By NBA Tipoff

About a week ago, I was having a talk with my boy Da Monsta and he made a point about #1 overall picks that got me thinking a little deeper about the NBA. He mentioned when you draft a player #1 overall, the expectation is stark: win a championship or be a failure.

So I decided to dig a little and look at the last 20 #1 number one picks for the last 20 years and evaluate his statement based on that premise.

Here’s what I found: only two players drafted #1 overall in the past 20 years have won a championship as the team’s best player or at least second best player on their team. And only one player in the past 20 years has been drafted #1 overall and won the title with the team that drafted him. After conducting extensive research, I figured I’d take it up a notch and rank the last 20 #1 overall picks.

In order to properly list them, I looked at their careers, the level of success of their teams, their personal level of success and the amount of teams they played for. The last one was important to me, because a “can’t miss” player shouldn’t be  traded left right and center.

So with that in mind, I’m going to ask my good friend David Stern to present each player. Ready Dave? We’re doing this in reverse order, let’s kick it…

“And with the #1 pick in the 1998 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Clippers select Pacific center…”

20. Michael Olowokandi

Career numbers: 8.3 PG, 6.8 RG, 0.7 AG, 1.4 BPG, 43.5FG%
Best season is 2002-03: 12.3 PPG, 9.1 RG, 1.3 APG, 2.2 BPG, 42.7 FG%
Accomplishments: None, except he was a screen saver on countless computers in the world.

Teams played on: LA Clippers, Minnesota, Boston.

Analysis: The Kandi Man is one of the worst #1 draft picks in the history of the draft. NBA general managers and head coaches expect their centers (especially when drafted number one overall) to rebound, score inside at a high rate, shoot a high percentage and defend the paint. Olowokandi did none of those. His contributions to the Clippers were mostly in terms of poster material; and by that I mean he was the one getting dunked on in every Clippers poster. But then again, getting the Kandi Man allowed the Clips to eventually get the next guy.

“And with the #1 pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Clippers select Oklahoma State center…”

19. Blake Griffin

Career numbers: 0.0 PPG, 0.0 RPG, 0.0 APG, 0.0 BPG, 0.0 FG%
Best season: 0.0 PPG, 0.0 RPG, 0.0 APG, 0.0 BPG, 0.0 FG%
Minutes played so far in NBA career: 0.

Analysis: If the #20 spot didn’t tell you just how bad the Olowokandi pick was, this should. Blake Griffin has yet to suit up for the Clippers (scheduled to play next year after surgery) and yet he is still a better #1 pick than the Kandi Man. He smiles for the camera and gets stars to actually talk to him and give him advice. Olowokandi was like the NBA’s version of bad porn: overexposed, awkward, clearly out of place and yet you couldn’t look away.

“And with the #1 pick in the 2001 NBA Draft, the Washington Wizards select Glynn Academy center…”

18. Kwame Brown

Career numbers: 6.9 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 1.0 APG, 0.7 BPG, 48.8 FG%
Best season is 2003-04: 10.9 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 1.5 APG, 0.7 BPG, 48.9 FG%
Accomplishments: Being MJ’s biatch and being one of the few people to play with MJ and Kobe.

Teams played on: Washington, LA Lakers, Memphis, Detroit.

Analysis: In case you were trying to erase it from your memory, this is Michael Jordan’s legacy as a general manager in Washington. He selected a high school player from Glynn Academy he hoped would become the next Kevin Garnett. Unfortunately, Jordan completely crushed his confidence in practice and Kwame Brown became one of the examples of why high school seniors should not be allowed to enter the NBA. Brown eventually left Washington to join the Lakers with hope that a change of scenery would help him blossom into a player with less pressure coming from management and the coaching staff. Turns out that Kwame Brown was exactly the same in Los Angeles as Washington. However, Lakers fans are forever grateful to Kwame because his expiring contract allowed the Lakers to get Pau Gasol and eventually win a title. Sadly, Kwame is still waiting for his ring in the mail.

“And with the #1 pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, the Portland Trail Blazers select Ohio State center…”

17. Greg Oden

Career numbers: 9.4 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 0.6 APG, 1.4 BPG, 57.7 FG%
Best season is 2009-10: 11.1 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 0.9 APG, 2.3 BPG, 60.5 FG%
Accomplishments: Has probably committed more fouls than Bill Laimbeer and Charles Oakley combined at this point in his career.

Team played on: Portland.

