firemanBk
The Manslayer
In juxtaposition to my recent thread about the WOAT 2000 NBA Draft, many consider the 1996 NBA Draft to be the GOAT Draft with only 1984 and 2003 being any competition
1. Allen Iverson (Sixers) - Now this is what you call a #1 pick. One of the most influential and popular players to ever step foot in the NBA. While the 11x All Star and the 2001 NBA MVP wound up not being the best player in his class, the Sixers got a HoF and franchise player for a decade, you really can't ask much more for a #1 pick. This was a home run
2. Marcus Camby (Raptors) - A great rebounder and defensive anchor, Camby never wound up developing the offensive game people hoped he would in the pros and is likely the reason he never made an All Star team. He still made 4 All defense teams and won defensive player of the year in 2007. A very good player even if not up to the level of some of the later picks in this draft.
3. Shareef Abdur Rahim (Grizzlies) - The Grizzlies first All Star level player (he did not wind up making the All Star team till he was in Atlanta) had a solid career in the NBA before injuries derailed him. Was a solid 20/10 type of player before the injuries piled up.
4. Stephon Marbury (Bucks) - One of the more polarizing players we've ever seen. Ultra talented but also a complete head case that developed a reputation for butting heads with front office and coaches. "Starbury" definitely provided the entertainment over the years and would eventually find peace in China winning 3 CBA Championships and becoming a head coach for the Beijing Royal Fighters after retirement.
5. Ray Allen (Timberwolves) - One of the greatest shooters to ever step on a basketball court and the man LeBron and D Wade owe a debt of gratitude to for getting them another ring. 10x All Star and Hall of Famer.
6. Antoine Walker (Celtics) - 3x All Star and running mate to Paul Pierce on a Boston team that was trying to build back to the success of the 80s after years of mediocrity. Probably my most hated player when I was a kid for his stupid shuffle, he was still overall a good player and even wound up capturing a ring later with the Heat in 2006. 6 picks in and not anybody I would consider a bust, 4 of the top 5 made All Star teams and the other was a DPOY.
7. Lorenzen Wright (Clippers) - Wright was mostly a journeyman center in the league, playing 13 seasons for 5 different teams (including 2 stints with the Hawks). Unfortunately, his career is a bit overshadowed by his tragic disappearance and murder in 2010. After 9 years of investigation, his ex-wife plead guilty to facilitating his murder in a life insurance scheme and was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
8. Kerry Kittles (Nets) - Was a solid starter for the Nets for 8 years and was there when they made back to back Finals appearances led by Jason Kidd. Injuries cut his career short and he wound up only playing 9 seasons in the NBA.
9. Samaki Walker (Mavericks) - Journeyman PF/C probably best known for his stint on the Lakers during their 2002 Championship team.
10. Erick Dampier (Pacers) - Mediocre center for the Warriors who hilariously scammed the Mavs into giving a 70+ million dollar contract (this was really big money at the time) after playing well beyond his means in a contract year. It wasn't the first time the Mavericks overpaid for a mediocre center as they had previously given 70 million to Raef Lafrentz.
11. Todd Fuller (Warriors) - I have no memory of this guy existing and wouldn't be able to pick him out of a line up. Never really cracked a staring rotation and lasted 5 seasons in an NBA that was desperate to pay 7 footers to stand around and do nothing.
12. Vitaly Potapenko (Cavs) - Another journeyman center who spent 11 years in the NBA
13. Kobe Bryant (Hornets) - Solid player who spent his entire 20 year career with the Lakers.*
14. Peja Stojaković (Kings) - An absolutely lethal 3 point shooter at his best, Peja was an All Star and one of the best shooters in the NBA during his prime. Injuries wound up detailing his career a bit once he hit his late 20s but anyone that saw his earlier years with the Kings knew he was a monster.
15. Steve Nash (Suns) - Probably The Coli's all time favorite NBA Player. It's been 100% agreed upon here that he completely deserved both of his MVP's. 8x All Star, 4x 50/40/90 club (only player to do so) and of course 2x NBA MVP
Other notables picks -
16. Jermaine O'Neal - A 6x All Star and was legitimately one of the best centers in the league during his best years but struggled to stay healthy once he hit 30.
20. Žydrūnas Ilgauskas - After a injury riddled start to his career that saw him miss nearly 3 of his first 4 seasons, Big Z was a 2x All Star and solid Center for the Cavs for over a decade. His number has even been retired by the Cavs.
24. Derek Fisher - 5x NBA Champion with the Lakers during the 2000s
26. Jerome Williams - The Junkyard Dog had a 9 year career mostly as a back up hustle power forward.
37. Jeff McInnis
44. Malik Rose
54. Shandon Anderson
Undrafted - Ben Wallace - 4x DPoY and anchor to perennial contender 2000's Pistons defense including a championship win in 2004 over a Lakers team featuring 4 Hall of Famer players in the starting line up
Overall the class has 5 HoF players, 11 different all stars, 8 different players who were all NBA selections, and 4 players who were named to the NBA's official top 75 players team. Just overall a crazy class.
