Throughout the years, the month of June is awaited by every team, as well as by the fans, journalists, relatives and friends of the kids who dream of playing in the best basketball in the world, and for which they have worked and prepared their whole lives.
Since 1947, the NBA Draft has been held, in which the teams take over two rounds, what they theoretically need for their future. Most of the all-time greats have emerged from the first 10 picks, and right below we take a look at the 10 Best Players Per Position In The NBA Draft, According To Statistics.
10 10th Pick: Paul Pierce (1998 – Boston Celtics)
Pretty clear choice to define the best 10th overall pick in NBA history. 15 seasons with the Boston Celtics, two with the Los Angeles Lakers and one with both the Brooklyn Nets and the Washington Wizards, which, except for the last two of his career, were of a superlative level. Putting up numbers of 26,397 points (19.7 per game), 7,527 total rebounds (5.6) and 4,708 assists (3.5), he surpasses other great players such as Horace Grant and Jeff Malone.
9 9th Pick: Dirk Nowitzki (1998 – Milwaukee Bucks)
German Dirk Werner Nowitzki, power forward and sometimes center, considered one of the three best foreigners to play in the NBA, occupies this spot as the best ninth pick. Averaging 20.7 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game in a total of 1,522 games played, he has more than enough merits for such a distinction. In addition, Nowitzki was a great three-point shooter, with a .380 three-point field goal percentage. Another great ninth pick was Tracy McGrady.
8 8th Pick: Robert Parish (1976 – Golden State Warriors)
The competition to determine who was the best 8th overall pick in the history of the NBA Draft was hotly contested. Although the Milwaukee Bucks’ 1993 pick, Vin Baker, made great merits, we finally went for center with 21 seasons played and four championship rings, Robert Parish.
His longevity and durability were truly amazing. The Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets and finally the Chicago Bulls, enjoyed his delivery and efficiency, recording 14.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game in 1,611 games played.
7 7th Pick: Stephen Curry (2009 – Golden State Warriors)
Who can have any doubt that the phenomenal shooter Stephen Curry is the best 7th overall of all time? Although he is still building his legacy at 34 years old and 13 seasons, all with the Warriors, what he has done so far places him among the best players in history.
Curry has made 3,117 3-point field goals so far, we could calculate that if healthy he will surpass, at least, 4,000. But, not only is he the best three-point shooter, also his other lifetime numbers are excellent: averages of 24.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 1.7 steals per game. Can we ask for more?
6 6th Pick: Larry Bird (1978 – Boston Celtics)
What we define as the best player ever to have been selected with the sixth pick in the NBA Draft is none other than Larry Bird. This legendary 6-9, 220-pound small forward earned a place among the best with his effective and flashy play. In 897 games throughout his 13-year career (all with the Celtics), Bird averaged 10 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.7 steals, 0.8 blocks and 24.3 points per game, with excellent efficiency at the free-throw line for an .886 shooting percentage. .
5 5th Pick: Charles Barkley (1984 – Philadelphia 76ers)
The fifth pick in the draft that has given us so many excellent players, forced us to thoroughly check statistics and performances of several players who were taken at that position. Vince Carter, Scottie Pippen, Kevin Garnett and Dwayne Wade were some rivals for our final pick, Charles Barkley. In his 16-year career, with the 76ers, Suns and Rockets, left some pretty outstanding numbers, to be the rightful owner of this seat. Sir Charles played 1,073 games, recording 22.1 points, 11.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.5 steals per game, with an 80.5 VORP.
4 4th Pick: Russell Westbrook (2008 – Seattle Supersonics)
To unseat a player like Chris Paul with his 10,977 assists (9.5 per game), the challenger must be someone excellent, and in this case, well it is. Russell Westbrook is called “Mister triple double” for a reason, as he is the all-time leader in triple-doubles, with 194. Although he still has a lot to give in the league, he has already established exceptional marks and numbers. His 8.4 assists, 7.4 rebounds and 22.8 points per game undoubtedly put him as the best fifth pick ever.
3 3rd Pick: Michael Jordan (1984 – Chicago Bulls)
Certainly, when talking about Michael Jordan, we probably fall short in praise and adjectives. Probably the most talented player who has ever played on an NBA court. A fighter, capable of overcoming the biggest adversities. 30.1 points per game (best in NBA history) in the regular season, with 6.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 2.3 steals per game. But in the playoffs we saw his best version: 33.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 2.1 steals per game, making him virtually unstoppable in those instances.
2 2nd Pick: Bob Pettit (1954 – Milwaukee Hawks)
Perhaps, for most of the new generations who love the best basketball in the world, the name of Bob Pettit is not very well known, in fact, maybe they have never heard of him, but, 26.4 points, 16.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game in 11 seasons are statistics not to be ignored. We think that despite Kevin Durant’s great career, what Pettit accomplished in 792 games played gives him the well-deserved distinction of the best second pick in the NBA Draft.
1 1st Pick: LeBron James (2003 – Cleveland Cavaliers)
The first overall pick of any sports draft, theoretically, is reserved for the best prospect. Therefore, defining who has been the best first pick in the history of the NBA Draft was complicated and laborious. The finalists: the legendary Kareem Abdul-Jabbar with his extraordinary career, and our reasoned choice, LeBron James.
His versatility, his longevity, his durability and mainly his exceptional numbers catapult him to be the best first pick in history. Between regular season and playoffs, King James has left these incredible numbers: 27.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.8 blocks per game.