Analysis: Greg Oden spent one year at Ohio State and turned the university into a Final Four. Early in his first collegiate season, Oden had damaged his right wrist and therefore was forced to play left handed for most of the NCAA season. Nonetheless, Oden was undeterred as he put himself on the college basketball map as he poured in 15.7 points per game and grabbed 9.6 rebounds per game; once again, all with one hand. He was eerily reminiscent of David Robinson. He ran the floor, jumped over people for powerful dunks and completely discouraged people from driving when he was underneath the basket. Oden led his team to the National Championship game, only to lose to a more experienced Florida team. He then declared himself eligible for what was known as the “Oden-Durant draft”. Oden went first and Kevin Durant went  second in the draft. Although Oden has produced when he has played; his career has been plagued by injuries and foul trouble. Believe me when I say this, if Oden can ever stay healthy; he’ll be good. I’m talking Alonzo Mourning type good; but if he can’t, he’ll just be a bigger version of Penny Hardaway: tons of talent and potential, but too many injuries to overcome.

“And with the #1 overall pick in the 1995 draft, the Golden State Warriors select Maryland power forward…”

16. Joe Smith

Career numbers: 11.3 PPG, 6.6 RPG,  1.0 APG, 0.9 BPG, 45.6 FG%
Best season is 1996-97: 18.7 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.1 BPG, 45.4 FG%
Accomplishments: Destroying Garnett’s chances at a title in Minnesota.

Teams played on: Golden State, Philadelphia, Minnesota, Milwaukee, Denver, Chicago, Cleveland, Oklahoma, Atlanta.

Analysis: Joe Smith was never going to be the second best player on a championship team, let alone a franchise player. And yet, Golden State drafted him as such. After putting up numbers in Golden State, but failing to help the team achieve any type of success, management did what men do when they’re done with their booty call: they showed him the door. Smith went to Philadelphia and later ended up in Minnesota. He signed a mafia type free agent contract (Minnesota’s management tried to circumvent the salary cap by giving Smith money under the table); however, the almighty NBA commissioner David Stern found out and thus voided the contract when he got word of it (about a year later). He then suspended Minnesota general manager Kevin McHale for a year and stripped the team of their five future first round picks. Think about what you just read; there’s nothing in there about Joe Smith’s basketball skills, his participation in one of the best playoff games ever or anything of that nature. His legacy is that he and McHale ruined a potential championship caliber team in Minnesota by handcuffing the team’s ability to draft. And yet it seems people have forgotten…..until today.

“And with the #1 pick in the 2006 NBA Draft, the Toronto Raptors select Italy center…”

15. Andrea Bargnani

Career numbers: 13.2 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 1.0 APG, 0.9 BPG, 43.3 FG%
Best season is 2009-10:  17.3 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 1.0 APG, 1.4 BPG, 46.9 FG%
Accomplishments: Being a big man that doesn’t rebound

Teams played on: Toronto

Analysis: When Bryan Colangelo drafted Bargnani, the thought was that he would be the next Dirk Nowitzki. What that meant was that he and Chris Bosh were going to be the premier big men tandem in the NBA. Bosh was going to bang inside and Bargnani would mix his game up to go outside and inside to complement Bosh. However, something happened along the way; Bargnani showed some promise, but more like a broken promise. He was and still is soft. If his jumper isn’t falling, he disappears from games. He has trouble defending players on the perimeter as well as down on the block. No one is saying it, but instead of getting the next Dirk, it seems as though the Raptors have gotten the next Hedo Turkoglu; which is funny in itself because Colangelo signed Turkoglu over the summer. Think I’m exaggerating? Look at their career numbers (take this into account as well; next season Turkoglu will be making $ 9 million and Bargnani will be making $8 million):

Andrea Bragnani: 13.2 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 1.0 APG, 0.9 BPG, 43.3 FG%, 37.7 3PT FG%
Hedo Turkoglu: 12.3 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 2.8 APG, o.3 BPG, 42.7 FG%, 38.5 3PT FG%

I’m well aware that Bargnani is younger and that he might develop a little more in the next few years; nonetheless, the Raptors had a shot at potentially drafting Brandon Roy or Rudy Gay and instead passed on them for a slightly taller version of Turkoglu.

“And with the #1 pick in the 2005 NBA Draft, the Milwaukee Bucks select Utah center….”

14. Andrew Bogut

Career numbers: 12.3 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.2 BPG, 53.1 FG%
Best season is 2009-10: 15.6 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 2.1 APG, 2.2 BPG, 50.9 FG%
Accomplishments: None.

Teams played on: Milwaukee

Analysis: Andrew Bogut is somewhat of a conundrum. I saw him play at Utah and he was a dominant low post and high post player. He understood how to find players back door in the high post and punished his defenders in the low post.

