Beale Street Bears
Fansided

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

By AJ Salah

NEW YORK - JUNE 28: Mike Conley (R) shakes hands with NBA Commissioner David Stern after being selected fifth overall by the Boston Celtics during the 2007 NBA Draft at the WaMu Theatre at Madison Square Garden June 28, 2007 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 2007 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK - JUNE 28: Mike Conley (R) shakes hands with NBA Commissioner David Stern after being selected fifth overall by the Boston Celtics during the 2007 NBA Draft at the WaMu Theatre at Madison Square Garden June 28, 2007 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 2007 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
NEW ORLEANS, LA – FEBRUARY 18: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic competes in the 2017 Verizon Slam Dunk Contest at Smoothie King Center on February 18, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – FEBRUARY 18: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic competes in the 2017 Verizon Slam Dunk Contest at Smoothie King Center on February 18, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

6. Aaron Gordon, 2014

Gordon’s spot on this list has to be graded with a bit of a curve. Amid much uncertainty, three things about his true NBA identity are apparent:

  1. He’s a complete anomaly of an athlete with a diverse skill set
  2. The Orlando Magic have no clue what to do with him
  3. The stretch-four experiment needs to stop (27.3% on 6.23 a/g from three-point land in 2018)

Gordon’s first few seasons were a trial-by-error attempt to find an identity, amid a log-jammed frontcourt and comically disorganized offense. Once Gordon is paired with any true playmaker, competent coach, or sufficient floor-spacing unit, he could develop a more sustainable identity as a versatile and slashing four-man.

From there, the sky is the limit. Or considering Gordon’s vertical, perhaps even beyond.

NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 25: Kristaps Porzingis meets with Commissioner Adam Silver after being selected fourth overall by the New York Knicks in the First Round of the 2015 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 25, 2015 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 25: Kristaps Porzingis meets with Commissioner Adam Silver after being selected fourth overall by the New York Knicks in the First Round of the 2015 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 25, 2015 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

5. Kristaps Porzingis, 2015

As with Gordon, we have to grade “Zinger” more on his potential than current body of work. Not only is Kristaps Porzingis just 22 years of age, but has had to spend his entire career thus far amid the chaotic hysteria that is known as the New York Knicks.

After being freed of Phil Jackson and Carmelo Anthony, Porzingis started off the 2017 season on a rampage that garnered early MVP talk. His numbers gradually faded along with the Knicks’ season, culminating in a gruesome ACL tear for Porzingis.

Reports that he may miss all of next season cannot be too encouraging. After years of false claims as the “next Dirk,” let’s not have the heir apparent succumb to injuries this quickly.

Home/Grizzlies Draft