There are many draft busts in the NBA, but there are also plenty of draft steals. Here are my top ten steals from the last 10 years (1995-2005). This is only including 2nd rounders. _____________________________________________________________________10.Malik Rose-Hornets-1996-44th Pick OverallAwards-2 NBA ChampionshipsCareer Averages-6.8PPG, 4.5rPG, .8APGAfter coming to the Spurs in 1997-98, he has been a reliable 3rd post player off the bench. Playing most of his career with David Robinson and Tim Duncan, he has been able to find his niche playing tough defense, rebounding, and giving the Spurs a toughness. In each of his 6 seasons, he has been able to increase his scoring with his best season averaging 10 points and 6 rebounds a game, all coming off the bench. Although getting traded to the Knicks last season, he is still known as one of the nicer and smarter players in the league. If he was able to get onto a team that was a postseason regular, he would still be able to contribute in spot minutes. _____________________________________________________________________9.Eric Snow-Bucks-1995-43rd Pick OverallAwards-2005 J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award, 2002-03 All-Defensive Second Team Career Averages-7.3 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 5.2APGSince coming into the league, Snow has been known as a pure point guard who plays excellent and tough defense. After starting off in Seattle where he played very small minutes, he was traded to the 76ers wear he teamed up with Allen Iverson to help his team to the NBA Finals in 2001. While playing with Iverson, he was his perfect complement on the court. A player that distributed the ball, played defense, and didn?t take a lot of shots. His one downfall is his shooting though, although he has had 3 season where he averaged in double figures. Although his best days are over, he still gives the Cavs a point guard that plays great defense and mental toughness. _____________________________________________________________________8.Ruben Patterson-Lakers-1998-31st Pick OverallAwards-NoneCareer Averages-10.3 PPG, 4.0RPG, 1.6 APGEver since coming into the league Patterson has made his name for his energy coming off the bench. For every team he has played for, he has been able to spark his team while coming off the bench. Throughout his career, he has been a full-time starter or averaged more than 28 minutes a game. He has been able to score on bigger defenders and play superb defense anywhere he has gone. Since coming into the league, he has always guarded the opposing team?s best perimeter player. _____________________________________________________________________7.Carlos Boozer-Cavs-2002-35st Pick OverallAwards-NoneCareer Averages-14.2 PPG, 9.2RPG, 2.0APGHis 1st two seasons in the league he played with the Cavs and 129 of the 156 games he played. He has become a reliable double-double player who plays great defense and a pretty good low post scorer. His last 2 seasons in Utah have been marginal due to injury problems, although the latter part of this season he was playing very well averaging 16 points a game and grabbing 8 rebounds while shooting 54% from the field. _____________________________________________________________________6.Stephen Jackson-Suns-1997-43rd Pick OverallAwards-1 NBA championshipCareer Averages-13.8 PPG,3.7 RPG,2.4 APGJackson was drafted back in 1997 by the Suns, but didn?t play his first game in the NBA until the Nets signed him to a contract in 2000-01 season. That season he averaged 8 points a game and started half of his games with the team. The following season, he signed with the Spurs. That 1st season with them was disappointing due to him only able to play in 20 games and average only 4 points. The next season was quite different; he was a part time starter on the Spurs team that won the 2002-03 NBA finals. Following this season he has played with the Pacers and the Hawks. These have been his best individual seasons averaging 17.7 PPG. Last season he was part of the Detroit brawl which cut his season short. Even with this, he is still a productive wing player for the Pacers. _____________________________________________________________________5.Cuttino Mobley-Rockets-1998-41st Pick OverallAwards-1998-99 All Rookie 2nd Team,Career Averages-16.8PPG,4.0RPG, 2.8APGMobley started his career in Houston playing for the Rockets playing along the side of Steve Francis. He has become a great 3 point shooter and defender. During the 1999-2000 season, he came off the bench and averaged over 15 points a game. Since becoming a full time starter, he hasn?t averaged less than 16 points or shot under 42% from the field. Since leaving the Rockets, he has