April 7, 200818 yr With all the talk about the NBA draft busts, how about some of the NBA draft steals? Here are a few that come to mind of all time: Maurice Cheeks (West Texas State) – Drafted in the 2nd round with the 36th pick of the 1978 NBA Draft by Philadelphia. Maurice helped Philadelphia to the ’83 NBA title. He holds the all-time Philadelphia assists and steals mark and was named to five All-Defensive Teams. Played 16 years in the NBA and made the playoffs in 13 of those years. He is currently the head coach of Philadelphia. Jack Sikma (Illinois Wesleyan) – Drafted with the eighth pick in the first round of the 1977 NBA Draft by Seattle. Two time NAIA all american. John Stockton (Gonzaga) – Drafted with the 16th pick in the first round of the 1984 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz. Played 19 seasons in the league and was named one of the NBA greatest 50 players of all time. Scottie Pippen (Central Arkansas) – Drafted in the first round of the 1987 NBA Draft as the fifth pick by Seattle and then traded to the Chicago Bulls for Olden Polynice who was taken as the seventh pick in the first round. 6 championships later was named as one of the 50 greatest players of all time. Karl Malone (Louisiana Tech) – Drafted in the first round with the 13th pick of the ’84 NBA Draft. Bill Laimbeer (Notre Dame) – Drafted in the third round with the 65th pick of the 1979 NBA Draft and traded to Detroit in 1982 after spending one year in Italy and a year and a half in Cleveland. Averaged just 7 ppg in college but was a 4 time all star in the league and won 2 NBA titles Paul Silas (Creighton) – Drafted in the second round of the 1964 NBA Draft by the St. Louis Hawks as the 12th pick. Made 5 NBA All defensive teams. Ben Wallace (Virginia Union) – Not drafted by any NBA teams. Signed as a free agent with Washington in October of 1996. NBA defensive POY 02, 03, 05. and 06. Al Attles (North Carolina A&T) – Drafted in the fifth round by Philadelphia in 1960 as the 39th pick. He played in 711 games over an 11-year period and appeared in 62 playoff games over a seven-year stretch.
April 7, 200818 yr Here's what I don't get, how is Scottie Pippen a sleeper considering he was the 5th pick in the 1987 draft? I don't think anyone in the first round of the NBA draft could be considered a real "sleeper".
April 7, 200818 yr Author Kelenna Azubuike Azubuike didn't exactly play at a small school though like the above mentioned. I should have said small time college players who made it big in the NBA.
April 7, 200818 yr Azubuike didn't exactly play at a small school though like the above mentioned. I should have said small time college players who made it big in the NBA. I don't think it has anything to do with the size of the college or the conference the player came from. I think it has to do with players that weren't drafted or that were drafted low and went on to make teams and contribute. Azubuike is a "great" player, but he is averaging 8 PPG off the bench and will probably continue to improve. Not bad for an NBDL player.
April 7, 200818 yr Author How about these: Manu Ginobili- Chosen with the 57th pick by San Antonio in 1999. Hard to believe this guy was chosen after Frederic Weis, Cal Bowdler, and Leon Smith Dirk Nowitski- Chosen with the 9th pick by Milwaukee in 1998 (traded to Dallas), Nowitzki has become one of the more dominant players in the NBA. His success has led to foreign players being picked earlier in the draft rather than choosing prolific college players like Raef Lafrentz and Robert Traylor who were selected ahead of Nowitzki. Gilbert Arenas-Chosen with the 31st pick in 2001 by the Golden State Warriors, Arenas has developed into one of the better young point guards in the NBA. Arena’s success suggests teams made a major mistake drafting Kedrick Brown, Kirk Haston, and Joe Forte ahead of him to name a few. Only downside is he has been injury plagued the past few years Kobe Bryant- Chosen with the 13th pick by Charlotte in 1996 (Traded to L.A.), Bryant has become the best player in the NBA IMO. Hard to believe he was taken right after Todd Fuller and Vitaly Potapenko in the ’96 draft.
April 7, 200818 yr The "Mailman" Karl Malone. I think he exceded his potential coming out of La. Tech.
April 7, 200818 yr Author The "Mailman" Karl Malone. I think he exceded his potential coming out of La. Tech. Malone is definetly up there considering where he came from. Drafted in the first round with the 13th pick of the ’84 NBA Draft. There were plenty of skeptics regarding his ability and he only went on to play 19 years as a partner of one of the most potent twosomes in NBA history with Stockton. Malone is a member of the 50th anniversary team (with Stockton), was the league’s MVP in 1997 and 1999 and was named to the All-NBA First Team 11 times (Second Team twice). He played on the winning U.S. Olympic teams in 1992 and 1996 and holds too many team and league records to mention.
April 7, 200818 yr Steve Nash anyone? He was a 3rd string pg his rookie year..and now he's a 2 time MVP Bruce Bowen Gerald Wallace Cuttino Mobley
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