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]

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

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]

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

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]

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

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]

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

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]

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

Redd was a 1 time all star

[EAGLESFAN10]

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

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]

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

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.

[Dice]

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

2000 draft was one of the worst drafts of all time. However, I think Jamal Crawford should get mention from the draft class.

[VDusen04]

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

In terms of Manu Ginobili vs. Shawn Marion, does Manu have a case? My first instinct was to say, "Oh Manu should take that". But then I had to catch myself. I mean, Marion's just been a guy who's been putting up numbers since the moment he came on the scene. More All-Star selections, 6,000 more points, etc. For some reason, Manu resonates more, but it's hard to deny what Marion's been doing throughout his career.

[ojandpizza]

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

In terms of Manu Ginobili vs. Shawn Marion, does Manu have a case? My first instinct was to say, "Oh Manu should take that". But then I had to catch myself. I mean, Marion's just been a guy who's been putting up numbers since the moment he came on the scene. More All-Star selections, 6,000 more points, etc. For some reason, Manu resonates more, but it's hard to deny what Marion's been doing throughout his career.

I think there are a handful of guys from that draft who are worthy.. Not more so than Marion, but perhaps equal.

[Yeeezy]

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

Just off the top of my head, you would need to throw Pierce into the discussion with Dirk from 98. Maybe even Carter in the "what could have been"

[Vast]

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

Cool thread. 2002 - Michael Sweetney

[SteelersFreak]

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

In terms of Manu Ginobili vs. Shawn Marion, does Manu have a case? My first instinct was to say, "Oh Manu should take that". But then I had to catch myself. I mean, Marion's just been a guy who's been putting up numbers since the moment he came on the scene. More All-Star selections, 6,000 more points, etc. For some reason, Manu resonates more, but it's hard to deny what Marion's been doing throughout his career.

Also, Manu has been great for sure, but he also had the benefits of starting his career with a great Spurs squad that he could learn under and ease into the system and he's stuck with that Spurs squad. Not that he hasn't been a huge contributor to why they've been so great but Marion spent some years on some weaker Suns squads where he was basically the main guy before Nash and STAT got there. And then he spent those years on the Heat and Raptors before he ended up here in Dallas, where it took him a bit to really get his role defined.

[JODYE]

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

2000 draft was one of the worst drafts of all time. However, I think Jamal Crawford should get mention from the draft class.

I agree with this.

Also, I would pick Harden in '09.

I also don't buy the 2011 pick of Kyrie Irving as the most successful from that draft. Scoring a bunch of points on a putrid team doesn't do it for me. Personally I would take Leonard out of that draft for the time being.