With the NBA draft this week we wanted to take a look at past drafts. Last year we did the All-Time greatest draft from #1-30. This year we take a look at the Greatest 2nd round selections.
#10 Monta Ellis 2005 40th overall
Career avgs. 19.5pts 3.7reb 4.5ast
Ellis came straight out of high school to be drafted by the Golden St Warriors. A prolific scorer who at age 26 still has a lot of productive years ahead of him.
#9 Nick Van Exel 1993 37th overall
Career avgs 14.4pts 2.9reb 6.6ast
Van Exel was one of my favorite players growing up. The former Bearcat was very reliable as a starting point guard early in his career as well as a spark off the bench later in his career. 13 seasons and a NBA All Star appearance makes Van Exel a 2nd round gem.
#8 Clifford Robinson 1989 36th overall
Career avgs 14.2pts 4.6reb 2.2ast
Robinson was an NBA All Star, 2x All Defensive 2nd Team and former Sixth Man of the Year. He spent 8 solid years in Portland where he played in the playoffs every year and in 2 Finals. He went on to play 18 season and is #7 on the all time games played list at a total of 1,380.
#7 Michael Redd 2000 43rd overall
Career avgs 13pts 3reb 2ast
Redd played in only 6 games as a rookie averaging only 5 minutes a game. So it was a surprise to see him jump up to a double-digit scorer in his second season. He soon became one of the best three-point shooters in the league with one of the quickest releases ever. In 2004 he became an All Star and an All NBA 3rd team selection. He had 6 straight seasons of averaging over 20 points a game but injuries cut his career short.
#6 Carlos Boozer 2002 35th overall
Career avgs 17.0pts 9.9reb 2.4ast
Boozer is a 2x All Star and 1x All NBA Third Team selection. As much as I currently despise Boozer he’s a career double double guy who at one point you could argue him as the best power foward in the league.
#5 Gilbert Arenas 2001 30th overall
Career avgs 20.7pts 3.9reb 5.3ast
Arenas is a 3x All Star, All NBA 2nd Team, 2x All NBA 3rd Team, and a NBA Most Improved Player Award. Injuries and off the court actions have slowed his career down but at his peak he was one of the best in the league.
#4 Rashard Lewis 1998 32nd overall pick
Career Avg 16.1pts 5.6reb 1.8ast 39%3pts
Lewis is a 2x All Star who came straight out of high school to be drafted by the Seattle Super Sonics. Had a couple good playoff runs with the Magic and played in one NBA Final. He’s #8 on the all time three pointers made list with 1,690 and has a legitimate shot to finish his career at #3.
#3 Steve Kerr 1988 50th overall
Career avgs 6pts 1.2reb 1.6ast
Kerr never average double figures in points but his value wasn’t in quantity it was in quality. He hit a number of big shots in rout to 5 NBA championships. He’s also a former 3 point shooting champ.
#2 Toni Kukoc 1990 29th overall
Career avgs 11.6pts 4.2reb 3.7ast
When Kukoc came into the league there was only 27 teams so 29th was 2nd round. Kukoc was one of the pioneers of the Europeans invasion. He was a key contributor to three Bulls championships while also winning a Sixth Man of The Year Award. Known for his versatility and playing all five positions, Kukoc played 13 successful seasons in the league.
#1 Manu Ginobili 1999 57th overall
Career avgs. 15.2pts 4.0reb 3.9ast
Ginobili is a 3x NBA Champion, 2x All Star,2x Third Team All NBA, and a Sixth Man of The Year Award winner. He is hands down the greatest value pick in draft history. Ginobili will retire with a shot to make the Hall of Fame.
