Category: NBA Brackets (Page 1 of 3)

The Cleveland Cavaliers selected Kansas swingman Andrew Wiggins with the top overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. Wiggins joined the Cavs after spending one year with the Jayhawks. Wiggins was the second-straight Canadian-born player to be taken with the top pick. The Cavs also selected Anthony Bennett with the number-one pick in 2013.

Top Ten Picks of the 2014 NBA Draft

With the second overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, the Milwaukee Bucks selected forward Jabari Parker. Many believed the Duke product could have just as easily been taken by the Cavs at number-one. At number three, the Philadelphia 76ers chose Kansas center Joel Embiid. With the fourth overall pick, the Orlando Magic selected Arizona forward Aaron Gordon. The Utah Jazz took Australian guard Dante Exum to round out the top five.

The rest of the top 10 picks in the 2014 NBA Draft included:

• Boston Celtics – Marcus Smart (PG, Oklahoma State)
• Los Angeles Lakers – Julius Randle (PF, Kentucky)
• Sacramento Kings – Nik Stauskas (SG, Michigan)
• Charlotte Hornets – Noah Vonleh (PF, Indiana)
• Philadelphia 76ers – Elfrid Payton (PG, Louisiana-Lafayette)

With the 11^th overall pick, the Denver Nuggets took Creighton sharpshooter Dough McDermott, who was later traded to the Chicago Bulls. Other notable players selected outside of the top 10 in the 2014 NBA Draft include T.J. Warren, Adreian Payne, Gary Harris, Rodney Hood and Shabazz Napier.

Notes from the 2014 NBA Draft

The 2014 NBA Draft marked the first time a player from the NBA D-League was selected in the first round. Texas Legends guard P.J Hairston was taken by the Heat but was later traded to the Hornets. The 2014 NBA Draft may always be best remembered for the ceremonial selection of Baylor big man Isaiah Austin, who was unable to play in the NBA after being diagnosed with Marfan syndrome. Austin, who was projected by many to go in the first round, was ceremonially picked by the NBA in the middle of the first round.

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The New Jersey Nets selected Cincinnati forward Kenyon Martin with the top overall pick in the 2000 NBA Draft. Martin averaged 12 points and 7.4 rebounds en route to finishing second in Rookie of the Year voting. Martin was also named to the All-Rookie First Team. Martin’s tenure in New Jersey didn’t last long as he was traded to the Denver Nuggets in 2004 in exchange for three first round picks.

Top Ten Picks of the 2000 NBA Draft

With the second overall pick in the 2000 NBA Draft, the Vancouver Grizzlies selected LSU forward Stromile Swift. At number three, the Los Angeles Clippers took swingman Darius Miles. The Chicago Bulls chose forward Marcus Fizer fourth overall. While the Orlando Magic rounded out the top five with the selection of sharpshooter Mike Miller.

Miller went on to win the Rookie of the Year Award and appeared in all 82 games during the 2000-01 NBA season.

The rest of the top 10 picks in the 2000 NBA Draft included:

6. Atlanta Hawks – DerMarr Johnson (SG/SF, Cincinnati)
7. Chicago Bulls – Chris Mihm (C/PF, Texas)
8. Cleveland Cavaliers – Jamal Crawford (SG, Michigan)
9. Houston Rockets – Joel Przybilla (C, Minnesota)
10. Orlando Magic – Keyon Dooling (SG, Missouri)

Notable players selected outside the top 10 in the 2000 NBA Draft include Mateen Cleaves, , Hedo Turkoglu, Quentin Richardson, Jamaal Magloire, Morris Peterson, DeShawn Stevenson and Mark Madsen. The most notable players taken in round two was Michael Redd, who was selected by the Bucks with the 43^rd overall pick.

Redd, Martin and Magloire are the only three players from the 2000 NBA Draft class to ever be named to an All-Star team.

Notes from the 2000 NBA Draft

Martin, Miller, Milers, Peterson and Marc Jackson were named to the All-Rookie First Team. The most notable players that went unselected in the 2000 NBA Draft were Slava Medvedenko and Malik Allen.

