Post by aar on Jul 26, 2011 11:52:50 GMT -5
This article will look back at every single draft and find the best player selected at certain spots. Early on, it will be easy to determine who the best pick was at select spots, but as the article comes to a conclusion, there will be some very tough calls to make.
This will be a three part series that started with picks 20 through 29, which can be viewed here: bbs2010.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=rcs&action=display&thread=14714
Part two will highlight picks 10 through 19.
19th Overall
Andryunas Raskauskas C 7'2'' 275 21 B C+ C C+ C+ B selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2018
This was essentially a toss-up since neither player has been an All-Star, but I'll give the nod to the consistent Lithuanian big man.
Raskauskas is one of the most versatile centers in the league, with career averages of 18.1 ppg, 9.7 rpg and 2.6 apg.
He won Rookie of the Year as the 19th pick in 2018 and has gone on to have a stellar career with over 300 double doubles in 637 games played - that means that he has a double-double in nearly 50% of his games.
Honorable Mention: Titus Alexander C 7'3'' 245 21 B- C- D+ A- B C selected by the Atlanta Hawks in 2023 - Titus is winding down his rookie contract as perhaps the best positional defensive big man in the league. He is an imposing force who likely has future All-Defensive Team spots on the way.
18th Overall
Alexey Shved PG 6'6'' 178 22 C+ C+ C+ C C A selected by the Milwaukee Bucks in 2010
Shved has had a stellar career in the league, although the 38 year old is currently a free agent.
In fact, in 2017 with averages of 22.3 ppg and 8.3 apg, Shved was considered among the five best players in the league, earning a spot on the All-League 1st Team, as well as his only All-Star berth and a spot on the All-League Defensive 2nd team.
However, his best season may have been in 2020 with the Blazers, where he averaged 26.7 ppg, 8.4 apg and 6.2 rpg with only 2.0 topg.
Honorable Mentions:
Jay Johnson PG 6'3'' 195 23 B- C+ A B+ D+ C selected by the Denver Nuggets in 2019 - One of the best rookie seasons in league history, where Johnson averaged 20.9 ppg and 9.5 apg.
Brady Cooper SG 6'1'' 196 20 C A+ C C D B selected by the Washington Wizards in 2022 - A dynamic, sharp-shooting combo guard.
17th Overall
Brad Beal SG 6'4'' 200 22 B- B- B C C A selected by the New Orleans Hornets in 2015
The 17th Overall pick didn't yield very good dividends over the year with Brad Beal taking the top spot.
Beal has been something of a journeyman who blossomed later in his career. He has had two seasons of averaging over 20 points-per-game.
His career percentages are solid, averaging 45.7% from the field and 40.6% from three point range.
Honorable Mention:
Kasumara Izawa PG 5'10'' 175 22 C B A- B D+ B selected by the San Antonio Spurs in 2017 - a solid starting point guard
16th Overall
Dalmar Ghedi C 7'0'' 247 19 C+ D+ D C+ B+ A selected by the Golden State Warriors in 2018
The 16th overall pick is another lame spot with very few great players being selected here.
Dalmar Ghedi gets the nod for being a dynamic shot blocker and rebounder.
He had been a Golden State Warrior up until very recently and has put up consistent numbers. However, in his consistency, he has been really bad offensively throughout his career.
Honorable Mention:
Eric O' Connor C 7'1'' 265 22 B- C- C- B+ C+ B selected by the Golden State Warriors in 2020
15th Overall
Alf Sjoberg C 7'0'' 290 19 B- C+ D+ C A- B selected by the Milwaukee Bucks in 2017
No brainer here. While he's never been a league MVP, he's won two championships and was a Playoffs MVP in one of them. He's been on every All-League Team and has had a double-double in roughly 68% of his games.
He has been in the conversation for top-5 player in many years and is one of the most valuable assets in the league.
Pretty good for a guy selected outside of the lottery.
