Greatest Drafts of My Lifetime
Top NBA Drafts of My Lifetime (Hint: I’m 25)
In my lifetime, there have been four drafts that are head and shoulders above the rest of the drafts during that time. Of course, we have the famed draft class of 1984 with Hakeem Olawjuwon, Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, John Stockton, Sam Perkins, Alvin Robertson, Otis Thorpe, Jay Humphries, and Jerome Kersey. Although four dream teamers came from that draft class, I’m not so sure that this is the greatest draft class of all time...At least not in terms of depth. But then again…
The 1996 Draft is another draft that might come to mind. In terms of depth and total talent it is definitely one of the greatest draft of all time. In one draft you had Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, Marcus Camby, Shareef-Abdur Rahim, Stephon Marbury, Ray Allen, Antoine Walker, Lorenzen Wright, Kerry Kittles, Steve Nash, Pedrag (He loves it when we call him by his real name) Stojakovic, Jermaine O’neal, and Zydrunas Ilgauskas. You also had solid roll players such as Tony Delk, Eric Dampier, Derek Fisher, Othella Harington, Moochie (I could say that name all day) Norris, and Walter McCarty.
Another solid draft was the 1999 Draft. This draft class included Elton Brand, Steve Francis, Lamar Odom, Wally (Sippin on some sy-surp) Szczerbiak, Rip Hamilton, Andre Miller, Shawn Marion, Jason Terry, Corey Maggette, Ron Artest, James Posey, Andre Kirilenko, and Manu Ginobili. Although this draft does not have the all out superstars that 84 and 96 contained, it probably has more solid players than any draft I can remember.
The newest draft to be talked about as one that should be considered the greatest of all time is the 2003 draft. You might be saying, “how can a draft be considered one of the great drafts of all time and the players from the draft have been in the league less than three years?” Well just listen to this draft class and then tell me what you think. LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, Chris Kaman, Kirk Hinrich, TJ Ford, Michael Sweetney, Michael Pietrus, Nick Collison, Luke Ridnour, David West, Boris Diaw, Josh Howard and many more.
So what’s my opinion on this thing? I think in terms of all time greats, the 84 draft still has to be number one. The top players from that draft combined for seven NBA MVPs, eight NBA Titles, and sixteen NBA Finals appearances. As well, this group also has the all-time leader in steals, and the all-time leader in assists. Although this draft might not have the depth of years past how can you pass up on a draft that has the greatest player of all time (Jordan), the second greatest point guard of all time (Stockton, behind Stephon Marbury of course), the greatest center of the 80s and 90s (Hakeem Olajuwon), and arguably one of the greatest power forwards of all time (Barkley). In my mind that draft has to go down as the greatest, because like the ball, the credentials don’t lie.
The 96 Draft would have to be next because you have two MVPs in Iverson and Nash (and probably this years MVP in Kobe Bryant). Amongst the top players you have ten players who have made All-Star appearances, three championship rings, and four NBA Finals appearances. As well 96’s depth compares with 99’s and 03’s.
2003 has the potential to be as good as 84 in terms of all time greats and as deep as 96 and 99 in terms of depth. But until a little more time passes, we are just going to hold of judgment on this draft class. Although some might argue (I’m talking to you Cavalier), that the best player in the league today (LeBron James) comes from that draft.
Although 99 probably is the deepest draft of all time, it can’t compare to the other three great drafts in terms of star power. The players from 99 are not perennial all-stars, but players that might make an All-Star team here and there. They are players that are at their best playing second fiddle to one of the superstars from the 96 and 03 drafts.
Quotables:
Bill Simons on the potential Knicks and Nuggets deal:
“I have a scoop for you: A well-placed source tells me that Isiah Thomas is prepared to trade Channing Frye and Penny Hardaway to Denver for Kenyon Martin and Earl Watson, but only if Martin agrees to an MRI on his surgically repaired knee. If Martin's knee is in good shape, the Knicks are calling off the deal. If the knee is in rough shape, the deal is on. If the knee is in such terrible shape that the doctor says something like, "Wow, there's a good chance K-Mart might walk with a limp for the rest of his life," the Knicks will throw in an unconditional No. 1 in 2009 as well as Nate Robinson and $3 million dollars. So stay tuned.”
