After I drafted, half of the league regretted not choosing me! Count the mistakes in the NBA 10th Century Draft

NBA's scouting system can be regarded as the most sophisticated talent selection network in the global sports world - the global eyeliner, big data-supported evaluation model, and decades of precipitated draft experience can always include the vast majority of top basketball geniuses in the league. But no matter how precise the system is, it cannot withstand the limitations of "people" in judgment. Throughout NBA history, there are always some players who are seriously underestimated on draft nights. It was not until they later grew into superstars that changed the league's pattern. Those teams that missed them at the beginning understood in endless regrets: "We let an era go." The stories of the following 10 players are the most unforgettable "Century Draft Mistakes" in NBA history. Each of them made half of the league regret it.

1. Dennis Rodman: 27th pick in 1986 - "Rebound Monster" was regarded as a "marginal character"

The 1986 NBA draft was recognized as the "golden generation" - legends such as Olajuwon, Jordan, and Barkley gathered. But in this star-studded draft, Dennis Rodman became one of the "biggest beads". At the time, he was 25 years old, because he was only 2.01 meters tall but focused on the inside and had a rough offensive ability, and was defined by scouts as a "functional single marginal player". He was not selected by the Detroit Pistons until the 27th pick in the second round.

But who would have thought that this "fringe player" later became the most terrifying "rebound machine" in NBA history: he won the rebounding champion seven times in his career, and averaged 18.7 rebounds per game in a single season, which was the "ancient level"; he was the defensive core of the Pistons' "Bad Boys Legion", helped the team win the championship twice, and later completed the "second three-game championship" with the Bulls, with 5 championship rings + 7 best defensive team resumes, which was enough to shame the team with the top 26 picks in the draft that year.

More ironic, the 1986 draft No. 1 pick Brad Doherty (Calligraphy), Tanhualang Harper (Clippers) and other players have far less career achievements than Rodman. Looking at it now, those teams that gave up Rodman because of their "weak offense" may regret it: "Why didn't we see a monster who can change the game by relying on defense and rebounding?"

2. Kevin Garnett: No. 5 pick in 1995 - The Warriors missed the opportunity to "rise 20 years ahead of schedule"

Before the 1995 draft, high school player Kevin Garnett had shown the potential of a "historical power forward" - a height of 2.11 meters but with the flexibility of a guard, able to break through with the ball, shoot from the outside, and protect the penalty area. But scouts at that time generally had concerns about "high school players", believing that they were immature and difficult to adapt to NBA strength.

The Golden State Warriors, who hold the No. 1 pick, are the victims of this "caution". They gave up on Garnett and chose Joe Smith, who was "stronger in combat". Although Joe Smith was considered a qualified inside player in his career, it was a very different story compared to Garnett: Garnett later became the Timberwolves' "Soul", 1 regular season MVP, 15 All-Stars, 9 best defensive teams, and helped the Celtics win the championship in 2008, and was finally selected as the "75 super giant in history", which is called the "third largest forward in history".

Just imagine, if the Warriors had won Garnett with the No. 1 pick, they might have started the "dynasty model" 20 years ahead of schedule, rather than waiting until the Curry era will rise. This mistake has become one of the most regrettable "missed" in the Warriors' history.

3. Ben Wallace: 1996 undrafted - "undrafted" counterattacked into "defensive totem"

1996 was the "drafted year" of the NBA. Superstars such as Kobe, Iverson, and Nash gathered, but the biggest "miss" in this draft was that all teams ignored Ben Wallace. The 2.06-meter center forward, who was thin and rough in offense, was ignored on draft nights and could only join the Celtics as a "no-draft", but was cut before a single game.

But it is such a player who "no one wants" who later became one of the greatest defensive centers in NBA history: 4 best defensive player (one of the most in history), 5 best defensive team, 2 rebounding champion, and 1 block king. In 2004, he was the core of the Pistons, leading the team to defeat the "Lakers F4" to win the championship, defining the miracle of the "civilian champion" with iron-blooded defense.

Scouts from all teams back then probably didn't expect that this player who did not even get the qualification for a draft would become a model for "defense to change the ownership of the championship." Ben Wallace's counterattack has also become the best footnote to the NBA's "never underestimate a championship mindset."

