The Top Six Steals of the 2008 NBA Draft

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BOSTON - FEBRUARY 08: Manu Ginobili #20 of San Antonio Spurs goes up for two as Kendrick Perkins #43 of the Boston Celtics on February 8, 2009 at TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Spurs defeated the Celtics 105-99. NOTE TO USER: User exp

There are many great GMs that had never gave up on a draft despite having lower lottery picks and second round picks. A great example of this are the San Antonio Spurs. In the 1999 draft they selected Manu Ginobili with the second pick of the 1999 draft and he made the all-NBA third team despite being a six.

In this draft class of 08 there are 6 players that stand out as being steals and also they performed well in the regular season with no-one recognizing them. Also, in this draft there are many steals to be named.

Jason thompson PF-12th overall by the Sacremento Kings

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 12: Jason Thompson #34 of the Sacramento Kings dunks against the Los Angeles Lakers on December 12, 2008 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 112-103. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agr

Jason Thompson was drafted 12th overall by the Kings out of Rider College. He played for four years there and he was a little known draft candidate when he entered the draft. He got a high position in the draft because he performed well at the draft combine. Also, scouts were impressed by his work ethic.

Now, for his rookie season he averaged a solid 11 points and 7 rebounds and may form a great front court duo with Specer Hawes in the future. Also, his potential is great because he is athletic and his full post game isn't developed yet.

Courtney Lee SG- 22nd overall by the orlando magic

ORLANDO, FL - MAY 30: Courtney Lee #11 of the Orlando Magic handles the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2009 Playoffs at Amway Arena on May 30, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expr

Courtney Lee may be the biggest steal of this draft. First of all, he was overlooked in the draft for other big college stars such as OJ Mayo, Michael Beasley and other lottery draft picks. At the start of this season he was benched since Mickaël Piétrus was starting and he was signed to do that.

Luckily for Lee he got injured and he started most games since and been a solid contributor for the magic averaging 8 points a game and shooting .400 from the three point line. Also, he is currently in the finals facing the LA Lakers and he is having a good postseason so far.

Mario Chalmers PG- 34th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves traded to the Heat

ATLANTA - APRIL 19: Mario Chalmers #6 of the Miami Heat brings the ball up-court against against the Atlanta Hawks during Game One of the First Round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs at Philips Arena on April 19, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Hawks defe

Mario Chalmers was a second round pick of the Timberwolves and traded to the Heat . He played at Kansas until his junior year and entered the NBA draft. During his stay at Kansas, his most outstanding player award of the 2008 NCAA Championship was overlooked by the draft scouts.

During this NBA season, he is known for aggressiveness and toughness on both ends of the floor and led the rookies in steals with nearly two a game. Also, during this season he has averaged 10 points a game and 5 assists a game.

DeAndre Jordan C- 35th overall by the LA Clippers

TARRYTOWN, NY - JULY 29: DeAndre Jordan of the Los Angeles Clippers poses for a portrait during the 2008 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on July 29, 2008 at the MSG Training Facility in Tarrytown, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees th

DeAndre Jordan played one year at Texas A&M University and he was a draft risk because he had no fundamentals but dunking the ball. Also, scouts said that he had a high bust potential if he was a high lottery pick. So, the Clippers selected him in the second round of the draft.

He is a steal because of his upside if he learns post moves and fundamentals. Also, when he gets playing time he can be a person that grabs 15 rebounds and gets 10 dunks a night, but unfortunately he players for the clippers which is an unstable franchise. For the season he averaged 4 points and 4 rebounds in 14 minutes and very limited touches since he plays with ball hogs BARON and RANDOLPH!!!!!

Goran Dragić PG- 45th overall by the San Antonio Spurs given from the Toronto Raptors traded to the Phoenix Suns

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 26: Goran Dragic #2 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball during the NBA game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on February 26, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers defeated the Suns 132-106. NOTE TO US

Goran Dragic was a second rounder but he was payed as much as a first rounder and he has a four year contract that is guaranteed. Before the draft, he played in Slovenia and won the Slovenian league championship with Olimpija Ljubljana.

He was drafted in purpose to replace Steve Nash as a franchise point guard since he is going to probably leave phoenix soon or traded away. He had limited playing time this season and he only averaged 5 points a game. Soon in NBA, Goran could be a surprise to many fans because he is very athletic and he is still a poor man's Steve Nash with less skill and he has room to develop

Roy Hibbert C- 17th overall by the Toronto Raptors traded to the Indiana Pacers with players

NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 23: Roy Hibbert #55 of the Indiana Pacers goes up against David Lee #42 of the New York Knicks during the game at Madison Square Garden February 23, 2009 in New York City. The Knicks won 123-119. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowl

Roy Hibbert played at Georgetown college with legendary coach John Thompson. When he played in college, he was overweight and very slow. His college career came to an end when the Hoyas lost in the second round to Davidson.

During his rookie NBA season, He was given limited minutes all season because of his foul trouble and when he does play he shows flashes of brilliance. In the middle of the season he lost weight and he improved on his game.

For the season, he averaged 7 points and 3 rebounds in 15 minutes. He has upside because he is tough and he hustles which he probably learned from Jeff Foster. Don't be surprised in when people recognize him as a up and coming star in the League.

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