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The Top NBA Draft Picks By Draft Position Of The Past 23 Years
NBA

Shawn Bradley, Michael Olowokandi, & Kwame Brown Are Surprisingly Missing

6/23/08 in NBA   |   Jubanator14   |   367 respect

The NBA Draft is full of many hits and misses. Over the years we have had great misses like Shawn Bradley, Kwame Brown, Chris Washburn & Darko Milicic to name a few.

The hits on the other hand have been bigger. So with the 2008 NBA Draft this Thursday and with the help of InsideHoops.com, I thought that it would be a good time to look back through every draft since 1985 and determine who was the best selection at each position. Some choices were easier than others, while others were more difficult because of the lack of a dominant or great player being selected at that spot. So here is the best of the first round of 1985 through 2007:
  1. Tim Duncan (1997)
  2. Jason Kidd (1994)
  3. Chauncey Billups (1997)
  4. Chris Paul (2005)
  5. Kevin Garnett (1995)
  6. Kenny Smith (1987)
  7. Chris Mullin (1985)
  8. Ron Harper (1986)
  9. Dirk Nowitzki (1998)
  10. Paul Pierce (1998)
  11. Robert Horry (1992)
  12. Mookie Blaylock (1989)
  13. Kobe Bryant (1996)
  14. Tim Hardaway (1989)
  15. Steve Nash (1996)
  16. Ron Artest (1999)
  17. Shawn Kemp (1989)
  18. James Posey (1999)
  19. Dee Brown (1990)
  20. Hubert Davis (1992)
  21. Michael Finley (1995)
  22. A.C. Green (1985)
  23. Tayshaun Prince (2002)
  24. Sam Cassell (1993)
  25. Gerald Wallace (2001)
  26. Jason Maxiell (2005)
  27. Kendrick Perkins (2003)
  28. Tony Parker (2001)
  29. Josh Howard (2003)
  30. David Lee (2005)
Most of these selections should be obvious. The toughest choices were 3, 10, & 13. I went with Billups at 3 over Baron Davis, Pau Gasol, Grant Hill, & Carmelo Anthony because of the Title and Finals MVP. I took Pierce at 10 over John Salley because of the Finals MVP. At 13 it was either Kobe or Karl Malone, I went with Kobe because of the 3 Titles.

Other than those three slots, those are the best players to be taken in each spot over the past 23 years. Will the 2008 NBA Draft give us any players to add to this list? Only time will tell.
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6/24/08   |   Jubanator14   |   367 respect

beerstudk wrote:

The games he missed his rookie year and this past year were because of bursitis in his right heel (twice I believe) and a High Ankle sprain on his right leg.  He may have missed some time with rib, knee and/or groin injuries as well but nothing like the time missed from his heel.

 

I guess his heel bone is too long in his right foot, got all that information from the Blazers 07-08 press release on opening night.

Let's just agree that if he stays healthy, the Blazers will become a force in the West and he will easily pass Kenny Smith.

6/24/08   |   beerstudk   |   1538 respect

Jubanator14 wrote:
The biggest issue for Roy has to do with his bad knee, which has bothered him for quite some time now. It really hampered him early last season, and a couple of surgeries may have robbed him of a bit of explosiveness. While Roy probably isn’t in the same category of a Kennedy Winston, you can bet that his knee will get lots of attention from NBA teams.

That was from Roy's DraftExpress page under weaknesses.

He has only been in the league for two years, Kenny Smith had a career that a lot of players would like to have. If Roy can stay healthy and keeps playing like he does, there is no doubt he will pass him.

The games he missed his rookie year and this past year were because of bursitis in his right heel (twice I believe) and a High Ankle sprain on his right leg.  He may have missed some time with rib, knee and/or groin injuries as well but nothing like the time missed from his heel.

 

I guess his heel bone is too long in his right foot, got all that information from the Blazers 07-08 press release on opening night.

6/23/08   |   kantwistaye   |   3954 respect

wrote:
Gilbert's another but his attitude is starting to warrant his stock.

And Michael Redd, quite possibly the best shooter in the game not named Ray Allen.

6/23/08   |   Jubanator14   |   367 respect

wrote:
Gilbert's another but his attitude is starting to warrant his stock.

Michael Redd, Dennis Rodman, Mark Price, & Toni Kukoc were a few more great second round picks. Granted Rodman was taken at 27 but in 86 there was only 24 teams in the NBA.

6/23/08   |   Jubanator14   |   367 respect

wrote:
LOL - looking back over that same draft - Ginobili was the second to last pick.  #57.  Hilarious.  If you were to go into a second round, or more simply just pick the biggest steal of all time - you wouldn't have to look further.

Over the past 10 years, there have been a lot of all-stars and really solid players in the 2nd round. If you have a smart front office and do some research, you can find some gems.

6/23/08   |   danny_n94   |   114 respect

Last I checked Ron Harper was a starter on 5 championship teams. I guess that pretty good for an above average guard, who recovered from 2 knee injuries.

6/23/08   |   Jubanator14   |   367 respect

beerstudk wrote:

Regardless of how many points he scored as a rookie.... Ron Harper was, at best, a 5th guy or a back-up to an above average guard in the league during his career.  Which also translates into a starting spot with the Los Angles Clippers!!!!  Way to go Ron!!!

 

But the real issue is Kenny Smith.  Brandon Roy should be there cuz he's already a better player than Kenny Smith ever was.... or at least Antoine Walker (he has a ring and an All-Star game or two).

 

And FYI... it's Roy's ankle/heel that's giving him trouble, not his knees.

The biggest issue for Roy has to do with his bad knee, which has bothered him for quite some time now. It really hampered him early last season, and a couple of surgeries may have robbed him of a bit of explosiveness. While Roy probably isn’t in the same category of a Kennedy Winston, you can bet that his knee will get lots of attention from NBA teams.

That was from Roy's DraftExpress page under weaknesses.

He has only been in the league for two years, Kenny Smith had a career that a lot of players would like to have. If Roy can stay healthy and keeps playing like he does, there is no doubt he will pass him.

6/23/08   |   beerstudk   |   1538 respect

Jubanator14 wrote:
Harper averaged 23 points his rookie season and won 5 titles (yeah I know, 3 with Jordan and 2 with Shaq, but there are a lot of players who would take that career).

Roy has still too young of a career. If his knee's hold up, he will pass Smith. Especially since Portland is really young and could be very dangerous in about a year.

Regardless of how many points he scored as a rookie.... Ron Harper was, at best, a 5th guy or a back-up to an above average guard in the league during his career.  Which also translates into a starting spot with the Los Angles Clippers!!!!  Way to go Ron!!!

 

But the real issue is Kenny Smith.  Brandon Roy should be there cuz he's already a better player than Kenny Smith ever was.... or at least Antoine Walker (he has a ring and an All-Star game or two).

 

And FYI... it's Roy's ankle/heel that's giving him trouble, not his knees.

6/23/08   |   Chris   |   3 respect

Jsmithy11 wrote:

yesss tim duncan was the best pick...he really changed the team and was helped with big hall of famer DAVID ROBINSON to win championship in '99
=]

u the best Timmy<3

and 2003.

6/23/08   |   Jsmithy11   |   9 respect

yesss tim duncan was the best pick...he really changed the team and was helped with big hall of famer DAVID ROBINSON to win championship in '99
=]

u the best Timmy<3

6/23/08   |   Jubanator14   |   367 respect

beerstudk wrote:

Should have went with Detlef Schrempf, he's got more individual hardware (6th Man Awards) whereas the only reason Harper has any hardware is because of a couple of guys named Jordan and Pippen.

 

And Kenny Smith is also a horrible decision... Brandon Roy all the way baby!!

Harper averaged 23 points his rookie season and won 5 titles (yeah I know, 3 with Jordan and 2 with Shaq, but there are a lot of players who would take that career).

Roy has still too young of a career. If his knee's hold up, he will pass Smith. Especially since Portland is really young and could be very dangerous in about a year.

6/23/08   |   beerstudk   |   1538 respect

Jubanator14 wrote:
It was him, Detlef Schrempf, Vin Baker, or Rudy Gay. Slim pickens at the number 8 spot over the past 23 years.

