Post by cityofchamps on Oct 18, 2012 13:41:05 GMT -5
In my mind, there are 3 NBA Draft Classes that stand out from the rest. The 1984 Class, 1996 Class, and the 2003 Class.
In my mind, 1984 had the most talent overall. Having Michael Jordan, the best player of all time, in that class gives you the edge. Add in The Dream, Charles Barkley, Willis Reed, and John Stockton, you have a Class in itself that should be recognized in the Hall of Fame.
1996 had the deepest amount of highly talented picks. Look at some of those names and the Hall of Fame potential. Allen Iverson, Ray Allen, Peja Stojakovic, Kobe Bryant, Marcus Camby, Steve Nash, Ben Wallace. That is an impressive list of names.
2003 had a balance of both talent and depth. Not only did the 2003 Draft have extremely talented players in the early rounds, but a lot of the players afterwards are still playing in the NBA today and making quality contributions. You have probably heard of most of the names I put down from that class.
Notable players from each class
1984
1. C Hakeem Olajuwan, Houston Rockets
3. SG Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls
5. PF Charles Barkely, Philadelphia 76ers
7. SG Alvin Robertson, San Antonio Spurs
9. F/C Otis Thorpe, Kansas City Kings
11. F/C Kevin Willis, Atlanta Hawks
16. PG John Stockton, Utah Jazz
1996
1. PG Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers
2. C Marcus Camby, Toronto Raptors
3. SF Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Vancuver Grizzlies
4. PG Stephon Marbury, Milwaukee Bucks(traded to MIN)
5. SG Ray Allen, Minnesota Timberwolves(traded to MIL)
13. SG Kobe Bryant, Charlotte Hornets(traded to LAL)
14. SF Peja Stojakovic, Sacremento Kings
15. PG Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns
17. F/C Jermaine O'Neal, Portland Trailblazers
20. C Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Cleveland Cavaliers
UDFA. C Ben Wallace, Detroit Pistons
2003
1. SF LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
2. C Darko Milicic, Detroit Pistons
3. SF Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets
4. F/C Chris Bosh, Toronto Raptors
5. SG Dwayne Wade, Miami Heat
6. C Chris Kaman, Los Angelas Clippers
7. PG Kirk Hinrich, Chicago Bulls
8. PG T.J. Ford, Milwaukee Bucks
9. PF Michael Sweetney, New York Knicks
11. G/F Mickael Pietrus, Golden State Warriors
12. PF Nick Collison, Seattle Supersonics
14. PG Luke Ridnour, Seattle Supersonics
18. PF David West, New Orleans Hornets
21. PF Boris Diaw, Atlanta Hawks
25. SG Carlos Delfino, Detroit Pistons
27. C Kendrick Perkins, Memphis Grizzlies(traded to BOS)
28. SG Leandro Barbosa, San Antonio Spurs(traded to PHO)
29. SF Josh Howard, Dallas Mavericks
31. G/F Jason Kapono, Cleveland Cavaliers
32. SF Luke Walton, Los Angelas Lakers
38. PG Steve Blake, Washington Wizards
47. PG Mo Williams, Utah Jazz
51. SF Kyle Korver, New Jersey Nets(traded to PHI)
In my mind, 1984 had the most talent overall. Having Michael Jordan, the best player of all time, in that class gives you the edge. Add in The Dream, Charles Barkley, Willis Reed, and John Stockton, you have a Class in itself that should be recognized in the Hall of Fame.
1996 had the deepest amount of highly talented picks. Look at some of those names and the Hall of Fame potential. Allen Iverson, Ray Allen, Peja Stojakovic, Kobe Bryant, Marcus Camby, Steve Nash, Ben Wallace. That is an impressive list of names.
2003 had a balance of both talent and depth. Not only did the 2003 Draft have extremely talented players in the early rounds, but a lot of the players afterwards are still playing in the NBA today and making quality contributions. You have probably heard of most of the names I put down from that class.
Notable players from each class
1984
1. C Hakeem Olajuwan, Houston Rockets
3. SG Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls
5. PF Charles Barkely, Philadelphia 76ers
7. SG Alvin Robertson, San Antonio Spurs
9. F/C Otis Thorpe, Kansas City Kings
11. F/C Kevin Willis, Atlanta Hawks
16. PG John Stockton, Utah Jazz
1996
1. PG Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers
2. C Marcus Camby, Toronto Raptors
3. SF Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Vancuver Grizzlies
4. PG Stephon Marbury, Milwaukee Bucks(traded to MIN)
5. SG Ray Allen, Minnesota Timberwolves(traded to MIL)
13. SG Kobe Bryant, Charlotte Hornets(traded to LAL)
14. SF Peja Stojakovic, Sacremento Kings
15. PG Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns
17. F/C Jermaine O'Neal, Portland Trailblazers
20. C Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Cleveland Cavaliers
UDFA. C Ben Wallace, Detroit Pistons
2003
1. SF LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
2. C Darko Milicic, Detroit Pistons
3. SF Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets
4. F/C Chris Bosh, Toronto Raptors
5. SG Dwayne Wade, Miami Heat
6. C Chris Kaman, Los Angelas Clippers
7. PG Kirk Hinrich, Chicago Bulls
8. PG T.J. Ford, Milwaukee Bucks
9. PF Michael Sweetney, New York Knicks
11. G/F Mickael Pietrus, Golden State Warriors
12. PF Nick Collison, Seattle Supersonics
14. PG Luke Ridnour, Seattle Supersonics
18. PF David West, New Orleans Hornets
21. PF Boris Diaw, Atlanta Hawks
25. SG Carlos Delfino, Detroit Pistons
27. C Kendrick Perkins, Memphis Grizzlies(traded to BOS)
28. SG Leandro Barbosa, San Antonio Spurs(traded to PHO)
29. SF Josh Howard, Dallas Mavericks
31. G/F Jason Kapono, Cleveland Cavaliers
32. SF Luke Walton, Los Angelas Lakers
38. PG Steve Blake, Washington Wizards
47. PG Mo Williams, Utah Jazz
51. SF Kyle Korver, New Jersey Nets(traded to PHI)