He had all the tools to be successful in the NBA. But then he got to the NBA, and well, they decided to put him on the low block but not feed him the ball. Why bother drafting a center number one overall if you’re not planning on making him a big part of the team? I seriously don’t get it. As I mentioned in the Olowokandi analysis, what you want of your center is for him to rebound, defend the paint, and make a bit more than half his shots. Well look at Bogut’s stats; isn’t that exactly what he does? I will say though, he has been injured throughout the years; but still, is there any other reason why this guy shouldn’t be a more imposing force in the NBA? Well actually there is; Milwaukee has been a predominantly perimeter oriented offense in the past few years. Between Mo Williams, Luke Ridnour, Richard Jefferson, Bobby Simmons, Michael Redd and now Brandon Jennings; the focus has never truly been to give the ball inside to Bogut. But then again, there’s probably a reason though right?  Andrew Bogut might have #1 draft pick talent, but probably not #1 draft pick attitude.

“And with the #1 pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, the Chicago Bulls select Memphis point guard…”

13. Derrick Rose

Career numbers: 17.3 PPG, 3.8 RG, 6.2 APG, 0.8 SPG, 47.4 FG%
Best season is 2009-10: 19.4 PG, 3.8 RPG, 5.9 AG, 0.8 SPG, 47.1 FG%
Accomplishments: 2008-09 NBA Rookie of the Year
Teams played on: Chicago

Analysis: Derrick Rose is only low on this list because we don’t have a big enough sample of his career. For the past two seasons, the young point guard has really impressed people around the NBA. Last season, he ran the offense and looked for his players and deferred to Ben Gordon in the clutch, as the Bulls would continuously ride his hot hand. Chicago let Gordon leave via free agency and replaced him with a guy they already had on the roster; his name: Derrick Rose or as I like to call him, Officer Rick Rose (that’s a 50 Cent reference: because once word leaked out that self-proclaimed drug lord rapper Rick Ross was a parole officer, 50 Cent baptized him Officer Ricky). Although Rose still runs the offense and finds ways to set up his teammates, he has now become more assertive; especially in the fourth quarter. A few nights ago, I watched George Hill and Tony Parker try to stay in front of Rose as he routinely went by them at will. I expect Derrick Rose to climb this list in the next few years, however his resume for the time being is lacking.

“And with the #1 pick in the 2000 NBA Draft, the New Jersey Nets select Cincinnati power forward…”

12. Kenyon Martin

Career numbers: 14.0 PPG, 7.2 RG, 2.1 APG, 1.2 BPG, 48.2 FG%
Best season is 2003-04: 16.7 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.3 BPG, 48.8 FG%
Accomplishments: 2004 All Star selection.

Teams played on: New Jersey, Denver

Analysis: Try to recall back in the early 2000’s, when Kenyon Martin was playing lock down defense, dunking on people, taking hard fouls and swatting every opponents shots away. Remember those days? Kenyon was a pure beast and you wanted no part of him. Well, look at the numbers from his best season (written right under his name); don’t you get the feeling that he produced more? The thing about K-Mart, is that his trips to the finals as well as his ‘Charles Oakley wanna be thug enforcer’ persona have overexposed Martin to us. So we always think that he’s having a great game or that he’s always been a dominant NBA big man. Truth is Martin has been just about above average as an NBA power forward. Mind you, with that said, back when he was in New Jersey, you knew better than to try and block his dunk attempt (some people still tried) and you also knew better than to try dunking on him because he would foul the heck out of you. All things considered though, Martin is still a decent contributing big man in the NBA, but as the years go by and we get additional #1 picks, his spot in this list will take a hit.

“And with the #1 pick in the 1994 NBA Draft, the Milwaukee Bucks select Purdue forward…”

11. Glenn Robinson

Career numbers: 20.7 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.2 SPG, 45.9 FG%
Best season is 2000-01: 22.0 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 3.3 APG, 1.1 SG, 46.8 FG%
Accomplishments: Two All-Star selections

Teams played on: Milwaukee, Philadelphia, San Antonio

Analysis: In his time in the NBA, Glenn Robinson was an accomplished scorer with a deadly mid-range jump shot. His size allowed him to take advantage of most players and remain consistent throughout his career.  The Big Dog wasn’t much of a passer though; his game was strictly tailor made for him to put up shots and points. It’s part of the reason that he didn’t make it higher in this list. Seriously, Glenn Robinson played with Ray Allen, Sam Cassell and Tim Thomas back when he gave a damn and the best they could manage was an appearance in the 2001 Eastern Conference Finals in which they lost game 7 against Allen Iverson’s 76ers. Here’s a little test, try to name me four players that played on that Sixers team………………………..Give up? Let me help you out: Eric Snow, Aaron McKie, Tyrone Hill and Dikembe Mutombo. By the way, that was the 76ers line up in crunch time. Somehow that team defeated the Bucks. That’s what hurt Big Dog in this list.