4. Kobe Bryant: No. 13, 1996 pick-up - 12 teams missed the "basketball totem"

On the 1996 draft night, 17-year-old Kobe Bryant took the label of "high school player" and was generally regarded by scouts as a "gambler with unknown potential". The team at that time preferred to choose "immediate combat power", so Kobe was not selected by the Hornets until the 13th pick in the first round and was then traded to the Lakers.

But it is this "13th pick rookie" who later became the "Times Totem" of the NBA: 5 championship rings, 18 All-Stars, 1 regular season MVP, and 2 finals MVPs. His "Mamba spirit" has influenced countless players around the world, and he is known as "Confucian and Mencius in the NBA" together with Jordan. Because of him, the Lakers have become one of the most successful teams in the 21st century..

The teams with the top 12 picks that year - from No. 1 pick Iverson (76ers) to Todd Fowler (Warriors), who were 12 picks, were later ridiculed by fans for "repentance and blushing the intestines." Especially the Hornets, sending the "possible number one person in team history" to the Lakers has become an eternal regret. If time goes back, the half-coal in 1996 will definitely break up for Kobe.

5. Dirk Nowitzki: 1998 No. 9 pick - "Single-core champion" under the label "Soft Egg"

Before the 1998 draft, 20-year-old German player Dirk Nowitzki was labeled as "Soft Egg" and "not adapted to NBA confrontation" by scouts because of his identity as a "white player" and his foreign style of playing. In the 9th pick in the first round, the Bucks immediately traded to the Mavericks (now the Mavericks), as if they were "sweeping the burden".

But it is this player who is despised as "soft" who has defeated the entire league with 21 years of career: 1 regular season MVP, 1 Finals MVP, 1 Championship. In 2011, he led the team to defeat the "Big Three Heat" and became one of the greatest "single-core champions" in NBA history. His "Golden Rooster Independence" shot became a classic move imitated by countless players, and eventually ranked among the "top ten in history scoring list" with 31,560 points, and was the undisputed "first person" in the history of the Mavericks.

The teams with the top 8 picks in the draft that year, especially the No. 1 pick, Olavokandi (the Clippers selected, their career can be called "parallel"), are a huge difference with Nowitzki. Looking at it now, those scouts who gave up Nowitzki because of their "skin color and style of play" undoubtedly commit "century-level prejudice".

6. Manu Ginobili: 57th pick in 1999 - "GDP legend" at the end of the second round"

On the 1999 draft night, Argentine player Manu Ginobili was not selected by the Spurs until the 57th pick in the second round because of his "international player", "slim body" and "weird playing style". At that time, almost no one was optimistic about him - after all, it was not easy for a player at the end of the second round to gain a foothold in the NBA, let alone become a superstar.

But Spurs general manager Popovich rewritten history with his "smart eyes" . Ginobili later became one of the cores of the Spurs' "GDP combination": 4 championship rings, 1 best sixth man, 2 All-Stars. His "snake-shaped breakthrough" and "key ball ability" saved the Spurs from the fire countless times. At the 2004 Athens Olympics, he led Argentina to defeat the United States "Dream Six" and won the championship, becoming one of the "No. 1 international basketball players".

The team with the top 56 pick in the draft that year probably didn't expect that this player who "almost failed to choose" would become one of the greatest "sixth men" in NBA history and could defeat the "Dream Team" in international arena. Ginobili's story has also become a wake-up call for "scouts should not ignore international players."

7. Stephen Curry: 7th pick in 2009 - "Glass Man" opened the "Small Ball Era"

Before the 2009 draft, Stephen Curry was generally regarded by scouts for his "small figure", "vulnerable ankle injury" and "weak defense". The teams at that time preferred "talented inside" and "traditional defender", so Curry was not selected by the Warriors until the 7th pick in the first round. The first six teams chose Griffin, Tabitt, Harden, Evans, Rubio, and Jonny Flynn - among which Tabitt (the second pick) and Jonny Flynn (the 6th pick) had a career as "parallel".

But this player who was despised as the "Glass Man" later became the "creator of the small ball era": 4 championship rings, 2 regular season MVPs (1 unanimous vote), and 2 scoring champions. His ultra-long three-pointer completely changed the NBA's tactical system, leading the Warriors to the Finals for five consecutive years, becoming one of the most successful teams in the 21st century. Today, Curry's historical position has firmly ranked among the "top three in point guards" and is even expected to hit the "top ten in history".

