What is the deepest draft class ever?

[GoNYGoNYGo]

Alright - I have seen plenty of debate over the greatest draft class ever and everyone pretty much agrees that its 84 or 96 and some crazy people think that 03 or 85 have an argument but its really either 84 or 96.

So with that topic having been discussed seven million times (rough estimate) I thought it might be fun to take a look at what is the deepest draft of all time. I started thinking about this while listening to Bill Simmons Book of Basketball Podcast where he is redrafting every draft from 1996 to today. I listened to the 1999 one today and I think this draft class is extremely overlooked because they don't have the superstar but I think it is probably the deepest class of all time.

If I am forgetting or missing a different draft class please let me know I would love to hear other peoples thoughts on this.

1999 Draftees:
Elton Brand
Steve Francis
Baron Davis
Lamar Odom
Wally Szczerbiak
Richard Hamilton
Andre Miller
Shawn Marion
Jason Terry
Corey Maggette
Ron Artest
James Posey
Andrei Kirilenko
Manu Ginobili

Then it even had undrafted players like Chris Anderson and Raja Bell

So obviously there aren't any Duncans, Kobes, Lebrons, Jordans etc. but those are a lot of players to end up with solid careers in the NBA.

[jasonm2121]

96 was pretty damn ill

[LeonfromNC]

I measure draft classes by HOFer and future HOFers and I only see 2 on that list.

Lots of role players and careers that fizzled out too soon.

Probably one of the weaker draft classes imo.

[rats60]

It depends upon what your metric is. Even if you set the bar low with at least 1 all star game, 1996 has 10 guys plus Ben Wallace who was a UFA and 1999 has 9. It is definitely a deep class without any superstars or likely Hofers, but it really isn't deeper than 1996.

[asujbl]

Yeah... the answer definitely isn't 1999...

If you're going to count a guy like James Posey are you going to count guys like George Hill and Nick Batum in 2008?

[packerfan4200]

19-20, for sure

[kingofsnake]

It is widely considered that the strongest four drafts were: 1984, 1985, 1996 and 2003.

But since you are asking about depth and not top stars, I agree that 1999 was a strong year, and also 1998.

[lietuvalabas]

Yep 96 and 98 for me

[yiguiri2002]

It depends on how you define deepest:

- Most All-Star players?
- Most players playing at least 5 years?
- Most players playing at least 10 years?
- Most players averaging 20 MPG for their career?

It gets really tricky.

[GoNYGoNYGo]

Originally Posted by LeonfromNC

I measure draft classes by HOFer and future HOFers and I only see 2 on that list.

Lots of role players and careers that fizzled out too soon.

Probably one of the weaker draft classes imo.

Obviously the lack of HOF'ers keeps this draft class down but I don't know that I would say its a weak draft class - if you were picking 15th in this draft you could end up with someone like a Raja Bell / James Posey who are solid players with pretty long and successful nba careers.

Originally Posted by rats60

It depends upon what your metric is. Even if you set the bar low with at least 1 all star game, 1996 has 10 guys plus Ben Wallace who was a UFA and 1999 has 9. It is definitely a deep class without any superstars or likely Hofers, but it really isn't deeper than 1996.

Yeah I always forget how deep 1996 is because I just think of Kobe, Nash, Iverson, etc. but I forget that the same draft yielded Peja, Ilgauskas, Fisher, etc.

Originally Posted by asujbl

Yeah... the answer definitely isn't 1999...

If you're going to count a guy like James Posey are you going to count guys like George Hill and Nick Batum in 2008?

Yeah I would count guys like Hill and Batum when considering the depth of a draft class. Those are starting caliber players or good bench pieces. James Posey was a very good player on championship teams.

Originally Posted by kingofsnake

It is widely considered that the strongest four drafts were: 1984, 1985, 1996 and 2003.

But since you are asking about depth and not top stars, I agree that 1999 was a strong year, and also 1998.

1998 feels kind of top heavy with a rather drastic drop off after the top like 6 or 7 players. I mean you have Bibby, Jamison, Carter, Nowitzki, Pierce, Rashard Lewis, Larry Hughes?, Bonzi Wells?, Jason Williams? A great class for sure but feels more top heavy than deep.

Originally Posted by lietuvalabas

Yep 96 and 98 for me

1996 absolutely - I overlooked the depth because so many HOF'ers came out of it for sure.

