With every NBA draft comes a lot of scout reports, analysis, and calculated risks, especially with the high draft picks. In the past drafts, some picks did great, and some were busts. But there were those who were drafted with low expectations, who even got booed at draft day, but somehow proved their doubters wrong.
Kahwi Leonard
The two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year and the Spurs’ next franchise player didn’t immediately feel the love in San Antonio. He was the 15th pick. When Richard Jefferson got traded mid-season, he found himself starting at small forward. And from there he continued working hard until he was awarded the Finals MVP in 2014.
Steve Nash
At the 1996 draft, Phoenix Suns fans could never have dreamed that the 6’3, 187 lbs skinny white Canadian would go onto to be a two-time MVP. Which is why they booed him when he was selected 15th overall. Nash won back-to-back regular season MVPs in 2005 and 2006 and led his team to three Western Conference Finals.
Isaiah Thomas
Perhaps the only person who had faith in Isaiah Thomas was Isaiah Thomas himself. At just 5-feet-9, and as the 60th draft pick (the last pick of the draft), nobody expected anything from him. He could literally retire out of the game and no one would notice.
Now, six years, two trades, and lots of short jokes later, he’s one of the elite NBA players today. His greatest playoff performance was a few days after his sister died when he scored 53 points. The most points for a Celtic in a playoff game.
Hi, I’m Shaun Benderson, a sports writer and a college student from Florida. Follow me on Twitter to get regular updates in sports.
Kahwi Leonard
The two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year and the Spurs’ next franchise player didn’t immediately feel the love in San Antonio. He was the 15th pick. When Richard Jefferson got traded mid-season, he found himself starting at small forward. And from there he continued working hard until he was awarded the Finals MVP in 2014.
Image source : cdn.com
Steve Nash
At the 1996 draft, Phoenix Suns fans could never have dreamed that the 6’3, 187 lbs skinny white Canadian would go onto to be a two-time MVP. Which is why they booed him when he was selected 15th overall. Nash won back-to-back regular season MVPs in 2005 and 2006 and led his team to three Western Conference Finals.
Isaiah Thomas
Perhaps the only person who had faith in Isaiah Thomas was Isaiah Thomas himself. At just 5-feet-9, and as the 60th draft pick (the last pick of the draft), nobody expected anything from him. He could literally retire out of the game and no one would notice.
Image source : performgroup.com
Now, six years, two trades, and lots of short jokes later, he’s one of the elite NBA players today. His greatest playoff performance was a few days after his sister died when he scored 53 points. The most points for a Celtic in a playoff game.
Hi, I’m Shaun Benderson, a sports writer and a college student from Florida. Follow me on Twitter to get regular updates in sports.
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