1998, the lockout year when so many great players lost their way and found plenty of weight. On the plus side, this year is the 2nd deepest draft behind 96.
1) Nowitzki (9) - Nothing the kid from Wurzburg hasn't done in the NBA! Will finish 6th or 7th all time in scoring by the time he is done too.
2) Pierce (10) - Forged a HOF career, would be #1 on a lot of other yearly lists.
3) Carter (5) - Vinsanity is still carving up some valuable time. Best dunker of all-time one could say!
4) Jamison (4) - Multiple all-star, pity he never was on a team good enough to play deep in the playoffs
5) Bibby (2) - Apart of that great Sacto team that just never quite could, long very serviceable career.
Plenty of 2nd rounders played meaningful years in the league too in Greg Buckner, Cuttino Mobley, Rafer Alston, Rashard Lewis and Ruben Patterson.
This year will probably get the most variety too I think, a fair few players who had some decent years.
1) Ginobili (59) - Gets the nod with all those rings, still playing meaningful minutes too.
2) Marion (7) - One of the most versatile players going around, big part of the 2011 championship team
3) Brand (1) - Had 6 years of averaging a double double, still supplying a reserve roll to the best team in the NBA currently
4) Terry (10) - The Jet sits 3rd all time in made 3 pointers, still applying his trade with the Rockets, a ring doesn't hurt!
5) Miller (8) - Gets the nod due to longevity and didn't miss many career games
Manu Ginobli - (57th pick) - Has championship rings!
Shawn Marion (9th pick) - An old favourite of mine. Thrived in Phoenix with Nash and D'Antoni. Won't get another ring this year though.
Baron Davis (3rd pick) - Dropped off quickly after injuries, but was hard to stop for a period in the mid 2000's.
Elton Brand (1st pick) - Started off wel but never went to the 'top level'. Still going today.
Richard Hamilton (7th pick) - Thrived once he got out of Washington. Won a ring with Detroit.
I thought I'd have a go at doing the 2000 draft. Wow oh wow, how bad was this class?!
1) Mike Miller (5th) - Hopefully its not because he's in recent memory, but he was Rookie Of The Year and has a ring.
2) Kenyon Martin (1st) - Was a bit of a force down low when he had J-Kidd as his waiter. 1 of only 2 All Stars in this class.
3) Hedo Turkoglu (16th) - Had a 6th Man Of The Year award once. Also got a huge contract once, so he must have been worth it. Right?
4) Michael Redd (43rd) - Had some 20 point avg scoring seasons and was a 2nd-rounder, so bonus points there.
5) Who knows?
1) Redd (43) - All star, gold medal, pretty good player in a pretty poor draft overall with several busts in the lottery
2) Miller (5) - Provided some handy years, always has that outside stroke
3) Martin (1) - Would struggle to be in the top 10 of a lot of other years, had a steady, lengthy career
4) Turkoglu (16) - Versatile player during his Magic days, fell off the cliff pretty quick though
5) Mason (17) - Just because of his sick dunking ability!
1) Gasol (3) - Such a class player, hasn't missed a step to date and having an astounding year this. Rings to back it up.
2) Parker (28) - Got the rings to prove it, can't argue with that.
3) Chandler (2) - One of the best defensive big men and still pumping out double doubles this season on a nightly basis.
4) Zach Randolph (19) - A bull in the high or low post, not signs of slowing down after 14 years.
5) Joe Johnson (10) - Forged himself as a go to man down the stretch, can still iso with the best of them.