The 10 Best NBA Draft Classes of All Time

1 of 12

ATLANTA - FEBRUARY 9: Michael Jordan (Washington Wizards) #23 of the Eastern Conference All-Stars talks with Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers) #8 of the Western Conference All-Stars at the 2003 NBA All-Star Game on February 9, 2003 at Philips Arena in Atl

There has been some great, some not so great this is a list of my top 10 NBA draft classes.

The first true NBA draft was held in 1950, the day after the BAA and NBL merged together. When the Draft started there were 11 teams and 12 rounds right now in the NBA there are 30 teams and just two rounds.

What makes The best NBA Draft Class is it superstars or is it depth? I have made this list while trying to combine those two variables plus many more such as All-Stars, Hall of Famers (if Available) high pick BUSTS, and more.

If you agree or disagree just leave a comment.

10. 1992 NBA Draft

5 Jan 1996: Center Shaquille O''neal #32 of the Orlando Magic backs into Sam Perkins of the Seattle Supersonics during the Magic 115-93 win over the Seattle Supersonics at Orlando Arena in Orlando, Florida. Mandatory Credit: Allsport USA/ALLSPORT

The 1992 NBA draft comes in at number 10. The 92 draft brought one of the best centers ever to play the game into the league. Shaq was the 1st pick in the draft and is a lock to be in the HoF.

Along with shaq came another possible HoF in Alonzo Mourning. This draft produced 5 future All stars and other big names such as Latrell Sprewell, Christian Laettner and Robert Horry. There where 15 players in this draft to average at least 10 ppg.

9. 1987 NBA Draft

NEW ORLEANS - FEBRUARY 16: NBA legend David Robinson participates in the Haier Shooting Stars competition, part of 2008 NBA All-Star Weekend at the New Orleans Arena on February 16, 2008 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledg

The 87' draft brought in 2 future members of the NBA 50 greatest players list(David Robinson and Scottie Pippen). Four players in this draft were named to an all NBA team(Kevin Johnson and Reggie Miller).

This is the draft where most experts say the Bulls finished setting up the 90s Dynasty drafting Horace Grant(10th overall) and trading for Pippen. This draft included 7 Future all stars.

8. 1965 NBA Draft

The 1965 draft was the last draft to feature the territorial picks. This draft included 4 Players that would end up being named to Hall of Fame(Gail Goodrich, Rick Berry, Bill Bradley, and Billy Cunningham. It would also produce 9 future all stars and 12 players averaged at least 12 ppg from this draft.

7. 1979 NBA Draft

26 Mar 1996: Guard Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers works against the Orlando Magic during a game played at the Orlando Arena in Orlando, Florida. The Lakers won the game, 113-91. Mandatory Credit: ALLSPORT USA /Allsport

With the 1st pick in the 79 draft the Laker would selece Magic Johnson. Magic is the most versatile player ever to play the game. Between Magic, Bill Cartwright and Bill Lambier they have tallied up 10 NBA championship. This draft included 8 future all stars and 3 players were named to and all NBA 1st team award.

6. 1985 NBA Draft

The 85 draft was the first year the NBA went to the Lottery method. This draft included a few great such as Patrick Ewing, Karl Malon, and Joe Dumars. Five players in this draft went on to be Named to an all NBA team in their career, Two in the Hall of Fame and Malone will make it 3 when he gets in. This class also Produced 10 NBA all stars. Ten Players drafted in the first round in 85 when on to average at least 11 ppg.

5. 1981 NBA Draft

11 May 1994: DETROIT POINT GUARD ISIAH THOMAS AT FREE THROW LINE DURING THE PISTONS GAME AT THE DENVER NUGGETS.

This draft may have been one of the deepest having 18 players average at least 10 ppg and 9 of the 18 to average at least 15 ppg. This draft produced 8 all stars, and 3 player named to at least 1 all NBA team.

An Intresting fact about this draft is that 2 players drafted in the 10th round of this draft went on to have successful careers in other pro sports. Tony Gwynn who is in the Baseball Hof and 5 time pro bowler Kenny Easley of the Seattle Seahawks.

4. 1970 NBA Draft

This is a very talented Class that produced 5 Hall of Famers(Pistol Pete, Nate Archibal, Bob Lanier, Dave Cowens, and Calvin Murphy) and a sixth if Dan Issel would not have signed a contract with the ABA. This draft had 10 players average atleast 15 ppg, 4 of which average over 20 a game.

7 of the first 8 picks in this draft played in at least 1 all star game while having a total of 9 all stars.

3. 2003 NBA Draft

NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 4: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dribbles during the game against the New York Knicks on February 4, 2009 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloadi

This is where the list starts getting tough this was A CLOSE 2nd maybe even 1st when these guys careers are over. This class has produced not just good players but SUPERSTARS. There have been 7 all stars From this class in just 6 years. 4 out of the top 5 picks have played in all star games and there is many more in store for them.

This draft already has a finals MVP in wade and we all know Lebron is on his way to getting a MVP award before his career is done. This class also has brung home a Sixth man award(Barbosa) and a Most Improved player in Boris Diaw)

2. 1984 NBA Draft Class

10 Jun 1998: Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls looks on during the NBA Finals Game 4 against the Utah Jazz at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Jazz 86-82. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport

Everyone knows this class, with Hakeem going 1 and Jordan Going 3 and who went 2 again??? This class has 4 players that were named to the 50 Greatest (Hakeem, Jordan, Barkley and Stockton). This class has Brought home some hardware as well with 7 total MVP awards. Its also has a total of 23 all NBA 1st team appearances(Not 23 players). 7 future all stars selected in the 1st round.

I know i might take some heat for this not being number 1 but i just couldn't give it the nod for 1.

1. 1996 NBA Draft

NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 2: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers makes a free throw against the New York Knicks on February 2, 2009 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or

My number 1 is 1996, Allen Iverson was taken number 1 in this loaded draft. It has produced 10 all stars in the 1st rd. It also takes home the title for most players named to an all NBA team with 8(counting undrafted Ben Wallace). This class has taken home 4 MVP awards (Iverson, Kobe and nash has 2). It also has 2 NBA defensive players of the year(Ben wallace winning it 4 times and Marcus Camby winning it once).

This class has many more noteable players including(Iverson, Abdur Raheem, Stepon Marbury, Ray Allen, Antoine Walker, Stojakavich, Nash, Jermaine O'neal, Zydrunas IIgauskas, Marcus Camby, Derek Fisher and Ben Wallace).

Begin Slideshow