a bit stilted.
June 25, 2011
After watching the 2011 NBA draft, which may go down as one of the worst in history, I enjoyed this look back to 1984 draft which produced numerous Hall of Fame players. A nice overview of the various people involved in the whole process including players, coaches, scouts, and front office types.
June 25, 2008
An insider's look at a fascinating period in NBA history. What if... Michael Jordan played for the Blazers?
June 21, 2020
An excellent account of the 1984 NBA draft that is most well-known for Michael Jordan being taken with the third pick, but also included three other future Hall of Famers, Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley, and John Stockton. If Bird and Magic are credited with saving the NBA, the 1984 and 1985 drafts are what made the NBA shine throughout the 90's.
This book has mini biographies of the college careers of the top players, the 1984 Olympic tryouts with Bobby Knight being his normal jerky self, and the stories of why each team draft each player. We also find out why the Portland Trailblazers picked Sam Bowie second instead of Jordan.
While I enjoyed the book, it should have been edited better. For example: When the story is discussing a game with the college team Virginia Cavaliers, the author magically transports the team to Cleveland, home of the NBA team who are also known as the Cavaliers.
This book has mini biographies of the college careers of the top players, the 1984 Olympic tryouts with Bobby Knight being his normal jerky self, and the stories of why each team draft each player. We also find out why the Portland Trailblazers picked Sam Bowie second instead of Jordan.
While I enjoyed the book, it should have been edited better. For example: When the story is discussing a game with the college team Virginia Cavaliers, the author magically transports the team to Cleveland, home of the NBA team who are also known as the Cavaliers.
March 22, 2018
Tip Off was a very interesting read for numerous reasons - mainly due to Filip Bondy's uncanny ability to make the reader feel like they were right there apart of the 1984 draft. Bondy gives detailed short stories about some of the most important players from the class, allowing the reader to get to know the characters that played such a large role in shaping the future of the NBA. These short stories give the reader a detailed perspective of how the league used to look like, which many basketball fans can appreciate. Although its a nonfiction book, Bondy is able to put the reader into a separate world and make you feel as though you are right there with the players. This is something I have never experienced in a nonfiction book, and is a defining reason why I, and many more, will enjoy reading this book.
May 2, 2021
Not a game changing book about basketball by any stretch and there’s nothing in this book any fan of basketball doesn’t already know. It features a detailed look into the top 5 picks (Hakeem, Bowie, Jordan, Perkins and Brakley) as well as going into detail about John Stockton. A decent enough read.
May 16, 2019
Really enjoyed this book. Ton of good stories and names from the mid-1980s to mid-1990s. I think that’s the glory days of the nba.
May 28, 2020
MJ!!!!!!!!!! Hero or maniac? I'm still not sure after the 10-hour documentary.
September 28, 2020
Not a ton of revelations, but a lot of cool nuggets for the more than casual hoops fan, particularly those of us (I was 11 years old when this draft took place) of a certain age.
March 26, 2022
Meticulously reported, fascinating.
June 22, 2023
Certainly changed the way how I see players who aren't superstars like Jordan. Would be cool if there was an updated version, one with Kobe's draft class, Lebron's and now maybe Wemby's.
January 9, 2025
A fun book with interesting tidbits I did not know. Dated for sure but definitely enjoyable.
October 27, 2015
Probably would have propped it up to a two-star had he not gone into an ill-advised and ignorant rant in the epilogue about how the 1984 draft (and the players) set the stage for the modern player that doesn't know how to play the "right way" while making John Stockton -- one of the dirtier players of his generation -- as the acme of basketball purity.
This is a fairly mundane book. The first third profiles the college careers of his subjects: Hakeem Olajuwon, Sam Bowie, Michael Jordan, Sam Perkins, Charles Barkley and John Stockton. No real surprises here for anyone that's followed basketball with regularity.
The middle section, though, is pretty interesting and I wish Bondy had used these chapters as the basis for the entire book and expanded on them instead of playing the big "what if" game with Jordan going to one team or the other.
