8 Stars the Portland Trail Blazers missed drafting by a single pick

2. Larry Bird - 1978

Trail Blazers pick: Ron Brewer, No. 7

Other pick: Larry Bird, No. 6 (Boston Celtics)

The Trail Blazers also had the No. 1 overall pick in the 1978 NBA Draft, selecting two-time NBA champion Mychal Thompson, father of Golden State Warriors sharpshooter Klay Thompson. But the headliner from the draft is Hall of Fame legend Larry Bird, who went one pick before the Blazers had another chance to snag him. Admittedly, Bird going to the Celtics was great for the NBA and revolutionized the league with the rivalry between Bird's Celtics and Magic Johnson's Lakers.

Bird was a less athletic, better-shooting version of LeBron James. He was a 6-foot-9 forward with elite court vision and the ability to initiate offense like a point guard. Since entering the league as a 23-year-old, Bird made the All-Star game every season of his 13-year career, with the only exception being in 1988, when he only played six games due to an Achilles injury.

Bird could've even had a more productive career had it not been for the injury, as he didn't return to the same level of dominance. Still, it's hard to imagine a three-time NBA champion, two-time Finals MVP, and three-time MVP having a better career.

It doesn't sting as much when the player is picked right before the Blazers instead of right after. But Larry Bird is a top-ten player in NBA history—The Athletic ranked Bird No. 7 all-time—so obviously, there's still reason for Blazers fans to be salty.