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"So the Sixers reward for struggling through the
2012-2013 season is the 11th overall pick in this June’s NBA draft;
not high enough a pick to secure a certain superstar, yet just low enough to make the “who to draft” decision
extremely difficult.
Such a low lottery pick is disappointing for a
franchise that needs to build a foundation for the future, considering that the
best way to develop a team is through the draft.
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| Image from: blogs.villagevoice.com |
However, all hope is not lost just because we have
to wait for ten teams to have their pick of prospects before the Sixers select.
Yes the most obviously talented and NBA-ready will
be taken, but the Sixers could still strike it big with the 11th
overall selection.
Here are some other players, including a couple of
all-stars and a hall-of-famer, who were selected 11th overall in
their respective drafts and went out to have extremely successful, productive
NBA careers.
Kevin
Willis, Atlanta 1984
The second-oldest person to ever play in an NBA
game, Kevin Willis enjoyed a productive career that spanned an astonishing 21
seasons. Highlighted by an All-Star and All-NBA appearance in 1992, and a championship
in 2003 with the San Antonio Spurs, Willis was an extremely consistent
contributor throughout his career, retiring with overall averages of 12 points
and 8 rebounds per game.
Reggie
Miller, Indiana 1987
Remembered by many as the greatest sharp-shooter of
all time, Reggie slipped all the way down to number 11 before being selected by
Indiana, the team he would spend all 18 of his prolific professional seasons
with. Miller, a five-time NBA All-Star and recent Hall-of-Fame inductee, was
one of the NBA’s most polarizing personalities during his playing days, famous
for feuding with film director and Knick-nut Spike Lee, along with having some
historic postseason battles with the Bulls and Knicks. Miller, who was recently
surpassed by Ray Allen for most three pointers made in NBA history, currently
serves as a sideline announcer for NBA on TNT.
Robert
Horry, Houston 1992
Known as “Big shot Rob” for his consistently clutch
shooting in important moments, Robert Horry was part of more championship teams
than anyone outside of members of the 1960’s Celtics dynasty. With seven
championship rings to his name, Horry is largely considered one of the greatest
clutch shooters of all time. He holds the record for three-pointers in the NBA
Finals with 53, and he is also the leader in playoff games played, tallying 244
playoff games in his 16 seasons.
Allan
Houston, Detroit 1993
For the better part of a decade, Allan Houston was
one of the most respected shooters in the league. Highlighted by all-star
selections in 2001 and 2002, Allan spearheaded a notable Knicks offense, as he
never failed to average less than 14 points per game for the franchise from
1996 to 2004. Knee injuries forced him to end his career early than intended,
but Houston was still extremely productive for a long period.
Klay
Thompson, Golden State 2011
Labeled as one half of the “greatest shooting
backcourt in the history of the game” according to his Coach Mark Jackson,
Thompson has already made a name for himself in two short seasons. Combined
with point guard Steph Curry, the “splash brothers” connected on an NBA-record
483 three-pointers this season, while helping to will the Warriors to the
Western Conference Semi-Finals. Named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2012,
Klay who had to wait to hear his name called on Draft night, is well on his way
to becoming an extremely productive NBA player."
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