“And with the #1 pick in the 1990 NBA Draft, the New Jersey Nets select Syracuse center…”

10. Derrick Coleman

Career numbers: 16.5 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.3 BPG, 44.7 FG%
Best season is 92-93: 20.7 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.7 BPG, 46.0 FG%
Accomplishments: One All Star appearance (1994), 1990-91 NBA Rookie of the year

Teams played on: New Jersey, Philadelphia, Charlotte, Detroit.

Analysis: Remember when Michael Beasley came into the NBA, he came with tons of potential and a very good college career. This is what scouts loved about Beasley: left handed, great scorer that finishes around the basket, rebounds in his area, able to get tough rebounds in traffic, very good handle for his size, can run offense through him in high post and can attack from the perimeter. What scared away some of the scouts was his goofy attitude (people felt he lacked maturity and were afraid that him being a millionaire would make him a head case) and the possibility he might be more addicted to crack cocaine than Pookie from New Jack City (Ok, fine you got me, I made the crack cocaine part up but you believed me right?). Here’s the thing; all of what I just listed were said about Derrick Coleman. The general consensus is that he underachieved for most of his career. Want proof? Go ask any random NBA fan who Coleman is: three out of 10 people will have no clue, another four others will have heard about him but not know and about three people will know who he is. That means that 30% of NBA fans know exactly who Derrick Coleman is. That’s sad considering how good he was; but the man underachieved and left no legacy whatsoever.

“And with the #1 pick in the 1999 NBA Draft, the Chicago Bulls select Duke center…”

9. Elton Brand

Career numbers: 19.6 RPG, 9.9 RPG, 2.5 APG, 2.0 BPG, 50.2 FG%
Best season is 2005-06: 24.7 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 2.6 APG, 2.5 BPG, 52.7 FG%
Accomplishments: Two All-Star selections, 1999-00 NBA Rookie of the Year

Teams played on: Chicago, LA Clippers, Philadelphia

Analysis: This was one of the toughest players to list because his career is a bit odd. After Michael Jordan retired, the Bulls got bad real fast. So when they got the first pick in the draft, they selected the Duke product. Elton Brand just kept piling up double doubles (we’re talking 20 and 10 people) game after game, but the team kept losing. No matter how well Brand played; the team just couldn’t follow his lead.  The talk around the league was that Brand was just accumulating stats on a bad team. Brand was then shipped out west, where his production remained just about the same. However, by the 2005-06 season, Elton Brand had become too good. Aided by the alien known as Sam Cassel, Brand put up the best numbers of his career and turned the doormat Clippers into a playoff team. For that one season, EB was in the same stratosphere as Garnett and Duncan (which is saying a lot because these guys are the marquee power forwards of the NBA). Brand has had a very good NBA career; but more than anything people will always remember that for at least one year, the Clippers (lost to Suns in second round) mattered more than the Lakers (lost in first round to Suns) in the NBA playoffs. And they can thank Elton Brand for that.

“And with the #1 pick in the 1991 NBA Draft, the Charlotte Hornets select UNLV forward…”

8. Larry Johnson

Career numbers: 16.2 PG, 7.5 RPG, 3.3 APG, 0.7 SPG, 48.4 FG%
Best season:  1992-93; 22.1 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 4.3 APG, 0.6 SPG, 52.6 FG%
Two All-Star selections, 1992-93 Rookie of the year

Teams played on: Charlotte, New York

Analysis: Before Larry Johnson went to New York and became a below the rim power forward; he was a cross between a power forward and small forward a la Charles Barkley. At a mere 6-6, LJ averaged a double double in his first two years in the league. He punished defenders in the post with an array post moves, and also had the skills to play small forward. He took defenders outside (think Shawn Marion with a better handle) and was able to exploit them out on the perimeter with drives and short jumpers.

After schooling his defender a few times, Johnson would fake the jump shot and take it to the basket strong and dunk on whoever was waiting for him underneath the basket. By his third season though, a knee injury robbed Johnson of his explosiveness. He therefore had to adjust his game; and became more of a low post threat that played with his back to the basket. On occasion he would face his defender and drive him baseline for a reverse lay up.

His lack of explosiveness also forced him to work on his outside jumper; consequently Johnson became a reliable three point shooter. But Larry Johnson’s legacy has nothing to do with numbers, dunks, post moves or anything of the sort. Larry Johnson gave the Knicks franchise as well as Madison Square Garden one of the best plays in playoff history.  With about 15 seconds left and the Knicks down 91-88 at home to the Indiana Pacers in game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the Knicks inbounded the ball to LJ, who gave Antonio Davis a stutter step to the right twice, took a dribble and then went left; launched a three point bomb that swished through the basket as Davis was called for a foul (one of the biggest phantom calls of NBA history by the way) right in front of the Pacers bench. Not only did LJ produce, but that memory still lingers for Knicks and NBA fans.