In these chapters, he reports on the machinations that took place before the draft as teams prepared to make their picks. He also discusses the overall view of the teams and the prospective players in the drafts.
A common misconception as folks try to explain Bowie over Jordan is this: "Nobody knew Jordan would be THAT good." Unfortunately, nobody in any sport drafts a player thinking, "Hmm. He might win some scoring titles and MVP awards." No, teams look at their roster, their future roster, budget and current and future expectations to make a pick. And if you have a top 5 or top 10 pick you might just look at the best player.
Jordan was not a fringe mid-round pick. He wasn't unknown. He was not an enigma (Stockton), a hot-head (Barkley), an injury-risk (Bowie) or too raw (Olajuwon). He was simple and pure, the best player in the draft. If Houston had lost the coin flip with Portland, Portland would have taken Olajuwon first and Houston would've taken Jordan. No, one knew how many scoring titles or MVPs Jordan would win, but everyone thought he was a great player and a player worthy of a top pick.
Portland simply out-thought themselves. Case in point, Houston had no logical business taking Olajuwon having Ralph Sampson in tow. However, Houston got creative and thought what is better than having one seven-footer? Having two. Yes, Portland had Clyde Drexler, but a creative individual would've simply taken the best player and that was Jordan, no arguments. Slide Jordan into the two-guard slot, Drexler play the wing and win a bunch of games.
But Bondy's reporting about the inner thoughts of the teams heading into the draft is pretty interesting even going into the league attempting to bail out the Cleveland Cavaliers with free picks thus altering how Dallas, with two first-round picks, did their business. He also goes into detail about how the Bulls and Rockets "tanked" games to increase their pick status by playing the 800-year-old Elvin Hayes big minutes or sitting an "injured" Orlando Woolridge.
Furthermore, the boner of leaving Jordan, Stockton and Barkley on the draft board is compounded by teams simply not caring about who they drafted. Granted, it was 1984, but video cassettes existed and teams simply not scouting players, going off the word of coaches or media was such a lazy way to do business. Teams grumbled as rookie salaries increased, yet, for a multi-million dollar business, front offices were extremely lazy in picking the absolute right player.
Bondy discusses this a little noting that Bowie simply wasn't chronically injured or wasn't a big offensive player, but he did not have the personality trait that made him a leader. This trait was missing in Sam Perkins (self-admittedly from Big Smooth) but it was not in Olajuwon, Stockton, Jordan or Barkley. With a top pick, you need something more than physical skill. I'd like to say teams have learned from 1984, but despite the money spent in scouting, they make the same mistakes over and over.
This is a fairly mundane book. The first third profiles the college careers of his subjects: Hakeem Olajuwon, Sam Bowie, Michael Jordan, Sam Perkins, Charles Barkley and John Stockton. No real surprises here for anyone that's followed basketball with regularity.
The middle section, though, is pretty interesting and I wish Bondy had used these chapters as the basis for the entire book and expanded on them instead of playing the big "what if" game with Jordan going to one team or the other.
In these chapters, he reports on the machinations that took place before the draft as teams prepared to make their picks. He also discusses the overall view of the teams and the prospective players in the drafts.
A common misconception as folks try to explain Bowie over Jordan is this: "Nobody knew Jordan would be THAT good." Unfortunately, nobody in any sport drafts a player thinking, "Hmm. He might win some scoring titles and MVP awards." No, teams look at their roster, their future roster, budget and current and future expectations to make a pick. And if you have a top 5 or top 10 pick you might just look at the best player.
Jordan was not a fringe mid-round pick. He wasn't unknown. He was not an enigma (Stockton), a hot-head (Barkley), an injury-risk (Bowie) or too raw (Olajuwon). He was simple and pure, the best player in the draft. If Houston had lost the coin flip with Portland, Portland would have taken Olajuwon first and Houston would've taken Jordan. No, one knew how many scoring titles or MVPs Jordan would win, but everyone thought he was a great player and a player worthy of a top pick.