Best players
1. Kobe Bryant
2. Allen Iverson
3. Steve Nash
4. Ray Allen
5. Ben Wallace
1. Allen Iverson (Sixers) - Now this is what you call a #1 pick. One of the most influential and popular players to ever step foot in the NBA. While the 11x All Star and the 2001 NBA MVP wound up not being the best player in his class, the Sixers got a HoF and franchise player for a decade, you really can't ask much more for a #1 pick. This was a home run
2. Marcus Camby (Raptors) - A great rebounder and defensive anchor, Camby never wound up developing the offensive game people hoped he would in the pros and is likely the reason he never made an All Star team. He still made 4 All defense teams and won defensive player of the year in 2007. A very good player even if not up to the level of some of the later picks in this draft.
3. Shareef Abdur Rahim (Grizzlies) - The Grizzlies first All Star level player (he did not wind up making the All Star team till he was in Atlanta) had a solid career in the NBA before injuries derailed him. Was a solid 20/10 type of player before the injuries piled up.
4. Stephon Marbury (Bucks) - One of the more polarizing players we've ever seen. Ultra talented but also a complete head case that developed a reputation for butting heads with front office and coaches. "Starbury" definitely provided the entertainment over the years and would eventually find peace in China winning 3 CBA Championships and becoming a head coach for the Beijing Royal Fighters after retirement.
5. Ray Allen (Timberwolves) - One of the greatest shooters to ever step on a basketball court and the man LeBron and D Wade owe a debt of gratitude to for getting them another ring. 10x All Star and Hall of Famer.
6. Antoine Walker (Celtics) - 3x All Star and running mate to Paul Pierce on a Boston team that was trying to build back to the success of the 80s after years of mediocrity. Probably my most hated player when I was a kid for his stupid shuffle, he was still overall a good player and even wound up capturing a ring later with the Heat in 2006. 6 picks in and not anybody I would consider a bust, 4 of the top 5 made All Star teams and the other was a DPOY.
7. Lorenzen Wright (Clippers) - Wright was mostly a journeyman center in the league, playing 13 seasons for 5 different teams (including 2 stints with the Hawks). Unfortunately, his career is a bit overshadowed by his tragic disappearance and murder in 2010. After 9 years of investigation, his ex-wife plead guilty to facilitating his murder in a life insurance scheme and was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
8. Kerry Kittles (Nets) - Was a solid starter for the Nets for 8 years and was there when they made back to back Finals appearances led by Jason Kidd. Injuries cut his career short and he wound up only playing 9 seasons in the NBA.
9. Samaki Walker (Mavericks) - Journeyman PF/C probably best known for his stint on the Lakers during their 2002 Championship team.
10. Erick Dampier (Pacers) - Mediocre center for the Warriors who hilariously scammed the Mavs into giving a 70+ million dollar contract (this was really big money at the time) after playing well beyond his means in a contract year. It wasn't the first time the Mavericks overpaid for a mediocre center as they had previously given 70 million to Raef Lafrentz.
11. Todd Fuller (Warriors) - I have no memory of this guy existing and wouldn't be able to pick him out of a line up. Never really cracked a staring rotation and lasted 5 seasons in an NBA that was desperate to pay 7 footers to stand around and do nothing.
12. Vitaly Potapenko (Cavs) - Another journeyman center who spent 11 years in the NBA
13. Kobe Bryant (Hornets) - Solid player who spent his entire 20 year career with the Lakers.*
14. Peja Stojaković (Kings) - An absolutely lethal 3 point shooter at his best, Peja was an All Star and one of the best shooters in the NBA during his prime. Injuries wound up detailing his career a bit once he hit his late 20s but anyone that saw his earlier years with the Kings knew he was a monster.
15. Steve Nash (Suns) - Probably The Coli's all time favorite NBA Player. It's been 100% agreed upon here that he completely deserved both of his MVP's. 8x All Star, 4x 50/40/90 club (only player to do so) and of course 2x NBA MVP
Other notables picks -
16. Jermaine O'Neal - A 6x All Star and was legitimately one of the best centers in the league during his best years but struggled to stay healthy once he hit 30.
20. Žydrūnas Ilgauskas - After a injury riddled start to his career that saw him miss nearly 3 of his first 4 seasons, Big Z was a 2x All Star and solid Center for the Cavs for over a decade. His number has even been retired by the Cavs.
24. Derek Fisher - 5x NBA Champion with the Lakers during the 2000s
26. Jerome Williams - The Junkyard Dog had a 9 year career mostly as a back up hustle power forward.
37. Jeff McInnis
44. Malik Rose
54. Shandon Anderson
Undrafted - Ben Wallace - 4x DPoY and anchor to perennial contender 2000's Pistons defense including a championship win in 2004 over a Lakers team featuring 4 Hall of Famer players in the starting line up
Overall the class has 5 HoF players, 11 different all stars, 8 different players who were all NBA selections, and 4 players who were named to the NBA's official top 75 players team. Just overall a crazy class.
*One of the best players in NBA history. An 18x All Star and 15x All NBA selection, former MVP and 2x Finals MVP. Life tragically cut short at the age of 41 due to a helicopter crash. One of the biggest draft steals in history to get a player so talented toward the end of the lottery.
Best players
1. Kobe Bryant
2. Allen Iverson
3. Steve Nash
4. Ray Allen
5. Ben Wallace
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