In this series, I will redraft the top ten picks in each NBA draft from 2010-2014. Of course these picks are a matter of opinion, but I will do my best to backup my opinion using this criteria: career accolades, career stats, and impact on the franchise that drafted the player. This 2010 NBA redraft is how the top 10 would be selected if teams had another chance to draft.
1. Paul George, SF, Fresno State
Achievements: 3x All-star (2013, 2014, 2016), 2x All-NBA third team (2013, 2014), NBA All-defensive first team (2014), NBA All-defensive second team (2013), NBA Most Improved Player (2013), All-rookie second team (2011)
Paul George was a steal at 10th overall for the Indiana Pacers. Since being drafted, George has turned the direction of the Pacers organization around. They had a 27-year- old Danny Granger at the time, but not much else. They had not made the playoffs since 2006, but in George’s rookie year, he helped the Pacers to get back to the playoffs. The Pacers would make the playoffs for the next three years, going to the Conference Finals in both 2013 and 2014. George averaged 19 and 22 points per game in those respective playoff runs, as he developed his offensive game greatly in between his second and third years in the league. Although the Pacers missed the playoffs in 2015 due to George’s gruesome leg injury, George has made a great comeback, and has the Pacers in position to make the playoffs again. Paul George is one of the best two-way players in the game, and it’s hard to argue he wouldn’t go first overall after looking at what he has accomplished for the Indiana Pacers.
- John Wall, PG, Kentucky
Achievements: 3x All-star (2014-2016), NBA All-defensive second team (2015), NBA All-rookie first team (2011), NBA rookie challenge MVP (2011)
Similar to Paul George, John Wall has had a tremendous impact on the Washington Wizards since they drafted him first overall. Although it took him four years, Wall led the Wizards to the playoffs for the first time since 2008 in 2014. He then brought Washington back to the playoffs in 2015, where they would eventually lose to the Atlanta Hawks in six games. However, a big part of that loss was Wall’s absence after game one due to a wrist injury, which proves his importance to the team. One of the gripes with Wall when he came into the league was that he couldn’t defend or shoot very well, but he has made strides on both defense and shooting. He shot 29.6% from three in his rookie campaign, but is shooting 34.2% from long-range this year. Wall has committed himself to turning around the Wizards franchise, while expanding his game to become one of the best all-around point guards in the NBA, which puts him at number two in this redraft.
- DeMarcus Cousins, C, Kentucky
Achievements: 2x All-star (2015, 2016), All-NBA second team (2015), All-rookie first team (2011)
DeMarcus Cousins would go first overall if this list was based on talent alone. Throughout his career, he has averaged 20 points on 47% shooting and 11 rebounds per game. Cousins is one of the more versatile centers in the league; he shoots 38.3% from 16 feet to 3 point range, which is no slouch for a man who’s 7 feet tall and weighs 270 pounds. However, Cousins falls short of George and Wall because the Sacramento Kings have been in limbo since drafting him. They have not made the playoffs since 2006, and have had two different ownership groups, along with five different coaches during Cousins’ tenure. Cousins has also had his fair share of issues, including his most recent suspension. He is a talented player, but he has not been the leader that the Kings need, which is why he’s not ranked higher.
- Greg Monroe, PF/C, Georgetown
Achievements: All-rookie second team (2011)
Greg Monroe has been one of the more consistent big men in the league since the Detroit Pistons drafted him seventh overall. He is a 15-point per game scorer on an efficient 51% and averages 9.2 rebounds per game for his career. Monroe is talented on the low-post, too. He converts on 60% of his shots at the rim, and on 52.4% of his hook shots. It was difficult for Monroe to have a big impact on the Pistons, because the Greg Monroe- Andre Drummond frontcourt didn’t fit well together, which lead to an inefficient offense. However, his former coach, Stan Van Gundy understood Monroe’s value: “I think Greg is an outstanding player and I think he’s a high-character guy as well. And I think those are the guys that you generally want to build around,” Van Gundy said in an interview with Grantland’s Zach Lowe [http://grantland.com/the-triangle/the-lowe-post-podcast-stan-van-gundy-on-greg-monroe-orlando-regrets-and-more/?ex_cid=story-twitter]. In the coming years, we will see whether Monroe’s veteran presence can lead the Bucks youth to the playoffs.
