You are using an outdated browser. For a faster, safer browsing experience, upgrade for free today.
From 30th to 1st pick: The best NBA draft picks trough the years (part 2)

From 30th to 1st pick: The best NBA draft picks trough the years (part 2)

We continue with our list of the players draftet with each pick and made the biggest impact trough the years. 

25. Clint Capela (2014)

With a few exceptions, there haven’t been a lot of stars coming out of the 2014 NBA Draft. Fortunately, the Rockets ended up with a pretty solid player, taking the Swiss center near the end of the first round. Capela’s role with the Rockets continues to grow as he develops into a stud. Last season, he led the NBA in field goal percentage while he topped 16 ppg this year for Houston. He might find himself somewhere else in the future, but he’s certainly developing into one of 2014’s best draft picks.

There’s no guarantee that you’re getting a stud player at this point in the draft, but choose Capela over names like P. J. Hairston, Josh Huestis, and Damien Inglis turned into a smart move. If he continues to develop, Capela could be an All-Star down the line, though this draft class has produced just two (Embiid and Jokic) so far. All in all, Capela’s numbers continue to improve and he has become an extremely solid big man.

Honorable mentions: Nicolas Batum (HOU – 2008), Gerald Wallace (SAC – 2001)

24. Kyle Lowry (2006)

After two solid years at Villanova, Lowry has embarked on a successful NBA career that found him in the NBA finals for the first time this season. Originally drafted by the Grizzlies, Lowry was moved to the Rockets, and has developed into a star with the Raptors. He’s been an All-Star each of the last five seasons, averaging a career high 22 ppg back in 2016-17 while factoring into this season’s finals run. Lowry isn’t afraid to shoot a bunch from long-range and will need to play a role if the Raptors are toppling the defending champion Warriors.

Many of the picks following Lowry back in 2006 failed to develop into significant players, with the lone exception behind Paul Millsap 23 picks later. Names like Shannon Brown and Jordan Farmar stuck around for years while others (Mauirce Ager, taken four picks later) failed to contribute at the NBA level. Even if he didn’t develop into a star while in Memphis, the Grizzlies still nabbed a fantastic young point guard. Rajon Rondo was taken three picks earlier, but the Grizzlies may have still gotten the year’s best point man.

Honorable mentions: Reggie Jackson (OKC – 2011), Serge Ibaka (SEA – 2008)

23. Tayshaun Prince (2002)

Among the players selected with the 23rd pick, none have stood out as much as Prince, a former Kentucky forward. Soon after being selected by the Pistons, he became their starting small forward, helping the Pistons to the NBA title in 2004. He never averaged more than 15 ppg but was a consistent starter for the Pistons, starting every game for five straight seasons. A solid defensive player, his career winded down with stops in Memphis, Boston, and Minnesota, though his glory days were clearly in Detroit.

Prince stood out in the draft, even though Carlos Boozer went twelve picks later to the Cavaliers. Names like Nenad Krstic, Frank Williams, and Chris Jefferies were taken with the following picks, proof that the former Wildcat was a great nab for Detroit. He slid in well and helped the Pistons win that title. Prince was never an elite player nor did he make an All-Star team, but that title run will always be part of his legacy.

Honorable mentions: Nikola Mirotic (HOU – 2011), Wilson Chandler (NYK – 2007)

22. Kenneth Faried (2011)

He may not be part of this year’s fantastic Nuggets squad, but when the Nuggets took Faried with the 22nd pick in 2011, they landed a stud forward. He starred at little-known Morehead State before developing into one of the Nuggets’ stars, playing with them until this past season. He was an All-Rookie selection who averaged double-digits in his first five years. He spent the last season with the Nets and Rockets, starting to revive his play in Houston after dealing with an injury. He hasn’t been an All-Star but he was a solid bench player for those Rockets at the end of this season.

There was plenty of talent in the 2011 draft, though the selection of unheralded OVC prospect was a wise choice for the Nuggets. They just missed on Nikola Mirotic and Reggie Jackson, but didn’t settle for someone like Jordan Hamilton, JaJuan Johnson, or Justin Harper, three players with brief NBA careers. History hasn’t smiled very brightly on the 22nd pick in recent years (Fab Melo), but Faried was a talented contributor for seven seasons in Denver.

Honorable mentions: Jared Dudley (CHA – 2007), Jarrett Jack (DEN – 2005)

21. Rajon Rondo (2006)

One of basketball’s most versatile point guards, Rondo starred for two seasons at Kentucky before the Celtics selected him in 2006. He quickly developed into a standout guard, helping lead the Celtics to the NBA title in 2008 on a very talented team. He was a double-digit scorer for most of his career with the Celtics, though he’s bounced around the league in recent seasons. Rondo’s accolades are impressive to list: 4 All-Star games, 4 All-Defensive teams, and he’s led the league in assists 3 times and steals once. He’s bounced around, playing on the Lakers last season, but he’s continued to be better than serviceable after thirteen years in the NBA.

As we’ve already mentioned, Lowry was taken just three picks later, but the Celtics probably made the right pick with Rondo. They needed Rondo more as a distributor than bigtime scorer, and they avoided Marcus Williams and Josh Boone, two former UConn players taken by the Nets between Rondo and Lowry. In a draft full of bad lottery picks (Adam Morrison and Patrick O’Bryant stand out), Rondo became a champion and one of the league’s top point guards.

Honorable mentions: Darren Collison (NOH – 2009), Boris Diaw (ATL – 2003)


Category: Basketball news
Tags: NBA


Similar News
This websites uses cookies, including 3rd party cookies, in order to function properly. I understand