What was the greatest NBA draft year?

1. 60

   Tim Quamposted 11 years ago

   What was the greatest NBA draft year?
   
   The 1984 draft famously had Charles Barkley, Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, and John Stockton.  Was that the best class ever?

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2. 72

   toptendealsposted 11 years ago

   2003.  After winning its second NBA Championship in a row, and third consecutive finals appearance, Miami Heat's big three were all drafted in 2003.  Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh.  Other notables from the year include Carmelo Anthony, David West, John Howard, and Kirk Hinrich.

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   1. 60

      Tim Quamposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Hart to argue with the champs.

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3. 75

   Thief12posted 11 years ago

   I'm not as versed on old players and old drafts, but here are some good ones...
   
   2009 - Blake Griffin, James Harden, Ricky Rubio, Stephen Curry, DeMar DeRozan, Brandon Jennings, Jrue Holiday, Ty Lawson, Taj Gibson, Danny Green
   
   2008 - Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Love, Danilo Gallinari, Brook Lopez, Roy Hibbert, JaVale McGee, Ryan Anderson, Serge Ibaka, George Hill
   
   2005 - Deron Williams, Chris Paul, Raymond Felton, Danny Granger, David Lee, Monta Ellis, Marcin Gortat, Andrew Bogut
   
   2001 - Tyson Chandler, Pau Gasol, Jason Richardson, Shane Battier, Joe Johnson, Richard Jefferson, Zach Randolph, Tony Parker, Gilbert Arenas
   
   1998 - Antawn Jamison, Dirk Nowitzki, Vince Carter, Paul Pierce, Al Harrington
   
   1996 - Allen Iverson, Stephon Marbury, Ray Allen, Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Peja Stojakovic, Ben Wallace
   
   1987 - David Robinson, Scottie Pippen, Kevin Johnson, Horace Grant, Reggie Miller, Mark Jackson
   
   1985 - Patrick Ewing, Chris Mullin, Detlef Schrempf, Karl Malone, Joe Dumars, AC Green, Terry Porter
   
   1984 - Hakeem Olajuwon, Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, Kevin Willis, John Stockton

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   1. 60

      Tim Quamposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      You've done your homework.  2009 is looking good after the recent playoffs.

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4. 81

   cprice75posted 11 years ago

   In a word, yes. These players were among the top 20 or so players of all time. Of course, there was the bad choice of Sam Bowie over Michael Jordan. While Jordan is the best ever, it's hard to argue over a team choosing Olajuwan.

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   1. 75

      Thief12posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      The Bowie/Jordan issue has been beaten to death now, but the truth is that the Blazers had just drafted a shooting guard, Clyde Drexler, the past year. So drafting another one would've been, well, silly. Hindsight is 20/20.

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   2. 60

      Tim Quamposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Portland already had something of a two-guard controversy with Jim Paxson and Drexler.  Funny that Jordan would end up playing with Paxson's brother.  Too bad they didn't decide to take Jordan and let him run the offense, but they needed a center.

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