“And with the #1 pick in the 2002 NBA Draft, the Houston Rockets select China center….”

7. Yao Ming
Career numbers: 19.1 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 1.6APG,  1.9 BPG, 52.5 FG%
Best season:  06-07; 25.0 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 2.0 APG, 2.0 BPG, 51.6 FG%
Accomplishments: Seven All-Star selections

Teams played on: Houston

Analysis: When the Rockets drafted Yao, several people went on the record to say (yes Mr. Charles Barkley, I’m talking to you) that he would end up being a bust. Well turns out that they were wrong. In his seven years in the league, he has led his team to the playoffs five times; and finally advanced past the first round last year despite the absence of Tracy McGrady. In a league that used to be dominated by centers, we are now lacking any type of actual centers in the NBA. The only great big men we have now are listed as power forwards. However, we still have Yao. Not only is he a legit NBA center, he’s actually one of the few we have left. Earlier in this post, I mentioned the responsibilities of a center (let’s be real, only a franchise center can do all the things I mentioned earlier) and Yao fulfills them perfectly.  He can score at high rate from the low post as well as the high post, he defends the paint, rebounds and scores efficiently. In addition, although his assists numbers don’t reflect it, Yao is a very good passing big man. So why isn’t Yao Ming higher on this list? There are two reason:

1.Durability – Not counting the playoffs, Yao’s has appeared in 481 games out of  out of a possible 618 games and counting. The fact that he always gets injured made him take a drop in the list (but there are other reasons as well).

2. Fear – When your favorite team plays against the Rockets, does Yao Ming scare you? It’s a really simple and yet telling question. When he gets the ball down low, does he terrify you? Although it’s not necessarily a requirement for a player drafted first overall; the level of fear associated with him has to count for something though. He does not scare you on the boards, and although he protects the paint, players are always trying to attack him for a chance to dunk on him. I already know what you’re thinking; players are always attacking big men looking to posterize them which is true, but here’s my rebuttal: how often you see someone try to dunk o Shaq, Dwight, KG or K-Mart? Very rarely because they fear them. Ultimately, that ends up hurting Yao’s spot.

“And with the #1 pick in the 1993 NBA Draft, the Golden State Warriors select Michigan forward…”

6. Chris Webber

Career numbers: 20.7 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 4.2 APG, 1.4 BPG, 47.8 FG%
Best season is 2000-01: 27.1 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 4.2 APG, 1.7 BPG, 48.1 FG%
Accomplishments: 5 All-Star selections, 1993-94 rookie of the year

Teams played on: Golden State, Washington, Sacramento, Philadelphia, Detroit.

Analysis: If you’re old enough to have seen Chris Webber played in college, you were blessed. You remember how he changed the whole culture of basketball. The NBA is now largely seen as a Hip Hop sport and you can thank Mr. Webber for his contributions. When he was in college, he and four other freshmen became the Fab Five (Chris Webber, Jalen Rose, Juwan Howard, Jimmy King and Ray Jackson). They rocked the baggy shorts, the black socks and the cool Nike shoes and played with tons of swagger. When C-Webb made it to the NBA, nothing changed.

He was the same guy that we had seen at Michigan. Webber punished defenders in the low post, attacked slower players from the wing and killed his opponents with hook shots and jumpers. In addition, no one and I mean no one besides Shawn Kemp was more reckless or fearless when attacking the basket. I once saw Webber drive baseline (in traffic) and do a one footed two handed reverse dunk like it was nothing. He then obviously paused for the camera and gave it a snarl and jogged back on defense. In addition to all of his gifts, Webber was perhaps the best passing big man after Bill Walton and Arvydas Sabonis.

He routinely found players cutting to the basket and had a knack for feeding other players for wide open lay ups. He did it in Golden State and also did it in Washington. However he ran into some trouble with the Bullets (now known as the Wizards) and then got shipped to Sacramento. During his time with the Kings, Chris Webber was arguably the best power forward (before his knee injury) in the NBA. And keep in mind, he was playing against the like of Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett and Karl Malone. During the 2001-2002 season, Chris Webber led his Kings squad to one of the best Western Conference Finals match up of recent history. A trip to the NBA Finals was on the line with game 7 being played in Sacramento’s Arco Arena, which was home to the loudest crowd in the NBA.