played with the Magic, Kings and now the Clippers. Since coming to the Clippers, he has become their ?designated shooter? spotting up for jumpers from the double teams Elton Brand demands. He has been a key contributor to this Clipper team that has finally made the playoffs. _____________________________________________________________________4.Rashad Lewis-Sonics-1998-32nd Pick OverallAwards-noneCareer Averages-16.0 PPG,5.6RPG, 1.6APG Lewis came into the league before the big high school player boom of the 2000?s. His first season he played minimal minutes. The next season he became a great scoring threat off the bench averaging 8 points a game in only 20 minutes a game. Since becoming a starter in 2000, he hasn?t averaged less than 15 points and 5 rebounds a game. He has great size to play both the 3 and 4 positions. He is able to drive on bigger defenders and post up smaller ones. He is also a reliable 3 point shooter shooting over 38% in his career. Last season with the help of Ray Allen, they were able to lead the Sonics back into the postseason. _____________________________________________________________________3.Emmanuel Ginobili-Spurs-1999-57th Pick OverallAwards-All Rookie 2nd team, 2004 Gold Medal, 2 NBA ChampionshipsCareer Averages-12.9PPG, 3.7 RPG, 3.3 APGGinobili started his career on an already great team. His rookie season he came off the bench and contributed greatly playing great defense, averaging nearly 8 points a game, and playing with a ton of heart. In his 4 seasons in the league, he has 2 rings and counting. He is a great slasher and a very streaky outside shooter. He has also lead his home country Argentina to a gold medal in the last summer Olympics. _____________________________________________________________________2.Michael Redd-Bucks-2000-43rd Pick OverallAwards-noneCareer Averages-19.3PPG, 4.2PRG, 2.0APGRedd?s first season in the league you could call a normal 2nd rounder rookie season. His 2nd and 3rd seasons he became a reliable scorer off the bench averaging 10 and 15 points. In 2003 he got his first chance to become a full time starter and it sure paid off. He has averaged 23 points a game since becoming a starter. He is one of the most feared 3 point shooters in the league shooting 39% from behind the arc in his career. This last season, he has lead his Bucks to the playoffs. _____________________________________________________________________1. Gilbert Arenas-Worriors-2001-31st Pick OverallAwards-2002-03 Most Improved Player of the Year, 2004-05 All-NBA 3rd TeamCareer Averages-21.7PPG, 4.2RPG, 5.4APGI consider Arenas the greatest 2nd round steal in the last 10 years because he is actually a dominant player now. He?s lead his team to the playoffs the last 2 seasons and has played really well in both years. I think he?s just head and shoulders above the rest of the 2nd rounders. His rookie season was a pretty good one. He started 30 of the 47 games he played in averaging about 10 points a game in about 24 minutes. Since then, he has raised his scoring average each season with his last one averaging 29.3 points a game. Since signing with the Wizards, he has become one of the elite scorers in the league. Any other season, he would be number one in the league in scoring. Now those are my top ten players. What do you think?
I pretty much agree with that list, but I would move Carlos Boozer and Ruben Patterson back a little bit. I would have moved Rose down too but he was a big part of those Spurs' championship teams (other than last season).
Dont forget about Josh Howard either, he was picked at the 29th pick in a PACKED 2003 Draft Class. Good offensive player, and knows how to play defense as well. Improving his game greatly, and is underrated by many fans.
I think both Josh Howard and Tayshaun will easily be on the list in just a few short years, but right now, I think the list is right...with both guys being just on the bubble...for now.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pistonfan11 @ May 13 2006, 06:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Another was Tayshaun Prince late in the first round, he has developed into a very good player.</div><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Zards @ May 13 2006, 11:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Dont forget about Josh Howard either, he was picked at the 29th pick in a PACKED 2003 Draft Class. Good offensive player, and knows how to play defense as well. Improving his game greatly, and is underrated by many fans.</div>Remember my list just consists of 2nd rounders. Both Prince and Howard are steals, but they dont make my list since they were still 1st rounders. Just thought i'd point that out if you didnt notice.