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The Washington Wizards took center Kwame Brown with the top overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft. Brown’s lackluster averages of 4.5 points and 3.5 rebounds during his rookie season was a preview of things to come. Brown never reached his perceived potential and is widely regarded as one of the biggest busts in draft history.

Top Ten Picks of the 2001 NBA Draft

With the second overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft, the Chicago Bulls selected Duke guard Jay Williams. Duke teammate and forward Mike Dunleavy Jr. went third overall to the Golden State Warriors. At number four, the Memphis Grizzlies took Kansas forward Drew Gooden. The Denver Nuggets rounded out the top five with the selection of Nikoloz Tskitishvili.

The Los Angeles Clippers selected future All-Star Tyson Chandler with the second overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft. However, the Clippers traded Chandler to the Chicago Bulls. With the third overall pick, the Atlanta Hawks took Pau Gasol, who was then traded to the Vancouver Grizzlies. Gasol would go on to win Rookie of the Year honors.

The Chicago Bulls picked Eddy Curry with the fourth overall pick. The Golden State Warriors rounded out the top five with the selection of swingman Jason Richardson.

The rest of the top 10 picks in the 2001 NBA Draft included:

6. Vancouver Grizzlies – Shane Battier (F, Duke)
7. New Jersey Nets – Eddie Griffin (F, Seton Hall)
8. Cleveland Cavaliers – DeSagana Diop (C, Oak Hill Academy)
9. Detroit Pistons – Rodney White (SF, Charlotte)
10. Boston Celtics – Joe Johnson (SG, Arkansas)

Notable players taken outside the top 10 in the 2001 NBA Draft include Richard Jefferson, Jason Collins, Zach Randolph, Brendan Haywood, Gerald Wallace and Samuel Dalembert. With the last pick in the first round, the San Antonio Spurs selected future All-Star point guard Tony Parker.

The most notable players selected in the second round of the 2001 NBA Draft were Gilbert Arenas and Mehmet Okur. Earl Watson, Jarron Collins and Brian Scalabrine were also taken in the second round.

Notes from the 2001 NBA Draft

Gasol, Battier, Richardson, Parker and Andrei Kirilenko were all named to the All-Rookie First team for the 2001-02 season. Kirilenko was drafted in 1999 but didn’t make his NBA debut until 2001. Notable players that went unselected in the 2001 NBA Draft include Carlos Arroyo, Andres Nocioni and Maurice Evans.

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The Houston Rockets selected center Yao Ming with the top overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft. The 7’6 Yao came to the NBA after spending five years playing professionally in China. Yao averaged 13.5 points and 8.2 rebounds en route to finishing second in Rookie of the Year voting for the 2002-03 season. Yao was also named to the league’s All-Rookie First Team.

Yao spent his entire NBA career with the Rockets, but appeared in only five games over his final two seasons due to injuries.

Top Ten Picks of the 2002 NBA Draft

With the second overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft, the Chicago Bulls selected Duke guard Jay Williams. Duke teammate and forward Mike Dunleavy Jr. went third overall to the Golden State Warriors. At number four, the Memphis Grizzlies took Kansas forward Drew Gooden. The Denver Nuggets rounded out the top five with the selection of Nikoloz Tskitishvili.

The rest of the top 10 picks in the 2002 NBA Draft included:

6. Cleveland Cavaliers – Dajuan Wagner (G, Memphis)
7. New York Knicks – Nene (C, Brazil)
8. Los Angeles Clippers – Chris Wilcox (F/C, Maryland)
9. Phoenix Suns – Amar’e Stoudemire (F, High School)
10. Miami Heat – Caron Butler (SF, UConn)

Other notable players selected in the first round of the 2002 NBA Draft include Jared Jeffries, Juan Dixon, Kareem Rush, Nenad Krstic, John Salmons and Tayshaun Prince. The second round arguably produced as much overall talent, as Carlos Boozer, Matt Barnes, Rasual Butler and Luis Scola all went after round one in the 2002 NBA Draft.