The Kings eventually lost in overtime in a game that perfectly illustrated Chris Webber’s career; check out his line from the game: 52 minutes,  20 points, 8 rebounds, 11 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks, and 9 of 21 field goal shooting. In the biggest game of his career, Webber almost had a triple double, and yet if you ask anybody who saw the game; Webber was nearly invisible. For the first three quarters of the game, Webber was dunking the ball, screaming at Lakers players and making incredible passes to open teammates. But once the fourth quarter and overtime hit, C-Webb completely disappeared. Webber stopped shooting, he stopped swaggering and he kept looking for Mike Bibby (by the way it has to be said that it was Bibby’s best year in the NBA; Kobe Bryant had trouble defending him; which should tell you everything you need to know about his performance in the playoffs that year) to bail him out. The problem with Webber is that much like Garnett, he was the ultimate wingman.

He got you in the club, had you talk to people at the bar, got you to know the bouncers so you could eventually come back alone, but once he helped you get that first interaction with a girl you were trying to hook up with, you were completely on your own. Is that bad? I say no. Even as a wingman, Webber was a phenomenal player with a lot of gifts that helped his teams contend. However, when teams acquired him, they thought they were acquiring the guy that would lead his team to a championship as opposed to a wingman. Unfortunately for Webber, he failed to live up to expectations set for him.

“And with the #1 pick in the 2004 NBA Draft, the Orlando Magic select SW Atlanta Christian Academy center….”

5. Dwight Howard

Career numbers: 17.3 PPG, 12.6 RPG, 1.4 APG, 2.1 BPG, 57.0 FG%
Best season is 2008-09: 20.6 PPG, 13.8 RPG, 1.4 APG, 2.9 BPG, 57.2 FG%
Accomplishments: Three time All-Star selection, 2008-09 NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

Teams played on: Orlando Magic.

Analysis: Would you believe that some people actually argued (and with great reason at the time) that the Magic should have drafted Emeka Okafor instead of Howard? I think the Magic are happy with what they got. Keep in mind, Dwight Howard might be the closest thing we ever to see Shaquille O’Neal. The man scores at an incredibly efficient rate, he cleans out the boards like it’s nobody else’s business and he protects the paint. When Dwight is under the basket, point guards shoot floaters, they don’t try to attack him for strong lay ups because they know he will either swat their shot or foul them with his impressive physique. Right now, there isn’t a more intimidating player in the league on offense and defense. Howard just bullies people around to get rebounding position, to swat shots into the fifth row and to dunk on his opponents.

As I mentioned earlier, the NBA just doesn’t have anymore centers. But Orlando can say they have one; and they have the best one in the league. Although his offensive game needs work, he still puts up points and in addition he will probably be the NBA Defensive Player of the Year for the rest of the decade. Why isn’t Howard higher on the list though? Two reasons (which are related):

1. Lack of quality big men – There just aren’t many quality big men that are equipped to deal with the problems that Dwight Howard causes. And yet, we have not seen Dwight dominate the league the way we think he is capable of doing. At this point in his career, Dwight Howard should be putting up 25, 13 and 3 on average. He should be making every team with the audacity to play him with single coverage pay. We are still waiting to see that, which leads me to my next point…

2. Attitude – The same way I mentioned that Bogut has the talent of a number #1 draft pick but possibly not the attitude, I have to ask myself that exact same question with Howard. He’s shooting 10 free throws per game (which is great) but is only taking nine field goal attempts per game this season. Considering that he’s shooting 60.0% from the field this year, why isn’t he demanding the ball for more shots? There’s no way that he can be happy to watch guys like Matt Barnes, Vince Carter, Mickel Pietrus, Jameer Nelson, Jason Williams, J. J. Redick and Ryan Anderson keep firing away from three point range right? But what is he doing about it? Doesn’t seem as though he’s been grumbling about it. This obviously is the doing of Stan Van Gundy, but the fact that Howard does nothing about it troubles me enough to have him listed as #5.

We will have a brief intermission here, complete with draft analysis from, Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley, Jay Bilas, Stephen A. Smith and Stuart Scott.

Kenny Smith: Derrick Rose was an excellent pick for the Bulls. He’s got it all folks; usually I’d show you Kenny’s Pictures, but not today because the picture is simply Derrick Rose.

Charles Barkley: Kwame Brown went #1? That’s just turrible. Wes Unseld and Chris Webber are rolling around in their grave.

Bilas: Dwight Howard was a real sexy pick back in 2004.

Stuart Scott: What a ridonk-culous pick by the Clippers; Olowokandi? Seriously? Boo-Ya.

Stephen A Smith: WELL OF COURSE IT WAS RIDICULOUS! BUT ABOUT WHAT ABOUT THE BARGNANI PICK? THE TORONTO RAPTORS ARE CRAZY! HE WAS A BUM THEN, AND HE’S STILL A BUM TODAY! NOW BACK TO SHYNE, WITH THE TOP FOUR PICKS!