Great post PJ,So its only 2nd round players?<u>Dennis Rodman</u>Alot of people remember him only as the Chicago Bull who helped win 3 straight NBA chmpionships. But people seem to forget he lead the Detroit Pistons to 2 NBA championships also. He has been the best defensive player on some of the best teams in NBA history. He averaged over 15 rebounds per game SIX times in his career. He made the NBA's all defensive team SEVEN times. Amazing career put this man on the HOF ballot.<u>Nate Archibald</u>The dominate little man. He is the only player ever to lead the league in both scoring and assists in a season. His numbers that year were something like 35 and 11 per game. He has been to the all star game 6-7 times. Thats something you would never expect from a 2nd round draft pick<u>Maurice Cheeks</u>4 time NBA all star. Lead the Sixers to the NBA finals 3 times and actually one a title in the early 80's.In NBA history he ranks third all-time in steals and eighth all-time in assists.<u>Danny Ainge</u>MAJOR piece to the championship Boston Celtic teams of the 80's. He ranks top 5 in playoff 3 pointers made. Upon his retirement, Ainge was one of three players in NBA history to make 1,000 or more career three-pointers.<u>Spencer Haywood</u>Look up the word dominate in the dictionary and I bet you will see Haywoods picture. He demonated on both ends of the floor. He averaged more than 20 points for 6 straight seasons. He made the all star game 4 times. Not bad for a 2nd round player out of high school :winkglasses:
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (pjcolpitts @ May 13 2006, 01:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Here are my top ten steals from the last 10 years (1995-2005).</div>
^He said his were. He never said mine had to be within the last 10 years. He covered all of them in his post.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BALLAHOLLIC @ May 13 2006, 11:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>^He said his were. He never said mine had to be within the last 10 years. He covered all of them in his post.</div>There are a few others, but i just dont think they are up there yet. Fred Hoiberg 52nd pick in 95Othella Harrington 30th pick in 96Jeff McInnis 37th pick in 96 Shandon Anderson 54th pick in 96Marc Jackson 38th pick in 97Anthony Johnson 40th pick in 97Gordan Giricek 40th pick in 99Todd MacCulloch 47th pick in 99Eduardo Najera 38th pick in 00Trenton Hassell 30th pick in 01Mehmet Okur 38th pick in 01Earl Watson 40th pick in 01Flip Murray 42nd pick in 02Luke Walton 32nd pick in 03Steve Blake 38 pick in 03Kyle Korver 51 pick in 03Anderson Varej?o 31st pick in 04Chris Duhon 39th pick in 04Monta Ellis 40th pick in 05Ryan Gomes 50th pick in 05There are some ones that come to mind and i think have established themselves as okay players or those that show potential to be pretty good players in the league. I think if i did the list in lets say 5 years, Ellis, Gomes, and Okur would be for sure picks on the list. Maybe even Korver. Most of the players above dont have "star" potential like Arenas, Ginobli, and Redd have. Most 2nd rounders establish themselves as hustle guys. I just dont think any of them have been as good as the 10 i previously listed.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (pjcolpitts @ May 14 2006, 02:07 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>There are a few others, but i just dont think they are up there yet. Fred Hoiberg 52nd pick in 95Othella Harrington 30th pick in 96Jeff McInnis 37th pick in 96 Shandon Anderson 54th pick in 96Marc Jackson 38th pick in 97Anthony Johnson 40th pick in 97Gordan Giricek 40th pick in 99Todd MacCulloch 47th pick in 99Eduardo Najera 38th pick in 00Trenton Hassell 30th pick in 01Mehmet Okur 38th pick in 01Earl Watson 40th pick in 01Flip Murray 42nd pick in 02Luke Walton 32nd pick in 03Steve Blake 38 pick in 03Kyle Korver 51 pick in 03Anderson Varej?o 31st pick in 04Chris Duhon 39th pick in 04Monta Ellis 40th pick in 05Ryan Gomes 50th pick in 05There are some ones that come to mind and i think have established themselves as okay players or those that show potential to be pretty good players in the league. I think if i did the list in lets say 5 years, Ellis, Gomes, and Okur would be for sure picks on the list. Maybe even Korver. Most of the players above dont have "star" potential like Arenas, Ginobli, and Redd have. Most 2nd rounders establish themselves as hustle guys. I just dont think any of them have been as good as the 10 i previously listed.</div>I agree with the ones in bold. However the rest of the players on that list deserved there draft spot.
Memo definitely deserves the 10th spot over Malik Rose. Hopefully Ryan Gomes will eventually make the list.
I partially agree with the Korver selection only because he fell into the perfect situation for him to be successful. He was acquired by Philadelphia from NJ for cash, played for a coach that loved the three-ball (Jim O'Brien), and for a team that was in desperate need for a shooter to spread the defense for Iverson's penetration.Had he played for any other team and/or coach, I don't think he'd be an honorable mention for that list.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Enko13 @ May 14 2006, 02:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>what about Tony Parker wasnt he like late first round pick?</div>Again, the list covers his picks for the ten best steals in the second round of the draft in the past ten years.There have been a lot of good selections late in the first round, and the Spurs have done a good job selecting solid players late in the first round, but they don't make the cut because of the criteria.
I thought Ruben Patterson was old. He has only been in the league 7 seaesons. Plus, I just found this out Jermaine O'neal is going on his 11th year that's crazy. He looks so young.
I probably would put one of these guys in the 10 spot instea of Rose - Rose was/is a by product of the Spurs.Anthony JohnsonGreg BucknerEddie NajeraTrenton HasselBobby SimmonsEarl WatsonMo WilliamsI'd take any of those guys over Rose. I think Ginobli has to be the biggest steal. He was drafted with the 2nd to last pick in the draft. Talk about coming from no where.
