Why it’s better to pick third than second in the NBA Draft
The third pick can fare better than the second selection.
The Wizards may actually be at an advantage.
Here are the last 20 years of No. 2 overall picks:
1993: Shawn Bradley (Philadelphia 76ers)
1994: Jason Kidd (Dallas Mavericks)
1995: Antonio McDyess (Denver Nuggets)
1996: Marcus Camby (Toronto Raptors)
1997: Keith Van Horn (Philadelphia 76ers)
1998: Mike Bibby (Vancouver Grizzlies)
1999: Steve Francis (Vancouver Grizzlies)
2000: Stromile Swift (Vancouver Grizzlies)
2001: Tyson Chandler (Chicago Bulls)
2002: Jay Williams (Chicago Bulls)
2003: Darko Milicic (Detroit Pistons)
2004: Emeka Okafor (Charlotte Bobcats)
2005: Marvin Williams (Atlanta Hawks)
2006: LaMarcus Aldridge (Portland Trail Blazers)
2007: Kevin Durant (Seattle SuperSonics)
2008: Michael Beasley (Miami Heat)
2009: Hasheem Thabeet (Memphis Grizzlies)
2010: Evan Turner (Philadelphia 76ers)
2011: Derrick Williams (Minnesota Timberwolves)
2012: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (Charlotte Bobcats)
And here are the No. 3 picks from the same drafts:
1993: Penny Hardaway (Orlando Magic)
1994: Grant Hill (Detroit Pistons)
1995: Jerry Stackhouse (Philadelphia 76ers)
1996: Shareef Abdur-Rahim (Vancouver Grizzlies)
1997: Chauncey Billups (Boston Celtics)
1998: Raef LaFrentz (Denver Nuggets)
1999: Baron Davis (Charlotte Hornets)
2000: Darius Miles (Los Angeles Clippers)
2001: Pau Gasol (Vancouver Grizzlies)
2002: Mike Dunleavy, Jr. (Golden State Warriors)
2003: Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets)
2004: Ben Gordon (Chicago Bulls)
2005: Deron Williams (Utah Jazz)
2006: Adam Morrison (Charlotte Bobcats)
2007: Al Horford (Atlanta Hawks)
2008: O.J. Mayo (Memphis Grizzlies)
2009: James Harden (Oklahoma City Thunder)
2010: Derrick Favors (New Jersey Nets)
2011: Enes Kanter (Utah Jazz)
2012: Bradley Beal (Washington Wizards)
Of the four future Hall of Famers drafted second or third in the last two decades, two were taken second (Kidd and Durant) and two went third (Hill and Gasol).
Six of the last 20 No. 2 picks have been All-Stars at least once, compared to a whopping 10 No. 3 picks during those years.
Any list of the most notorious draft busts of the past 20 years would include Stromile Swift, Jay Williams, Darko Milicic, Marvin Williams and Hasheem Thabeet, all picked second. Only Adam Morrison would make that list from the crop of No. 3 picks.
Teams will and should always want to pick higher, to have as many options as possible. But over the last 20 years, No. 3 picks have had more successful NBA careers than No. 2 picks.
You’re welcome, Wizards fans. ------------------------- FORTHEWIN
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