LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh Make the All Decade Draft Team
The 2011 National Basketball Association Draft will begin a new decade of drafting. Players like Kyrie Irving, Perry Jones and Harrison Barnes are wondering if they will be the first draft pick of the new decade. These players are hoping to have careers like LeBron James or Kevin Durant and not like Kwame Brown or Darko Milicic.
Here is a look at the best player drafted in the first round at each spot of the draft between 2000 and 2010.
You might be surprised by the lack of talent at a few of the picks.
Enjoy!
30th Pick: David Lee
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Career Stats - 13.4 ppg and 9.6 rpg, 1 all star selection (drafted in 2005)
Honorable Mention - Lazar Hayward (drafted in 2010)
David Lee is far and away the best overall 30th pick of the decade. Lazar Hayward is a rookie and is a clear choice for honorable mention. They are the only two players at this pick to even play in the NBA.
Don't let David Lee's career stats fool you because over the past three years when he has seen significant playing time, he is averaging 17.5 ppg and 11 rpg. He really shone during the 2009-2010 season where he averaged 20 ppg and nearly 12 rpg. His numbers are down a little with Golden State, but look for those numbers to rise as he becomes accustom to playing with Seth Curry and Monta Ellis.
29th Pick: Josh Howard
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Career Stats: 15.1 ppg and 6 rpg, 1 all star selection (drafted in 2003)
Honorable Mention: Toney Douglas (drafted in 2009)
Josh Howard could have been a special player in this league, but the injury bug got hold of him and never really let go. He was most productive with Dallas where he did a little bit of everything for the Mavericks. He has only played in 20 games for the Wizards since he was traded last year and is currently injured with a pulled hamstring. He won the ACC Player of the Year Award his senior season at Wake Forest and could have been a key player for any team had he stayed healthy.
Toney Douglas gets honorable mention here more by default than anything else. He is a nice second string guard, but relies to heavily on his scoring ability.
28th Pick: Tony Parker
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Career Stats: 16.7 ppg and 5.7 apg, 3 NBA Championships, 3 all star selections, 1 All NBA Team (drafted in 2001)
Honorable Mention: Leandro Barbosa (drafted in 2003)
Tony Parker has been an outstanding point guard this decade while Leandro Barbosa has been an outstanding sixth man. Parker has played point for arguably the best team of the decade, the San Antonio Spurs. Teaming with Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili has given San Antonio a talented trio of players and has placed them atop the Western Conference each year. Parker is one of the fastest guards in the league and a proven leader. He had his best season during the 2008-2009 campaign where he averaged 22 ppg and nearly 7 apg.
Leandro Barbosa provides a great spark off the bench, but can't be compared to what Tony Parker provides.
27th Pick: Kendrick Perkins
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Career Stats: 6.4 ppg and 6.1 rpg, 1 NBA Championship (drafted in 2003)
Honorable Mention: Jamaal Tinsley (drafted in 2001)
Kendrick Perkins stats won't jump out at you and that is okay. If you have ever watched him play you can understand why stats are sometimes overrated. Perkins is a big body who hustles and plays hard every play that he is on the court. He has struggled with injuries, but he is just entering his prime and could be the key player to help the Thunder make a deep run in this year's playoffs.
Jamaal Tinsley has also been hindered by injuries during his career. He came out of college as a solid point guard and is a quality bench player for the Grizzlies.
26th Pick: Kevin Martin
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Career Stats: 18.2 ppg (drafted in 2004)
Honorable Mention: Taj Gibson (drafted in 2009)
Kevin Martin is a scorer and has averaged over 20 ppg five times during his career. He can shoot from anywhere on the court and he also has the ability to drive and finish at the hoop. He is tall for a shooting guard and is therefore difficult for opposing defenses.
Taj Gibson is still young, but the potential for him is high. He had a great rookie season and as the Bulls look to make a deep run in the playoffs, Gibson has added a boost from the bench.
25th Pick: Gerald Wallace
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Career Stats: 13.3 ppg and 6.2 rpg, 1 all star selection, 1 All NBA Defensive Team (drafted in 2001)
Honorable Mention: Shannon Brown (drafted in 2006)
Gerald Wallace didn't really burst onto the scene until 2006, but since then he has been a force to reckon with. He is an athletic small forward who can can shutdown anyone on defense. His best season came during the 2009-2010 season where he averaged 18 points and 10 rebounds a game while becoming the first Bobcat player to make the All Star team.
