Best Draft Picks of the Modern Era

[BigKAT]

Let's say... last twenty years? twenty five years?

*The place in which the player was drafted is criticial, Anthony Davis in #1 is nice, but it's nowhere near as impressive as Jimmy Butler at #30
*Try not to go for top picks, make this interesting
*Ricky Rubio at 5 is nice, but if curry goes 7, it's far less impressive.
*Remember, we are not judging players. We are judging the value of a draft pick.

Okay, so off the top of my mind I've got a few good ones, in no particular order:

Kobe Bryant at 13#. Say what you will about the guy, getting a top 15 all time (Arguebly top 10 according to some) at 13? That's amazing.

AK47 at 24#, Great pick. Great player, injuries screwed his trajectory somewhat, but he was a very nice gem to unearth late first round.

David Lee #30. I know it seems like lightyears ago, but this guy was pretty damn good for the Knicks for a time. And at 30? Yes please.

Isiah Thomas at 60th. All star point guard, 20 PPG, great floor leader and fearless. last possible pick. Sacramento picked right? Madness.

[SouBeachTalents]

Nash at 15
Manu at 57
Parker at 28
Arenas at 31
Boozer at 35
Lowry at 24
M. Gasol at 48
Deandre at 35
Kawhi at 15
Draymond at 35

[BigKAT]

Nash at 15
Manu at 57
Parker at 28
Arenas at 31
Boozer at 35
Lowry at 24
M. Gasol at 48
Deandre at 35
Kawhi at 15
Draymond at 35

Oh, Arenas and Gasol are some great picks mate.
Also Ginobli at 57, damn I forgot about that guy.

[Milbuck]

Recent ones that'll be more obvious in the coming years

Booker at 13 in 2015
Jokic at 41 in 2014
Giannis at 15 in 2013
Gobert at 27 in 2013
Middleton at 39 in 2012

[ClipperRevival]

I don't understand how any scout that worked out DeAndre wasn't blown away by his freakish athleticism. You can always teach skills but not athleticism. I mean athleticism is not hard to measure with the eye test.

[Kool Boy]

Last 30 Years in no particular order:

Rashard Lewis
Cliff Robinson
Michael Redd
Dennis Rodman
Monta Ellis
Nick Van Exel
Paul Millsap
Jeff Hornacek
Mark Price
Toni Kukoc
Stephen Jackson

[kamil]

Ben Wallace

[Suckafree]

Ben Wallace

Right, and what number was he picked in the draft?

[bigkingsfan]

Isaiah Thomas

Round: 2 / Pick: 60

[GimmeThat]

I don't understand how any scout that worked out DeAndre wasn't blown away by his freakish athleticism. You can always teach skills but not athleticism. I mean athleticism is not hard to measure with the eye test.

sounds like what a QB would say about a WR.

the real question is still, how much money are you willing to pay just for someone to sit on the bench and or sit out plays. let alone how many games they help determine your season to be.

the, an enemy of my enemy is a friend of mine line works
but keep your enemy rich, and your friend richer, and find out which is which

[BigKAT]

I don't understand how any scout that worked out DeAndre wasn't blown away by his freakish athleticism. You can always teach skills but not athleticism. I mean athleticism is not hard to measure with the eye test.

I'm also confused by that.

I mean, hindsight is easy ,but look at the big men that were picked before him.


Mcgee,
Hickson,
Kofus,
Pekovich

[egokiller]

Manu at 57... this just goes to show that most GM's are blind as **** and wouldn't know how to scout talent if their lives depended on it.

[jbryan1984]

Its funny now looking back at the 2011 draft, it was pretty damn good. We had the 1 pick so I remember well what everyone said. Pick Derrick Williams! People said Kyrie would always be hurt. They said pick DW or Jonas. But man, so many talented players. Kyrie, TT, Leonard, Butler, Klay, Thomas getting the last pick.

[Cali Syndicate]

I don't understand how any scout that worked out DeAndre wasn't blown away by his freakish athleticism. You can always teach skills but not athleticism. I mean athleticism is not hard to measure with the eye test.

Because he has a gumby looking face. lol jk. Someone of this board used to call him that, I forget who but this insult always stuck with me lol.

[SuperCereal]

Drazen Petrovic at 60
Luis Scola at 55
Kyle Korver at 51
Marc Gasol at 48