The NBA Draft in the 1990s was a time of change. In the 80s, we saw people leaving college after their junior years. In the 1990s, players were starting to leave after their sophomore years. Then, in 1995, Kevin Garnett pushed the envelope into the first high school player in two decades to declare for the draft. Since that moment, the draft hasn't been the same.
But, we will always remember the #1 overall picks in the draft. We can run them off like we run off the list of champions. And what an odd mix it is.
Three of these guys were teammates together in Philadelphia. Two of these guys are still playing with their drafted teams. Two were teammates in LA. Two different sets are current teammates [one of those sets are in the NBA Finals right now]. Only two of these guys are NBA Champions.
#10-Michael Olowokandi [1998-Clippers]. He was a project when he was drafted...but it just didn’t pan out. As a Clipper, he was routinely outshined in LA by some other center that shares the same arena. He did develop into a 12 ppg scorer...but then left ClipperLand for Minnesota where he's posting the worst numbers of his career. And that is saying something. Stats: 9.0 ppg, 7.4 rpg
#9-Joe Smith [1995-Warriors]. Not your average Joe has made his way around the NBA. Playing only three years in Golden State, he's been to Philly, Minnesota, Detroit and now Milwaukee. What makes this pick look worse is the fact that McDyess, Stackhouse, Sheed and Garnett were picked directly after him. He will probably be best known for having a "wink wink" agreement with Minnesota that he'd sign low short term and the team would hook him up long term. That action cost the Wolves 4 first round draft picks. He has the EXACT same birthday as me. Stats: 12.6 ppg, 7.2 rpg
#8-Elton Brand [1999-Bulls]. Granted, of all of these guys, Brand has had the shortest career. However, he has been an All Star and an Olympian. One thing he hasn’t been is a playoff veteran...as he hasn’t seen that side of the fence yet. He was traded to the Clippers after his second season. In 2002, became the first Clipper since 1994 [Manning] to make the All Star team. Stats: 19.5 ppg, 10.4 rpg
#7-Larry Johnson [1991-Hornets]. LJ brought excitement and attention to Charlotte. Once Grandmama put on the teal...the franchise went from expansion to legit. A back injury and a big contract forced him up to New York where he played on the 1999 Eastern Conference Championship team. His 4-pt play is legendary in playoff lore [mainly because he wasn’t touched]. One of only two players on this list that are now retired, his 10 year career ended in 2001. Stats: 16.2 ppg, 7.5 rpg
#6-Glen Robinson [1994-Bucks]. He is the 2nd leading scorer in Milwaukee Bucks history. He went to the 2000 and 2001 All Star Games. One of the better scorers in the league...he averaged at least 20 pts in 8 of his first 9 seasons. Stats: 20.7 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 82% FT
#5-Derrick Coleman [1990-Nets] Drafted by the Nets, but starred for the Sixers and Hornets, Coleman is the classic example of potential never fully realized. Many people foresaw him as the forward that would change the game. We saw glimpses of it in Jersey and at times in his other stops...but he spent most of his career injured. He started only one All Star Game [1994]. Stats: 16.5 ppg, 9.3 rpg
#4-Chris Webber [1993-Magic/Warriors]. Originally drafted by Golden State, Webber was dealt to the Warriors for Penny Hardaway moments later. C-Webb’s career on the Bay was short, but he helped get the Washington Bullets to the playoffs and was the centerpiece in getting the Kings into the playoffs as well.He led the NBA in rebounding in 1999. Stats: 21.8 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 4.5 apg
#3-Allen Iverson [1996-Sixers]. Like him or hate him...he’s one of the NBA’s best players. A 6-foot tall wrecking ball...Iverson gives max effort every single game. He’s won the scoring title four times now...something only Wilt, Jordan and the Ice Man ever did. He is currently tied with Elgin Baylor for 3rd all-time in points-per-game. He has an MVP award...and one of only two players on this list who’ve played their entire career with one team. Stats: 27.4 ppg, 6.0 apg, 2.4 spg
#2-Tim Duncan [1997-Spurs]. Two NBA titles [currently working on #3] and two MVP awards sit in his trophy case. The Admiral’s injury brought Duncan to San Antonio, but his leadership is what lifted the former ABA franchise to rings. He's been named to the first team All NBA team in each of his 8 seasons. Stats: 22.5 ppg, 12.2 rpg, 2.5 blks
#1-Shaquille O’Neal [1992-Magic]. The Most Dominant Ever has 3 NBA championships....3 NBA Finals MVP awards and 1 regular season MVP award. He lifted the Orlando Magic to elite status and brought back the Lakers franchise to the elite. Only player on this list named to the NBA's 50 Greatest Players squad. Stats: 26.7 ppg, 12 rpg, 58% FG, 53% FT
1 comment:
Great Larry Johnson story.....
Larry went to shoot his first Converse commercial as a rookie. He came to the shoot with a great idea:
Larry Bird and Magic Johnson stand over an operating table in some mountaintop Bavarian castle. They have a fully assembled human under them, a la Frankenstein.
"We have created the perfect basketball player" says Magic.
"I think 'Larry' would be a good name" said Bird.
"I was thinking 'Johnson' had a certain ring to it" said Magic.
Suddenly, lightning animates the corpse, which grabs a basketball and runs off into the countryside. The scene fades to black, with an image of the Larry Johnson sneaker lingering as the commercial ends.
"Whattya think?" asked LJ of the advertising people.
"Nice idea.....now put on this dress." they told the future Granmama.
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