Best Second Round Picks Since 2000

The draft is always focused on top talents, potential, and best fit for the team.  But many of us have forgotten how some of the second round picks could end up being great players.  I took some time to take a look back at the top 10 most successful second rounders since 2000.

1) Glibert Arenas, 2001, 31st pick.  Agent Zero is always known for his flashy plays and scoring ability in college, but GM was worried that he might not transfer into a point guard that could run a team in the NBA.  He proved many wrong by not just being a reliable point guard, but as a leader, scorer, and a clutch shooter.

2) Michael Redd, 2000. 43rd pick.  Redd was a star at Ohio State, but NBA scouts didn't think he was athletic enough compared to the "big names" in the draft, such as Jamal Crawford and Desmond Mason.  But he proved others wrong when Ray Allen got injured and Redd stepped in to pick up the scoring for the Bucks.

3) Carlos Boozer, 2002, 35th pick.  GMs thought that Booz was a bit too short to play PF in the NBA.  But he stepped right in in his rookie year averaging 10 points and 7.5 rebounds. 

4) Monta Ellis, 2005, 40th pick.  This kid was unknown coming out of high-school.  He didn't get attention until his second year when he averaged 16.5 points.

5) Paul Millsap, 2006, 47th pick.  This guy is another no namer.  But he stepped in got the job done this past year when Boozer was injured.  He averaged 18 points and 10 rebounds during that period.

6) Mehmet Okur, 2001, 38th pick.  Not a big name player coming from overseas.  But when he signed with the Jazz, the 6-11 Turkish showed everyone what he could do with his inside and outside game.  Through out his career he shot 37 percent from three, and 80 percent from the stripe.  He also averages 14 points and 7.2 rebounds for his career.

7) Luis Scola, 2002, 56th pick.  Although he's old for a rookie (27), he gave the Rockets another low post option and a valuable scorer and rebounder.  He came off the bench in his rookie season and averaged 10.3 points and 6.4 rebounds.

8) Marc Gasol, 2007, 48th pick.  Many though he's not as good as his older brother, so he's not good.  The problem is that Pau is a great player, but doesn't mean Marc is not good.  In his rookie season, he started 75 games, averged 11.9 points and 7.9 rebounds.

9) Roger Mason, 2002, 31st pick.  This second rounder bounced from team to team and didn't make a name for himself until the Spurs picked him up.  He was a big part of the Spurs' offense when Manu was injured.  During that time he averaged close to 14 points and shooting over 40 percent from down town.

10) Mario Chalmers, 2008, 34th pick.  A proven winner in the college game.  The only problem was that he's in a draft class full of talent such as Rose, Beasley, and Mayo.  But he did step in the starting point guard job playing next do D-Wade in his first season.  And he did a great job by averaging 10 point, 5 assists, shooting 37 percent from three, and lead all rookies in steals with two per game.

Other second rounders worth mentioning: Kyle Korver, Trevor Ariza, Chris Duhon, Steve Blake, Eddie House.