Kris Humphries, Kwame Brown: The biggest draft lottery mess ups – NBA Draft Special (Part 7)
Utah Jazz: Kris Humphries
During the 2004 draft, Utah Jazz got the 14th pick and they wanted to bring an offensive boost in the team. They drafted the power forward Kris Humphries. Kris averaged 4 and three points respectively in the first two
years with the team and eventually Utah traded him away.
What made it worse for Utah was that Humphries was picked before Al Jefferson, who is now an integral part of the Jazz line-up. If the franchise had drafted Jefferson at that time, the team could have avoided a lot of run-around.
Washington Wizards: Kwame Brown
Kwame Brown was drafted by the Washington Wizards in 2001 as the first overall pick. Considering the fact, that the legendary Michael Jordan made the choice to select Brown, the expectation from the rookie was sky high.
However, Kwame’s first year appearance was one to forget. He averaged only 4.5 points and 3.5 boards per game and even though the franchise kept on placing their faith in him for four long years, Kwame refused to raise the bar.
Los Angeles Lakers: Nobody
The Los Angeles Lakers have only had one lottery pick since the start of the NBA draft lottery in 1985. The sole opportunity came in 2005 when the Lakers ended up drafting the 7 footer centre Andrew Bynum. The big man had a below
average rookie year with an average of 1.6 points and 1.7 rebounds. However, in the next five seasons, Bynum showcased why he was picked up by one of the best teams in the league and supported the Lakers in the two successive championships.
After the selection of Andrew in 2005, the franchise never drafted any player through a lottery pick, they never had the need.
San Antonio Spurs: Nobody
To say that the San Antonio Spurs have been the alpha team of NBA when it comes to lottery picks and drafts is an understatement. During 15 years, the San Antonio Spurs have had three NBA lottery picks and they drafted Tim Duncan,
Sean Elliot and David Robinson with those picks.
Robinson, who played as a centre, proved to be a revelation and averaged 24.3 points and 12 rebounds per game in his career. David was one of the finest players in the franchise history and he played with them for more than a decade.
Small forward Elliot was also an outstanding player for the team. Although he had a slow start in his rookie season, compared to his career stats, and scored with an average of 10 points and 3.7 boards Elliot matured into a offensive
juggernaut. After four seasons, Sean was acquired by the Detroit Pistons. He played only one season with Detroit and then made his way back into the San for the next seven seasons.
The most recent pick Tim Duncan had a sparkling career with the Spurs right from his rookie season in 1997-1998. The gentle giant led the Spurs to four championship titles in the past decade and under him, the Spurs have become
one of the most successful franchise in the Western Conference.
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