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2014 NBA Draft: 5 Best Drafts In The Lottery Era

By Michael Dunlap

Feb 16, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant speaks during a press conference before the 2014 NBA All-Star Game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 16, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant speaks during a press conference before the 2014 NBA All-Star Game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 16, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant speaks during a press conference before the 2014 NBA All-Star Game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 16, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant speaks during a press conference before the 2014 NBA All-Star Game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2 Best Draft Class

Year: 1996

All-Stars: 10 (Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Ray Allen, Kobe Bryant, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Allen Iverson, Stephon Marbury, Steve Nash, Jermaine O’Neal, Peja Stojakovic, Antoine Walker)

Steal of the Draft: Kobe Bryant at No. 13

Biggest Bust: Samaki Walker at No. 9

This was one of those rare drafts that was not only deep, but also pretty top heavy. Not one of the first six picks could feel like they really missed. Sure, Marcus Camby wouldn’t have gone No. 2 again, but he’s had a wonderful career, as did Iverson (No. 1), Abdur-Rahim (No. 3), Marbury (No. 4) and Allen (No. 5).

Of course, the studs of this draft went late as well. Getting Kobe from the Charlotte Hornets saved the Los Angeles Lakers for almost two decades. Steve Nash turned out to be one of the best facilitators the game has ever seen. Heck, even New York Knicks’ new coach Derek Fisher (No. 24) made his mark on the NBA.

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