There are obvious ones, such as LeBron, Tim Duncan, Hakeem, and Shaq (although I’ve even heard some people claim that Shaq underachieved for a #1 pick).

But I’m curious exactly how many actually have lived up to their #1 pick status. There are some legends like Iverson and Kyrie that you could even question. Curious to hear people’s opinions on this, especially with Victor now in the league.

  • Unfrozen__CavemanBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    Going back to the 80s, I’d say these guys 100% DIDN’T live up to the #1 pick expectations. Some for their play, others because of injuries:

    • 89 - Pervis Ellison
    • 95 - Joe Smith
    • 98 - Olowokandi
    • 01 - Kwame
    • 06 - Bargnani
    • 07 - Oden
    • 13 - Anthony Bennett
    • 17 - Fultz
    • 18 - Ayton

    These guys could be considered a letdown for the #1 spot too but it’s up for debate:

    • 80 - Joe Barry Carroll - Warriors traded Parish and the pick that turned into McHale for him. Had questions about his effort early in his career and left the W’s to play in Italy for a year. Made 1 all star team but overall had an odd career.
    • 88 - Derrick Coleman (only 1 all star team)
    • 00 - Kenyon Martin - Overall a solid player from a weak draft class. #43 pick Michael Redd was probably the best player from that draft.
    • 05 - Bogut - Good player who had a good career but looking back CP3 and Deron Williams would have been picked before him.
    • 14 - Wiggins - Very similar to Bogut. Above average role player on a championship Warriors team, but not quite the sustained production you expect from a #1 pick. Embiid probably would’ve gone #1 if it weren’t for injuries, and Jokic was in the same draft but you can’t really blame any team for passing on him. Nobody really thought he’d be a generational big man back then.
    • 16 - Ben Simmons - Great player but has slowly gotten worse in basically every way since his rookie year.
    • 19 - Zion - We’ll see. Health concerns coming into the draft are still the same. He has the talent but if he doesn’t stay on the court that talent doesn’t matter.