1994 Milk Carton

At the Golden State Warriors BLOG we like to take a historical perspective on what Warriors nation has gone through over the years. With draft day quickly approaching on Tuesday we thought we'd look take a look back at the 1994 draft with a little help from our friends over at the NBA Source. The Warriors were actually not in the lottery (a Warriors fan's playoffs) this year since it followed their last playoff run. If you remember 11 years ago that was a pretty fun Warriors-Suns 1st round series even though the Warriors got swept in 3 games. Things looked so promising with TWSM (Timmy, Webb, Spree, and Mullin) coming back healthy next year. However, the 1994 draft signaled the downward spiral that would haunt this franchise for the next 11 years. Let's take a look at who they ended up with and some commentary by the NBA Source:

11. Seattle (from Charlotte)--Carlos Rogers, PF, Tennessee St.
Career Stats:
7 Years: 7.4 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 0.8 BPG, 53.6 FG%
Career Highlights:
-Started just 55 games in his 8-year NBA career
-Beset by injuries to his ankle, back, and knee ever since donning an NBA jersey, thus preventing him from playing with the explosiveness for which he was drafted.
-Released by Indiana in 2002 and hasn't returned to the NBA since.
The Lowdown-Rogers received numerous chances to find a role on an NBA team, but every time he showed flashes of his ability, he suffered an injury which would sideline him and eventually set his progression back further. As the final lottery pick taken in 1994, Rogers has to be considered a major bust for failing to never even start more than 20 games in one season.
Grade: D

You might recall the Warriors didn't actually draft Carlos Rogers, he came to the team via trade with the Sonics. The deal was Carlos Rogers, Ricky Pierce, and two 1995 second round picks for Byron Houston and one the most popular Warriors Sarun Marciulionis. In case you're wondering what ever happened to Carlos Rogers take a look. He actually last played for the Indiana Pacers in the 2001-2002 season and managed to start one game.

16. Golden State (from Cleveland)--Clifford Rozier--PF, Louisville
Career Stats:
4 Years: 4.8 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 0.7 BPG, 49.6 FG%
The Lowdown-Rozier had personal issues which prevented him from living up to the explosive, raw ability he brough with him from Louisville. After struggling to handle the responsibilities of an NBA player, Rozier was released by Minnesota in 1997 and ended up with the USBL in 1999. Mental problems kept him from maintaining a career in basketball and Rozier was eventually driven to crime. Rozier who has been arrested 5 times since 1999, is now in jail after being convicted of grand theft auto in 2001.
Grade: F

Whoa! We're not messing with that.


You might ask "It's just the 16th pick. You usually don't get a great player. Who cares?" And there's some truth to that, but still it's interesting. So who did the Warriors pass up in taking Rozier with the 16th pick? Former 6th man of the year winner Aaron McKie went next, sharpshooter Wesley Person went at 23, NBA mainstay Charlie Ward was drafted at 26, solid backup Howard Eisley got picked at #30, and 3 point champ Voshon Lenard was selected in the 2nd round #46 overall.

This was the draft that started the most infamous "streak" in NBA draft history.

Make sure to check back tomorrow for some more draft history.