NBA Draft: Best No. 4 Overall Picks of the 2000s

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NEW YORK – JUNE 24: Shaun Livingston of the Los Angeles Clippers talks with the media after the 2004 NBA Draft at Madison Square Garden on June 24, 2004 in New York, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2004 NBAE (Photo by Steve Freeman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

8. Shaun Livingston, 2004

This guy gets bonus points for just still being in the league, after enduring one of the most injury-ravaged careers in NBA history. He began his career with seasons of 30, 61, 54, 12, 4, 8, 36, 10 and 26 games played, respectively.

Overcoming those odds, the emancipated Shaun Livingston has resurfaced as an indispensable cog for one of the best teams ever assembled.

His length on defense gives Golden State immense versatility with their bench lineups, while offensively he is one of the NBA’s smartest and most efficient players. Equally comfortable bullying on the block, or shifting an attack in transition; Livingston plays with a constant calm, almost unseen outside the San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard.

That said, he’s spent years in the very depths of NBA hell. The fact that he is still in the league is a testament to his toughness; his poise should not surprise anyone.

CLEVELAND,OH – Tristan Thompson #13 of the Cleveland Cavaliers handles the ball against the Golden State Warriors in Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals on June 8, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /

7. Tristan Thompson, 2011

Before his career was afflicted by Kardashian Syndrome like so many NBAers before him, Tristan Thompson was one of the NBA’s most coveted niche bigs. Neither a stretch threat nor adept rim protector, he was an elite offensive rebounder who could screen, rim-run, and close out amongst the NBA’s best.

His consistency has faded over the past couple years as the league’s gotten smaller with lineups. Thompson’s head has slowly drifted to whatever alternate dimension Khloe lives in. He still could provide value for the right team, while his role on Cleveland’s title — and (near-title) — squad will not be forgotten any time soon.

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