Greatest NBA Draft Picks by Slot

The following article is one journalist's take on the greatest NBA draft picks by draft slot. His list is as follows:

1. Magic Johnson, Lakers, 1979 (also in this slot: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O'Neal and Tim Duncan)
2. Bill Russell, Celtics, 1956
3. Michael Jordan, Bulls, 1984
4. Dave Cowens, Celtics, 1970
5. Kevin Garnett, Timberwolves, 1995 (also in this slot: Scottie Pippen, Dwyane Wade, Walt Frazier, Charles Barkley and Ray Allen)
6. Larry Bird, Celtics, 1978
7. John Havlicek, Celtics, 1962
8. Sam Jones, Celtics, 1957 (also in this slot: Robert Parish)
9. Dirk Nowitzki, Bucks, 1998
10. Paul Pierce, Celtics, 1998
11. Reggie Miller, Pacers, 1987 (also in this slot: Allan Houston, Robert Horry and Kiki Vandeweghe)
12. Julius Erving, Bucks, 1972
13. Kobe Bryant, Charlotte Hornets, 1996 (also in this slot: Karl Malone)
14. Clyde Drexler, Trail Blazers, 1983
15. Steve Nash, Suns, 1996
16. John Stockton, Jazz, 1984 (also in this slot: Ron Artest)
17. Shawn Kemp, Seattle SuperSonics, 1989 (also in this slot: Danny Granger)
18. Joe Dumars, Pistons, 1985 (also in this slot: Calvin Murphy, Mark Jackson and David West)
19. Nate Archibald, Cincinnati Royals, 1970 (also in this slot: Rod Strickland and John Paxson)
20. Gus Williams, Warriors, 1975 (also in this slot: Jameer Nelson)
21. Michael Finley, Suns, 1995 (also in this slot: Rajon Rondo)
22. Reggie Lewis, Celtics, 1987 (also in this slot: George McGinnis and Norm Nixon)
23. Alex English, 1976, Bucks
24. Sam Cassell, 1993, Rockets (also in this slot: Arvydas Sabonis, Andrei Kirilenko and Latrell Sprewell, as well as Lakers Rick Fox, Brian Shaw and Derek Fisher)
25. Mark Price, 1986, Cavaliers (also in this slot: John Drew, Gerald Wallace and Bob Gross)
26. Vlade Divac, 1989, Lakers
27. Dennis Rodman, Pistons, 1986
28. Tony Parker, Spurs, 2001
29. Dennis Johnson, 1976, Seattle SuperSonics
30. Gilbert Arenas, 2001, Warriors

What do you guys think? I think LeBron has a chance to take over at #1. John Stockton at #16 is a steal.

i still love that 3rd pick...man i feel bad for the two teams that over looked him lol.

Houston didn't do so badly with Hakeem at #1 that year. Sam Bowie at #2 turned out to be a mistake, but at the time, I guess you couldn't fault the Blazers who already had Clyde Drexler from the draft in the year before. Also, the consensus back then was that you build championship teams around big men. To a certain extent, that thinking still exists today.

Celtics dominate the top 10. They certainly did some fine draft pick in the past. No question about Russell, Bird and Pierce. But as much as I love KG, I think he should be replaced with Wade.

And Lebron could take #1 in the future only if he stays with the cavs a few more years (and it doesnt look like it right now). His success with the cavs cant top Magic Johnson's success with the Lakers...(as of now)
and of course, Lebron's future success with other teams will have no effect on that list.

Don Sicilia...who would you rather see at #16 instead?

who ever the bulls select at 16 should be at that spot lol jk

No one. What I meant by a steal was that I was surprised that you can get someone of Stockton's caliber at the #16 slot.

Dave Cowens at #4? I never saw him play and he's not as revered as other Celtic greats. Was he really that good to warrant being the best #4 pick of all time?

Cowens was probably a little before your time. I was just a kid when he played, but he was outstanding, and his intensity on both offense and defense is unsurpassed. He won a league MVP award, and was a key factor in two Celtic championships in the mid-70s. In fact, I think he was the most valuable contributor on those teams that had Havlicek, Jo Jo White, Don Nelson and Don Chaney.

He played center at only 6-9, which was on the small side even for that era, but it was Bill Russell, who convinced the Cs to draft him. He was a very versatile center, who once led his team in assists.

I don't know who the other #4 picks are, but Big red is a tough one to top.

I looked up historical #4's and you're right, Cowens sounds like he'll be really tough to top. Chris Paul may have an outside chance, but it will be tough for him, being in LeBron's era.