The Top 10 No. 1 Picks of the 1990's

The 1990's had some interesting No. 1 picks. Most of them contributed in a big way to their teams.

One clearly was not meant to be a No. 1 pick.

One has comeback from being a total bust to being a pretty decent role player.

If you look at the 1990's No. 1 picks there's a common theme among them: injuries.

Some plagued them from the start of their careers while others didn't have it become an issue until much later on in their careers.

Here are my ranks for the No. 1 overall picks in the 1990's.

Number 10. 1998 Los Angeles Clippers: Michael Olowokandi

When Michael Olowokandi was picked No. 1 overall by the Los Angeles Clippers, there were high hopes for him. He was thought of as more of a project kind of player due to the fact he went to a small school.

Olowokandi's height and strength were the key parts to him being drafted No. 1. Unfortunately for the Clippers and Olowokandi, he didn't live up to the potential and became a free agent in 2003.

He signed as a free agent with the Minnesota Timberwolves where he teamed up with Kevin Garnett and started being more of a contributor but injuries plagued him in Minnesota.

Eventually he was traded to the Boston Celtics where he contributed a little bit but injuries also plagued him as well. He hasn't been in the league since the 2006-2007 season.

For his career Olowokandi averaged 8.3 points per game, 6.8 rebounds per game, .7 assists per game, and 1.4 blocks per game.

Shooting wise he shot 43.5 percent from the field and 59.7 percent from the free throw line.

Number 9. 1995 Golden State Warriors: Joe Smith

Joe Smith was drafted out of the University of Maryland by the Golden State Warriors. It was a questionable pick to say the least because there were more talented players in that draft, but the Warriors chose him.

He did originally prove some skeptics wrong by averaging 15.4 points per game in his rookie season. The very next year he averaged 18.7 points per game and 8.5 rebounds.

But, Smith regressed in his third year and in his fourth he was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers for Jim Jackson and Clarence Weatherspoon.

For the 76ers, his numbers went down from what he was averaging in Golden State at the time of the trade.

Smith will never be considered one of the better No. 1 picks, but he has become a very nice role player now that his career is winding down.

For his career he has averaged 11.6 points per game, 6.7 rebounds per game, one assist per game, .9 blocks per game, and .6 steals per game.

Shooting-wise he is 45.6 percent from the floor and 79 percent from the free throw line.

Number 8. 1994 Milwaukee Bucks: Glenn Robinson

Glenn Robinson could do one thing and that is score the basketball.

He was taken by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1994 draft. Robinson's ability to score not only from the inside but also the outside is what caught their eye.

He averaged 30.1 points per game in his sophomore year of college and after that he turned pro. Robinson bounced around after his first eight years in the league, eventually ending up in San Antonio where he won a championship ring as a bench player.

Robinson's problem was that he was really known for wanting to score, but he wasn't a very good defender.

He hasn't played in the NBA since 2004-2005.

For his career he averaged 20.2 points per game, 5.9 rebounds per game, 2.7 assists per game, 1.2 steals per game, and .6 blocks per game.

Robinson was 45.9 percent from the floor, 34 percent from three, and 82 percent from the free throw line.

Number 7. 1991 Charlotte Hornets: Larry Johnson

Larry Johnson, another injury-prone player, was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets in 1991. He was incredibly strong and a solid rebounder for his 6-foot-6 frame.

He did develop an outside jumper later on his career and he shot the three decently. Johnson also will be remembered for his role as "Grandmama" in 1990's commercials.

Johnson was on two all-star teams, was the rookie of the year for 1991-1992, and made a Second Team All-NBA selection.

Johnson averaged 16.2 points per game, 7.5 rebounds per game, 3.3 assists, and .6 steals per game for his career.

He shot 48.4 percent from the field, 33.2 percent from beyond the arc, and 76.6 percent from the free throw line.

Number 6. 1990 New Jersey Nets: Derrick Coleman

Derrick Coleman was drafted out of Syracuse by the New Jersey Nets, he was supposed to be their franchise player. The problem for Coleman was being able to stay on the basketball court.

Coleman never played in all 82 games for his career. Even with the injury problems though he was a solid scorer, rebounder, and defender.

During his career he made one all-star game and was the 1990-1991 Rookie of the Year. He also twice made the All-NBA Third Team Selection.

For his career he averaged 16.5 points per game, 9.3 rebounds per game, 2.5 assists per game, .8 steals per game, and 1.3 blocks per game.

He hit on 44.7 percent of his shots and hit 76.9 percent of his free throws.

Number 5. 1993 Orlando Magic: Chris Webber

After being drafted, Chris Webber was immediately traded by the Magic to the Golden State Warriors for Anfernee Hardaway.

He stayed in Golden State for just one year after a feud between him and Warriors coach Don Nelson became a contested issue.

Webber was a terrific scorer, solid rebounder, great passer, and played defense. Like the other members of the No. 1 selection class of the group, he suffered injuries as well, so his numbers aren't as good as they could have been if he had been healthy throughout most his career.

