NBA Draft: The Best and Worst White Players Selected in the Last 10 Drafts

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The white NBA player and the black MLB player are similar in that they're both fading away from their respective sports.

White players in the NBA are in a different scenario, however. There is the increasing belief floating around the NBA which, in essence, says that white players are inferior.

Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash, Manu Ginobili and Pau Gasol -- all foreign-born players of European descent -- and Kevin Love, are All-Stars and some of the best players the NBA has to offer.

So why does the previously-stated notion remain?

It's because of the white players who turn out to be busts. Often they are ineffective players hyped by the media as something they're not.

Throughout this slideshow -- the best and worst white NBA players in each of the last 10 draft classes -- you will see examples of the good and the bad. The bad, as you can probably guess, greatly outweighs the good.

2001 Best White Player: Pau Gasol ((34th Selection, Vancouver)

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Gasol was the biggest reason the Lakers won their second-consecutive title last season.

Gasol had an excellent Game 7 with Kobe Bryant struggling from the field. He is a vital aspect in Bryant's chase of Michael Jordan, as Bryant was able to win his fourth and fifth titles with Gasol. The Lakers' power forward/center is a big reason why the Lakers remain the favorites in 2011.

2001 Worst White Player: Brian Scalabrine (34th Selection, New Jersey)

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One of the basic rules for this slideshow is that the worst white player has to be somebody well known around the league.

And who gives the best high-fives in the league? Scalabrine.

It's amazing he's been in the NBA for 10 years.

2002 Best White Player: Luis Scola (56th Selection, San Antonio)

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Arguably one of the most underrated players in the league, nearly every team in the NBA would love to have a player with Scola's work ethic and skill set.

2002 Worst White Player: Nikoloz Tskitishvili (5th Selection, Denver)

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Nikoloz Tskitishvili almost single-handily killed the era where NBA GMs try to find the next great foreign-born player. Tskitishvili wasn't the biggest reason, though.

2003 Best White Player: Chris Kaman (6th Selection, Los Angeles Clippers

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Yes, that's Chris Kaman in an All-Star uniform. His All-Star appearance gives the German national the nod over Kirk Hinrich and several other quality 2003 draftees, including: Jason Kapono, Luke Walton, Luke Ridnour and Kyle Korver.

2003 Worst White Player: Darko Milicic

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Darko will forever be the Sam Bowie to Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony's Michael Jordan.

Complete bust.

2004 Best White Player: Andris Biedrins (11th Selection, Golden State)

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Biedrins isn't a spectacular player in the NBA, but he offers Golden State a service. Stephen Curry and Monta Ellis carry the brunt of the offensive load and Biedrins does all the dirty work.

He was an integral part of Don Nelson's run-and-gun style.

2004 Worst White Player: Robert Swift (12th Selection, Seattle)

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Robert Swift made it easy for David Stern to push for an age requirement for the NBA draft. With all of his potential, the seven-foot-tall Swift became best known for his tattoos and being the NBA's most awkward player during his time in the league.

2005 Best White Player: David Lee (30th Selection, New York)

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It's a toss up between Andrew Bogut and David Lee. But since so much less was expected out of Lee, he's the selection.

2005 Worst White Player: Yaroslav Korolev (12th Selection, Los Angeles Clippers)

Thats him on defense.
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Who is Yaroslav Korolev, you ask?

He was selected by the Clippers in the lottery in 2005. He tried out for Los Angeles two years later, but was cut before playing a single regular season game for the Clippers.

2006 Best White Player: Andrea Bargnani (1st Selection, Toronto)

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Bargnani is often criticized for his lack of rebounding and difficulty on the defensive end, but opposing teams know that you must not leave Bargnani open from the behind the arc. He's a deadly shooter and unquestionably his draft class's best white player.

2006 Worst White Player: Adam Morrison (3rd Selection, Charlotte)

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Adam Morrison set white players' reputation in the NBA back 500 steps just two picks after Bargnani.

2007 Best White Player: Marc Gasol (48th Selection, Los Angeles Lakers)

Gasol brothers
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He is a decent player who was an important piece in the Lakers orchestrating a trade to acquire Marc's brother Pau.

2007 Worst Player: Greg Oden (1st Selection, Portland)

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Can you BELIEVE the Trailblazers picked Oden over Durant? The impact of that decision transcends race.

2008 Best White Player: Kevin Love (5th Selection, Minnesota)

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Many aspects of Love were questioned after he came into the NBA from UCLA, but he has quickly evolved one of the best white players in the league in 2010-2011.

2008 Worst White Player: Joe Alexander (8th Selection, Milwaukee)

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Alexander was one of the hottest prospects leading up to the draft in recent memory, but none of that mattered. (He speaks Chinese!)

Alexander currently plays in the D-League.

2009 Best White Player: Tyler Hansbrough (13th Selection, Indiana)

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Many figured Hansbrough would meet the same fate as the much-hyped Morrison. But by continuing to work hard and improve his outside shot, the North Carolina alum has become a serviceable player.

2009 Worst White Player: Ricky Rubio (5th Selection, Minnesota)

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Has not played a minute for Minnesota and doesn't seem to have any desire to play for the Timberwolves.

Until he plays in the NBA, he will remain the worst NBA player in his draft class.

2010 Best and Worst: To Be Determined

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Gordon Hayward was the highest white player selected, but it's much too early to have any idea who will be the best and worst white players from the 2010 draft class.

Although, if there is one player who we'll be talking about in 10 years, it's Harangody. He seems like a perfect candidate to take over Scalabrine's role.