- Gordon Hayward, SF, Butler
Achievements: None noteworthy
Gordon Hayward was a talented player at Butler, leading them to the NCAA Championship Game in 2010. It took a bit of time for Hayward to adjust to the NBA, but he has gradually improved each year. He scored just 5.4 PPG in his rookie year, but after working hard for five years, he is scoring 20 points per game this year. Hayward has emerged as a leader for the young Utah Jazz, who are trying to make the playoffs for the first time since 2012. Hayward is a good, high character player who will continue to improve and lead his team in the future, which puts him at number five.
- Derrick Favors, PF, Georgia Tech
Achievements: All-rookie second team (2011)
Favors has a lot of upside, which is why he was drafted third overall. Similar to teammate Gordon Hayward, it just took Favors some time to find himself in the league. In his fourth year in the league (2013-14), Favors finally broke into double-digit scoring. In the past two years, Favors is averaging 16.4 points and 8.3 rebounds a game, which makes him an integral part of the young Utah Jazz core. Favors has a lot of potential to compliment his large body frame and athleticism, which makes him a future All-star to look out for.
7. Eric Bledsoe, PG, Kentucky
Achievements: NBA All-rookie second team (2011)
Eric Bledsoe spent the first three years of his career backing up Chris Paul on the Clippers. Bledsoe showed his potential in the twelve games he started in his last season in Los Angeles, averaging 14 points and 7.5 assists in those games. Bledsoe then signed with the Suns in the 2013 off-season to showcase his worth. In three seasons with Phoenix, he has put up 18.4 points and 6 assists per game. Bledsoe is one of the best defensive point guards in the league. Combine that with his offensive prowess, and the fact that he nearly led the Suns to the playoffs in 2014, and you get a player worthy of being drafted top ten in 2010.
8. Avery Bradley, PG/SG, Texas
Achievements: NBA All-defensive second team (2013)
Avery Bradley is one of the best defenders in the NBA, and former teammate Rajon Rondo takes that statement further. “Bradley’s probably the best on-ball defender in the league, and he has been for a long time,” Rondo said after the Celtics beat the Kings on February 7th [from CSNNE, http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/rondo-bradley-one-nbas-best-ball-defenders]. However, Bradley’s offensive improvement is what puts him at eight. In 2011-12-the first year Bradley got significant minutes- he averaged 7 points a game and shot 27 of 72 from three. So far this season, he scores 15 points a game and is shooting 37% from deep.
9. Hassan Whiteside, C, Marshall
Achievements: None noteworthy
It took Hassan Whiteside five years, but he finally found a home in Miami. In 48 games in 2014-15, he averaged 12 points and 10 rebounds a game. So far this season, he upped all his stats: 13 points, 12 rebounds, and a league best four blocks. However, Whiteside has character issues that he needs to sort out, because they’re hurting his team.
Spo on Whiteside: “We’ve been through this with him before. It’s a disappointing play. That’s not a basketball play.”
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) February 10, 2016
If he can clean up his act, the Heat have found a diamond in the rough in Whiteside.
- Evan Turner, SG, Ohio State
Achievements: None noteworthy
Turner was drafted second overall by the Sixers, and in his early years, he showed flashes of talent. He helped guide Philly to the playoffs in 2011 and 2012, before they fell off in 2013. In the 2013-14 season, Turner averaged 17.4 points per game for the Sixers, but was ultimately traded to the Pacers, where he struggled. However, since coming to Boston, Turner has proven his worth. He is a jack-of-all-trades, a super utility player who can handle the rock, shoot from mid-range, and has the size to defend opposing 2s and 3s.
