Best NBA picks of all-time by draft slot

2009-07-17T15:06:36-04:00

SI.com's Ian Thomsen pored over six decades of NBA draft selections to determine the <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/ian_thomsen/06/21/best.picks/index.html">best pick of all time</a> in each of the top 30 slots. While going through the lists year by year, Thomsen was reminded just how difficult it is to find impact players -- even when dealing with a top-three pick. He also was forced to navigate the often-confusing history of territorial draft picks, which he decided he would not factor into the final list. So, without further ado, here is how the list played out. Best NBA picks of all-time by draft slot

2009-06-23T13:37:27-04:00

2009-07-17T15:06:36-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/585/366/thumb/S2.jpg 188 nj

mr.marvelous

paterson 585966

14 You guys are crazy all them players up on everybody's list and no Patrick Ewing he was the Knicks thorough the eailer/late 90's very disrepectful!! 6136782

2009-07-10T11:07:49-04:00

fasterthanu

Marlboro 588124

13 Love him or hate him Shaq has 4 rings with two different teams. In the 2000 "Threepeat" era he was an incredible force for the Lakers. Just look at his Finals numbers. Not to mention his alltime numbers for points and rebounds both in the top 5. He got to be on this list... 6041256

2009-06-25T12:43:35-04:00

CDNimitz

Richmond 799303

12 Jtt, to counter your argument, ask yourself the following questions: How many titles do you think the Celtics win in the 1980s without Magic on the Lakers? Who had to get to Kareem all those times for his sky-hook? The answers are: 1) at least, and I emphasize at least, 5, and 2)that list of people who passed it to him includes 2 of the top 5 all-time assist leaders (Robertson and Magic). Kareem also scored a lot of points in the 70s because at the time he didn't always have sufficient team support (just like Wilt in the 60s, Jordan in the 80s, LeBron now, etc.). Magic's inclusion on this list came because of Ian Thomsen's qualifier: contributions to team success. I wouldn't argue if you put Kareem up there instead of Magic; both were outstanding. Yes, Kareem won a title in his second year, but Magic put the Lakers over the top in his rookie year (he was Finals MVP then). Magic also has more Finals MVPs (1980, 1982, 1987) than Kareem (1971, 1985). Finals MVPs are the guys who generally determine whether that team won the title (Yes, Jerry West won the Finals MVP in I think 1969, but there's an exception to every rule it seems). This just goes to show that guards, especially point guards like Magic, more often than not determine whether a team wins championships. Yes, you could argue Kareem was the engine for the Lakers' titles, but it was Magic who was the fuel that made the engine go. (Pat Riley was the main driver during those years since he was the coach.) Russell had Bob Cousy and Sam Jones (No. 8) to run the point; John Havlicek (7) was there much of the time as well. True, Russell was the most important player on the Celtics, but he wasn't the only reason they won 11 titles in 13 years. After all, Russell rebounded (22.5 rpg career) more than he scored (17.1 ppg career). In the end, titles are a team accomplishment, and really Magic has, in my opinion, a much better argument for being the one to contribute the most toward the Lakers' championships during the 1980s than does Kareem. My advice is: create your own criteria for this, do your own research, and come up with your own full list with arguments for the players you select. (For sheer individual greatness, I would probably put Kareem first on mine.) 5874218

2009-06-24T12:26:09-04:00

jtt-esq

Springfield 58457

11 As previously noted Kareem is the all time scorer, a six time MVP (more than any other player in NBA history) A 19 time NBA All-star, the third all time rebounder, a six time NBA champion and retired as the all time shot blocker though blocked shots were not even counted as a stat the first 5 years of his career. Kareem won a championship for an expansion team in his second year as a pro in the franchise's third year of existence. In response to the comment about Kareem winning with a still viable Oscar, one question. How many championships did Magic win without Kareem but with Hall of Famer James Worthy, ,former All -star Orlando Woolridge, an in his prime Sam Perkins, a young Vlade Divac, and an in his prime Byron Scott? ZERO!! (I loved Magic as a player but considering the length of his dominance the Captain may arguably be the greatest player of all time.) 5857244

2009-06-24T12:13:00-04:00

CDNimitz

Richmond 799303

10 Did anyone else notice Thomsen put together a potential team in the first 12 picks? Two point guards (Magic & Jones), three shooting guards (Jordan, Miller, & Havlicek), three small forwards (Bird, Dr. J, and Pierce), two power forwards (Garnett & Nowitzki), and two centers (Russell & Cowens) make for quite a team. It might be slightly on the small side at center, but I think it would more than do, especially considering Russell was a monster on the boards (22.5 a game for his career). To answer JimmyCS, there's a reason why so many Celtics are on the list. Thomsen provided the qualifier himself: contributions to team success. The Celtics have more championships than any other NBA franchise. That said, I'd have to agree with you regarding Reggie Lewis. This should be about what the player actually did and not what he could have done. Also, economics guy, how many championships did Kareem win without Magic? The answer is 1 (1971) in the first half of his career, and he needed a still-viable Oscar Robertson to win it. Magic was also a personality that helped launch the NBA to previously unknown heights of popularity, from which Jordan took over and here we are. 5856966