Originally Posted by yiguiri2002

It depends on how you define deepest:

- Most All-Star players?
- Most players playing at least 5 years?
- Most players playing at least 10 years?
- Most players averaging 20 MPG for their career?

It gets really tricky.

I would say deep in the fact that if you were the team picking at the end of the lottery and redrafting would you be happy to have 8-12 years of whoever you get at that spot if that makes sense.

[packerfan4200]

NY, you’re also forgetting Ray Allen, stephon marbury, Antoine Walker, Tony delk in 1996. To me it’s 84, then 96 and all the others mentioned somewhere behind.

[Longshot18]

1984 had 4 players that I believe made that original best 50 list: Jordan, Stockton, Barkley, Hakeem.

There were many others who had very good long careers: Thorpe, Perkins, Willis, Cage, Kersey, Alvin Robertson, Vern Flemming, Jay Humphries. I believe Tony Campbell even had a few seasons averaging over 20.

This does not even include Bowie- we all know his story, but while he flopped as a high pick, he had several productive years.

McCormick, Danny YOung, Jeff Turner all played a decade as role players.

[theLUCKYshow]

No mention of the 2009 class?

Stephen Curry
James Harden
Blake Griffin
Demar Derozan
Jrue Holiday

Some other solid players:
Ricky Rubio
Ty Lawson
Danny Green
Pattick Beverley
Patty Mills


Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

[GoNYGoNYGo]

Originally Posted by theLUCKYshow

No mention of the 2009 class?

Stephen Curry
James Harden
Blake Griffin
Demar Derozan
Jrue Holiday

Some other solid players:
Ricky Rubio
Ty Lawson
Danny Green
Pattick Beverley
Patty Mills


Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

Thats a really good one too! Don't forget about Jeff Teague, Darren Collison, Taj Gibson, Demarre Carroll, and even guys like Omri Casspi and Wayne Ellington had their moments. That class is really deep too.

[GoNYGoNYGo]

Originally Posted by packerfan4200

NY, you’re also forgetting Ray Allen, stephon marbury, Antoine Walker, Tony delk in 1996. To me it’s 84, then 96 and all the others mentioned somewhere behind.

Oh yeah - I wasn't listing all of the 96 key players at all I was just saying I get so focused on those high end guys I forget about the others and how many solid NBA players came out of that draft.

[Primo24]

96 easily......

[nicholas]

2019-20

[smalltown]

In terms of being both deep and full of stars it’s 1996 hands down. 19 of the first 20 selected have careers of over 8 years. The exception being Todd Fuller who still had a 5 year career.

[bjho852]

I would still say 1996 after all consideration, in my opinion. From all stars to serviceable non-stars...you name it.

[Asian62150]

Originally Posted by smalltown

In terms of being both deep and full of stars it’s 1996 hands down. 19 of the first 20 selected have careers of over 8 years. The exception being Todd Fuller who still had a 5 year career.

A great photo. And it doesn't even have Bubba Chuck on it!

[lietuvalabas]

Originally Posted by Asian62150

A great photo. And it doesn't even have Bubba Chuck on it!

he was probably doing an overnight stay somewhere...and didnt get bailed out in enough time to make the photoshoot.

[jrb]

Already said above but '96, '84, & '03.

'96 produced 4 HOFers, 11 all stars, 3 MVPs, 8 All-NBA players, and 3 DPOYs. Ben Wallace wasn't drafted but he was part of that class and he hasn't made the HOF (yet). Not just a deep class but top heavy too.

[GoNYGoNYGo]

Originally Posted by jrb

Already said above but '96, '84, & '03.

'96 produced 4 HOFers, 11 all stars, 3 MVPs, 8 All-NBA players, and 3 DPOYs. Ben Wallace wasn't drafted but he was part of that class and he hasn't made the HOF (yet). Not just a deep class but top heavy too.

I wouldn't call 03 deep there are clearly the top 4 then what David West?

99 is WAY deeper than 03 and its not even close IMO.

96 I agree is deeper than 99 but I still think 99 is way underappreciated because it doesn't have that elite talent but there were a lot of very good players in that draft.

[codered]

Originally Posted by smalltown

In terms of being both deep and full of stars it’s 1996 hands down. 19 of the first 20 selected have careers of over 8 years. The exception being Todd Fuller who still had a 5 year career.

100%

Love that Kobe is hiding a cast in the picture!

[jrb]

I was commenting about '96 in terms of depth and star power. I don't know what metric is used for the draft with the most average or above average starters / role players. Seems like a moving target.