Deadspin on Conde Nast:
“This morning, in the Conde Nast building in New York City — known around here as ‘the place where your soul goes to die’ — ESPN alpha dog George Bodenheimer, NBA commissioner David Stern and Sports Illustrated managing editor Terry McDonell spoke with The New Yorker’s Ken Auletta about “The Electronic Future Of Sports.” The subtitle was not, ‘Buy ESPN Mobile,’ but it might as well have been.”
YAY Sports on Phil Jackson’s Foul Mouth:
“The NBA higher-up are clearly going to have to suspend him after the use of "nervous Nellies". You don't just pull out the "nervous Nellie" unless you're really, really, really angry. All this potty-mouth spread to Kobe Bryant, who worried he might get fined, too.”
Matt at Detroit Bad Boys LOVES Jones on the NBA Email Notifications
As some of you know (and probably hate), I send email notifications after every post to encourage all of my friends and my fellow bloggers to read my latest posts. I got my first negative response from Matt at Detroit Bad Boys.
Here was his request:
“Unsubscribe, please.”
Well thanks for breaking my heart Matt. It wasn’t good enough for you that your team (The Pistons) single handedly destroyed my Laker dynasty. Nooo sir…you had to go and dis my blog. Well that’s why the Pistons aren’t going to win seventy, so there! By the way they also lost to the Hawks last nigh and have lost three of five. Okay I know my Lakers have lost five of their last six, but we have Kwame Brown, so at least we have an excuse.
But in all seriousness, I think Matt’s a nice guy. He’s got a pretty popular blog, and he also gave me some suggestions on how to promote this damn thing. But should I take him off of my mail list or not? I think it would be pretty funny to continue sending him email notifications.
Anyhow, if you haven’t already, I encourage you to check out Matt’s fantastic Detroit Bad Boy blog.
JONES ON THE NBA CAN BE REACHED VIA EMAIL AT JONESONTHENBA@YAHOO.COM
3 comments:
BROWN OUT IN THE GARDEN
by SEVENPOINTMAN
I remember sitting behind the basket in the late fifties, at the Old Madison Square Garden, with my father and brother.
The swift moves of Sweetwater Clifton, the bumbling feints and falls of Ray Felix, the gliding
sweeping ballet leaps of Willie Naulls, and best of all the long two-handed arching swish heaves of Richie Guerin. This was a youth well spent.
As I Iook back on those days and the interim between, many fond memories and frustrations, about being a long time Knick fan surface.
But nothing increases my angst more than the present situation. As the evening is beginning and as I prepare myself to watch another Knick game, I ask myself what pleasure can I get from
seeing failure ,and being bored by the same unstable coaching of Larry Brown. I have watched this team,certainly talented and athletic enough to possibly contend in the Eastern conference, be confused and berated by a coach who makes countless mistakes of decision in developing and managing this team. After thirty different starting line-ups, playing odd-ball combinations of players, lengthening and shortening playing time without any reason, not establishing any motion in an offense, and chiding his players to perform when they are not given the training and options to do so, I feel that “Brownie is “not’ doing a heck of a job”. True there have been injuries. True the new players are going through a learning curve. True the contracts of some of the players don’t match their talent and efforts-but these factors call out more for a stable guiding hand with consistent but innovative tactics, to teach confidence and strengthen fundamentals.
I am not sure if it’s burn-out or due to stress, or a result of physical problems, but Larry Brown,
should not be coaching the Knicks for much longer. Of course this must lead, eventually, to eating Brown’s contract. I am sure Dolan will not like this –one bit.
But the writing is on the wall,
We true Knick fans cannot sit through four more years of this.
The Knick players cannot be forced to play under these conditions.
We want to see the raining arcs of threes by Q, the Baby Shaq domination and finesse of Curry,
the cross –over shuffle and sailing shots of Mal, the ever-present grit and leadership of Steph, the
the tenacious courage and skillful panache of Nate, the versatility and gun slinging of Channing ,and the leaping feats of Lee.
Something must be done to make this happen.
So we can have a mature later life well spent.
With the reality of a championship preceding the senility of old age.
Thank you for posting your entire blog in my comments section seven point man...Everyone, PLEASE READ SEVEN POINT MANS BLOG!
Way to kill them with kindness Nate, (as referring to your mention of the Detroit blog)...it's prolly better than being a complete asshole (note to self: stop..now). SPeaking of which, what are these tips to promote blogs that you speak of...my sense of self-aggrantizement has been waning lately...waning I say...
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