Shannon Brown is an exciting player to watch and a great spark off the bench for the Los Angeles Lakers.
24th Pick: Kyle Lowry
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Career Stats: 9.4 ppg and 4.4 apg (drafted in 2006)
Honorable Mention: Serge Ibaka (drafted in 2008)
The 24th pick of the draft seems to be a bad spot to pick from. Nenad Krstic, Delonte West and Rudy Fernandez were all picked at this spot, but neither of them really stood out to me. Kyle Lowry has been impressive this year for the Rockets with increased playing time. He is averaging 12.5 ppg and 6.5 apg this year and has locked down the starting point guard spot in Houston.
Serge Ibaka gets honorable mention because he is young and talented. He is a beast on the defensive end of the floor.
23rd Pick: Tayshaun Prince
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Career Stats: 12.9 ppg and 4.7 rpg, 1 NBA Championship 4-time All NBA Defensive Team (drafted in 2002)
Honorable Mention: Wilson Chandler (drafted in 2007)
I feel like Tayshaun Prince never really reached his full potential in Detroit. He is a tall and lengthy forward who can guard nearly every position on the court. He was the SEC Player of the Year when he was a junior, but it seems that in Detroit, Prince has always been a third or fourth option. One thing that people will never forget about Prince was the incredible block on Reggie Miller in the 2004 Eastern Conference Finals.
Wilson Chandler is still young and could blossom into a great player in Denver. He has the size and talent to be a threat in this league for years to come.
22nd Pick: Jared Dudley
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Career Stats: 7.2 ppg and 3.5 rpg (drafted in 2007)
Honorable Mention: Jarrett Jack (drafted in 2005)
This was another poor pick throughout the decade. Jared Dudley has improved his game in each of his seasons in the NBA and this year he has been a good bench player for the Suns. He is a big body that can play either the guard or forward position and can spread the floor with his shooting. He did the majority of his damage inside while playing at Boston College, so he is a rather versatile player.
Jarrett Jack has had a few opportunities to start, but hasn't locked anything down. While Dudley could one day become a starter, Jack is almost surely destined for a bench roll.
21st Pick: Rajon Rondo
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Career Stats: 10.7 ppg, 7.5 apg, 2 spg, 1 NBA Championship, 2 all star selections, 2-time All NBA Defensive Team (drafted in 2006)
Honorable Mention: Boris Diaw (drafted in 2003)
Rajon Rondo has grown into one of the better point guards in the NBA. He has quickly become the floor general of a very good Celtics team. He really seemed to break out during the Celtics 2008 playoff run and he hasn't slowed down since. He is a pass first point guard, but has the ability to drive the lane and finish at the rim. He is also a great perimeter defender who is often tasked with covering the best scoring guard on opposing teams. Rondo will only continue to improve and look for him to be a top point guard in the league for many more years.
Boris Diaw is an all around player who really didn't start showing his potential until he was traded to Phoenix in 2005. Whenever you have a player that can score, pass, and rebound, he is going to find playing time.
20th Pick: Jameer Nelson
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Career Stats: 12.4 ppg and 4.8 apg, 1 all star selection (drafted in 2004)
Honorable Mention: Brendan Haywood (drafted in 2001)
Jameer Nelson is another guy who has had problems with injuries, but when he is on the court and healthy, he is one of the better point guards in the league. He was a stellar player in college, winning almost every award his senior year at St. Joseph's University. Even though his scoring is down this year, his assists are up and he appears to be ready to lead the Magic, along with Dwight Howard, to another deep playoff run.
Brendan Haywood has been a quality center in the NBA a few years now. Although he doesn't do anything incredibly well, he does many things good enough to get quality minutes. There are worse starting centers in the league than Brendan Haywood.
19th Pick: Zach Randolph
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Career Stats: 17.6 ppg and 9.2 rpg, 1 all star selection (drafted in 2001)
Honorable Mention: J.J. Hickson (drafted in 2008)
Zach Randolph was a dominant force in Portland and then he got a bad reputation of being lazy, taking bad shots and hurting his team. That would happen to anyone who was on the Knicks and Clippers, but the move to Memphis has revamped Randolph's career. He is a true post player who can rebound with the best of them. He has averaged a double-double for six seasons and is good for 20 and 10 almost every night. He has also helped to make the Grizzlies a playoff caliber team in the West.