Notes from the 2002 NBA Draft

Stoudemire edged out Yao to win Rookie of the Year honors. Stoudemire, Yao, Butler, Gooden and Nene were all named to the All-Rookie First Team. Notable players who went unselected in the 2002 NBA Draft include Reggie Evans, Udonis Haslem and Smush Parker.

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The Cleveland Cavaliers selected LeBron James with the first overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft. James entered the draft right out of High School in ’03. The Akron native has gone on to become one of the best basketball players of all time.

James won Rookie of the Year honors after averaging 20.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.9 rebounds during the 2003-04 season. James was also named to the league’s All-Rookie First Team. James was just one of several future stars taken in the 2003 NBA Draft.

Top Ten Picks of the 2003 NBA Draft

With the second overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, the Detroit Pistons gambled on center Darko Miličić. The next three picks produced perennial All-Stars. At number three, the Denver Nuggets selected Syracuse forward Carmelo Anthony. With the fourth pick, the Toronto Raptors took Chris Bosh. The Miami Heat selected Marquette guard Dwyane Wade to round out the top five.

The rest of the top 10 picks in the 2003 NBA Draft included:

6. Los Angeles Clippers – Chris Kaman (C, Central Michigan)
7. Chicago Bulls – Kirk Hinrich (PG, Kansas)
8. Milwaukee Bucks – T.J. Ford (PG, Texas)
9. New York Knicks – Michael Sweetney (PF, Georgetown)
10. Washington Wizards – Jarvis Hayes (G/F, Georgia)

Other notable players selected in the first round of the 2003 NBA Draft include Nick Collison, David West, Sasha Pavlovic, Dahntay Jones, Boris Diaw, Kendrick Perkins, Leandro Barbosa and Josh Howard. Notable players who came off the board in the second round of the 2003 NBA Draft include Steve Blake, Zaza Pachulia, Matt Bonner, Mo Williams, James Jones and Kyle Korver.

Notes from the 2003 NBA Draft

Along with James, Anthony, Bosh, Wade and Hinrich were named to the All-Rookie Team. The 2003 NBA Draft is widely regarded as being one of the best draft classes of all time. James would later infamously join forces with Wade and Bosh in Miami in 2010. Anthony was later traded to the Knicks.

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The Orlando Magic selected center Dwight Howard with the top overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft. Howard came to the NBA right out of high school after being named the Naismith Prep Player of the Year. Howard went on to start all 82 games during his rookie season. He would win the first of several Defensive Player of the Year awards in 2009.

Howard was one of eight players selected directly out of high school in the 2004 NBA Draft.

Top Ten Picks of the 2004 NBA Draft

With the second overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft, the Charlotte Bobcats selected UConn big man Emeka Okafor. The Chicago Bulls took Okafor’s UConn teammate and guard Ben Gordon at number three. The Los Angeles Clippers selected guard Shaun Livingston with the fourth overall pick, while the Washington Wizards took guard Devin Harris to round out the top five.

The rest of the top 10 picks in the 2004 NBA Draft included:

6. Atlanta Hawks – Josh Childress (G/F, Stanford)
7. Phoenix Suns – Luol Deng (SF, Duke)
8. Toronto Raptors – Rafael Araujo (C, BYU)
9. Philadelphia 76ers – Andre Iguodala (G/F, Arizona)
10. Cleveland Cavaliers – Luke Jackson (SF, Oregon)

Other notable players taken in the first round of the 2004 NBA Draft include Kris Humphries, Al Jefferson, J.R. Smith, Jameer Nelson, Tony Allen and Delonte West. The Minnesota Timberwolves had to forfeit their first round pick due to salary cap violations.

Notes from the 2004 NBA Draft

Okafor took home Rookie of the Year honors for the 2004-05 NBA season. Okafor, Howard, Gordon, Iguodala and Deng were named to the league’s All-Rookie team.

