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NBA: Ranking the 10 greatest Duke players in NBA history

By Josh Cornelissen

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - MARCH 06: Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans warms up before a game against the Miami Heat at the Smoothie King Center on March 06, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - MARCH 06: Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans warms up before a game against the Miami Heat at the Smoothie King Center on March 06, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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Duke, NBA
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Ranking the 10 greatest Duke players in NBA history: 6. Jeff Mullins

Only one player makes this list who did not play for Coach K, as Jeff Mullins starred for the Blue Devils in the early 1960s. He proceeded to play 12 seasons in the league after he went fifth overall in the 1964 NBA Draft to the St. Louis Hawks.

Mullins’ best seasons came in the midst of his career with the San Francisco Warriors. He made three consecutive All-Star games from 1969 to 1971, averaging better than 20 points per game in all three seasons. Later in his career, he won a title with those Warriors alongside Rick Barry in 1975.

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Ranking the 10 greatest Duke players in NBA history: 5. Shane Battier

In contrast to most of the players on this list, Shane Battier was never an offensive star, creating shots for himself and others. Instead, he was one of the league’s best defenders who used intelligence and hard work to become an all-time role player.

Battier would tirelessly study opponent’s film, learning their exact tendencies and how to mirror them defensively and take away what they wanted. What Michael Cooper was to Larry Bird in the 1980s Shane Battier was to Kobe Bryant in the 2000s, one of the best defenders to take on the Bryants of the league.

Twice while with the Houston Rockets he was named to an All-Defense Team. Late in his career, he became the perfect final piece on the Miami Heat, winning two titles playing between Chris Bosh and LeBron James, unlocking their “small ball” lineups by spacing the floor on offense and guarding power forwards on defense.