J.J. Hickson is now the main guy in Cleveland with the departure of LeBron James and he has shown flashes of greatness. With more time to develop his game, Hickson could be a quality starter in the NBA.
18th Pick: David West
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Career Stats: 16.4 ppg and 7.3 rpg, 1 all star selection (drafted in 2003)
Honorable Mention: Ty Lawson (drafted in 2009)
David West is probably the most underrated player in the NBA. He brings it to the court every night and if you exclude his first two seasons where he hardly played, he is averaging more like 19 points and eight rebounds a game. He can play in the post, but he also has one of the sweetest jump shots for a big man. He has teamed with Chris Paul to form one of the better combos in the league. West is the benchmark of what hard work can mean to a player.
Ty Lawson is new to league and the honorable mention spot almost went to Quenitin Richardson, but Lawson is younger and a better player already. With Billups out in Denver, Lawson is the new man running the show and look for him to excel.
17th Pick: Danny Granger
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Career Stats: 18.1 ppg and 5.3 rpg, 1 all star selection (drafted in 2005)
Honorable Mention: Josh Smith (drafted in 2004)
Danny Granger has become a top five small forward in the NBA. Over the past three years, he is averaging over 23 points per game while shooting nearly 45 percent from the field. He is known for his scoring ability and can take over games on the offensive side of the ball at will. He is the leader of a young Pacers team looking to make a splash in the Eastern Conference in the next few years.
Josh Smith is a freak athlete who excels at defense, but is starting to put together an offensive game. If he continues to get away from launching up three-pointer after three-pointer, he could be dangerous.
16th Pick: Hedo Turkoglu
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Career Stats: 12 ppg and 4.3 rpg (drafted in 2000)
Honorable Mention: Nick Young (drafted in 2007)
Hedo Turkoglu is a tall small forward that causes major matchup problems. He is best used in the transition game, where he can spot up for a three. His best year was during 2007-2008 where he averaged career highs in points, rebounds and assists earning him the Most Improved Player of the Year award.
There weren't many good players chosen with the 16th pick, but this year Nick Young has been a bright spot for a bad Wizards team.
15th Pick: Al Jefferson
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Career Stats: 15.7 ppg and 8.8 rpg (drafted in 2004)
Honorable Mention: Rodney Stuckey (drafted in 2007)
Al Jefferson has played center for the majority of his career, but he would really be best utilized as a power forward. Unfortunately for him, every team he has played for has needed a quality center and Jefferson has filled in nicely. Jefferson is a true post player and was hoping to team up with Deron Williams to create a killer inside-out game in Utah this season. We'll see how he can do with Devin Harris instead.
Rodney Stuckey is another player who seems stuck at the wrong position. The Pistons were hoping he could become the next point guard, but he is more of a scorer than facilitator.
14th Pick: Troy Murphy
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Career Stats: 11.8 ppg and 8.5 rpg (drafted in 2001)
Honorable Mention: Ronnie Brewer (drafted in 2006)
Troy Murphy is a good rebounder who has averaged over 10 rebounds per game in five of his seasons in the NBA. His best year was during the 2004-2005 where he averaged 16 points and 11 rebounds. He isn't quite starter material, but is a good big man to have on the bench. His recent trade to Boston has cut down on his minutes, but he could still be vital to a Boston playoff run.
Ronnie Brewer is a lock down defender and that is pretty much all he can do right now in the NBA.
13th Pick: Richard Jefferson
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Career Stats: 16.5 ppg and 5 rpg (drafted in 2001)
Honorable Mention: Tyler Hansbrough (drafted in 2009)
Richard Jefferson's best years came when he was part of the up-tempo New Jersey Nets teams that included Vince Carter and Jason Kidd. His best talent has always been his ability to finish at the rim, but he also has a good mid-range and long-range game. Jefferson, due to his athletic ability, is also a very good defender.
Hansbrough is getting more minutes during his second season and is a burst of energy off the bench for the Pacers. With his work ethic and energy, I wouldn't be surprised if Hansbrough eventually becomes a starter in the NBA.
