Number 5 – The Class of 1992

Lets start off at the top Shaquille O’Neil one of the top 5 Centers in NBA history, but IMHO, the only player from this draft class who has the credentials to make the Hall of Fame (HOF). The number 2 pick Alonzo Mourning might have an outside chance at the HOF, but if I were a betting man, I would bet against Mourning getting in. Other significant players/contributors from this class include Jimmy Jackson, Robert “Big Shot Bob” Horry, Oliver Miller, Latrell Sprewell, PJ Brown, and Brent Price. Some of the disappointments and their selection in parentheses would include Christian Laettner (3), LaPhonso Ellis (5), Harold Miner (12) and Tom Gugliotta (6).

Number 4 – The Class of 1987

The number one pick of the 1987 draft was David Robinson and the number 5 selection Scottie Pippen, both not only sure “no-brainer” Hall of Famers, but also the number 11 pick Reggie Miller, also a sure to be HOFer. A fourth possible HOF candidate is Mark Jackson who is current second on the all-time list of assist leaders, trailing only John Stockton. Other good contributing members of this class included Kenny Smith (6), Kevin Johnson (7), Olden Polynice (8), Horace Grant (10). To balance out the good, this draft also included such stinkers as Armon Gilliam (2), Dennis Hopson (3), Reggie Williams (4). This draft also included Reggie Lewis, who was well on his way to a great career with the Boston Celtics, when a heart aliment ended his life prematurely.

Number 3 – The Class of 2003

This is without a doubt the hardest class to rate in this list, mainly because they have not played long enough to establish their career or role for the team that they play for or their role in the league. I do believe however, that there will be 2 definite HOFer from this class, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade a third possible candidate is Carmelo Anthony, but at his current level of play I do believe that Anthony will fall short of the HOF level. The remainder of this year’s class includes such players as Chris Bosh and Kirk Hinrich, who are sturdy, hard working players, but not quite at the HOF level. TJ Ford and Boris Diaw, along with Chris Kaman and Leandrinho Barbosa, Josh Howard and Luke Walton are also gifted role players destine for 10 plus years of an NBA career.

Number 2 – The Class of 1996

Allen Iverson possibly the greatest 6 foot player in NBA history was the number 1 selection of this years draft and will no doubt be a member of the Hall of Fame as soon as he is eligible, the class also included Kobe Bryant (13) and Steve Nash (15) who are also pretty much guaranteed a spot in the HOF when they retire. Two other players Ray Allen (5) and Jermaine O’Neil are very, very strong candidates for the HOF if they continue to put up numbers as they have for the next 2-3 seasons. Besides these 5 great players this years draft included Marcus Camby (2), Shareef Adbur-Rahim (3), Stephon Marbury (4) and Antoine Walker (6) all of which have been solid good NBA players. Throw in players such as Peja Stojakovic (14), Zydrunas Ilgauskas (20), and Derek Fisher (24) and you have an additional 7 players who have established very good NBA careers. Which now leads you to my number one selection, surprise.

Number 1 – The Class of 1984

I defy you to find any list that does not include as the number 1 greatest NBA player of all-time as Michael Jordan, and he was only the 3rd pick of this years draft. Now I know that arguments will be made for generations that he should have been selected ahead of Akeem Olajuwon and without question ahead of Same Bowie, but that debate is left for a future article. Besides the 2 HOFers I just mentioned, the 5th pick of this years draft was Charles Barkley, another guaranteed HOFer, then, if you drop all the way down to the 16th pick (can you say under-rated) where a 4th HOFer was selected in John Stockton. Heck you can even go into the 2nd round at the 22nd pick and find Jerome Kersey who put up very solid stats for 17 years. Other players such as Sam Perkins (4th), Alvin Robertson (7th), Otis Thorpe (9th), Kevin Willis (11th) and Michael Cage (14th) pretty much ends any argument as to the greatness of this draft class. While Sam Bowie may not have lived up to his college hype, he did have a solid 10-year NBA career. The busts of this class would have been Mel Turpin (6th), Lancaster Gordon (8th) and Tim McCormick (12th).

Well that’s all I have this time around. Let the debate begin if you don’t agree with my top 5 picks or if you have a class that you feel I slighted and should be here.

Thanks for reading.

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Lloyds Apple said:

	It is hard to argue with that list. I can't believe you included Luke Walton on the 2003 list. IMO, 2003 may pass 1996 before long and I think Anthony has a great shot at the HOF. 1984 seems untouchable for now. Jordan and Olajuwon accounted for 8 titles and of course it produced the best b-ball analyst, Sir Charles.
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July 12, 2007
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