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Great NBA Draft Classes

Great NBA Draft Classes

Every draft class is different, and over the years there have been some really good, average, but also horrible draft classes. These are some of the best draft classes in the history of the NBA, in no particular order.

2011

Photo: NBA.com

Notable players: Kyrie Irving (1), Klay Thompson (11), Kawhi Leonard (15), Jimmy Butler (30), Isaiah Thomas (60).

Players in this draft class have yet to win a regular season MVP award, but a lot of them are very talented. Kawhi Leonard was voted the Finals MVP in 2014, when the Spurs played against LeBron’s Miami Heat in the Finals. Furthermore, Isaiah Thomas was drafted with the 60th pick, but currently has two All-Star selections under his belt.

Total All-Star Appearances: 19

MVP awards: 0

1984

Photo: NBA.com

Notable players: Hakeem Olajuwon (1), Michael Jordan (3), Charles Barkley (5), Alvin Robertson (7), John Stockton (16).

This draft class has the most MVP awards within one class. Of course, it does help that Michael Jordan was voted the MVP of the league five times. Furthermore, four of the players, Olajuwon, Jordan, Barkley and John Stockton, were inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Total All-Star Appearances: 53

MVP awards: 7

2009

Photo: NBA.com

 Notable players: Blake Griffin (1), James Harden (3), Stephen Curry (7), DeMar DeRozan (9)

Four players that were selected with the top 10 picks in the draft have developed into getting an All-Star selection. Steph Curry has been voted the MVP of the league twice, and James Harden is currently the favorite for become the 2018 regular season MVP.

Total All-Star Appearances: 22

MVP awards: 2

2003

Photo: Clutchpoints

Notable players: LeBron James (1), Carmelo Anthony (3), Chris Bosh (4), Dwyane Wade (5).

This is a very successful draft class, as four out of the five first picks will probably be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Darko Miličić (2) could never make an impact in the NBA. It’s quite interesting that three of these stars, James, Bosh and Wade would team up and win two titles together with the Miami Heat. LeBron is probably the most dominant player in the league at this moment, as he reached his eight consecutive Finals this year.

Total All-Star Appearances: 53

MVP awards: 4

1996

Photo: NBA.com

Notable players: Allen Iverson (1), Stephon Marbury (4), Ray Allen (5), Kobe Bryant (13), Peja Stojakovic (14), Steve Nash (15).

Of the top six drafted players in this class, only one, Marcus Camby, failed to make an All-Star appearance during his career. The others, Allen Iverson, Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Stephon Marbury, Ray Allen and Antoine Walker, all made at least one appearance.

Though Allen Iverson is definitely one of the best players of this class, the other two players weren’t even drafted in the top 10. Kobe Bryant was selected with the 13th pick, while Steve Nash was selected two picks later.

Total All-Star Appearances: 64

MVP awards: 4

1998

Photo: NBA.com

Notable players: Vince Carter (5), Dirk Nowitzki (9), Paul Pierce (10).

The first pick in this draft, Michael Olowokandi, was a total bust, but three players in this draft class seem destined for a place in the Hall of Fame: Nowitzki, Carter and Pierce.

Both Nowitzki and Pierce have led their teams to a championship, and were the most important players on the team during that championship run. Furthermore, both Nowitzki and Carter will still be active in the 2018-2019 season, 20 years after they were drafted, and are still contributing to the league.

Total All-Star Appearances: 35

MVP awards: 1

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