Most successful players of each draft class thus far since '95

[vtcha]

1995: Kevin Garnett (5th overall pick)
1996: Kobe Bryant (13th overall)
1997: Tim Duncan (1st overall)
1998: Dirk Nowitzki (9th overall)
1999: Shawn Marion (9th overall)
2000: Michael Redd (43rd overall)
2001: Tony Parker (28th overall)
2002: Amar'e Stoudemire (9th overall)
2003: LeBron James (1st overall)
2004: Dwight Howard (1st overall)
2005: Chris Paul (4th overall)
2006: Rajon Rondo (21st overall)
2007: Kevin Durant (2nd overall)
2008: Derrick Rose (1st overall)
2009: Blake Griffin (1st overall)
2010: Paul George (10th overall)
2011: Kyrie Irving (1st overall)
2012: Damian Lillard (6th overall)

[vtcha]

Honourable mentions:

1999: Manu Ginobili (57th overall)
2001: Pau Gasol (3rd overall)
2002: Yao Ming (1st overall); I chose STAT over Yao purely because of team success as I believe they've both accomplished similar individual success.
2009: James Harden (3rd overall) and Stephen Curry (7th overall); I personally think that Curry will have the best career when it's all said and done.
2012: Anthony Davis (1st overall); I think after this season AD will have more individual success than Lillard.

[ojandpizza]

The 2000 draft just had lots of players who didn't quite pan out the way they were projected.. I would probably take Mike Miller over Redd though. Redd was a better player in his prime but that was short lived.. Miller took home rookie of the year, has a sixth man of the year award, and is a two time champion.

[VDusen04]

Quote: Originally Posted by ojandpizza

The 2000 draft just had lots of players who didn't quite pan out the way they were projected.. I would probably take Mike Miller over Redd though. Redd was a better player in his prime but that was short lived.. Miller took home rookie of the year, has a sixth man of the year award, and is a two time champion.

For my own personal tastes, I think I'd still stick with Redd. I mean, yes, Mike Miller's career did carry out a few extra years as he was fortunate to sometimes contribute (and then reap the heavy benefits) on the LeBron James/Dwyane Wade/Chris Bosh SuperFriends squads, but I think Redd was a big time player for five to six years, whereas Miller perhaps had a year or two where he was on that border, otherwise filling a very good role player gap.

[ojandpizza]

Quote: Originally Posted by VDusen04

For my own personal tastes, I think I'd still stick with Redd. I mean, yes, Mike Miller's career did carry out a few extra years as he was fortunate to sometimes contribute (and then reap the heavy benefits) on the LeBron James/Dwyane Wade/Chris Bosh SuperFriends squads, but I think Redd was a big time player for five to six years, whereas Miller perhaps had a year or two where he was on that border, otherwise filling a very good role player gap.

Understandable, I'm biased anyways Miller has always been one of my favorites from his first round of Grizz days. Redd was a much better player but when the thread title says who "accomplished more" Redd just had the individual stats. Redd was an All Star once or twice though wasn't he?

Edit: I guess it doesn't say accomplished more, but most success.. Same thing though lol

[bghost]

Redd was a 1 time all star

[EAGLESFAN10]

The 2008 Draft is a hard one tho because you had

Derrick Rose
Kevin Love
Serge Ibaka
Russell Westbrook

I would probably say Westbrook but I can see why you said Derrick I mean he did win an MVP

You can't go wrong either one tho

2009
I would say Steph Curry or James Harden Blake's Numbers might be better but that's doesnt always tell the story

2006
I would say Lamarcus Aldridge

[ojandpizza]

Quote: Originally Posted by EAGLESFAN10

The 2008 Draft is a hard one tho because you had Derrick Rose Kevin Love Serge Ibaka Russell Westbrook I would probably say Westbrook but I can see why you said Derrick I mean he did win an MVP You can't go wrong either one tho 2009 I would say Steph Curry or James Harden Blake's Numbers might be better but that's doesnt always tell the story 2006 I would say Lamarcus Aldridge

What does Curry or Harden have that Blake doesn't? All any of them have is "good numbers".. But Blake has had them from day 1 and that's why he has a ROY.

I also think it's tough to take Aldridge over Rondo, maybe for this season that makes sense.. But Rondo is a champion and has arguably been better or at least equal for the past few years.