What can I say? I'm a real sucka for NBA Draft history. My friend and fellow Dubs fanatic Adam Lauridsen has researched and put together a thought-provoking piece Nelson on Draft Day: An Appreciation over on Fast Break, which examines the 14 drafts Don Nelson has been the head honcho in the front office of the Golden State Warriors and Dallas Mavericks. Unlike Chris Mullin's spotty draft history, it's hard to argue with Nellie's draft and scouting acumen. This is one sharp and shrewd hoops mind.
Nellie and Lucky know NBA Draft. via farm2.static.flickr.com
Make the jump for some foto fun and player highlights.
1988 #5 pick Mitch Richmond (SG) [Basketball-Reference.com]
It's the rock! via www.beckett.com
- 14 year NBA career
- 21.0 career ppg
- 1988-1989 NBA Rookie of the Year: 22ppg, 5.9 rpg, 4.2 apg. 1 steal
- 6 time NBA All-Star
- 5 time All-NBA Team
1989 #14 pick Tim Hardaway (PG) [Basketball-Reference.com]
Killer Crossover. Killer Rookie. via www.checkoutmycards.com
- 13 year NBA career
- Career: 17.7 ppg, 8.2 apg, 1.6 stl
- 1989-1990 All NBA Rookie 1st Team
- 5 time NBA All-Star
- 5 time All-NBA Team
Mini Manute? via www.checkoutmycards.com
- 14 year NBA career
- Career: 9.4 ppg and 8.6 rpg
- 14th highest career total rebounding percentage in league history
- Named to 1995 NBA All-Star Team
Who can forget good ol' Gatty? via www.beckett.com
- 11 year NBA career
- Led league in field goal percentage/ effective field goal percentage in 1994-1995 and finished 2nd and 3rd respectively in 1995-1996
- Named to 1997 NBA All-Star Team
RARE. via farm4.static.flickr.com
- 5 year NBA career
- Averaged double digits scoring twice for the Warriors
A different type of European pick. via media.rockymountainnews.com
- Never played in league- see Wikipedia
- BUST
Little did we know he'd have so much trouble feeding his family. via www.checkoutmycards.com
- 13 year NBA career
- Career: 18.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 4.0 apg
- 1992-1993 All NBA Rookie 2nd Team
- 1993-1994 All NBA Defensive 2nd Team
- 4 time NBA All-Star
- 1993-1994 All-NBA 1st Team
- 1996-1996 5th in lead points per game at 24.2
1993 #1 pick Chris Webber (PF/C) (via trade for Anfernee Hardaway) [Basketball-Reference.com]
I remember ripping Fantasy Junkie off for one of these back in the day! via www.checkoutmycards.com
- 15 year NBA career
- Career: 20.7 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 4.2 apg, 1.4 blk, 1.4 stl
- 1993-1994 Rookie of the Year: 17.5 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 3.6 apg, 2.2 blk (career high), 1.2 stl
- Led league in rebounding at 13.0 rpg in 1998-1999
- 5 time NBA All-Star
- 5 time All-NBA Team
He sure did make it easier for CWebb to play power forward... on the Bullets, Wizards, Kings, and Sixers. via www.checkoutmycards.com
- 4 year NBA career
- BUST
- 11 year NBA career (thus far)
- Career: 22.7 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 2.7 apg,
- 8 time NBA All-Star
- 9 time All-NBA Team
- 2006-2007 NBA MVP
- Lead league in assists per game 3 times: 2004-2005 (11.5 apg), 2005-2006 (10.5 apg), 2006-2007 (11.6 apg)
- 2 time NBA MVP
- 6 time NBA All-Star
- 6 time All-NBA Team
- Career: 15.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 1.1 stl
- 2003-2004 NBA All-Rookie 2nd Team
- 2007 NBA All-Star
- Another interesting trade.
Quite possibly the tackiest NBA jerseys ever made. via images.usatoday.com
MYTHS
- Don Nelson does not play rookies. See Richmond, Hardaway, Hill, Gatling, Alexander, Sprewell, Webber, Rozier, Nowitzski, Alexander, and Howard.
- Chris Mullin has a better draft record than Don Nelson and his associates. (Nellie draft day All-Star count in Warriors and Mavs years: 9; Mullin draft day All-Star count: ZERO)
- Don Nelson does not draft/ like big men. See Hill, Gatty, Big Vic, CWebb, Rozier, and Dirk.
I can only guarantee you that there's more draft day reflection in store on GSoM. (This is like our playoffs!)