Author Topic: Most underrated #1 draft pick of the last 25 years  (Read 11167 times)

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Most underrated #1 draft pick of the last 25 years
« on: February 04, 2009, 04:33:24 PM »

Offline EarthBall

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I'm not sure this is Celtics history (alas, we haven't had a #1 draft pick since 1950 (Chuck Share)), but I'd like to get your take on the most underrated #1 draft pick since 1984.

The list includes:
2008 Derrick Rose
2007 Greg Oden
2006 Andrea Bargnani
2005 Andrew Bogut
2004 Dwight Howard
2003 Lebron James
2002 Yao Ming
2001 Kwame Brown
2000 Kenyon Martin
1999 Elton Brand
1998 Michael Olowokandi
1997 Tim Duncan
1996 Allen Iverson
1995 Joe Smith
1994 Glenn Robinson
1993 Chris Webber
1992 Shaquille O'Neal
1991 Larry Johnson
1990 Derrick Coleman
1989 Pervis Ellison
1988 Danny Manning
1987 David Robinson
1986 Brad Daugherty
1985 Patrick Ewing
1984 Hakeem Olajuwon

I don't think we can judge the careers of Rose, Oden and Bargnani yet. And I don't think one could argue that Howard, LeBron, Yao, Duncan, Iverson, Webber, Shaq, Robinson, Ewing and Hakeem can be underrated. But maybe you can.

I'd have to go with Brad Daugherty. He was a solid 20 and 10 center for some really good (and underrated) Cavs teams. Unfortunately, he had to retire after only 7 seasons, but managed to make 5 all-star teams during the talent packed late 1980s and early 1990s. Despite this success, including leading a Cavs team that lost in the Eastern Conference finals in 6 games to the Bulls, I rarely hear his name mentioned.

Thoughts?






Re: Most underrated #1 draft pick of the last 25 years
« Reply #1 on: February 04, 2009, 04:37:06 PM »

Offline LarBrd33

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I'm not sure how a #1 pick can be underrated, you know?  If anything they would end being "overrated" since they were picked #1 and didn't live up to their drafted position.

But Daugherty was the name that popped up for me too... he was pretty good.   

Re: Most underrated #1 draft pick of the last 25 years
« Reply #2 on: February 04, 2009, 04:40:08 PM »

Online Redz

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This is sort of mutually exclusive isn't it?

A #1 pick is immediately under pressure to be great, so it's hard for them to underrated.

I guess a guy like Joe Smith, who initially seemed to be underachieving for a top pick, but has carved out a nice career for himself over the long haul.  Not a super star, but a very useful player that most teams would be more than happy to have.
Yup

Re: Most underrated #1 draft pick of the last 25 years
« Reply #3 on: February 04, 2009, 04:41:55 PM »

Offline wdleehi

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Brad Daugherty


Look at the other three Cs that were drafted 1st around him.  Played on some really good Cav teams. 


If he played now, top 3 C in the league.

Re: Most underrated #1 draft pick of the last 25 years
« Reply #4 on: February 04, 2009, 04:42:18 PM »

Offline SShorefan 4.0

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Glenn Robinson had a quiet 10 year career and when it was over he'd averaged 20+ points per game.

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Re: Most underrated #1 draft pick of the last 25 years
« Reply #5 on: February 04, 2009, 04:45:19 PM »

Offline SShorefan 4.0

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Brad Daugherty


Look at the other three Cs that were drafted 1st around him.  Played on some really good Cav teams. 


If he played now, top 3 C in the league.

The 1986 NBA draft was probably the worst draft ever.  It's littered with players who crashed and burned real hard. 
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Re: Most underrated #1 draft pick of the last 25 years
« Reply #6 on: February 04, 2009, 04:52:23 PM »

Offline Hoops

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I know it will sound odd, but if anyone on that list is underrated it's Duncan. I know people understand that he's great, but I don't think most people appreciate how great he really is, if that makes any sense.

But otherwise, Daugherty is a good choice. I know you said it's too early to judge Oden, but I think he's underrated right now. I mean he's still not all that great yet but because of injury last year, I think he fell off the radar a little bit.

Re: Most underrated #1 draft pick of the last 25 years
« Reply #7 on: February 04, 2009, 04:55:58 PM »

Offline Edgar

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I know it will sound odd, but if anyone on that list is underrated it's Duncan. I know people understand that he's great, but I don't think most people appreciate how great he really is, if that makes any sense.

But otherwise, Daugherty is a good choice. I know you said it's too early to judge Oden, but I think he's underrated right now. I mean he's still not all that great yet but because of injury last year, I think he fell off the radar a little bit.

You can make the same case of Olajuwon.
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Re: Most underrated #1 draft pick of the last 25 years
« Reply #8 on: February 04, 2009, 04:57:31 PM »

Offline KCattheStripe

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I know it will sound odd, but if anyone on that list is underrated it's Duncan. I know people understand that he's great, but I don't think most people appreciate how great he really is, if that makes any sense.

But otherwise, Daugherty is a good choice. I know you said it's too early to judge Oden, but I think he's underrated right now. I mean he's still not all that great yet but because of injury last year, I think he fell off the radar a little bit.

I would actually argue that among the general public, Robinson is the most underrated, and if he's not, he's the most underappreciated.

Re: Most underrated #1 draft pick of the last 25 years
« Reply #9 on: February 04, 2009, 05:02:05 PM »

Offline BballTim

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  Aside from health issues, I'd go with Larry Johnson. He was neck and neck with Billy Owens up until the draft. Then Dwight Howard, who I don't think was really viewed as a franchise center.

Re: Most underrated #1 draft pick of the last 25 years
« Reply #10 on: February 04, 2009, 05:03:19 PM »

Offline wdleehi

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Do we all agree that Coleman was the biggest waster of talent?

Re: Most underrated #1 draft pick of the last 25 years
« Reply #11 on: February 04, 2009, 05:10:53 PM »

Offline celticmaestro

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I'll go with Chris Webber.

No titles, but a great player nonetheless.

Re: Most underrated #1 draft pick of the last 25 years
« Reply #12 on: February 04, 2009, 05:14:19 PM »

Offline Truck Lewis

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Glenn Robinson had a quiet 10 year career and when it was over he'd averaged 20+ points per game.




wow....that made me do a triple take,,,i cant believe big dog ended up averaging over 20 for his career.....i def underrated him, at least from a scoring perspective,,,tp
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Re: Most underrated #1 draft pick of the last 25 years
« Reply #13 on: February 04, 2009, 05:20:26 PM »

Offline TatteredOnMySleeve

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Glenn Robinson had a quiet 10 year career and when it was over he'd averaged 20+ points per game.



The problem with the Big Dog is he never improved, he was as good as he ever got as a rookie
When you got it going, you got it going. I just keep my focus down the stretch. That's when I want the ball. I'm just not afraid to fail."-PaulPierce

Re: Most underrated #1 draft pick of the last 25 years
« Reply #14 on: February 04, 2009, 05:37:14 PM »

Offline chicagogreen

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Derick Coleman