Before the next batch of NBA newcomers makes the transition to the big leagues on Thursday (7 p.m. ET, ESPN), we're taking a step back and looking at the best player picked at every slot, from 1-30, in history.
Apologies in advance to guys like Manu Ginobili (No. 57 overall pick in 1999), George Gervin (No. 40, 1974) and Mo Cheeks (No. 36, 1978) — you just missed the cut.
Keep in mind: This list isn't scientific. Nor is it perfect. It's simply our take.
1. LeBron James, 2003 – Surprise: The No. 1 spot is littered with Hall of Famers, and many of them — Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Tim Duncan and Shaquille O'Neal, to name a few — can make a case here. But we're going with James, the second-best player in pro hoops history.
LeBron James during the 2003 NBA draft. (Photo: Robert Deutsch, USAT)
ADDITIONAL DRAFT CONTENT:
- Predicting the entire first round
- Ranking the five biggest busts at No. 1
- A look at the top-five classes ever
2. Bill Russell, 1956 – His 11 championships remain one of the most unbreakable records in sports.
3. Michael Jordan, 1984 – He's the greatest basketball player ever. Next.
4. Chris Paul, 2005 – Don't let reports of Houston's turmoil or Paul's disappointing 2018-19 season cloud your judgement. Rings or no rings, he's one of the greatest point guards ever.
5. Kevin Garnett, 1995 – In addition to Garnett, the No. 5 slot also features Charles Barkley, Scottie Pippen and Dwyane Wade. We wouldn't fault you for putting any of them here.
6. Larry Bird, 1978 – Bird's only real competition here is Adrian Dantley, and it isn't a competition at all.
7. Stephen Curry, 2009 – Recency bias may play a bit of a role here, as the late Boston Celtics legend John Havlicek — the No. 7 pick in 1962 — was one of the greatest champions in the history of the sport. But if Curry hasn't already passed him on every all-time list, it's only a matter of time.
Stephen Curry is drafted by Golden State. (Photo: Emile Wamsteker, USA TODAY)
8. Robert Parish, 1976 – Speaking of Celtics legends …
9. Dirk Nowitzki, 1998 – In case you needed a reminder, Michael Olowokandi and Raef LaFrentz were taken ahead of Nowitzki in the 1998 draft.
10. Paul Pierce, 1998 – Oh, look. A Celtics legend.
11. Reggie Miller, 1987 – There's something about this slot and great shooters. Klay Thompson, JJ Redick, Robert Horry and Allan Houston were all taken 11th overall.
12. Julius Erving, 1972 – He was not only one of the greatest players ever but also one of the coolest.
13. Kobe Bryant, 1996 – Karl Malone could easily go here, but we're taking the Mamba and his five rings over the Mailman and his zero.
Kobe Bryant poses with NBA commissioner David Stern. (Photo: Nathaniel S. Butler, NBAE/Getty Images)
14. Clyde Drexler, 1983 – He glided right into this spot.
15. Steve Nash, 1996 – It goes to Nash for now, but check back in a few years. Kawhi Leonard and Giannis Antetokounmpo are gaining ground.
16. John Stockton, 1984 – The NBA's all-time leader in assists and steals, Stockton blows every other No. 16 pick out of the water.
17. Shawn Kemp, 1989 – Don Nelson (No. 17 pick in 1962) won five NBA championships. Kemp delivered one of the most disrespectful dunks of all-time. Advantage, Kemp.
Shawn Kemp dunking all over Alton Lister and pointing at him afterwards is No. 6 in #NBArank Best Playoff Vines. https://t.co/uzXNU5hjSM
18. Joe Dumars, 1985 – Dumars, the 1989 Finals MVP and a four-time All-Defensive First Team selection, was one of the best defenders in league history, and his importance to the success of those Bad Boy Detroit Pistons can't be overstated.
19. Nate Archibald, 1970 – Archibald is still the only player in NBA history to lead the league in both scoring and assists in a single season.
20. Larry Nance, 1981 – Nance was so much more than the winner of the first Slam Dunk Contest.
21. Rajon Rondo, 2006 – Rondo was a draft-day steal, and he quickly made an impact for Boston, helping lead the Celtics to a title in his second season.
22. Reggie Lewis, 1987 – In one of the most tragic stories in NBA history, the uber-talented Lewis died after collapsing on the court after just six seasons in the league. He was selected to his first and only All-Star Game the year before.
23. Alex English, 1976 – The greatest player in Denver Nuggets history, English was an eight-time All-Star and had a career scoring average of 21.5 points per game — the highest for any player ever taken at No. 23.
Alex English drives against Dudley Bradley in this Jan. 6, 1988 photo. (Photo: Susan Ragan, Associated Press)
24. Arvydas Sabonis, 1986 – He may not be the best or most accomplished NBA player drafted in the No. 24 slot (Kyle Lowry, Andrei Kirilenko, Sam Cassell, Terry Porter and Latrell Sprewell were, too), but Sabonis was one of the greatest European players in league history, and his international impact is still felt today.
25. Mark Price, 1986 – He was just the second player ever, after Bird, to join the NBA's 50-40-90 club.
26. Vlade Divac, 1989 – An international star. And the guy who was traded for Kobe.
27. Dennis Rodman, 1986 – Rodman takes the all-time crown, but the 27th pick has been a gold mine in recent years, with Kyle Kuzma, Pascal Siakam, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Rudy Gobert.
28. Tony Parker, 2001 – A six-time All-Star and four-time champion, Parker, who retired earlier this month, was as consistent as they come.
29. Dennis Johnson, 1976 – The late Johnson was underrated on draft day and he's still underrated today.
30. Spencer Haywood, 1971 – The only Hall of Famer to be drafted with the 30th pick, Haywood's impact on the court was matched by his impact off of it, where he laid the groundwork for future NBA players with his fight to change the league's eligibility rules.
Follow AJ Neuharth-Keusch on Twitter @tweetAJNK
Source: Read Full Article