Honorable Mention:
Jameer Nelson PG 6'0'' 190 22 C B B- B- C- B selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2004 - One of the league's best point guards
LaDaniel Graham PG 6'3'' 225 20 B C+ B- C+ C+ B selected by the Toronto Raptors in 2016 - a versatile combo guard who can score in buckets
Larry Foust C 6'9'' 220 26 B- C D+ B B B selected by the Detroit Pistons in 2024 - A dynamic shot blocker
14th Overall
Albert Smith SF 6'10'' 222 19 B C+ C+ B- C B selected in 2022 by the Chicago Bulls
Smith gets better with each TC and is the easy pick here at 14th overall. He has yet to become an All-Star, but it's a foregone conclusion that he will at some point. He just finished up his rookie contract and renewed with the Spurs.
Honorable Mention
Ricky Roe SF 6'9'' 226 21 B A- B- C C B selected 14th overall by the
Boston Celtics in 2016 - Weird that Roe's rebounding took such a hit, but he is an absolute dynamo on offense.
JaVale McGee C 7'0'' 237 20 B- C- D- B B- B selected in 2008 by the New Jersey Nets - Had a solid career as a big man
13th Overall
Kuran Iverson SF 6'9'' 220 20 C+ C+ B C+ B A selected in 2015 by the New York Knicks
Bobby Cook should be the winner here, but the reason that he isn't is because he was drafted at age 31 and was established to be a player that would give you a few good years.
Iverson took awhile for his career to get off its feet, but once it did, he became a two-time All-Star and in 2022 averaged nearly 30/9.
Iverson unfortunately was a guy who was never given the right role throughout most of his career and his stats and accolades suffered as a result.
Honorable Mentions:
Bobby Cook SG 5'10'' 155 31 B+ A- C+ C C+ C selected in 2024 by the New York Knicks - One of the ten best players in the league, possibly top-3 at one point.
Ivan Harris PF 6'10'' 234 22 A- C C B- C+ C selected in 2021 by the San Antonio Spurs - Studly inside scorer
Isaac Woods SG 6'1'' 187 20 B C+ C+ C C+ A selected in 2016 by the New York Knicks - Another guy whose career took awhile to get off the ground.
Kevin Martin SG 6'7'' 185 21 C+ B+ C- C D+ A selected in 2004 by the Orlando Magic - Versatile scorer
12th Overall
DeMar DeRozan SF 6'7'' 220 20 A- C D+ C C A selected in 2009 by the Milwaukee Bucks
Toss up here between DeRozan and Randolph because the two did essentially the same thing. 30+ ppg scorers for multiple seasons but poor defenders. However, DeRozan did it for longer and was an absolutely dominant scorer.
Those who had him on their team absolutely loved him and he was rarely traded as a result.
The 12th overall spot has been a historically good one as seen by the following honorable mentions.
Honorable Mentions:
Kevin White SF 6'7'' 218 19 B B- C+ B- B B selected in 2020 by the Minnesota Timberwolves - An incredibly versatile 3/4 who is the ultimate secondary star.
Tony Mitchell SF 6'8'' 216 22 A- C- D C C A selected in 2014 by the Boston Celtics - Studly inside scorer with the ability to block shots
Xavier Henry SG 6'6'' 220 19 B C+ D C+ C A selected in 2010 by the Minnesota Timberwolves - Another dynamic scorer in the Randolph/DeRozan mold
Zach Randolph PF 6'9'' 253 20 B+ C+ D+ C B+ B selected in 2001 by the Golden State Warriors - A dominant rebounding and scoring big man. In such a weak draft, it's a shock that he fell to 12th. Goes to show how shot blocking can sometimes be overvalued.
11th Overall
Terrence Williams SF 6'6'' 220 22 B- C+ B- B- C+ B selected in 2009 by the San Antonio Spurs
The 11th overall spot is notorious for landing players that are on the cusp of becoming All-Stars.
The best player at 11th overall is Terrence Williams, who was a versatile virtuoso during his time with the Spurs.
The Spurs were run by JAHALLSTAR at the time, who is notorious for holding onto players for a long time and he got a ton of burn out of Williams.
As for the honorable mentions, it is littered with quality starters.