Portland simply out-thought themselves. Case in point, Houston had no logical business taking Olajuwon having Ralph Sampson in tow. However, Houston got creative and thought what is better than having one seven-footer? Having two. Yes, Portland had Clyde Drexler, but a creative individual would've simply taken the best player and that was Jordan, no arguments. Slide Jordan into the two-guard slot, Drexler play the wing and win a bunch of games.
But Bondy's reporting about the inner thoughts of the teams heading into the draft is pretty interesting even going into the league attempting to bail out the Cleveland Cavaliers with free picks thus altering how Dallas, with two first-round picks, did their business. He also goes into detail about how the Bulls and Rockets "tanked" games to increase their pick status by playing the 800-year-old Elvin Hayes big minutes or sitting an "injured" Orlando Woolridge.
Furthermore, the boner of leaving Jordan, Stockton and Barkley on the draft board is compounded by teams simply not caring about who they drafted. Granted, it was 1984, but video cassettes existed and teams simply not scouting players, going off the word of coaches or media was such a lazy way to do business. Teams grumbled as rookie salaries increased, yet, for a multi-million dollar business, front offices were extremely lazy in picking the absolute right player.
Bondy discusses this a little noting that Bowie simply wasn't chronically injured or wasn't a big offensive player, but he did not have the personality trait that made him a leader. This trait was missing in Sam Perkins (self-admittedly from Big Smooth) but it was not in Olajuwon, Stockton, Jordan or Barkley. With a top pick, you need something more than physical skill. I'd like to say teams have learned from 1984, but despite the money spent in scouting, they make the same mistakes over and over.
December 11, 2015
The book Tip Off by Filip Bondy is a nonfiction book about many well-known basketball players and their careers such as, Michael Jordan. It also talks about the Coaches and the athletes in the NBA program making decisions about who to draft to what team and more. About the tough decisions between players or if they weren’t tough at all.
It goes into detail about the Coach making a choice between two players and he said, “It wasn’t a difficult choice at all.” I couldn’t imagine picking between two people when that is their job and their career on the line. But, it also has the Coach’s job on the line because the more his team loses the chance of that Coach getting fired increases.
My favorite part of this book is when they talk about a game and how it was so intense and exciting. How the energy was so high and everyone in the stadium was hyped up and cheering. I loved it because I know when I am playing in a basketball game and the pressure is really high and you can’t make a mistake because the score is so close and you just want to win! When the fans are cheering and excited it makes me have more energy instead of when the fans are sitting there just clapping.
I think if you enjoy learning about some of the history of basketball careers then you should read Tip Off. But, if you don’t enjoy nonfiction sports books then stay away from this book! But, overall I think everyone should read this because it really makes you feel like you are in the stands at the game. It makes you feel like you are in the Coach’s position. I really enjoyed this book so I think you should read it!
It goes into detail about the Coach making a choice between two players and he said, “It wasn’t a difficult choice at all.” I couldn’t imagine picking between two people when that is their job and their career on the line. But, it also has the Coach’s job on the line because the more his team loses the chance of that Coach getting fired increases.
My favorite part of this book is when they talk about a game and how it was so intense and exciting. How the energy was so high and everyone in the stadium was hyped up and cheering. I loved it because I know when I am playing in a basketball game and the pressure is really high and you can’t make a mistake because the score is so close and you just want to win! When the fans are cheering and excited it makes me have more energy instead of when the fans are sitting there just clapping.
I think if you enjoy learning about some of the history of basketball careers then you should read Tip Off. But, if you don’t enjoy nonfiction sports books then stay away from this book! But, overall I think everyone should read this because it really makes you feel like you are in the stands at the game. It makes you feel like you are in the Coach’s position. I really enjoyed this book so I think you should read it!
February 18, 2012
I found it interesting how a coin flip between Houston and Portland changed the landscape of the NBA.
