5. 1970 NBA Draft
The 1970 draft is one of the more underrated draft classes. It has more Hall of Famers than any other draft class. It consists of Bob Lanier (first overall), Pete Maravich (third overall), Dave Cowens (fourth overall), Calvin Murphy (18th overall), Nate "Tiny" Archibald (19th overall), and many other all stars.
Bob Lanier was a career 20-10 player with eight All-Star selections. Pete Maravich is one of the greatest shooting guards of all time, who averaged a career 24.2 points, 5.5. assists, and 4.2 rebounds. He also won a scoring title and is also known as one of the greatest college basketball players of time.
Dave Cowens is a great center that averaged 17.6 points and 13.6 rebounds, and won the MVP in 1973. Calvin Murphy was a career 18-point per game scorer, and one of the greatest free throw shooters of all time, who set the record for the most consecutive free throws made.
4. 1987 NBA Draft
This draft consisted of David Robinson (first overall), Scottie Pippen (fifth overall), Kevin Johnson (seventh overall), Horace Grant (10th overall), Reggie Miller (11th overall), and Mark Jackson (18th overall).
David Robinson averaged 21.1 points and 10.6 rebounds for his career and won the MVP in 1995. He also is one of greatest defensive centers of all time, and won defensive player of the year in 1992.
Scottie Pippen is one of the most gifted all-around offensive players and one of the greatest perimeter defenders of all time. Reggie Miller is the greatest three-point shooter of all time, and a future Hall of Famer.
3. 2003 NBA Draft
Many consider this the best draft class of all time. It consists of LeBron James (first overall), Carmelo Anthony (third overall), Chris Bosh (fourth overall), Dwyane Wade (fifth overall), David West (18th overall), and Josh Howard (29th overall).
LeBron James is one of the best players in game. His career averages are 27.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 6.6 assists. He doesn't have any MVPs or rings yet, but I do expect him to win a couple of MVPs. If he has a healthy career, he will end up as one of the all-time greats.
Carmelo Anthony is a phenomenal scorer. His career averages are 24.4 points, six rebounds, and three assists. Dwyane Wade is one of the best players in the game when healthy. He won his first ring in 2006, and was the Finals MVP.
2. 1996 NBA Draft
This draft consisted of Allen Iverson (first overall), Shareef Abdur-Rahim (third overall), Stephon Marbury (fourth overall), Ray Allen (fifth overall), Antoine Walker (sixth overall), Kobe Bryant (13th overall), Peja Stojakovic (14th overall), Steve Nash (15th overall), Jermaine O'Neal (17th overall), and Ben Wallace, who went undrafted.
Allen Iverson is one of the greatest scorers of all time. His career averages are 27.7 points (third all-time), 6.3 assists, and 2.3 steals. He won the MVP in 2001 and is a nine-time All-Star.
Kobe Bryant is the best player in the game today. His career averages are 25 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.5 steals. He is one of the greatest offensive players of all time and is a fantastic perimeter defender. He currently has three championships and won his first MVP award last year. He has many more rings and MVPs to come.
1. 1984 NBA Draft
This draft consisted of Hakeem Olajuwon (first overall), Michael Jordan (third overall), Charles Barkley (fifth overall), Alvin Robertson (seventh overall), Otis Thorpe (ninth overall), Kevin Willis (11th overall), and John Stockton (16th overall).
Hakeem Olajuwon is one of the greatest centers of all time. His career averages are 21.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, 3.1 blocks, and 1.7 steals. He won two Finals MVPs, and the regular-season MVP in 1993-94. He also won two defensive player of the year awards.
Michael Jordan is one of the top three players of all time. He has every award in the books. He has six championship rings, six Finals MVPs, five MVPs, two All-Star MVPs, Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and 10 scoring titles. He is also first all-time in points per game with 30.1.
John Stockton is one of the greatest point guards of all time. He is the greatest passer of all time—and a thief to boot. He is first all time in total assists and total steals.
