The storied career of NBA legend John Salley nearly took a dramatically different turn, placing him with the Chicago Bulls a full decade before he eventually linked up with Michael Jordan for their historic 1996 championship run. This lesser-known chapter of basketball history reveals a fascinating ‘what if’ scenario that could have reshaped the trajectory of one of the league’s most dominant franchises.
By the onset of the 1986-87 NBA season, Michael Jordan was already cementing his status as a premier talent, rapidly ascending to become one of the league’s most popular and electrifying stars. Despite Jordan’s individual brilliance, the Bulls organization found itself far from championship contention, leading them to hold a crucial ninth pick in the competitive 1986 NBA Draft.
It was during this pivotal pre-draft period that Jerry Krause, the visionary general manager who would later orchestrate the Bulls’ iconic 1990s dynasty, began to cultivate a strong interest in John Salley. Salley vividly recalls multiple meetings where Krause explicitly promised him, “I’m gonna draft you,” a sentiment echoed by then-coach Doug Collins, cementing Salley’s expectation of joining the Chicago Bulls.
However, the highly anticipated draft day brought a surprising twist. As the ninth pick approached and Salley prepared to button his suit, ready to walk across the stage, the Bulls made a different announcement: they selected Brad Sellers. This unexpected decision left Salley stunned and led to his eventual selection by the Detroit Pistons, just two picks later, at number eleven.
In hindsight, the path John Salley took proved immensely successful, even if it wasn’t the one initially envisioned. During his six productive seasons with the Detroit Pistons, Salley blossomed, becoming a key component of their formidable “Bad Boys” era and ultimately securing two NBA championships, solidifying his status as a valuable player.
The basketball universe, however, had a unique way of bringing Salley back to his seemingly destined franchise. Years later, after his successful tenure with the Detroit Pistons and other teams, John Salley finally joined the Chicago Bulls for their legendary 1995-96 season. This arrival allowed him to experience championship glory with the very team that once almost drafted him, alongside Michael Jordan.
The contrasting careers of Salley and Sellers provided a persistent undercurrent of rivalry, particularly for Salley. He often recounted Jerry Krause’s comment about Sellers being a better shooter, which fueled Salley’s competitive fire, driving him to consistently outperform Sellers whenever they met on the court, transforming personal pride into on-court dominance. The unfulfilled promise of the 1986 NBA Draft ultimately led John Salley on a circuitous route to Chicago, proving that destiny can sometimes take a scenic path to its ultimate destination.
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