Honorable Mention:
Dick McGuire PG 6'0'' 180 28 C+ C A- A- C B selected in 2024 by the Phoenix Suns - Solid defensive, efficient point guard
Jeremy Thorpe C 6'10'' 243 20 B+ C D- B- B- B selected in 2021 by the Dallas Mavericks - Big man who does a little bit of everything
Cam Adams SG 6'7'' 215 21 B- B A C C B selected in 2020 by the Minnesota Timberwolves - Shooting guard turned point guard who may have been better off staying a shooting guard and keeping his handles in tact
Tristan Wesley SF 6'7'' 215 23 B A- C C+ C B selected in 2017 by the Dallas Mavericks - 20+ ppg scorer in multiple years
La'Shon Lesser PG 6'1'' 170 22 B C- B+ B+ D B selected in 2016 by the Cleveland Cavaliers - Versatile point guard who thrived in inside systems
Jordan Price SF 6'6'' 215 18 A- C C B- C+ B selected in 2013 by the Washington Wizards - Incredible scorer, but horrible ball handler
T.J. Ford PG 6'0'' 165 20 C B- B C+ C- B selected in 2003 by the Indiana Pacers - Quality starter on several teams
10th Overall
Anthony Randolph PF 6'10'' 205 19 C+ C C B- B- A selected in 2008 by the Miami Heat
In the NBA, the 10th overall spot is usually sick, but in BBS, it's lackluster. There are a few stars that were taken here, but only one real superstar and that's Anthony Randolph.
Randolph is a multiple-time Defensive Player of the Year who was one of the top-5 players in the league for a long time.
Honorable Mentions:
Slick Leonard SG 6'3'' 185 22 C B- B- B C A selected in 2024 by the Phoenix Suns - A future All-Defensive Team mainstay
Jayson O'Keane PF 6'8'' 245 21 A- C+ D+ C+ B C selected in 2021 by the Chicago Bulls - Incredible inside scorer and rebounder
Terrence Ross SG 6'5'' 195 22 C+ B+ C- C C- A selected in 2014 by the Indiana Pacers - A staple in outside offenses
Josh Selby PG 6'1'' 180 19 B+ C+ C B D+ B selected in 2011 by the Miami Heat - A stud scoring point guard
Amir Johnson PF 6'9'' 210 18 C+ C- D+ B- C+ A selected in 2005 by the Atlanta Hawks - Prolific shot blocker
This will be a three part series that started with picks 20 through 29, which can be viewed here: bbs2010.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=rcs&action=display&thread=14714
Part two will highlight picks 10 through 19.
19th Overall
Andryunas Raskauskas C 7'2'' 275 21 B C+ C C+ C+ B selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2018
This was essentially a toss-up since neither player has been an All-Star, but I'll give the nod to the consistent Lithuanian big man.
Raskauskas is one of the most versatile centers in the league, with career averages of 18.1 ppg, 9.7 rpg and 2.6 apg.
He won Rookie of the Year as the 19th pick in 2018 and has gone on to have a stellar career with over 300 double doubles in 637 games played - that means that he has a double-double in nearly 50% of his games.
Honorable Mention: Titus Alexander C 7'3'' 245 21 B- C- D+ A- B C selected by the Atlanta Hawks in 2023 - Titus is winding down his rookie contract as perhaps the best positional defensive big man in the league. He is an imposing force who likely has future All-Defensive Team spots on the way.
18th Overall
Alexey Shved PG 6'6'' 178 22 C+ C+ C+ C C A selected by the Milwaukee Bucks in 2010
Shved has had a stellar career in the league, although the 38 year old is currently a free agent.
In fact, in 2017 with averages of 22.3 ppg and 8.3 apg, Shved was considered among the five best players in the league, earning a spot on the All-League 1st Team, as well as his only All-Star berth and a spot on the All-League Defensive 2nd team.
However, his best season may have been in 2020 with the Blazers, where he averaged 26.7 ppg, 8.4 apg and 6.2 rpg with only 2.0 topg.
Honorable Mentions:
Jay Johnson PG 6'3'' 195 23 B- C+ A B+ D+ C selected by the Denver Nuggets in 2019 - One of the best rookie seasons in league history, where Johnson averaged 20.9 ppg and 9.5 apg.
Brady Cooper SG 6'1'' 196 20 C A+ C C D B selected by the Washington Wizards in 2022 - A dynamic, sharp-shooting combo guard.