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about 1 month ago
Good article Steven. However, I disagree with the fact that you put the 1987 Draft ahead of the 1970 Draft. I think the 1970 draft had better players as it consisted of 3-4 of the 50 greatest players of all time. It was a good overall list though.
about 1 month ago
While the 1970 draft had more great players, the 1987 draft was more deeper than the 1970 draft. But I can understand why you think 1970 draft was better.
about 1 month ago
I really really like this article, but you're saying Kobe will have many more rings and mvps? Doesn't that make Kobe a 13 year vet? Unless Kobe pulls an Alonzo Mourning he only has a couple of chances left.
about 1 month ago
the 2003 draft was great I have to say, but none can compete with 1984's draft, 2003 is the closest, but we will never see a class like that, I mean MJ, Barley, Stockton, is that fair?
about 1 month ago
This is a very good article. You may want to consider saying something other than "one of the greatest..." it get's a bit redundant. Other than that I enjoyed the article. I had forgotten how many people were drafted at the same time. I'm not sure about the order but I think these would be the top 5 in some order.
from about 1 month ago
I think i used "one of the greatest" wayy too much. but i just wanted to mention that that each player was one of the greatest at their position.
about 1 month ago
Great Article I agree with everything
about 1 month ago
Wow I personally think the 96 draft is the best only by a little bit though. It's real close with 03, 84, and 96
about 1 month ago
No way the '84 class falls behind '96. Other than that I agree with all the rankings.
about 1 month ago
Yee Stock!!!
about 1 month ago
Great article. Anything with the names Jordan and Barkley is a winner. I propose another question? 1996 was the year of AI. I am a life long Sixers fan and if I could do it all over again, I might have to seriously think about trading this pick and pick up Stevie Nash. I was a huge fan of Nash out of Santa Clare. Just a thought.
about 1 month ago
correction: You say MJ is one of the top three of all-time, he is DEFIANTLY THE GREATEST PLAYER OF ALL TIME
about 1 month ago
Great article. 5 stars, POTD.
about 1 month ago
I don't understand how folk keep calling the 2003 draft, possibly...the greatest of all time. I mean, what, only one of those cats has achieved world championship hardware. And, even then, that was because he had the most dominating player in the game, on his team.
This is just shameful.
about 1 month ago
did anyone count how many times "the greatest (enter position here) of all time" was mentioned in this article? everything written can be debatable. also, MJ is not top three, he stands alone at the top! and it's not just because of his accomplishments, it's because he revolutionized the game like no other player has done, not russell, not wilt, not magic, not bird. and it's too soon to put the 2003 class on this list. what if a freak injury happens and they never recover alla penny hardaway and grant hill?
about 1 month ago
every paragraph is approximatly 1 sentence long...the word "greatest" appears 18 times...meaning on average...the word "greatest" appears in every sentenes in this article...
about 1 month ago
becasue theres 18 paragraphs...
about 1 month ago
There are to many "greats" and "all-times" other then that, nice piece.
about 1 month ago
I liked it. As far as the best draft class...1984....hands down. Why you ask? Two words...Michael Jordan. Best player to ever play the game and plus Hakeem, Barkley and Stockton.
about 1 month ago
I can't believe this comment:
Michael Jordan is one of the top three players of all time.
UMMMM don't you mean:
Michael Jordan , the GREATEST PLAYER OF ALL TIME??
about 1 month ago
96 draft.........BEST DRAFT OF ALL TIME.84 and 03 are close.all players in the 96 draft lead their team at least once.almost all are all-stars.plus,96 had Kobe,best player of all time since Jordan.also,AI,Nash,Big Ben,Stojakovic,and Allen.03 had The King,Melo,Wade,and Bosh.84 had Barkley,MJ,and The Dream and im a H-Town fan.T-MAC ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!
23 days ago
I don't really understand why people keep saying that the 2003 draft class is better than the 96 draft when you got LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Boris Diaw and David West (so that's 4 all-stars, a finals MVP and a championship ring) up against Allen Iverson, Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Ray Allen, Žydrūnas Ilgauskas, Stephon Marbury, Jermaine O'Neal, Peja Stojaković, Antoine Walker, Marcus Camby & Ben Wallace (7 all-stars, 3 MVP's, 2 multiple time defensive player of the year award winners, and 5 championship rings). That being said, the 1984 draft class is the best class in my opinion.
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