Thanks guys. Dave, help us out again please…

“And with the #1 pick in the 1996 NBA Draft, the Philadelphia 76ers select Georgetown guard…”

4. Allen Iverson

Career numbers: 26.8 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 6.2 APGG, 2.2 SPG, 42.6 FG%
Best season: 05-06; 33 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 7.9 APG, 1.9 SPG, 44.7 FG%
Accomplishments: 10 All-Star appearances, 1996-97 NBA Rookie of the Year, Two time All-Star Game MVP, 2000-01 league MVP.

Teams played on: Philadelphia, Denver, Detroit, Memphis.

Analysis: Let me make this perfectly clear; the NBA is a league dominated by big men. If you want to win an NBA championship, you better have a combination of very good big men, or a great big man. There’s no way around that.

Look at the past NBA champions:
2009 Lakers – Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum
2008 Celtics – Kevin Garnett
2007 Spurs – Tim Duncan
2006 Heat – Shaquille O’Neal
2005 Spurs – Tim Duncan
2004 Pistons – Rasheed Wallace and Ben Wallace
2003 Spurs – Tim Duncan and David Robinson
2002 Lakers – Shaquille O’Neal
2001 Lakers – Shaquille O’Neal
2000 Lakers – Shaquille O’Neal
1999 Spurs – Tim Duncan and David Robinson
1998 Bulls – Dennis Rodman and Luc Longley
1997 Bulls – Dennis Rodman and Luc Longley
1996 Bulls – Dennis Rodman and Luc Longley
1995 Rockets – Hakeem Olajuwon
1994 Rockets – Hakeem Olajuwon
1993 Bulls – Bill Cartwright
1992 Bulls – Bill Cartwright
1991 Bulls – Bill Cartwright
1990 Pistons – Bill Laimbeer and Dennis Rodman

The only teams without a great big man or a combination of good big men are the Michael Jordan led Chicago Bulls. What this means is that the NBA is a big man’s league. And yet, no one ever gave Allen Iverson that memo. Year after the year, AI showed up for games, took a beating and somehow managed to will his team into the playoffs.

People make a huge deal out of the fact that Iverson has had trouble adapting to his teammates and playing with talented players; but people never mention the fact that Iverson kept dragging a team of borderline D-Leaguers to the playoffs and even managed to make the Finals one year. Allen Iverson has been so good for so long that we failed to truly appreciate just how special of a talent he is.

While players such as Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady were busy being spoon fed their vitamins and supplements by nurses because of minor injuries, Iverson was on the court every night giving his team the best chance to win. As years go by, people will forget just how special AI was because there might be some new guy that crosses over people and gets to the basket and finishes; but remember this: Iverson did that back when hand checking was legal and when the league allowed players to commit hard fouls.

Why doesn’t Iverson appear higher on this list? As mentioned earlier, because of his inability to blend his game in with more talented players. AI failed to get it done with Carmelo Anthony, Kenyon Martin, Nene and JR Smith in Denver. He then got shipped to Detroit where a team that annually made the Conference Finals, got into the playoffs as an eighth seed and got swept (yes I’m well aware he didn’t participate in the playoffs but his performance during the regular season made his team an eighth seed). Allen Iverson basically contracted The Marbury Plague (TMP for short). TMP is the phenomenon by which a talented player joins a team and makes the team worse than what it was before he got there; but once that player leaves that team; they suddenly become a good team. With that said however, Allen Iverson is sure to make the Hall of Fame one day.

“And with the #1 pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers select St. Vincent St Mary’s forward….”

3. LeBron James

Career numbers: 27.7 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 6.8 APG, 1.7 SPG, 47.4 FG%
Best season is 2009-10: 29.9 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 7.9 APG, 1.5 SPG, 50.9 FG%
Accomplishments: Five All-Star selections, 2003-04 NBA Rookie of the Year, Two time NBA All-Star Game MVP, 2008-09 NBA League MVP.

Teams played on: Cleveland.

Analysis: Last week, I posted an article titled Whose career would you rather have: Kobe Bryant’s or LeBron James’? Here’s the point I made about LeBron James: “LeBron James took a small market team that no one outside of Ohio paid attention to and turned it into an NBA powerhouse within five years. Although he has yet to win a championship; whenever the conversation turns to teams with a shot at winning an NBA title, the discussion usually involves the Lakers, the Celtics, the Magic and the Spurs. James has now forced everyone to include his Cavaliers into the discussion.

The Cavs are now perennial title contenders and yet with the exception of James, it is basically a team of role players. In order to fully grasp what I’m trying to explain , try to imagine watching the movie Ocean’s Eleven; except you take out Brad Pitt from the equation. You essentially leave George Clooney all alone in the movie and ask him to do all the action, all the charming and all the hustling throughout the movie; and still have the same box office hit. That’s LeBron James peoples; he doesn’t have a truly remarkable co-star and you know what; it might not even matter.” Indeed, LeBron James is the best small forward in the NBA and arguably the league’s best player. He will have his time in the sun but he’s only third in this list because he is missing something that the next two players have….Shall we get to them?

