NBA: Is it better to have the 3rd overall Pick than the 2nd Overall Pick?

[JuegaBonito]

*Better to have the 3rd Overall Pick than the 2nd Overall Pick?*


*Players under categories where they spent the majority of their prime or projected prime.


*Players early in their careers are likely to slide up or down in categories.


/*History* of 3rd overall picks since 2000/


*Super Stars/ Former Super Stars*


Joel Embid (2014)
James Harden (2009)
Carmelo Anthony (2003)


*All Stars/Potential All Stars*


Al Horford (2007)
Jayson Tatum (2017)
Jaylen Brown (2016)
Bradley Beal (2012)
Deron Williams (2005)
Pau Gasol (2001)

*Starters*


Ben Gordon (2004)
Otto Porter (2013)
Derrick Favors (2010)


*Rotation Players*


O.J. Mayo (2008)
Enes Kanter (2011)
Mike Dunleavy (2002)


*Busts*


Adam Morrison (2006)
Jahlil Okafor (2015)
Darius Miles (2000)






/History of 2nd overall picks since 2000/


*Super Stars/ Former Super Stars*

Kevin Durant (2007)

*All Stars/Potential All Stars*

Brandon Ingram (2016)
Victor Oladipo (2013)
LaMarcus Aldridge (2006)





*Starters*


Lonzo Ball (2017)
D’Angelo Russel (2015)
Jay Williams (2002)
Tyson Chandler (2001)


*Rotation Players*


Jabari Parker (2014)
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (2012)
Evan Turner (2010)
Michael Beasley (2008)
Marvin Williams (2005)
Emeka Okafor (2004)


*Busts*


Derrick Williams (2011)
Hasheem Thabeet (2009)
Stromile Swift (2000)
Darko Milicic(2003)






/History of 1st overall picks since 2000/


*Super Stars/ Former Super Stars*


Anthony Davis (2012)
Kyrie Irving (2011)
Lebron James (2003)




*All Stars/Potential All Stars*


Ben Simmons (2016)
Karl Anthony Towns (2015)
John Wall (2010)
Blake Griffin (2009)
Derrick Rose (2008)
Dwight Howard (2004)
Yao Ming (2002)


*Starters*


Andrew Wiggins (2014)
Kenyon Martin (2000)




*Rotation Players*


Markelle Fultz (2017)


*Busts*


Anthony Bennet (2013)
Greg Oden (2007)
Andrea Bargnani (2005)
Kwame Brown (2001)


Surprisingly there have been more unsuccessful 2nd overall picks than 3rd overall picks and less superstars from the 2nd overall group. These picks have been underwhelming for the most part.


8 out of the 10 busts are big men, I would chalk this up to bigs being more drafted on potential than any other position.


6 of the current 20 Conference finals starters come from the above list. 3 are on Boston, and they would actually have 4 if Kyrie Irving was playing.


13 of the 18 1st overall picks have had better careers than the 2nd overall of their same draft class.


13 of the 18 3rd overall picks have had better careers than their 2nd overall pick counter parts of the same year.






What trends do you see?

[Arcadian]

Only if the team picking 2nd s up.

[Chris Fall]

One of the things that stand out is that the majority of busts from all three draft spots are big men. Could be a reflection of the changing NBA. But it also emphasizes how many NBA teams have continued to value the potential of size, whether the player is NBA ready or very raw, whether the player is highly skilled or just simply big and prett athletic for his size.

If that top pick isn’t a big man, seems like the team with the #2 pick may often look at the best possible big man available. And I think we’ve come to expect a higher bust potential from big man prospects unless they are athletic freaks or extremely and highly skilled.

Teams at the top of this draft would be smart to be very wary about Ayton and Bamba and Clark. I think the two prospects that really look like future stars are Doncic and Porter, Jr. But I don’t expect them to go 1-2.

[JuegaBonito]

That second big man is just a deadly pick isn't it? When have there been two successful big men taken in the top 3 ? Shaq, Mourning and Laettner?

[FkLA]

That ghetto ass Kenyon Martin was an all-star a few times, tbh.

[JuegaBonito]

1 time all-star, good player in his time though.

[HarlemHeat37]

Whoever made that list has been watching the NBA for like 3 years

They were actually being generous to the #2 picks by having Lonzo and Jay Williams as starter-caliber players, too

[JuegaBonito]

Jay Williams was well on his way to being a long time starter at the least pre- motorcycle accident. You wild Harlem Heat

[HarlemHeat37]

Jay Williams was well on his way to being a long time starter at the least pre- motorcycle accident. You wild Harlem Heat

His rookie season was horrible, he was one of the worst starters in the league..he had the potential to be good and he was great in college, but his only NBA season was really bad..

I'm sure he could have gotten much better, but we'll never know obviously..

[StrengthAndHonor]

It’s a crapshoot. Always has been.

[140]

[K...]

So five is better than two? Oh my, mavs stacked

[140]

So five is better than two? Oh my, mavs stacked

tbh

[dfens]

is having 3000 dollars better than having 2000 ? tune in on fox news to find out.

[phxspurfan]

One of the things that stand out is that the majority of busts from all three draft spots are big men. Could be a reflection of the changing NBA. But it also emphasizes how many NBA teams have continued to value the potential of size, whether the player is NBA ready or very raw, whether the player is highly skilled or just simply big and prett athletic for his size.

If that top pick isn’t a big man, seems like the team with the #2 pick may often look at the best possible big man available. And I think we’ve come to expect a higher bust potential from big man prospects unless they are athletic freaks or extremely and highly skilled.

Teams at the top of this draft would be smart to be very wary about Ayton and Bamba and Clark. I think the two prospects that really look like future stars are Doncic and Porter, Jr. But I don’t expect them to go 1-2.

Bagley's gonna be good too