What Was The Best NBA Draft Class?

We take a look at some of the best NBA draft classes in history and try to determine which one was the best.

Introduction

The best NBA draft class is a highly debated topic amongst basketball fans. There are many great classes to choose from, including the 1996 class that featured Allen Iverson, Kobe Bryant, and Steve Nash. However, the consensus seems to be that the 2003 class was the best of all time. This class featured many superstars who are still playing at a high level today, including LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh.

The Classes of 1984 and 1996

There have been many great NBA draft classes over the years, but two stand out above the rest: the class of 1984 and the class of 1996.

The class of 1984 includes some of the greatest players in NBA history, including Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Charles Barkley. These players redefined the game and set a new standard for excellence.

The class of 1996 is also loaded with talent, including Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, Ray Allen, and Steve Nash. These players helped change the NBA into the high-scoring, fast-paced league it is today. They also ushered in a new era of international players, with Nash becoming the first Canadian to win MVP honors.

The Class of 2003

Parity is supposed to be good for the NBA. It keeps fans engaged because there’s always hope that their team can make a run at the title. But when it comes to the draft, parity is very bad because it means there are no clear-cut superstars. And that was certainly the case in 2003, widely considered the worst draft class in NBA history.

There were a few All-Stars drafted in 2003, but none of them were true superstars. LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Carmelo Anthony were all taken in the 2003 draft, but they weren’t drafted until the very end of the first round. And while all three of those players had great careers, they weren’t able to carry their teams to championships like some of the other great players from that era.

The best player from the 2003 draft was probably Josh Howard, who was taken with the 29th pick by the Dallas Mavericks. Howard was a two-time All-Star and he averaged over 16 points per game for his career. But he wasn’t able to lead the Mavericks to a championship, and he fell out of the league after just nine seasons.

In total, 14 players from the 2003 draft are still active in the NBA today. And while that might seem like a lot, it’s actually fewer than any other draft class in history. So when people look back on this draft class in 20 years, it’s unlikely that anyone will be calling it one of the best ever.

The Class of 2010

The Class of 2010 was one of the best NBA draft classes in recent memory. Kyrie Irving, DeMarcus Cousins, Paul George, and Gordon Hayward were all drafted in the first round, and they have all gone on to have very successful NBA careers. Blake Griffin, John Wall, and Eric Bledsoe were also drafted in the first round, and while they haven’t had quite as much success as the other members of the class, they have still been very good players. The Class of 2010 also boasts two Rookie of the Year winners (Irving and Wall) and an All-Star Game MVP (George).

The Class of 2017

The 2017 NBA draft class is already being hailed as one of the best in recent memory, and rightfully so. Markelle Fultz, Lonzo Ball, Josh Jackson, Jayson Tatum, De’Aaron Fox, and Lauri Markkanen were all taken in the lottery, and each looks like a future star. Early indications are that this class could produce multiple All-Stars, and potentially even a few Hall of Famers. It’s too early to say for sure, but the early returns are extremely promising.

Conclusion

The 2006 NBA draft class is the best ever. Not only did it produce multiple superstars, but many of the role players from that class are still contributing to this day. The depth of talent in that class is staggering, and it’s hard to envision any future class matching its achievements.