Saturday, June 27, 2009

Ranking the Overall No. 1 Picks in the Lottery Era


24-Michael Olowokandi, Clippers (1998): To me, he's the worst top pick in the history of the draft. No one heard of him until just before the draft and no one has heard from him since.

23-Pervis Ellison, Kings (1989): He was Olowokandi a decade earlier.

22-Kwame Brown, Wizards (2001): The main reason why there is an age limit now.

21-Andrew Bogut, Bucks (2005): Has potential but no one sees him play.

20-Andrea Bargnani, Raptors (2006): Still a bit raw.

19-Greg Oden, Blazers (2007): Hasn't lived up to the hype, but he still is young and just finished his rookie season after having microfracture surgery.

18-Joe Smith, Warriors (1995): He never was a star, but he is still in the league as a role player.

17-Danny Manning, Clippers (1988): Injuries derailed his career.

16-Kenyon Martin, Nets (2000): K-Mart was a force before his knees gave out on him.

15-Derrick Rose, Bulls (2008): Just one year in but he looks like he can be a mega star.

14-Elton Brand, Bulls (1999): The Bulls' other top pick has had his moments but hasn't been able to be a winner yet.

13-Larry Johnson, Hornets (1991): His career only lasted a decade but he was a big part of the Hornets surge and a Knicks Finals team.

12-Glen Robinson, Bucks (1994): People forget that he averaged 20 ppg for his career.

11-Derrick Coleman, Nets (1990): That's Coleman for ya. He'd be up a bit farther if he actually cared to.

10-Brad Daugherty, Cavaliers (1986): Another short career due to back problems. Still, he led the Cavs during their pre-LeBron hey-day.

9-Chris Webber, Warriors (1993): We are reaching the borderline Hall of Fame players now.

8-Dwight Howard, Magic (2004): He has a lot to learn, but he is extremely young and seems to be on the right path.

7-Yao Ming, Rockets (2002): Injuries have killed him but his importance has been on the globalization of the game.

6-Patrick Ewing, Knicks (1985): The first definite Hall of Famer. The O.G. of lottery picks.

5-David Robinson, Spurs (1987): He dominated the league like few players have.

4-Allen Iverson, Sixers (1996): He may be pound for pound the best scorer in league history.

3-LeBron James, Cavaliers (2003): His ceiling places him above some of the others.

2-Tim Duncan, Spurs (1997): Four rings, two MVPs.

1-Shaquille O'Neal, Magic (1992): He may be the best player selected in the lottery era.

No comments: