NBA Draft 2011: 27 Most Successful Draft Picks Outside the Top 10 Since 2000
As the 2011 NBA draft nears on June 23rd, it's always nice to have a little history on it.
It's the time of the year when there is no possible way to predict each and every pick in the upcoming draft. It is almost imminent that there will be some busts and some players better than expected in this year's draft.
There is usually a success somewhere in the late second round, or in the late first round, or even early in the draft and they turn out to be superstars.
This slideshow will consist of five questions:
What is the player's current team?
What pick in the draft was he selected?
What are his stats?
Why was he a huge success?
What awards did he win in his career?
This slideshow will not include people in the top 10 picks of any draft. Also, there is no specific order out of these 30 players.
Please read and enjoy.
Landry Fields
1 of 27What is the player's current team?
The New York Knicks.
What pick in the draft was he selected?
Landry Fields was selected 39th overall in the 2010 draft class.
What are his stats?
Ten points and six rebounds per game.
Why was he a success?
Even though he was arguably a terrible pick and didn't deserve to be drafted, he did fairly well in the summer league and the preseason. This convinced the Knicks to play him as starting shooting guard. In the first half of the season he did great, though he started to fall apart in the second half.
What awards did he win in his career?
Fields was named to the NBA 2011 All-Rookie Team.
Marcus Thornton
2 of 27What is the player's current team?
The Sacramento Kings.
What pick in the draft was he selected?
Forty-third pick overall in the 2009 draft class.
What are his stats?
Twenty-one points and five rebounds per game in 27 games on the Kings.
Why was he a success?
He started gaining respect when he recorded 23 points in a single quarter (Hornets franchise record). After he got traded to the Kings, and he did excellently and his value spiked.
What awards did he win in his career?
Marcus Thornton has yet to not win any awards throughout his career.
Jrue Holiday
3 of 27What is the player's current team?
Jrue Holiday currently plays for the Philadelphia 76ers.
What pick in the draft was he selected?
He was selected 17th overall in the 2009 draft class.
What are his stats?
Fourteen points, seven assists and four rebounds.
Why was he a success?
He went from a decent rookie, to a person with Jason Kidd potential. For a 21-year-old to be a sophomore and contribute in every stat category means he was a success. He also played every single game of this past season.
What awards did he win in his career?
Holiday never won an award in his NBA career.
Darren Collison
4 of 27What is the player's current team?
Darren Collison currently plays for the Indiana Pacers.
What pick in the draft was he selected?
He was selected 21st overall in the 2009 NBA draft.
What are his stats?
Thirteen points, five assists per game.
Why was he a success?
I like how he built himself up from a scrubby player, to a success and the starting point guard.
What awards did he win in his career?
None in his NBA career.
JaVale McGee
5 of 27What is the player's current team?
JaVale McGee currently plays for the Washington Wizards.
What pick in the draft was he selected?
He was selected 18th overall in the 2008 NBA draft.
What are his stats?
Ten points, eight rebounds and two blocks per game.
Why was he a success?
He evolved from a normal backup to a really good player. He is an outstanding shot-blocker, a great dunker and has many skills that make him a great player.
What awards did he win in his career?
He participated in the 2011 Sprite Slam Dunk Contest.
J.J. Hickson
6 of 27What is the player's current team?
He currently plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
What pick in the draft was he selected?
He was selected 19th overall in the 2008 draft class.
What are his stats?
Fourteen points and nine boards per game.
Why was he a success?
Due to the loss of LeBron James, he was given more playing time. Because they gave him a chance to play more minutes, he was successful.
What awards did he win in his career?
None in his NBA career.
Serge Ibaka
7 of 27What is the player's current team?
Serge Ibaka currently plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
What pick in the draft was he selected?
He was selected 24th overall in the 2008 draft class.
What are his stats?
Ten points, eight rebounds and two blocks per game.
Why was he a success?
When Ibaka came from a team in the Congo to the NBA, he didn't even know English, so no one knew if he could adjust well or not. Now Ibaka is often used for his energy in the paint, whether on defense or rebounding. Since then, he has evolved into a starter on a great team.
What awards did he win in his career?
He participated in the 2011 NBA Sprite Slam Dunk Contest.
Wilson Chandler
8 of 27What is the player's current team?
He currently plays for the Denver Nuggets.
What pick in the draft was he selected?
He was selected 23rd overall in the 2007 NBA draft.
What are his stats?
Through 21 games on the Nuggets, he recorded 13 points and five rebounds per game.
Why was he a success?
He originally didn't start, then Thomas gave him heavy minutes and D'Antoni continued this. He showed major improvement once he got the minutes and evolved into a dominant player.
What awards did he win in his career?
He played for the Sophomore Team of 2009.
Rajon Rondo
9 of 27What is the player's current team?
Rajon Rondo currently plays for the Boston Celtics.
What pick in the draft was he selected?
Rondo was selected 21st overall in the 2006 draft class.
What are his stats?
Eleven points, 11 assists and two steals per game.
Why was he a success?
Since the third year of his career when he began to start, he has been a top point guard. He soon evolved into the starting point guard of the champions.
What awards did he win in his career?
Two-time All-Star, three-time NBA All-Defensive Team.
Danny Granger
10 of 27What is the player's current team?
He currently plays for the Indiana Pacers.
What pick in the draft was he selected?
He was selected 17th overall in the 2005 NBA draft.
What are his stats?
Twenty-one points and five rebounds per game.
Why was he a success?
He broke out in the 2007-08 season. Since then, he has been extremely dominant.
What awards did he win in his career?
One-time All-Star, Most Improved Player Award.
David Lee
11 of 27What is the player's current team?
He currently plays for the Golden State Warriors.
What pick in the draft was he selected?
David Lee was selected 30th overall in the 2005 NBA draft.
What are his stats?
Seventeen points and 10 rebounds per game.
Why was he a success?
As soon as Channing Frye got injured, Lee started and began averaging a double-double. Lee continued to develop into a major contributor off the bench for the Knicks, and set career highs in most major categories, including minutes, points per game and rebounds per game.
What awards did he win in his career?
NBA All-Rookie Game, one-time NBA All-Star.
Monta Ellis
12 of 27What is the player's current team?
He currently plays for the Golden State Warriors
What pick in the draft was he selected?
He was selected 40th overall in the 2005 NBA draft.
What are his stats?
Twenty-four points, six assists and two steals per game.
Why was he a success?
He improved in many categories in his second season, which led to him winning the Most Improved Player of the Year Award. He is a truly prolific scorer, and isn't afraid to shoot difficult shots.
What awards did he win in his career?
Played for NBA Rookie Team, Most Improved Player Award.
Andray Blatche
13 of 27What is the player's current team?
He currently plays for the Washington Wizards.
What pick in the draft was he selected?
He was selected 49th overall in the NBA draft.
What are his stats?
Seventeen points, eight rebounds and two steals per game.
Why was he a success?
Blatche slowly improved, and the staff recognized his improvement. He soon evolved into a starter and a double-double threat.
What awards did he win in his career?
None at the moment.
Al Jefferson
14 of 27What is the player's current team?
Al Jefferson currently plays for the Utah Jazz.
What pick in the draft was he selected?
He was selected 15th overall in the 2004 NBA draft.
What are his stats?
Nineteen points, ten rebounds and two blocks per game.
Why was he a success?
Due to an injury, his role expanded in the rotation. Once he got a chance, he became the star that he is now—just look at his stats above.
What awards did he win in his career?
None at the moment.
Josh Smith
15 of 27What is the player's current team?
Josh Smith currently plays for the Atlanta Hawks.
What pick in the draft was he selected?
He was selected 17th overall in the NBA draft.
What are his stats?
Seventeen points, nine rebounds, two blocks and one steal per game.
Why was he a success?
In his rookie season, he was given a chance and was soon a star. He also is a great dunker and overall player.
What awards did he win in his career?
Slam dunk contest winner.
Dorell Wright
16 of 27What is the player's current team?
He currently plays for the Golden State Warriors.
What pick in the draft was he selected?
He was selected 19th overall in the 2004 NBA draft.
What are his stats?
Sixteen points, and five rebounds per game.
Why was he a success?
He showed improvement in the 2009-10 season. Therefore, the Warriors signed him and gave him a chance to get a major role. He succeeded in that role.
What awards did he win in his career?
Participated in the 2011 three-point contest.
Kevin Martin
17 of 27What is the player's current team?
The Houston Rockets.
What pick in the draft was he selected?
He was the 26th pick overall in the 2004 NBA draft.
What are his stats?
Twenty-three points per game.
Why was he a success?
He sucked until his third season when he evolved into a dominant scorer.
What awards did he win in his career?
He won the 2006-07 NBA Most Improved Player Award.
Josh Howard
18 of 27What is the player's current team?
The Washington Wizards.
What pick in the draft was he selected?
He was the 29th pick in the 2003 NBA draft.
What are his stats?
Eighteen points and five rebounds per game in 51 games in 2008-09 season; after that he barely played.
Why was he a success?
He kept getting more and more minutes. When he soon accumulated a good amount of minutes, he evolved into a great player.
What awards did he win in his career?
One-time NBA All-Star.
David West
19 of 27What is the player's current team?
He's currently playing for the New Orleans Hornets.
What pick in the draft was he selected?
He was the 18th pick overall in the 2003 NBA draft.
What are his stats?
Nineteen points, eight rebounds per game.
Why was he a success?
In the 2007-08 season, he was extremely productive in scoring and rebounding. From there, he kept on building up.
What awards did he win in his career?
Two-time All-Star.
Mo Williams
20 of 27What is the player's current team?
He currently plays for the LA Clippers.
What pick in the draft was he selected?
He was selected 44th overall in the 2003 NBA draft.
What are his stats?
Fifteen points and six assists per game in 22 games on the season with the Clippers.
Why was he a success?
With the injury of T.J. Ford, he filled in for him. He did well, and soon got a major role on the bench. He fit in the position and was successful.
What awards did he win in his career?
One-time All-Star.
Carlos Boozer
21 of 27What is the player's current team?
The Chicago Bulls.
What pick in the draft was he selected?
He was the 35th pick overall in the 2002 NBA draft.
What are his stats?
Eighteen points and 10 rebounds per game.
Why was he a success?
He showed promise early and has been a major contributor throughout his career.
What awards did he win in his career?
Two-time NBA All-Star.
Luis Scola
22 of 27What is the player's current team?
Luis Scola currently plays for the Houston Rockets.
What pick in the draft was he selected?
He was the 56th pick overall in the 2002 NBA draft.
What are his stats?
Eighteen points and eight rebounds.
Why was he a success?
After playing five years in the Euroleague, his rights were traded from San Antonio to Houston. He became a massive breakout, as it showed he really got better in Spain.
What awards did he win in his career?
None in the NBA.
Michael Redd
23 of 27What is the player's current team?
The Milwaukee Bucks.
What pick in the draft was he selected?
He was the 43rd pick in the 2000 NBA draft.
What are his stats?
Twenty-three points in 2007-08 season.
Why was he a success?
In practice he dominated the players. He earned himself the starting job and got rewarded with more minutes, which led him to becoming a star.
What awards did he win in his career?
One-time All-Star.
Zach Randolph
24 of 27What is the players current team he plays for?
The Memphis Grizzlies.
What pick in the draft was he selected?
He was the 19th pick of the 2001 NBA draft.
What are his stats?
Twenty points and 12 rebounds per game.
Why was he a success?
He won the Most Improved Player Award in 2004. Ever since then, he kept getting dealt despite being a huge rebounder.
What awards did he win in his career?
One-time All-Star, Most Improved Player Award.
Gerald Wallace
25 of 27What is the player's current team?
The Portland Trail Blazers.
What pick in the draft was he selected?
He was selected 25th overall in the 2001 NBA draft.
What are his stats?
Sixteen points and eight rebounds.
Why was he a success?
He immediately started once he came to the Bobcats. He was a stable player and averaged around what he is averaging now.
What awards did he win in his career?
One-time All-Star.
Gilbert Arenas
26 of 27What is the player's current team?
He currently plays for the Orlando Magic.
What pick in the draft was he selected?
He was the 30th overall pick in the 2001 NBA draft.
What are his stats?
Twenty-eight points, six assists and five rebounds in the 2006-07 season.
Why was he a success?
The Warriors team was struggling, and they decided why not try young talent. He was the talent. From there he was a star, a great three-point shooter and had many other skills.
What awards did he win in his career?
MVP of the Rookie/Sophomore Game, three-time All-Star and Most Improved Player Award.
Tony Parker
27 of 27What is the player's current team?
The San Antonio Spurs.
What pick in the draft was he selected?
He was the 28th pick in the 2001 NBA draft.
What are his stats?
Eighteen points, seven assists and one steal per game.
Why was he a success?
At first, Parker was a failure in his first try in training camp. He got a second chance after Popovich saw a mixtape of him. He was amazing and became an infatuation to the Spurs team. He began to get minutes and help lead them to multiple championships.
They didn't want to change their team because it was almost perfect. He stayed and kept on doing great, becoming a successful and major part of the Spurs franchise.
What awards did he win in his career?
Three-time All-Star.
For more 2011 NBA draft coverage, stay tuned to Bleacher Report for updated NBA mock drafts, B/R's Big Board of Recruits, NBA draft rumors, NBA draft results and draft grades.
