NBA Draft: The All-Second Round Team

The focus of this article is to highlight the gems teams can find in the second round of the NBA draft.  I have looked at the last 10 NBA drafts (1998-2007) and compiled the best players taken onto one team. 

The starters for this squad are:

Point Guard - Gilbert Arenas (Washington Wizards) 

Arenas has developed into one of the best guards in the NBA since he finally cracked a starting line-up.  He can score, drive, and is a clutch player.

Shooting Guard - Michael Redd (Milwaukee Bucks)

Redd is one of the premiere  shooting guards in the NBA.  He has a smooth stroke and is deadly from downtown.  

Small Forward -  Rashard Lewis (Orlando Magic)

Lewis is a very tough player to guard offensively.  At 6'10 he can shoot the three ball and is capable of posting up smaller defenders.

Power Forward - Carlos Boozer (Utah Jazz)

Boozer is quietly becoming one of the best low-post scorers in the NBA.  He is efficient in the paint and was one of the only players to end the year averaging over ten rebounds a game.   

Center - Mehmet Okur (Utah Jazz)

Okur isn't a true center but he creates match-up problems with his shooting ability. 

6th man - Manu Ginobili (San Antonio Spurs)

Ginobili has been the best 6th man in the NBA for the best team in the NBA for the past few years.  He would be great in the role as sixth man on this team.  

Reserves -

Guards - Monta Ellis, Chris Duhon, Cuttino Mobley, Kyle Korver

Ellis is more of a sixth man but he can't be the sixth man over Ginobili.  Duhon is a serviceable back-up point guard with championship experience from his Duke days.  Cuttino Mobley is a good veteran that has been on good NBA teams.  Kyle Korver has came on as a good sixth man for the Utah Jazz.  He stretches the floor well with his three-point range.

Forwards -  Brandon Bass and Luis Scola

Bass has really emerged this year for the Mavericks.  He has raised his averages in points and rebounds during these playoffs.  He puts up about 11 PPG and 5 RPG while only playing 24 minutes per.  

Luis Scola is a big factor for the Rockets success this season.  He, like Manu Ginobili didn't come over to the NBA the season after he was drafted.  Scola is a 28-year-old rookie but plays like a seasoned veteran.   

Injured Reserves - Anderson Varejao, Craig Smith, Luke Walton and Carl Landry.  

 Varejao and Walton have playoff experience and are good role players.  Craig Smith and Carl Landry are two young players that really came onto the scene this year.  

This goes to show that although not every draft pick in the second round is going to hit, there is potential to find a great player after the first round.  A big factor about these players is how their coaches develop them.   Some players if drafted to the right team may turn out to be an all-star one way and a bust the other way. 

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?