Definition
The 1978 NBA Draft was the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) annual event for teams to select eligible amateur players, conducted to allocate the rights of those players to the league’s franchises for the upcoming 1978–79 season.
Overview
The draft took place on June 9, 1978, at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. It comprised eight rounds, where a total of 165 players were selected by the 22 NBA franchises operating at the time. The first overall selection was Mychal Thompson, a center from the University of Minnesota, chosen by the Portland Trail Blazers. Notable later selections included Larry Bird (6th overall, Boston Celtics), Reggie Theus (the 8th pick, Chicago Bulls), and Otis Birdsong (2nd round, Kansas City Kings). The draft marked the entry of several players who would become multiple‑time All‑Stars and Hall of Famers, most prominently Larry Bird, who would later be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Etymology/Origin
The term “NBA Draft” originates from the broader concept of a “draft” in professional sports, referring to a systematic selection process whereby teams acquire the rights to amateur athletes. The NBA adopted this mechanism in 1947, initially called the “NBA BAA Draft,” and it has since become a standard annual event in the league’s calendar.
Characteristics
- Structure: Eight rounds, with each team receiving one pick per round, subject to trades.
- Eligibility: Players who had completed their college eligibility, junior college players, and eligible international players. Underclassmen could also declare for the draft, a practice that was gaining acceptance in the late 1970s.
- Notable Trades: The Boston Celtics traded for the rights to Larry Bird by selecting him with the 6th overall pick, a move that later proved pivotal to the franchise’s success.
- Impact: The draft produced a high concentration of future Hall of Famers and All‑Stars, including Bird, who would be integral to the Celtics’ dominance in the 1980s. It also underscored the growing importance of scouting and player evaluation in the NBA’s talent acquisition strategies.
- Historical Context: This draft occurred during a period of league expansion and increasing competition with the American Basketball Association (ABA), which had merged with the NBA in 1976. It reflected the NBA’s efforts to strengthen its talent pool following the merger.
Related Topics
- NBA Draft (general overview and historical evolution)
- 1978–79 NBA season
- National Basketball Association (NBA)
- Larry Bird (career and Hall of Fame induction)
- Mychal Thompson (professional career and legacy)
- Basketball scouting and player evaluation practices.