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NEW YORK - JUNE 24:  John Wall of Kentucky stands with NBA Commisioner David Stern after being drafted with the first pick by the Washington Wizards at Madison Square Garden on June 24, 2010 in New York City.  NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and
NEW YORK - JUNE 24: John Wall of Kentucky stands with NBA Commisioner David Stern after being drafted with the first pick by the Washington Wizards at Madison Square Garden on June 24, 2010 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges andAl Bello/Getty Images

NBA Rankings: The League's No. 1 Draft Picks Since 2000

James RiggioJun 7, 2018

Every year there is a lot of pressure on the No. 1 overall draft pick in any sport. The NBA is no exception. Some No. 1 picks have been game changers, others have been solid, but not spectacular players and some have been complete busts. The follow is a ranking of the 11 players who have gone No. 1 overall since 2000.

No. 11 Kwame Brown 2001 Washington Wizards

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27 Jun 2001:  NBA Commisioner David Stern congratulates Kwame Brown of Glynn Acadamy in Georgia, after being the first pick in the NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards at the Theatre in Madison Square Garden, New York City. Mandatory Credit: Al Bello/ALLSP
27 Jun 2001: NBA Commisioner David Stern congratulates Kwame Brown of Glynn Acadamy in Georgia, after being the first pick in the NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards at the Theatre in Madison Square Garden, New York City. Mandatory Credit: Al Bello/ALLSP

Kwame Brown has been one of the biggest busts in the history of the draft. He's still getting a paycheck in the NBA, but is nothing more than a mediocre backup center at best. Over his career he has averaged 6 points and 5 rebounds a game.

No. 10 Greg Oden, 2007 Portland Trail Blazers

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NEW YORK - JUNE 28: NBA Commissioner David Stern (L) poses for a photo with Greg Oden of Ohio State after he was drafted first by the Portland Trailblazers during the 2007 NBA Draft at the WaMu Theatre at Madison Square Garden June 28, 2007 in New York Ci
NEW YORK - JUNE 28: NBA Commissioner David Stern (L) poses for a photo with Greg Oden of Ohio State after he was drafted first by the Portland Trailblazers during the 2007 NBA Draft at the WaMu Theatre at Madison Square Garden June 28, 2007 in New York Ci

Bad luck has struck Portland twice. After selecting Sam Bowie over Michael Jordan in perhaps the biggest mistake in draft history, the Trail Blazers took Oden over Kevin Durant.

Oden has been almost a replica of Bowie. He has talent, but has been hurt so much he hasn't had a chance to show his true value. Because of his injury situation Oden has to be labeled a bust.

No. 9 Kenyon Martin, 2000 New Jersey Nets

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27 Dec 2001:  Forward Kenyon Martin #6 of the New Jersey Nets dribbles the ball during the NBA game against the Detroit Pistons at the Palce of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan.  The Nets defeated the Pistons 88-75.Mandatory Credit:  Tom Pidgeon/Get
27 Dec 2001: Forward Kenyon Martin #6 of the New Jersey Nets dribbles the ball during the NBA game against the Detroit Pistons at the Palce of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The Nets defeated the Pistons 88-75.Mandatory Credit: Tom Pidgeon/Get

Martin has had a solid, but not spectacular career that is starting to wind down. Now with the Denver Nuggets, Martin has averaged more than 13 points and seven rebounds a game over his career.

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No. 8 Andrew Bogut, 2005 Milwaukee Bucks

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DENVER - OCTOBER 26:  Andrew Bogut #6 of the Milwaukee Bucks walks to the other end of the court against the Denver Nuggets during their preseason game on October 26, 2005 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado.  NOTE TO USER:  User expressly acknowledge
DENVER - OCTOBER 26: Andrew Bogut #6 of the Milwaukee Bucks walks to the other end of the court against the Denver Nuggets during their preseason game on October 26, 2005 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledge

Bogut has turned out to be a solid center, but not someone worthy of a No. 1 pick. Bogut has averaged more than 12 points and nine rebounds a game over his career.

No. 7 Andrea Bargnani, 2006 Toronto Raptors

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DENVER - NOVEMBER 18:  of the Toronto Raptors looks on before game action against the Denver Nuggets on November 18, 2006 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado.The Nuggets won 117-109. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downlo
DENVER - NOVEMBER 18: of the Toronto Raptors looks on before game action against the Denver Nuggets on November 18, 2006 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado.The Nuggets won 117-109. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downlo

Bargnani is not a franchise player, but has shown steady progress throughout his career to the point to where he could become an All-Star. Averaging over 21 points a game this season, he has upped his game now that Chris Bosh has left for Miami.