Some notable players that were taken in the second round of the 2004 NBA Draft include Anderson Varejao, Chris Duhon and Trevor Ariza. The most notable player that wasn’t taken in the 2004 NBA Draft was Hamed Haddadi, who is the first-ever Iranian-born player to get minutes in an NBA game.

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The Toronto Raptors selected forward Andrea Bargnani with the top overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft. Bargnani came to the NBA after spending time as a professional in Italy. The seven-footer appeared in 65 games in his rookie season, averaging 11 points and just under four rebounds per game. Bargnani spent the first seven years of his career in Toronto before being dealt to the New York Knicks in 2013.

Top Ten Picks in the 2005 NBA Draft

With the second overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft, the Atlanta Hawks selected North Carolina guard Marvin Williams. A pair of future All-Stars would be taken off the board next. First, the Utah Jazz chose Illinois guard Deron Williams with the third overall pick. The New Orleans Hornets then took Wake Forest guard Chris Paul fourth. The Charlotte Bobcats selected North Carolina guard Raymond Felton.

The top 10 picks in the 2005 NBA Draft included:

6. Portland Trail Blazers – Martell Webster (G/F, High School)
7. Toronto Raptors – Charlie Villanueva (F, UConn)
8. New York Knicks – Channing Frye (C, Arizona)
9. Golden State Warriors – Ike Diogu (F, Arizona State)
10. Los Angeles Lakers – Andrew Bynum (C, High School)

Another pair of future All-Stars were taken outside the top 10 in the first round of the 2005 NBA Draft. The Indiana Pacers grabbed Danny Granger 17^th overall, while the New York Knicks selected David Lee with the final pick of the 2005 NBA Draft.

Other notable players taken in the first round include Gerald Green, Nate Robinson, Jarrett Jack and Francisco Garcia.

2005 NBA Draft Notes

Chris Paul was selected as the Rookie of the Year for the 2005-06 NBA season. Paul, along with Bogut, Villanueva, Deron Williams and Frye were named to the All-Rookie First Team. Notable players who went unselected in the 2005 NBA Draft include Will Bynum, Chuck Hayes, Aaron Miles and Ronnie Price.

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The Toronto Raptors selected forward Andrea Bargnani with the top overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft. Bargnani came to the NBA after spending time as a professional in Italy. The seven-footer appeared in 65 games in his rookie season, averaging 11 points and just under four rebounds per game. Bargnani spent the first seven years of his career in Toronto before being dealt to the New York Knicks in 2013.

Top Ten Picks in the 2006 NBA Draft

With the second overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft, the Chicago Bulls selected future All-Star forward LaMarcus Aldridge, who was later dealt to the Portland Trail Blazers for the fourth overall pick, forward Tyrus Thomas. At number three, the Charlotte Bobcats picked Gonzaga forward Adam Morrison. The Atlanta Hawks rounded out the top five with the selection of Duke forward Shelden Williams.

The top 10 picks in the 2006 NBA Draft included:

6. Minnesota Timberwolves – Brandon Roy (G, Washington)
7. Boston Celtics – Randy Foye (G, Villanova)
8. Houston Rockets – Rudy Gay (F, UConn)
9. Golden State Warriors – Patrick O’Bryant (C, Bradley)
10. Seattle SuperSonics – Mouhamed Sene (C, Belgium)

The most notable player drafted outside of the top 10 in the first round of the 2007 NBA Draft is guard Rajon Rondo, who was selected by the Phoenix Suns but was later shipped to the Boston Celtics. Other notable players selected in the first round of the 2006 NBA Draft include J.J. Redick, Thabo Sefolosha, Ronnie Brewer, Shannon Brown, Jordan Farmar and Kyle Lowry.

2006 NBA Draft Notes

Brandon Roy, who was selected by the Timberwolves but traded to the Trail Blazers, was named the Rookie of the Year for the 2006-07 season. Roy, Bargnani, Foye, Gay, Aldridge and Jorge Garbajosa were named to the leagues All-Rookie Team.

Notable players who went unselected in the 2006 NBA Draft include J.J. Barea, C.J. Watson and Lou Amudson.