If Portland had won the flip, there would have been a reunion of Phi Slamma Jamma in Portland, as they already had Drexler and were poised to take Olajuwan, Jordan would have gone to Houston, and Sam Perkins probably would have been in Chicago (as Rod Thorn never was a Sam Bowie fan), and Bowie would have been a run of the mill first round flop, instead of a punchline to a joke for being chosen ahead of Jordan.
It's a fairly quick read and is full of fun and interesting insights to how GM's think. A fun side story is Charles Barkley, not wanting to be drafted by Philadelphia due to their salary constrictions (this was the end of the Moses Malone, Dr. J, Bobby Jones era) gained 30 pounds between his first and second workouts for them, and Philly's very quiet semi attempt to trade Dr. J to the Bulls in hopes of drafting Jordan.
If Portland had won the flip, there would have been a reunion of Phi Slamma Jamma in Portland, as they already had Drexler and were poised to take Olajuwan, Jordan would have gone to Houston, and Sam Perkins probably would have been in Chicago (as Rod Thorn never was a Sam Bowie fan), and Bowie would have been a run of the mill first round flop, instead of a punchline to a joke for being chosen ahead of Jordan.
It's a fairly quick read and is full of fun and interesting insights to how GM's think. A fun side story is Charles Barkley, not wanting to be drafted by Philadelphia due to their salary constrictions (this was the end of the Moses Malone, Dr. J, Bobby Jones era) gained 30 pounds between his first and second workouts for them, and Philly's very quiet semi attempt to trade Dr. J to the Bulls in hopes of drafting Jordan.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 27, 2010
Straightforward description of the immense talent, the greatest collection ever to enter in the NBA in one year, of the 1984 draft. Does not offer groundbreaking analysis, but provides an informative account from the major parties involved, including the report of an trade offered by the Portland Trailblazers to the Houston Rockets: the No. 2 pick in the 1984 draft (potentially Micheal Jordan, chosen with the No. 3 pick) and Clyde Drexler for Houston's Ralph Sampson (the No. 1 pick from the 1983 draft). Meaning the Rockets could have had Hakeem Olajuwon, Michael Jordan, and Clyde Drexler on the same team (hold on while slam my hand in the door a few times).
September 8, 2012
Very good recapture of one of the best drafts in NBA history. The author does a good job of highlighting all future star players in this draft such as Barkley and Stockton...not just Jordan. Plus he is one of the few analysts who will not completely bash the Portland Trailblazers for passing on Jordan and selecting Sam Bowie. Good book.
July 30, 2014
This book focuses on the top 5 picks (Olajuwon, Bowie, Jordan, Perkins, Barkley) and Stockton. I love this era of the NBA, so it was enjoyable to read. Since the book is not that long and there are 6 people it focuses on, it does not go too in depth on anyone.
August 20, 2008
A fascinating topic, but a disappointing book. There are so many interesting stories about the players drafted in 1984, but this book only skims the surface of them.
January 9, 2009
This book is so interesting. It is amazing to think that MJ was picked third and Stockton 16th. Any fan of basketball should read this book!
July 29, 2009
A well written book about a period in the history of the NBA that truly changed the face of the league and, specifically, the paths of a great many teams along the way...
June 22, 2010
Not a very well written book in my opinion, but a very good subject. You forget all the stars that were in that draft class. Fun read, but poorly written.
December 30, 2010
Easy read but not the most interesting basketball book I have ever read.
February 9, 2011
This book was extremely detailed and accurate and described one of the most important drafts in the history. It was captivating with the little known facts that were shared about the draft.
October 9, 2015
Fun look at a small slice of basketball history.
June 15, 2014
Fairly simplistic at points, but a generally fun and easy read.
July 15, 2013
Decent book. Mainly profiled the first five picks of the NBA draft (Hakeem, Bowie, Jordan, Perkins, Barkley) plus John Stockton. Some interesting behind the scenes information.
September 15, 2014
Good subject but lacking new material, deep analysis or good tables, charts, etc.
February 6, 2015
Good read from the '84 NBA draft. Interesting stories about players that made the NBA better.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews