Monday, June 6, 2011

1st Pick, Star or Bust

The NBA Draft is coming up and of course there is always differences in opinion in who should be #1. I'll go over each of their careers and I'll determine if they are stars or busts. You can disagree if you want. To quote the great Charles Barkley, "I may be wrong, but I doubt it." I'll also post some of the other players from that draft that have had successful NBA careers.

I'll start with 1992, The Year of the Diesel
1992 - Shaquille O'Neal
Just retired, had a great NBA career. Finished 5th all time in points scored. One of the most entertaining players in NBA history.
STAR
Notable Picks - Alonzo Mourning, Robert Horry, "Baby Jordan" Harold Minor

1993 - Chris Webber
I had a very solid career with numerous teams. Flourished while with the Sacramento Kings. Averaged a little over 20 ppg and close to 10 boards a game. Stats would definitely be higher but I think he played a few more years than he was truly effective. My buddy still insists he was one of the biggest underachievers ever for his talent.
STAR
Notable Picks - Penny Hardaway, Vin Baker, Allan Houston

1994 - Glenn Robinson
Averaged over 20ppg in a ten year career. Was a heck of a scorer. Had an old man's game as soon as he got in the league. Never really wowed anyone but did make two All Star appearances. Carried the Bucks for a while.
STAR
Notable Picks - Jason Kidd, Grant Hill, Juwan Howard, Yinka Dare

1995 - Joe Smith
Career average of just over 10 points a game. Still in the league and is basically a serviceable backup and has been that way for a while. Hasn't done much for ten years but he is still "playing."
BUST
Notable Picks - Jerry Stackhouse, Rasheed Wallace, Kevin Garnett

1996 - Allen Iverson
The quickest player I've ever seen in person. You don't see too much 5'10" two guards in the league. Basically carried the Sixers to the NBA Finals. Practice speech is one of the best of time. Was one of the best scorers in NBA history. Career ended on a tough note.
STAR
Notable Picks - Marcus Camby, Ray Allen, Kobe Bryant

1997 - Tim Duncan
Is considered one of the best if not the best power forwards of all time. I still would consider him a center but that's me. "The Big Fundamental" has won a bunch of championships and is averaging 20 and 11 for his career. A lot of miles on those legs, almost time to hang it up.
STAR
Notable Picks - Chauncey Billups, Tracy McGrady, Keith Van Horn (not a very deep draft)

1998 - Michael Olowokandi
Things are so bad for "The Candy Man" that he isn't even listed on the NBA website. Wasn't the best situation playing for the Clippers and obviously never lived up to expectations. Was a serviceable big guy for a while. Amazing what being 7 feet tall will do for you
BUST
Notable Picks - Mike Bibby, Vince Carter, Dirk Nowitzki, Paul Pierce

1999 - Elton Brand
Has been a very solid big for many years and is one of the better Dookies to play in the NBA. A couple of injuries have slowed him down in recent years but he was a solid 20 and 10 guy for roughly the first 8 years of his career.
STAR
Notable Picks - Baron Davis, Lamar Odom, Shawn Marion, Jason Terry

2000 - Kenyon Martin
One of the most explosive athletes to play in the NBA. Always seemed angry at the rim. Averaged about 13 and 7 his career. Instead of relying on his jumper, shouldn't stuck around the rim. My answer below will surprise you but that draft was awful
STAR - based on others in draft
Notable Picks - Mike Miller, Jamal Crawford, Mateen Cleaves

2001 - Kwame Brown
A high school kid gets put into a cut throat owners team = not good combo. He couldn't even make a left handed layup when he came out. Averaged over 10 points once in his career. He needed time to develop but was never able to. He is still in the league and started for Jordan's team for part of the year.
BUST
Notable Picks - Tyson Chandler, Pau Gasol, Joe Johnson

2002 - Yao Ming
Clearly changed the game with his massive frame and great touch. Has averaged 19 and 9 for his career. Was the cornerstone for the Rockets franchise. Obviously, has had a tough time with injuries the past couple of years. When you are that big, your body breaks down and it's just a matter of when.
STAR
Notable Picks - Amare Stoudamire, Caron Butler, Nene

2003 - Lebron James
Came in with the most hype of any other player in NBA history and certainly has lived up to expectations, minus the ring. Probably the biggest freak the NBA has ever seen. He's 6'8" and probably close to 270 pounds (he's much more than he's listed). Wants the killer instinct but doesn't quite have it yet.
STAR
Notable Picks - Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, Darko (ha ha)

2004 - Dwight Howard
The second coming of Shaq-fu but not quite as big. Has slowly developed his offensive game but still is a terrible free throw shooter. Won his third straight Defensive Player of the Year award this past season. Still will develop even more around the basket if he is will to put in the time.
STAR
Notable Picks - Emeka Okafor, Ben Gordon, Luol Deng

2005 - Andrew Bogut
Has a very solid player for Milwaukee for his whole career. It's unfortunate that he has had to carry a bad franchise for a long time. Has averaged around 13 and 9 for his career. Had one of the grossest injuries I've seen when he dislocated his elbow a few years back.
STAR - for his team and that draft class, obviously not to level as other guys but draft was ok
Notable Picks - Deron Williams, Chris Paul, Andrew Bynum

2006 - Andrea Bargnani
Was a great fit for Toronto when he was drafted. He is a poor man's Dirk but has been effective over the years. Had a little more freedom once Bosh left. Everyone wanted to make him into a 5 but he is really a faceup 4 without the athleticism.
STAR - I know it's still early but again look at the draft
Notable Picks - LaMarcus Aldridge, Brandon Roy, Rudy Gay

2007 - Greg Oden
Injuries, Injuries, Injuries. He has certainly gotten bit with the injury buy. Over the course of the two years he's played he has average 9 and 7. Not exactly what you are looking for with a #1 pick.
BUST
Notable Picks - Kevin Durant, Joakim Noah, Marc Gasol (2nd round)

2008 - Derrick Rose
Won the MVP this season and has really elevated his game. Has always been a winner but still needs to develop that killer instinct to put his near the top of the NBA. Lebron, Derrick, and fellow 2008 pick Russell Westbrook are on a different level athletically than everyone in the NBA.
STAR
Notable Picks - Russell Westbrook, Kevin Love, Danilo Gallinari

2009 - Blake Griffin
All I have to say is, "WOW." He is a stud athlete and will dunk everything he can. Probably had more big time plays than anyone in the league. Put together a very impressive double-double stretch in his rookie year, this past season. Will need to develop a jumper as he gets older, I'm sure he'll work at it.
STAR - at least right now
Notable Picks - Tyreke Evans, Stephen Curry, Taj Gibson, Ricky Rubio (blah)

2010 - John Wall
Had a very impressive rookie year and probably would've been Rookie of the Year had Blake Griffin not gotten hurt the year before. Averaged 16 points and 8 assists for a crappy Wizards team. Should be interesting to see how he develops over time. Like Griffin, will need to be more consistent with his jumper
STAR - as of now
Notable Picks - Landry Fields (2nd round), not much else as of now (that'll change)

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