Top 5 Number One Draft Picks in NBA History - Noah Weber's Blog

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Top 5 Number One Draft Picks in NBA History Stuck

Posted on June 27, 2012 at 06:27 PM.

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(PHOTO CREDIT: nba.com)

The 2012 NBA Draft is set to take place tomorrow night, and all indications are that Anthony Davis will be going first.

What better way to celebrate Mr. Davis�s induction into the Number One Pick Club than by looking at some of the best players to ever claim that distinction?

Here is my list of Top the 5 Number One Picks in NBA History:

5. Tim Duncan

1997�s first selection has easily been one of the most consistent players in league history. In 15 seasons, Duncan has won two league MVPs, attended 13 ASGs, been nominated to nine All-NBA First Teams, and joined eight All-Defensive First Teams. Mr. Fundamentals has averaged 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game during that same stretch, and most importantly has added four titles and three Finals MVPs to that collection.

On top of his on-the-court accomplishments, Duncan is also highly regarded for his professionalism and leadership. When considering what kinds of contributions a draft pick can make to his organization, it would be hard to find someone who has done more for his team than Tim Duncan has done for the San Antonio Spurs.

4. Shaquille O�Neal

The first pick of 1992, Shaq may very well be the most physically dominant big man to ever play the game. Beyond his incredible displays of size and strength, Shaq has acquired an impressive list of accomplishments. He was the Rookie of the Year in 1993, league MVP in 2000, and has won four titles and three Finals MVP awards in his career. He has been nominated to 15 ASGs and eight All-NBA First Teams, all while averaging 24 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game.

If the numbers aren�t enough, Shaq is also one of the most entertaining players to ever grace the league, and was a staple of the game for his entire career. Although there have been many great big men to play in the NBA, only one other man taken with the top selection can claim to have a more significant professional impact.

3. LeBron James

No player has ever come into the league behind more hype than 2003�s top pick, LeBron James. Despite being criticized for a variety of matters ranging from �The Decision� to his inability to win in critical games, LeBron has acquired three MVP awards, attended eight All Star Games, and claimed the title of Rookie of the Year in 2004. During that time LeBron has averaged 28 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists, and most recently he has added a championship ring and Finals MVP award to his list of accolades. On top of his incredible offensive accomplishments, LeBron has also emerged as a top defender in the game, having been appointed to four All-Defensive First Teams.

The only thing keeping LeBron from being higher on this list is the fact that he�s not done yet. If he continues to perform at the level he�s been at, he will undoubtedly work his way towards the top of a list that includes some of the best players in the history of the sport.

2. Earvin �Magic� Johnson

Few players in league history have embodied the flair of the NBA like Magic Johnson. A superstar in college alongside with his rival, Larry Bird, Magic burst onto the scene as the first pick in 1979, and never looked back,

Although he didn�t win Rookie of the Year that first season, Magic did begin his path to five titles (including 3 finals MVPs), three league MVP awards, 12 ASGs, and nine All-NBA First Team selections. He averaged 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 11 assists throughout his career, and established himself as arguably the greatest point guard to ever play the game. While the list of great number ones is heavily slanted towards big men, Magic is clearly one of the best on that list at any position.

1. Lew Alcindor

You probably know him as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and 1969�s first pick has easily the most incredible resume of any player selected in that position. Beyond winning six titles and two finals MVP awards, Kareem claimed an astonishing SIX league MVPs during his legendary career. He was the Rookie of the Year in 1970, and a ten time All-NBA First Teamer, but he also claimed five All-Defensive First Team honors, demonstrating his value at both ends of the court. His career numbers of 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 blocks per game are better than anyone else on this list, and that number is ever more impressive considering they are averaged out over an astonishing 20 year professional career.

If you don�t feel that being the league�s all-time leading scorer isn�t enough to justify being in the top spot on this list, consider this: in 20 seasons, Kareem played in 19 All-Star Games. That�s more All-Star games than just about any other player in NBA history has played entire seasons. While All Star Games aren�t always a great measure of a player�s true ability, being nominated to 19 out of 20 in his career demonstrates just how long Kareem Abdul-Jabbar existed as one of the best players in the league. For that alone, I am nominating him as the greatest number one pick in NBA history.

(Honorable mention: Allen Iverson, Oscar Robertson, Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson, Elgin Baylor, Patrick Ewing, Dwight Howard)

So that�s my list. Hate it? Love it? Let me know in the comments below!

Comments

# 1 Tmorales13 @ Jun 27

Allen Iverson dont even get a honorable mention???

# 2 Shinyhubcaps @ Jun 27

Yeah he did. Great list, though I'd put Hakeem ahead of Duncan maybe? Even that's debatable.

# 3 thetrueBROSKY @ Jun 27

duncan is guaranteed top 5....so is hakeem though.......should have made this a top 6 list to avoid that problem....

# 4 BreaksoftheGame @ Jun 28

[quote]2. Earvin “Magic” Johnson

1979 brought two legends into the NBA, with the selections of Larry Bird and Magic Johnson in the draft. Magic edged out Bird for the number one pick, /QUOTE]

Not sure what this means. Bird was drafted in 78 in a shrewd move by Red. Magic was the number one pick the next year.

Big O would be higher than Shaq and LeBron in my opinion.

# 5 boritter @ Jun 28

You forgot Kwame Brown

# 6 DJ @ Jun 28

I'd probably bump Duncan for the Big O. Tim's got more rings, but Oscar changed the game with his style of play.

# 7 DubTrey1 @ Jun 28

Hakeem over Duncan. The rest are good to me. Hakeem for me, did more on both ends of the floor with less around him than Duncan did/does.

# 8 Realitey @ Jun 28

To Be Honest I See Lebron Collecting At The Very Least 4 More Mvp Awards its Gonna Be Hard For Anyone To Top Him Year In Year Out Hes Going To Make The All Nba First Team For The Foreseeable Future In Terms Of Accolade When Lebrons Done he Might Be The Most Decorated Player Ever Oddly Enuff Not Best But Decorated In Terms of Hardware (Not Championships)