Should have went with Detlef Schrempf, he's got more individual hardware (6th Man Awards) whereas the only reason Harper has any hardware is because of a couple of guys named Jordan and Pippen.

 

And Kenny Smith is also a horrible decision... Brandon Roy all the way baby!!

6/23/08   |   Jubanator14   |   367 respect

wrote:
LOL @ Ron Harper

It was him, Detlef Schrempf, Vin Baker, or Rudy Gay. Slim pickens at the number 8 spot over the past 23 years.

6/23/08   |   Jubanator14   |   367 respect

danny_n94 wrote:
Initially that was gonna be an arugment, but Duncan has the rings. I just think Smith isnt that good. But really outside of that I would agree with your assesment. I was also thinking of Shaq. He has as many rings. But to me that could have even been a tie. But Duncan has been good and consistent his entire career whereas Shaq has slipped starting in the 2005 NBA Finals, and isnt as feared anymore

For the tiebreaker for Duncan and Shaq, I went with MVP awards. Duncan has 2 and Shaq has 1. And Duncan's consistancy over Shaq physical dominance.

6/23/08   |   Jubanator14   |   367 respect

danny_n94 wrote:
Kenny Smith? Really? A player who never made an all-star game? Who gravy trained Cassell and Akeem to win 2 rings. The same Smith who played on 6 teams in 11 seasons? I would have taken Brandon Roy (2006), all ready 1 all-star game, heck I would have even taken 3 time all star A. Walker (1996) over Smith. ( I think Walker isnt  all that but better than Smith). Smith is only famous for being Barkley's foil on TNT

He was a key clog in that first Rockets title team and also hit the game tying three pointer in the famous Game 1 where Nick Anderson missed 4 straight free throws. Smith also was a finalist in the 1990 Slam Dunk contest beating out Shawn Kemp and Kenny "Sky" Walker to get to the finals against Dominique. Walker had one or two good years and Roy just finished his 2nd year. If I do this in 4 or 5 years and Roy can stay healthy with his bad knee, then yeah he would go ahead of The Jet.

6/23/08   |   danny_n94   |   114 respect

100%InjuryRate wrote:
I think Roy's a good call, but he hasn't been around long enough yet i think to justify being on this list. Sort of like how you could argue that LeBron should be #1, but since he doesn't have 4 titles, it makes sense that Timmy has that spot for the time being.

Initially that was gonna be an arugment, but Duncan has the rings. I just think Smith isnt that good. But really outside of that I would agree with your assesment. I was also thinking of Shaq. He has as many rings. But to me that could have even been a tie. But Duncan has been good and consistent his entire career whereas Shaq has slipped starting in the 2005 NBA Finals, and isnt as feared anymore

6/23/08   |   100%InjuryRate   |   1283 respect

danny_n94 wrote:
Kenny Smith? Really? A player who never made an all-star game? Who gravy trained Cassell and Akeem to win 2 rings. The same Smith who played on 6 teams in 11 seasons? I would have taken Brandon Roy (2006), all ready 1 all-star game, heck I would have even taken 3 time all star A. Walker (1996) over Smith. ( I think Walker isnt  all that but better than Smith). Smith is only famous for being Barkley's foil on TNT

I think Roy's a good call, but he hasn't been around long enough yet i think to justify being on this list. Sort of like how you could argue that LeBron should be #1, but since he doesn't have 4 titles, it makes sense that Timmy has that spot for the time being.

6/23/08   |   danny_n94   |   114 respect

Kenny Smith? Really? A player who never made an all-star game? Who gravy trained Cassell and Akeem to win 2 rings. The same Smith who played on 6 teams in 11 seasons? I would have taken Brandon Roy (2006), all ready 1 all-star game, heck I would have even taken 3 time all star A. Walker (1996) over Smith. ( I think Walker isnt  all that but better than Smith). Smith is only famous for being Barkley's foil on TNT

6/23/08   |   kantwistaye   |   3954 respect

I would take Hill, Gasol, and Anthony all over Billups.  Billups is a glorified Mo Williams.

 

Besides that, I learned that I don't want the Lakers to ever be picking 20th.