17th Overall
Brad Beal SG 6'4'' 200 22 B- B- B C C A selected by the New Orleans Hornets in 2015
The 17th Overall pick didn't yield very good dividends over the year with Brad Beal taking the top spot.
Beal has been something of a journeyman who blossomed later in his career. He has had two seasons of averaging over 20 points-per-game.
His career percentages are solid, averaging 45.7% from the field and 40.6% from three point range.
Honorable Mention:
Kasumara Izawa PG 5'10'' 175 22 C B A- B D+ B selected by the San Antonio Spurs in 2017 - a solid starting point guard
16th Overall
Dalmar Ghedi C 7'0'' 247 19 C+ D+ D C+ B+ A selected by the Golden State Warriors in 2018
The 16th overall pick is another lame spot with very few great players being selected here.
Dalmar Ghedi gets the nod for being a dynamic shot blocker and rebounder.
He had been a Golden State Warrior up until very recently and has put up consistent numbers. However, in his consistency, he has been really bad offensively throughout his career.
Honorable Mention:
Eric O' Connor C 7'1'' 265 22 B- C- C- B+ C+ B selected by the Golden State Warriors in 2020
15th Overall
Alf Sjoberg C 7'0'' 290 19 B- C+ D+ C A- B selected by the Milwaukee Bucks in 2017
No brainer here. While he's never been a league MVP, he's won two championships and was a Playoffs MVP in one of them. He's been on every All-League Team and has had a double-double in roughly 68% of his games.
He has been in the conversation for top-5 player in many years and is one of the most valuable assets in the league.
Pretty good for a guy selected outside of the lottery.
Honorable Mention:
Jameer Nelson PG 6'0'' 190 22 C B B- B- C- B selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2004 - One of the league's best point guards
LaDaniel Graham PG 6'3'' 225 20 B C+ B- C+ C+ B selected by the Toronto Raptors in 2016 - a versatile combo guard who can score in buckets
Larry Foust C 6'9'' 220 26 B- C D+ B B B selected by the Detroit Pistons in 2024 - A dynamic shot blocker
14th Overall
Albert Smith SF 6'10'' 222 19 B C+ C+ B- C B selected in 2022 by the Chicago Bulls
Smith gets better with each TC and is the easy pick here at 14th overall. He has yet to become an All-Star, but it's a foregone conclusion that he will at some point. He just finished up his rookie contract and renewed with the Spurs.
Honorable Mention
Ricky Roe SF 6'9'' 226 21 B A- B- C C B selected 14th overall by the
Boston Celtics in 2016 - Weird that Roe's rebounding took such a hit, but he is an absolute dynamo on offense.
JaVale McGee C 7'0'' 237 20 B- C- D- B B- B selected in 2008 by the New Jersey Nets - Had a solid career as a big man
13th Overall
Kuran Iverson SF 6'9'' 220 20 C+ C+ B C+ B A selected in 2015 by the New York Knicks
Bobby Cook should be the winner here, but the reason that he isn't is because he was drafted at age 31 and was established to be a player that would give you a few good years.
Iverson took awhile for his career to get off its feet, but once it did, he became a two-time All-Star and in 2022 averaged nearly 30/9.
Iverson unfortunately was a guy who was never given the right role throughout most of his career and his stats and accolades suffered as a result.
Honorable Mentions:
Bobby Cook SG 5'10'' 155 31 B+ A- C+ C C+ C selected in 2024 by the New York Knicks - One of the ten best players in the league, possibly top-3 at one point.
Ivan Harris PF 6'10'' 234 22 A- C C B- C+ C selected in 2021 by the San Antonio Spurs - Studly inside scorer
Isaac Woods SG 6'1'' 187 20 B C+ C+ C C+ A selected in 2016 by the New York Knicks - Another guy whose career took awhile to get off the ground.
Kevin Martin SG 6'7'' 185 21 C+ B+ C- C D+ A selected in 2004 by the Orlando Magic - Versatile scorer
12th Overall
DeMar DeRozan SF 6'7'' 220 20 A- C D+ C C A selected in 2009 by the Milwaukee Bucks
Toss up here between DeRozan and Randolph because the two did essentially the same thing. 30+ ppg scorers for multiple seasons but poor defenders. However, DeRozan did it for longer and was an absolutely dominant scorer.