12th Pick: Nick Collison
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Career Stats: 7.4 ppg and 6.4 rpg (drafted in 2003)
Honorable Mention: Jason Thompson (drafted in 2008)
Nick Collison isn't the flashiest player in the league. His stats will never jump out and amaze you. He will never make an All-Star team or win an award, but he is a valuable player to have on your team. He is a smart player who can do a little of everything on both sides of the ball. He plays at 110 percent every time he is on the court. He hustles for loose balls, gets on the floor and does all of the little things that coaches love.
Jason Thompson was starting to put it together for the Kings before they drafted DeMarcus Cousins. Although his overall stats are down this year, he is still young and has time to develop into a quality player.
11th Pick: Andris Biedrins
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Career Stats: 7.7 ppg and 8.1 rpg (drafted in 2004)
Honorable Mention: Mickael Pietrus (drafted in 2003)
Whoever has the 11th pick in the NBA draft this year better prepare themselves for mediocrity. For such a high pick, it is surprising that it has been wasted on so many players who haven't made a major impact in the NBA. The younger players like Redick, Williams and Aldrich have a chance to improve their game and become an impact player, but Biedrins and Pietrus are currently the best players drafted at this position. The 11th pick is by far the worst of the decade.
10th Pick: Joe Johnson
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Career Stats: 17.7 ppg and 4.5 apg, 5 all star selections, 1 All NBA Team (drafted in 2001)
Honorable Mention: Brook Lopez (drafted in 2008)
Joe Johnson is one of the best scoring guards in the league. He can put up points in bunches and can score from all over the court. He has played in the All-Star game the past five seasons. He is starting to get up there in age, but there is no doubting his ability to play. He has one of the sweetest shots in the game.
Brook Lopez is a franchise center and those types of centers don't grow on trees. In his first few seasons in the NBA, Lopez has proven his worth and looks to have a bright future, especially with Deron Williams on his team.
9th Pick: Amare Stoudemire
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Career Stats: 21.9 ppg and 8.9 rpg, 6 all star selections, 4-time All NBA Team, 2003 Rookie of the year (drafted in 2002)
Honorable Mention: Andre Iguodala (drafted in 2004)
Amare Stoudemire is one of the most exciting players to watch as it seems he can throw it down from nearly anywhere on the court. Over the past few years he has also developed a nice mid-range game. He struggled with some knee problems, but has thankfully fully recovered and continues to be one of the better players in the league. In his first year with the Knicks, he is averaging a career high in points.
Andre Iguodala is a high flier who plays bigger than he is due to his leaping ability. Since Allen Iverson left the 76ers, he has been the face of the franchise.
8th Pick: Rudy Gay
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Career Stats: 17.8 ppg and 5.6 rpg (drafted in 2006)
Honorable Mention: Jamal Crawford (drafted in 2000)
Rudy Gay came into the league in 2006 with a lot of hype surrounding him. Although he hasn't quite lived up to the "next great thing" tag that was placed on him, he has turned into quite the player for the Memphis Grizzlies. He might be the most explosive player when taking it to the rim and he is good for a few highlights every time he plays. His jump shot is coming around and his height makes him a difficult match up.
Jamal Crawford is a pure scorer and had arguably his best season last year when he took home the Sixth Man of the Year Award.
7th Pick: Luol Deng
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Career Stats: 16 ppg and 6.4 rpg (drafted in 2004)
Honorable Mention: Eric Gordon (drafted in 2008)
Luol Deng is one of my most favorite players in the NBA right now. He is a great person who plays hard night in and night out. He has a complete game and you will rarely see him make a mistake when he is on the court. He can shoot, rebound and play defense. He has great court vision and can make plays on both sides of the ball. He is a great role model to younger players and in 2007 he won the Sportsmanship Award.
I picked Eric Gordon over guys like Stephen Curry and Kirk Hinrich because Eric Gordon is having a fantastic season for the Clippers and appears to be headed for stardom. He can score like crazy and has a great offensive game.
6th Pick: Brandon Roy
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Career Stats: 19.7 ppg and 4.8 apg, 3 all star selections, 2-time All NBA team, 2007 Rookie of the Year (drafted in 2006)
Honorable Mention: Shane Battier (drafted in 2001)
It is a true shame to watch what is happening to Brandon Roy. He is a fantastic player who is another do-it-all type of guy. He is a prolific scorer who can play both inside and out and was the leader for a promising, young Blazers team. He is the type of player who makes everyone around him better and hopefully he can come back from his recent knee issues.
Shane Battier is one of the best straight defenders in the league and its hard to knock a guy who gives his all on the defensive side of the ball. Most nights, Battier spends his time chasing around the other teams best player and that deserves recognition.
5th Pick: Dwyane Wade
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Career Stats: 25.4 ppg, 6.4 apg, 5.1 rpg, 7 all star selections, 5-time All NBA team, 3-time All Defensive team, 1 NBA Championship (drafted in 2003)
Honorable Mention: Kevin Love (drafted in 2008)
Dwyane Wade is easily a top five player in the NBA and at times has been the best player in the league by far. He is a dynamic player on both offense and defense and plays at such a high energy, it's always exciting to watch him. He led the NBA in scoring in 2009 and is a legitimate threat to score 30 points every night.
Kevin Love is a beast and is incredible on the boards. He will be a force in the league for years to come.
4th Pick: Chris Paul
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Career Stats: 18.8 ppg, 9.9 apg, 2.4 spg, 4 all star selections, 2-time All NBA team, 2-time All NBA Defensive Team, 2006 Rookie of the Year (drafted in 2005)
Honorable Mention: Chris Bosh (drafted in 2003)
Chris Paul is the best point guard in the NBA right now and has the opportunity and skills to go down as the best point guard to ever play the game. He has phenomenal court vision and is a pass first point guard, which makes everyone around him better. He made the New Orleans Hornets relevant and he did it with only David West as a true talent around him. He had his best season in 2008-2009 where he averaged 23 points and 11 assists a game.
Chris Bosh is one of the best scoring power forwards in the league. He can bang inside, but can also step outside and knock down the open jump shot. He is a lock to make the All-Star team every year.
3rd Pick: Pau Gasol
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Career Stats: 18.8 ppg and 9.1 rpg, 4 all star selections, 2-time All NBA Team, 2 NBA Championships (drafted in 2001)
Honorable Mention: Deron Williams (drafted in 2005)
Pau Gasol has separated himself as possibly the best big man in the game. He is extremely talented around the rim, but can also have the offense run through him with his ability to pass. He is a force on the defensive end and his height causes problems for smaller power forwards. He is a talented big man who can do it all and is a perfect fit for the Lakers triangle offense.
I picked Deron Williams over Carmelo Anthony because Deron Williams is a more complete player. Carmelo can score and rebound better, but Williams can do everything else better. He is the second best point guard in the league, and some (not me), would say he is the best.
2nd Pick: Kevin Durant
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Career Stats: 25.8 ppg and 6.4 rpg, 2 all star selections, 1 All NBA team, 2008 NBA Rookie of the Year (drafted in 2007)
Honorable Mention: LaMarcus Aldridge (drafted in 2006)
Kevin Durant dominated the NBA during the 2009-2010 season and has been picked by many as the best player in the league. There is no doubting his ability to score the ball, as he became the youngest player to ever lead the league in scoring. He can score from anywhere on the court and his size causes real problems for opposing teams. He has a huge wingspan and uses that to his advantage on both sides of the ball.
LaMarcus Aldridge has had a break out season this year and has taken over as the main guy in Portland with Brandon Roy still recovering.
The second pick in this decade saw a lot of busts. In fact, it wasn't until 2004 that a player picked second actually made an impact on their team.
1st Pick: LeBron James
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Career Stats: 27.7 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 7 apg, 7 all star selections, 6-time All NBA Team, 2-time All NBA Defensive Team, 2-time MVP, 2004 Rookie of the Year (drafted in 2003)
Honorable Mention: Dwight Howard (drafted in 2004)
LeBron James, when he wants to be, is the best player in the NBA. At times, he has shown flashes of being the best player to ever play the game. He can play all five positions on the team and is a nightmare to stop in the open court. His defense has continued to improve since he came into the league and his athleticism is the key to both his defense and offense. He can be frustrating to watch at times because you know that at any point the game, he could take over and leave everyone in his dust. He is a threat to get a triple-double every night.
Dwight Howard is the best center in the league and truly excels on the defensive side of the ball. He worked on his offense during the off season and has really improved his post game.
