We all know that the 2003 draft class was very deep, but I think alot of people overlook the 1999 Draft class. This draft produced: At: 1 Elton Brand 6-8 260 PF Duke So. 2 Vancouver Steve Francis 6-3 194 SG Maryland Jr. 3 Charlotte Baron Davis 6-2 190 PG UCLA So. 4 LA Clippers Lamar Odom 6-10 220 SF Rhode Island Fr. 6 Minnesota Wally Szczerbiak 6-8 243 SF Miami OH Sr. 7 Washington Richard Hamilton 6-6 185 SF Connecticutt Jr. 8 Cleveland Andre Miller 6-2 204 PG Utah Sr. 9 Phoenix Shawn Marion 6-7 210 SF UNLV Jr. 10 Atlanta Jason Terry 6-2 172 PG Arizona Sr. 13 Seattle ( Corey Maggette 6-6 220 SG Duke Fr. 16 Chicago Ron Artest 6-7 233 SF St. Johns So. 21 Golden State © Jeff Foster PF 6-10 260 SW Texas St.Sr. 24 Utah Andrei Kirilenko 6-9 205 SF Russia 1981 Thats a nice mix of stars, strong role players, and downright winners. Could there be another more underrated draft class?
Can't forget Manu Ginoboli...57th pick overall of the draft. It's underrated, but it's not mentioned up there with the other draft classes because it didn't produce any big superstars like an AI, Kobe, LeBron. Though it has to be one of the most talented draft classes ever. Everyone but Jonathan Bender in the Top 10 turned out to be a very good.
Great point. That is a class that gets lost somewhere between the '96 Class and the '03 Class. Only thing is, a lot of those players shot themselves in the foot off the court, either with attitude or rumor issues. Stevie barked before the draft about never playing in Van City, Lamar and his "if he ever played to his potential" label, Wally and his "KG gimme the damn ball" attitude, Andre Miller lead the NBA in assist, and all of a sudden, no one ever wanted him, Corey Maggette's game never caught up to his athleticism, Ron Ron, well, I don't have enough time to go into that one. Talent wise, this Class was incredible. Elton always overlooked, Rip with a ring, B-Diddy has had his All Stars, Jason Terry SO undervalued and Matrix and Kirilenko were manufactured from another planet. One problem though is the immense number of INSANE (literally) busts in this draft. Jonathon Bender, Trajon Langdon, Alek Redojevic, Frederick Weis, William Avery, Leon Smith. I would have to shout out my boy, New Jersey native, Piscataway HS, and Willow Park fellow Summer League baller of mine, John Celestand, first pick in the 2nd round by the Lakers. Got his ring that year, then out of the NBA and hello Europe. It's ok though, John, we ball when we come home to Jersey this summer, as always. And last but not least, this guy. Emmanuel Ginobili The second to last pick in that draft. Needless to say, he came out lookin pretty good aswell.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting KICKSDADDY613:</div><div class="quote_post"> One problem though is the immense number of INSANE (literally) busts in this draft. Jonathon Bender, Trajon Langdon, Alek Redojevic, Frederick Weis, William Avery, Leon Smith. </div> Bahahahah, the Raptors drafted 2 of those guys. Redojevic was a bigger bust then Bender.......at least we got Antonio Davis out of him.......too bad he retired, you never want to see someones carreer end so early. *NOTE: Isaiah Thomas drafted them, he's always been a terrible GM
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting KICKSDADDY613:</div><div class="quote_post"> One problem though is the immense number of INSANE (literally) busts in this draft. Jonathon Bender, Trajon Langdon, Alek Redojevic, Frederick Weis, William Avery, Leon Smith. </div> Hahaha, the raptors drafted 2 of those guys, Redojevic and Bender. Redojevic was a huge laugher, too bad Bender retired, you never want to see someones career end so early, but he wasen't very good.