Those who had him on their team absolutely loved him and he was rarely traded as a result.
The 12th overall spot has been a historically good one as seen by the following honorable mentions.
Honorable Mentions:
Kevin White SF 6'7'' 218 19 B B- C+ B- B B selected in 2020 by the Minnesota Timberwolves - An incredibly versatile 3/4 who is the ultimate secondary star.
Tony Mitchell SF 6'8'' 216 22 A- C- D C C A selected in 2014 by the Boston Celtics - Studly inside scorer with the ability to block shots
Xavier Henry SG 6'6'' 220 19 B C+ D C+ C A selected in 2010 by the Minnesota Timberwolves - Another dynamic scorer in the Randolph/DeRozan mold
Zach Randolph PF 6'9'' 253 20 B+ C+ D+ C B+ B selected in 2001 by the Golden State Warriors - A dominant rebounding and scoring big man. In such a weak draft, it's a shock that he fell to 12th. Goes to show how shot blocking can sometimes be overvalued.
11th Overall
Terrence Williams SF 6'6'' 220 22 B- C+ B- B- C+ B selected in 2009 by the San Antonio Spurs
The 11th overall spot is notorious for landing players that are on the cusp of becoming All-Stars.
The best player at 11th overall is Terrence Williams, who was a versatile virtuoso during his time with the Spurs.
The Spurs were run by JAHALLSTAR at the time, who is notorious for holding onto players for a long time and he got a ton of burn out of Williams.
As for the honorable mentions, it is littered with quality starters.
Honorable Mention:
Dick McGuire PG 6'0'' 180 28 C+ C A- A- C B selected in 2024 by the Phoenix Suns - Solid defensive, efficient point guard
Jeremy Thorpe C 6'10'' 243 20 B+ C D- B- B- B selected in 2021 by the Dallas Mavericks - Big man who does a little bit of everything
Cam Adams SG 6'7'' 215 21 B- B A C C B selected in 2020 by the Minnesota Timberwolves - Shooting guard turned point guard who may have been better off staying a shooting guard and keeping his handles in tact
Tristan Wesley SF 6'7'' 215 23 B A- C C+ C B selected in 2017 by the Dallas Mavericks - 20+ ppg scorer in multiple years
La'Shon Lesser PG 6'1'' 170 22 B C- B+ B+ D B selected in 2016 by the Cleveland Cavaliers - Versatile point guard who thrived in inside systems
Jordan Price SF 6'6'' 215 18 A- C C B- C+ B selected in 2013 by the Washington Wizards - Incredible scorer, but horrible ball handler
T.J. Ford PG 6'0'' 165 20 C B- B C+ C- B selected in 2003 by the Indiana Pacers - Quality starter on several teams
10th Overall
Anthony Randolph PF 6'10'' 205 19 C+ C C B- B- A selected in 2008 by the Miami Heat
In the NBA, the 10th overall spot is usually sick, but in BBS, it's lackluster. There are a few stars that were taken here, but only one real superstar and that's Anthony Randolph.
Randolph is a multiple-time Defensive Player of the Year who was one of the top-5 players in the league for a long time.
Honorable Mentions:
Slick Leonard SG 6'3'' 185 22 C B- B- B C A selected in 2024 by the Phoenix Suns - A future All-Defensive Team mainstay
Jayson O'Keane PF 6'8'' 245 21 A- C+ D+ C+ B C selected in 2021 by the Chicago Bulls - Incredible inside scorer and rebounder
Terrence Ross SG 6'5'' 195 22 C+ B+ C- C C- A selected in 2014 by the Indiana Pacers - A staple in outside offenses
Josh Selby PG 6'1'' 180 19 B+ C+ C B D+ B selected in 2011 by the Miami Heat - A stud scoring point guard
Amir Johnson PF 6'9'' 210 18 C+ C- D+ B- C+ A selected in 2005 by the Atlanta Hawks - Prolific shot blocker
