NBA
What pick were the NBA biggest stars selected in the draft? Jordan, Kobe, LeBron, Curry…
Many of the league’s best players of all time were destined for great things from early on in their careers.
Unlike last year, when it was clear from the beginning the San Antonio Spurs would be going after Victor Wembanyama, there doesn’t appear to be a standout top pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Players like Zaccharie Risacher, Alex Sarr and Donovan Clingan seem likely to be snapped up first, although teams picking lower down the order will be hoping this could be a good year to unearth a less sought-after gem.
In retrospect, each NBA Draft throws up contrasting results, with some early picks flopping, and other later picks proving to be steals. One of the best, modern-day examples of the latter may well be Nikola Jokic, who has gone on to win the NBA MVP award on three occasions after being picked 41st by the Denver Nuggets in 2014.
In general terms, however, if we think of the biggest and best names in the history of the league, it was pretty clear from early on in their careers they were destined for big things, from Bill Russell in the 1950s to LeBron James and Stephen Curry, who are still playing today.
What draft pick were the NBA’s best players of all time?
Bill Russell
Drafted 2nd by the St. Lous Hawks in the 1956 NBA Draft.
Honours - 11 x NBA Champion, 5 x NBA MVP, 12 x NBA All-Star.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Drafted 1st by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1969 NBA Draft.
Honours - 6 x NBA Champion, 2 x NBA Finals MVP, 6 x NBA MVP, 19 x NBA All-Star.
Larry Bird
Drafted 3rd by the Boston Celtics in the 1978 NBA Draft.
Honours - 3 x NBA Champion, 2 x NBA Finals MVP, 3 x NBA MVP, 12 x NBA All-Star.
Magic Johnson
Drafted 1st by the LA Lakers in the 1979 NBA Draft.
Honours - 5 x NBA Champion, 3 x NBA Finals MVP, 3 x NBA MVP, 12 x NBA All-Star.
Michael Jordan
Drafted 3rd by the Chicago Bulls in the 1984 NBA Draft.
Honours - 6 x NBA Champion, 6 x NBA Finals MVP, 5 x NBA MVP, 14 x NBA All-Star.
Shaquille O’Neal
Drafted 1st by the Orlando Magic in the 1992 NBA Draft.
Honours - 4 x NBA Champion, 3 x NBA Finals MVP, 1 x NBA MVP, 15 x NBA All-Star.
Kobe Bryant
Drafted 13th by the Charlotte Hornets in the 1996 NBA Draft, trades to the Lakers.
Honours - 5 x NBA Champion, 2 x NBA Finals MVP, 1 x NBA MVP, 18 x NBA All-Star.
LeBron James
Drafted 1st by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2003 NBA Draft.
Honours - 4 x NBA Champion, 4 x NBA Finals MVP, 4 x NBA MVP, 20 x NBA All-Star.
Steph Curry
Drafted 7th by the Orlando Magic in the 2009 NBA Draft.
Honours - 4 x NBA Champion, 1 x NBA Finals MVP, 2 x NBA MVP, 10 x NBA All-Star.
Of course, for every LeBron James or Magic Johnson, there is an Anthony Bennett or Kwame Brown, who failed to deliver what you would expect from a No. 1 pick. The Atlanta Hawks, who will select first in 2024, will hope they are getting the former rather than the latter when they choose their top talent this week.