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The Portland Trail Blazers selected center Greg Oden with the first overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft. Oden joined the Blazers after spending one season at Ohio State. Oden helped the Buckeyes reach the national championship game in his only year with the team. Oden only appeared in 82 games in the first two years of his career. He was released by Portland in 2012.

With the second pick, the then-Seattle SuperSonics chose future All-Star and league MVP Kevin Durant. It wasn’t the first time Portland missed badly on a pick, as the Blazers infamously passed on Michael Jordan to select Sam Bowie with the second pick in the 1984 draft. Jordan went third to the Chicago Bulls.

Top Ten Picks in the 2007 NBA Draft

With the third pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, the Atlanta Hawks selected future All-Star forward Al Horford. At number four, the Memphis Grizzlies took point guard Mike Conley Jr. The Boston Celtics rounded out the top five with the selection of Georgetown forward Jeff Green.

The top 10 picks in the 2007 NBA Draft included:

6. Milwaukee Bucks – Yi Jianlian (PF, China)
7. Minnesota Timberwolves – Corey Brewer (SF, Florida)
8. Charlotte Bobcats – Brandan Wright (PF, North Carolina)
9. Chicago Bulls – Joakim Noah (C, Florida)
10. Sacramento Kings – Spencer Hawes (C, Washington)

Other notable players selected in the first round of the 2007 NBA Draft include Thaddeus Young, Rodney Stuckey, Nick Young, Marco Belinelli, Daequan Cook, Jared Dudley, Wilson Chandler, Rudy Fernandez, Aaron Brooks, Arron Afflalo and Tiago Splitter.

2007 NBA Draft Notes

Durant took home Rookie of the Year honors for the 2007-08 NBA season. Durant, along with Horford, Green, Al Thornton and Luis Scola were named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. The most notable player selected in the second round of the 2007 NBA Draft is center Marc Gasol. Drafted 48^th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers, Marc would later be traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in a deal involving his brother, Pau.

Joel Anthony, Anthony Tolliver and Gary Neal were among those who went unselected in the 2007 NBA Draft.

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The Chicago Bulls selected guard Derrick Rose with the first overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft. Rose joined the Bulls after spending one year at the University of Memphis. The Tigers reached the national championship game in Rose’s only year with the team.

Rose would go on to win Rookie of the Year honors for the 2008-09 NBA season and made the All-Star team in his second year.

Top Ten Picks in the 2008 NBA Draft

With the second pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, the Miami Heat selected Kansas State forward Michael Beasley. At number three, the Minnesota Timberwolves took USC guard O.J. Mayo. The then-Seattle SuperSonics selected UCLA guard Russell Westbrook fourth overall, while the Memphis Grizzlies rounded out the top five with the selection of UCLA forward Kevin Love.

The Grizzlies later sent the draft rights to Love to the Timberwolves in exchange for the rights to Mayo.

The top 10 picks in the 2008 NBA Draft included:

6. New York Knicks – Danilo Gallinari (SF, Italy)
7. Los Angeles Clippers – Eric Gordon (SG, Indiana)
8. Milwaukee Bucks – Joe Alexander (SF, West Virginia)
9. Charlotte Bobcats – D.J. Augustin (PG, Texas)
10. New Jersey Nets – Brook Lopez (C, Stanford)

The Phoenix Suns took Brook’s twin brother, Robin, with the 15^th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft. Other notable players selected in the first round include center Roy Hibbert, power forward Serge Ibaka, small forward Nicolas Batum, and point guard George Hill.

2008 NBA Draft Notes

Rose, along with Mayo, Westbrook, Brook Lopez, and Beasley were named to the 2008-09 NBA All-Rookie First Team. Notable players selected in the second round of the 2008 NBA Draft include Nikola Pekovic, Mario Chalmers, DeAndre Jordan, Omer Asik and Goran Dragic.

Players who went unselected in the 2008 NBA Draft include Gary Forbes, Timofey Mozgov, Anthony Morrow and Greg Stiemsma.

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