2009-06-23T23:58:23-04:00

sevenof400

No City 492538

7 Much of the writer's credibility is shot early in this article with this beauty of a quote: ...in my book, Russell is the most important draft pick in league history because he instituted the team-first leadership skills that defined success in the NBA and were emulated by Michael Jordan. Jordan, emulating team skills??!?? Jordan is the epitome of the me first, team last mentality that permeates the NBA today. Jordan, the destroyer of teammates. Jordan, the shoot first, shoot often, never pass player. Jordan may be among the most athletically gifted players in NBA history but he will NEVER be confused with being a team player. 5850585

2009-06-24T11:09:13-04:00

382

SteveLD

Saint Paul 185352

Much of the writer's credibility is shot early in this article with this beauty of a quote:...in my book, Russell is the most important draft pick in league history because he instituted the team-first leadership skills that defined success in the NBA and were emulated by Michael Jordan.Jordan, emulating team skills??!?? Jordan is the epitome of the me first, team last mentality that permeates the NBA today. Jordan, the destroyer of teammates.Jordan, the shoot first, shoot often, never pass player.Jordan may be among the most athletically gifted players in NBA history but he will NEVER be confused with being a team player.

9 The notion that Jordan was not a team player because he was a great scorer is refuted by the facts. In addition to averaging 30.1 points per game, Jordan averaged 6.2 rebounds per game, 5.3 assists per game and 2.3 steals per game. Numbers like that are uncommon at the shooting guard position. He was twice named NBA defensive player of the year and was also named to the 1st NBA All-Defensive team nine times. He was a great team player who elevated the game of those around him. 5855311

2009-06-24T03:52:25-04:00

HNx

No City 794944

8 wilt was a territorial pick 5851347

2009-06-23T23:58:23-04:00

sevenof400

No City 492538

2009-06-23T18:21:42-04:00

Wiskers

Kent 361528

6 Kareem ans Wilt not on this list?? Are you smoking crack? 5848373

2009-06-23T17:03:46-04:00

382

SteveLD

Saint Paul 185352

5 I have to disagree with the #5 pick of Kevin Garnett. Charles Barkley was a better scorer and rebounder than Garnett. He was a mismatch for everyone who faced him. As Bill Walton put it, he was one of those guys like Magic Johnson and Larry Bird who did not play a position. He simply played basketball and he was more physically intimidating than either of those two. He was one of those rare few who could do it all. 5847449

<style>  </style>  SI.com's Ian Thomsen pored over six decades of NBA draft selections to determine the <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/ian_thomsen/06/21/best.picks/index.html">best pick of all time</a> in each of the top 30 slots. While going through the lists year by year, Thomsen was reminded just how difficult it is to find impact players -- even when dealing with a top-three pick. He also was forced to navigate the often-confusing history of territorial draft picks, which he decided he would not factor into the final list. So, without further ado, here is how the list played out.   1. Magic Johnson, Lakers, 1979 2. Bill Russell, Celtics, 1956 3. Michael Jordan, Bulls, 1984 4. Dave Cowens, Celtics, 1970 5. Kevin Garnett, Timberwolves, 1995 6. Larry Bird, Celtics, 1978 7. John Havlicek, Celtics, 1962 8. Sam Jones, Celtics, 1957 9. Dirk Nowitzki, Bucks, 1998 10. Paul Pierce, Celtics, 1998 11. Reggie Miller, Pacers, 1987 12. Julius Erving, Bucks, 1972 13. Kobe Bryant, Charlotte Hornets, 1996 14. Clyde Drexler, Trail Blazers, 1983 15. Steve Nash, Suns, 1996 16. John Stockton, Jazz, 1984 17. Shawn Kemp, Seattle SuperSonics, 1989 18. Joe Dumars, Pistons, 1985 19. Nate Archibald, Cincinnati Royals, 1970 20. Gus Williams, Warriors, 1975 21. Michael Finley, Suns, 1995 22. Reggie Lewis, Celtics, 1987 23. Alex English, 1976, Bucks 24. Sam Cassell, 1993, Rockets 25. Mark Price, 1986, Cavaliers 26. Vlade Divac, 1989, Lakers 27. Dennis Rodman, Pistons, 1986 28. Tony Parker, Spurs, 2001 29. Dennis Johnson, 1976, Seattle SuperSonics 30. Gilbert Arenas, 2001, Warriors    What do you think about this list? 68341

pwf

New York 4137