In fact, if not for the injuries, he'd probably still be playing.

Webber of course won the Rookie of the Year for 1993-1994, went to five all-star games, has one Third Team All-NBA Selection, three Second Team All-NBA Selections, and one First Team All-NBA Selection.

For his career Webber averaged 20.7 points per game, 9.8 rebounds per game, 4.2 assists per game, 1.4 steals per game, and 1.4 blocks per game.

He shot 47.9 percent from the floor and 64.9 percent from the free throw line.

Number 4. 1999 Chicago Bulls: Elton Brand

Elton Brand was chosen out of Duke University in 1999 and he's been one of the better players to come out of Duke in recent memory.

Brand is big, strong, has strong post moves and he's a very solid defender.

He lasted just one year in Chicago and was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers for a first round draft choice. This was the year where the Bulls picked both Eddy Curry and Tyson Chandler.

Out of the three players Brand has had the far superior career. He's still young, but over the past two seasons he's been injury prone. Brand is currently looking to make a mark for the Philadelphia 76ers.

Brand has made two all-star games, was Rookie of the Year for the 1999-2000 season, and has made a Second Team All-NBA Selection.

For his career he has averaged 20 points per game, 10.1 rebounds per game, 2.6 assists per game, .9 steals per game, and 2.1 blocks per game.

He shot 50.3 percent from the field and 73.6 percent from the free throw line.

Number 3. 1996 Philadelphia 76ers: Allen Iverson

Allen Iverson is one of the greatest scorers in NBA history.

He was drafted out of Georgetown in 1996 as the No. 1 selection. The only missing thing from his resume is a Championship Ring.

Iverson has never shot the ball very well from the field, but he makes up for that with his hustle, his fierce determination to score, and his ability to take anyone off the dribble.

He gets labeled as a point guard based on his height but he truly is a shooting guard that is undersized.

Iverson can distribute the ball as well. Even for his height, Iverson is a good defender as well. He has twice led the NBA in steals.

Iverson has been honored with 10 all-star games, an MVP Award, one Third Team All-NBA Selection, three time Second Team All-NBA Selection, and three time First Team All-NBA selection.

Iverson has averaged 27.1 points per game, 6.2 assists per game, 3.7 rebounds per game, and 2.2 steals per game.

He shot 42.5 percent from the field, 31.3 percent from three, and 78 percent from the free throw line for his career.

Number 2: 1997 San Antonio Spurs: Tim Duncan

Tim Duncan was drafted out of Wake Forest University to eventually take over as the main scorer, rebounder, and defender for the aging David Robinson of the San Antonio Spurs.

Not only has Duncan done that, he's helped the Spurs win four NBA titles, and he's accumulated plenty of awards along the way.

Duncan's nickname really says it all. For "Mr. Fundamental" there are really no holes in his game. He can hit the mid-range jumper by using glass, he can operate in the post with either hand, he's a solid passer, and he's an excellent defender.

He's also been one of the players on this list who hasn't been too injury prone.

Duncan has been selected to 11 all-star games, won rookie of the year in 1997-1998, has three NBA Finals MVP's, and two regular season MVP's. He's a two-time Second Team All-Defense, 10-time First Team All-Defense, two-time Second Team All-NBA, and nine-time All-NBA First Team Selection.

For his career he has averaged 20.9 points per game, 11.5 rebounds per game, 3.1 assists per game, .7 steals per game, and 2.3 blocks per game.

He shot 50.7 percent from the floor and 68.5 percent from the free throw line.

Number 1. 1992 Orlando Magic: Shaquille O'Neal

Shaq was drafted No. 1 by the Orlando Magic. There's only one word to describe what Shaq has done in the league and that is "dominate" from day one.

He has slowed down a bit thanks to injuries, but for almost two decades he has dominated the league with his ability to score, rebound, and defend.

Shaq has been a part of four championship teams and has gone to the NBA Finals with the Orlando Magic as well.

Also, one of the other things that makes Shaq so great is his personality and his ability to poke fun at himself. There was a commercial about Shaq's larger-than-life self where each team was just Shaq because he was cloned.

For the first half of the commercial, none of the Shaqs were able to score because the shots kept getting blocked. The coach tells him, "I need you to score some points."

So each time, Shaq would get the ball and it was dunk, after, dunk, after, dunk.

The game ends up tied at the end. The coach tells the Shaqs that the only way to win the thing is with free throws and the Shaqs just shake their heads and say this might be a while.

It's just one example of how he has endeared himself to basketball fans everywhere.

Shaq has been on 16 all-star teams, been Rookie of the Year for the 1992-1993 season, three time Finals MVP, one regular season MVP, three time Second Team All-Defense, four time Third Team All-NBA Selection, two time All NBA Second Team-Selection, and eight time First Team All-NBA Selection.

For his career he has averaged 24.7 points per game, 11.2 rebounds per game, 2.6 assists per game, .6 steals per game, and 2.4 blocks per game.

He shot 58.2 percent from the field and 52.8 percent from the free throw line.