Kanye West interrupts: “Hold up Shyne and Mr Stern, sorry for interrupting and I’ma let you finish, but the next two guys are the only guys on this list to have won rings as the best or second best players on their teams..”

“And with the #1 pick in the 1992 NBA Draft, the Orlando Magic select LSU center…”

2. Shaquille O’Neal
Career: 24.3 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 2.6 APG,  2.3 BPG, 58.1 FG%
Best season is 1999-00: 29.7 PPG, 13.6 RPG, 3.8 APG, 3.0 BPG, 57.4 FG%
15 all star appearances, 92-93 rookie of the year, 3 times All-Star game MVP, 99-00 league MVP, 3 times Finals MVP
played for : Orlando, LA Lakers, Miami, Phoenix, Cleveland

Analysis: Let’s get this out of the way right now; Shaquille O’Neal is the proud owner of four (count them, 1,2,3,4!) championship rings. But that’s merely the beginning. Around the year the 2000, the Diesel made the statement that he should be named the MDE (short for Most Dominant Ever); and the man was right. The league still has never seen a big man with his combination of strength, size, speed, agility and basketball IQ. Shaquille O’Neal made every teams best interior defender look like his younger adolescent brother. Shaq drew so many fouls that he would hold all of his opponents best big men hostage on the bench. Coaches would send in an army of goons to take fouls on Shaq and send him to the free throw line in the hopes that he would miss.

Think about that for a moment; teams were so afraid of him that they purposely sent him to the line because they knew they didn’t stand a chance against him once he caught the ball in the post. His best years were with the Lakers, where he and Kobe Bryant ruled a tough Western Conference on their way to three consecutive NBA titles. O’Neal eventually wore out his welcome in Los Angeles and was traded to Miami where he united with Dwyane Wade. By his second season in South Beach, O’Neal was a champion again. His leadership and rugged interior play allowed his team to reach the top of the mountain once again. Why isn’t Shaq Daddy #1 in this list? Two reasons:

1. Tradeability –A truly a can’t miss franchise player that’s in his prime or just a little past it; should never get traded. The only reasons that allow for a team to trade a franchise center are these:
a. Traded for a younger and better center.
b. Career is coming to a close and said player no longer produces as once before.
c. One hell of a drug problem; as a seller, not a buyer;
d. He brings guns to the facility and threatens to kill somebody.

And yet, Shaquille O’Neal does not fit any of the listed criteria. The Diesel’s sour relationship with Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak and Lakers owner Jerry Buss eventually led to his demise. Although he won a championship in Miami, he was still traded twice afterwards.

2. Next – The main reason Shaq is listed as #2 on this list, is because the guy that comes next is much more worthy of the spot….

“And with the #1 pick in the 1997 NBA Draft, the San Antonio Spurs select Wake Forest center….”

1.Tim Duncan

Career: 21.3 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 3.2 APG, 2.3 BPG, 50.9 FG%
Best year is 2001-02: 25.3 PPG, 12.7 RPG, 3.7 APG, 2.5 BPG, 50.8 FG%
11 All-Star selections, 1997-98 NBA Rookie of the year, 1999-00 All-Star MVP, 3 time mvp, 3 times  NBA Finals MVP

Teams played for:  San Antonio Spurs

Analysis: Tim Duncan will go down in the history books as the greatest power forward of all time. But here’s a secret: he’s more of a center than he is a power forward. And despite that, Duncan does anything and everything you could ever ask a power forward or center to do. You see, not only does Duncan do all the things that you want your power forward/center to do, but he actually made the list of requirements from franchise big men a bit bigger. Let’s look at the requirements of the

Duncan List:
-Rebounds his area
-Scores on the low block
-Defends his own man
-Defends the paint
-Intimidates on both offense and defense
-Only jumps at the very last moment when contesting a shot
-Manages fouls extremely well
-Plays different types of pick and roll defense flawlessly (double team, hedge, switch, trap and recover)
-Always rotates on defense.

That my friends, is the perfect big man. And you know what? He’s been doing it for 13 years.  No one really notices Duncan because he’s quiet, lacks sex appeal (it had to be said), doesn’t do rap videos or shamelessly self-promotes himself. With that said though, the fact remains that Duncan has spent his whole career with the same franchise, he has been marvelously consistent (worst statistical season ever was last year with 19.3 points per game and 10.7 rebounds per game; yes that’s his worst season), he has led his team to 57wins on average every year (excluding lockout year) and has won four NBA titles. In my book, that’s more then good enough to be the best #1 NBA draft pick of the past 20 years.