The scouts of the top 6 teams in the 2009 draft are probably still insomnia: "Why did we miss a man who can change the rules of the league?" If time comes again, half of the league will definitely compete for Curry at all costs.

8. Drummond Green: 35th pick in 2012 - "Short inside" became the "Dynasty Defensive Core"

Before the 2012 draft, Drummond Green, who was 1.98 meters tall but mainly played in the inside, was defined by scouts as "single-functioning blue-collar" by scouts until the 35th pick in the second round. At that time, no one expected that this "short inside" would become the "defensive cornerstone" of the Warriors dynasty.

Green later defeated everyone with his performance: 4 championship rings, 1 best defensive player, 4 best defensive lineups. His "support ability", "defense coverage area" and "trash talk spirit" are the core of the Warriors' "Death Five Small" system. In 2016, he became the first center in NBA history to "average triple-double" and saved the Warriors many times in the Finals in 2022, proving his "key value".

The teams with the top 34 picks in the draft that year, especially those that need a defensive inside line, are probably regretting: "Why didn't we see an all-round fighter who can defend from No. 1 to No. 5?" Green's counterattack has also become a classic case of "scouts should not be limited by height".

9. Antetokounmpo: 15th pick in 2013 - "Greek Monster" rose from "Slim Bamboo Pole"

Before the 2013 draft, the 19-year-old "Greek Monster" Antetokounmpo was generally regarded by scouts as "a risk stock with unknown potential" because of its "slim body", "rough technology" and "from small European countries". In the 15th pick in the first round, when the Bucks selected him, they were more of a "scratch lottery" mentality.

But it is this "slim bamboo pole", which later grew into the most terrifying "all-round warrior" in NBA history: 2 regular season MVPs, 1 championship, 1 finals MVP, 4 best teams, and 1 best defensive player. His height ranged from 2.06 meters to 2.13 meters, but he can still dribble like a guard and grab rebounds and block shots like a center, becoming a model of "from 1 to 5". Now, Antetokounmpo is the "spirit of the Bucks" and is expected to reach the "top ten in history".

The teams with the top 14 picks in the draft that year, especially the No. 1 pick Bennett (the Cavaliers selected, one of the "most no. 1 picks in history"), were "a world apart" from Antetokounmpo. Those scouts who gave up Antetokounmpo because of their "born and figure" undoubtedly missed an "epoch-making superstar".

10. Nikola Jokic: 2014 No. 41st pick - "Second Round Pick" became "historic center"

On the 2014 draft night, Serbian player Nikola Jokic was not selected by the Nuggets until the 41st pick in the second round. At that time, the scouts' evaluation was: "He may not even be able to keep up with the NBA's running and jumping pace."

But it was this "fat center" who later became the greatest "passing center" in NBA history: 2 regular season MVPs, 1 championship, 1 finals MVP, and 4 best teams. His "low post support", "all-game passes" and "key ball ability" completely overturned people's perception of centers and led the Nuggets to complete a counterattack "from bottom to championship". Today, Jokic is a "historical center" and is expected to challenge the status of "Chamberlain and Jabbar".

The team with the top 40 picks in the draft that year probably didn't expect: this fat boy who "can't even enter the first round" would become one of the most comprehensive centers in NBA history. Jokic's story has also become the ultimate lesson of "scouts should not be deceived by body shape and athleticism."

Conclusion: The draft mistake in the

NBA is essentially the gap between "human judgment" and "player potential". These underrated players have turned "regrets" into "legends" with their own efforts and persistence - they regretted the teams who missed themselves, but also made the history of the NBA even more exciting. Of course, the draft never has "absolutely correct". Just like the Thunder chose Durant, Westbrook and Harden in a row, success requires luck and even more attention. But these "century draft mistakes" also remind scouts: Don't be limited by prejudice, don't be kidnapped by data, and don't underestimate a "heart who wants to become a superstar." After all, this is the charm of basketball - you never know whether the player who was ignored on draft night will make half of the league regret it one day in the future: "Why didn't I choose him at the beginning?"