by Andrew on Wed Sep 21, 2005 11:25 pm
In no particular order...
Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls
Simply because of his impact on the game during his career and the fact he wasn't picked first overall. Back then it would have seemed like a sound plan to take the big men before a swingman like Jordan so Dr Ramsay's decision to select Bowie is understandable though clearly unwise in hindsight. The fact the Bulls were able to snare him as a result makes him a steal, even as the third pick.
Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers
I'd consider Magic a steal for the Lakers, even as the first overall pick, simply because they weren't a team that was supposed to own a top draft selection. An earlier trade with Utah allowed the Lakers - 47-35 the previous season - to get the top pick and select Magic who would of couse become one of the greatest players the NBA has seen.
Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs
Much like Magic Johnson, Duncan was able to go to a team that already had several pieces in place to be a successful franchise. The Spurs' great fortune after some really bad luck with injuries in the 1997 campaign led to a new Twin Towers combo in Duncan and David Robinson and two titles in the next six years. Like Magic, Duncan isn't a steal in the traditional sense but both are steals for clubs who weren't exactly basement teams.
Willis Reed, New York Knicks
One of the greatest big men of the 60s and the driving force behind the Knicks' only championships, Reed wasn't taken until the second round in 1964. Granted, that still made him the 8th overall pick but none of the seven players taken before him have made anywhere near the same impact.
Larry Bird, Boston Celtics
Another NBA legend who was somehow passed over by no less than five teams. Of those five players taken before Bird, only Mychal Thompson and Michael Ray Richardson did anything of note and neither's accomplishments rival those of Larry Legend.
Kevin Garnett, Minnesota Timberwolves
KG has become the face of the Timberwolves and one of the league's best players. No doubt if the 1995 Draft was held again today, he'd be taken first. KG's success is one of the reasons GMs have been open to taking chances on high school players...with mixed results. But there's no question that the gamble has paid off with Garnett.
Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers (via the Charlotte Hornets)
A steal on two accounts, Kobe was first taken at 13th behind some players who haven't gone on to accomplish nearly as much or aren't even in the league anymore, then acquired by the Lakers for a centre (Vlade Divac) who had become expendable thanks to a huge free agent acquisition (Shaquille O'Neal).
John Stockton, Utah Jazz
One of the greatest point guards in league history and he wasn't even top 10. He wasn't even top 15. Enough said.
Karl Malone, Utah Jazz
See John Stockton and replace "point guard" with "power forward".
Scottie Pippen, Chicago Bulls (via the Seattle Supersonics)
One half of perhaps the greatest duo in NBA history, a great player in his right and six NBA titles. The cost? Olden Polynice. One of Krause's finer moments before he dropped the ball on rebuilding plans.
There's been a few guys who can be considered steals in recent years but because they haven't achieved the same level of success as the players I've already mentioned, for the moment I'd consider them second tier. Guys like Manu Ginobili for the Spurs, Boston taking Paul Pierce 10th overall in 1998 and Gilbert Arenas going in the second round lead that pack.