No. 6 John Wall, 2010 Washington Wizards

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NEW YORK - JUNE 24:  John Wall of Kentucky stands with NBA Commisioner David Stern after being drafted with the first pick by the Washington Wizards at Madison Square Garden on June 24, 2010 in New York City.  NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and
NEW YORK - JUNE 24: John Wall of Kentucky stands with NBA Commisioner David Stern after being drafted with the first pick by the Washington Wizards at Madison Square Garden on June 24, 2010 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and

Wall has had some ups and downs as a rookie. But he appears to be headed toward a long career that should include several trips to the All-Star game.

No. 5 Yao Ming, 2002 Houston Rockets

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LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 26:  Yao Ming #11 of the Houston Rockets looks on during their opening night game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on October 26, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agre
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 26: Yao Ming #11 of the Houston Rockets looks on during their opening night game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on October 26, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agre

Even though injuries have plagued Yao, he is a six-time All-Star and has averaged 19 points and nine rebounds a game over his career.

No. 4 Derrick Rose, 2008, Chicago Bulls

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NEW YORK - JUNE 26:  NBA Commissioner David Stern shakes hands with number one draft pick for the Chicago Bulls, Derrick Rose during the 2008 NBA Draft at the Wamu Theatre at Madison Square Garden June 26, 2008 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User express
NEW YORK - JUNE 26: NBA Commissioner David Stern shakes hands with number one draft pick for the Chicago Bulls, Derrick Rose during the 2008 NBA Draft at the Wamu Theatre at Madison Square Garden June 26, 2008 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User express

Now in his third year Rose is one of the best players in the NBA and is showing everyone that he was deserving of being the No. 1 pick after just one season at Memphis. He figures to have many All-Star games ahead of him.

No. 3 Dwight Howard, 2004 Orlando Magic

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 28: Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic prepares to shoot a free-throw on his way to a game-high 40 points against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on January 28, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Magic 99-90
CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 28: Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic prepares to shoot a free-throw on his way to a game-high 40 points against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on January 28, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Magic 99-90

Howard is an absolute freak of nature. Although he may not have the greatest basketball skills, Howard is certainly one of the best athletes to ever player in the NBA. Howard's leaping ability has made it difficult for opponents to shoot the ball. No fan will ever get bored watching Howard play.

Howard will be playing in his fifth All-Star game this year. He has averaged 18 points and 12 rebounds a game over the length of his career.

No. 2 Blake Griffin, 2009 Los Angeles Clippers

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NEW YORK - JUNE 25:  NBA Commissioner David Stern poses for a photograph with the first overall draft pick by the Los Angeles Clippers,  Blake Griffin during the 2009 NBA Draft at the Wamu Theatre at Madison Square Garden June 25, 2009 in New York City. N
NEW YORK - JUNE 25: NBA Commissioner David Stern poses for a photograph with the first overall draft pick by the Los Angeles Clippers, Blake Griffin during the 2009 NBA Draft at the Wamu Theatre at Madison Square Garden June 25, 2009 in New York City. N

The Clippers had to wait an extra year to get Griffin due to an injury that wiped out what would have been his rookie year. But Griffin has been worth the wait. He is already one of the best players in the league, averaging more than 22 points and 12 rebounds a game. Griffin only figures to get better and might be the most popular player in Los Angeles.

No. 1 LeBron James, 2003 Cleveland Cavaliers

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INDIANAPOLIS - DECEMBER 15:  LeBron James #23 of the  Cleveland Cavaliers looks up during a pause in the action against  the Indiana Pacers December15, 2003 at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers won 95-85. NOTE TO USER: User expressly
INDIANAPOLIS - DECEMBER 15: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks up during a pause in the action against the Indiana Pacers December15, 2003 at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers won 95-85. NOTE TO USER: User expressly

James is everything you can want in a player as he can play any position on the court. He is Magic Johnson's versatility, Michael Jordan's quickness and Karl Malone's strength all packaged into one. One of the game's greats, James now needs to start winning some rings if he wants to be mentioned as one of the best ever.

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