NBA Drafts: Who Doesn't Belong? Quiz

Answer: Patrick Ewing

Olajuwon (whose first name was then spelled Akeem) was the number one pick by Houston, and Jordan went two spots later to Chicago at number 3. Portland had picked center Sam Bowie at number two, in what could easily be called the worst draft-day blunder in basketball history (Bowie never did anything remotely noteworthy during his career). Barkley was drafted number 5 that same year.

Answer: David Robinson

David Robinson did win the 1989-90 Rookie of the Year, but he hadn't actually been drafted in 1989. He only came to the Spurs (who took him first overall in 1987) after completing two years of naval service. Rice (fourth), Hardaway (14th) and Kemp (17) all came out of the 1989 draft, which unfortunately is regarded as one of the poorer drafts in recent history due to the less than illustrious careers turned in by its top two picks Pervis Ellison and Danny Ferry.

Answer: Allan Houston

The 1992 draft turned in some of the most recognizable names in the league by the turn of the millenium. Shaq went number one to Orlando, and went on to be Rookie of the Year. Mourning went number two to Charlotte and emerged into an elite center and a perennial All-Star. Sprewell was drafted much later at 24 by the Warriors (a pick which was booed by Golden State fans at first), and would become their most explosive player almost immediately. Allan Houston, an eventual teammate of Sprewell's, was drafted a year later in 1993 by Detroit.

Answer: Jason Kidd

Stackhouse was the highest pick among the players listed, going number three to the Sixers. Garnett was the fifth pick, going to Minnesota, and eventual Rookie of the Year Stoudamire was seventh to Toronto.

Answer: Rasheed Wallace

Iverson went number one to the Sixers. Kobe went 13th to Charlotte and was immediately traded to the Lakers for Vlade Divac. Nash went 15th to Phoenix (whom he would later return to in MVP form).

Answer: Vince Carter

Duncan went #1 to the Spurs (which shocked absolutely no one). Billups went number three to Boston, and T-Mac was the ninth pick right out of high school by Toronto.


Other names from the '97 draft class: Keith Van Horn, Tim Thomas, Bobby Jackson, Derek Anderson and Stephen Jackson.

Answer: Ron Artest

Carter was picked at number 5 by Golden State, who traded him for Toronto's number 4 pick Antawn Jamison. Nowitzki was taken at number 9 by Milwaukee and promptly traded to Dallas for Robert "Tractor" Traylor (another highly questionable draft-day move). Pierce, who was projected to be a top five pick, somehow slipped to number 10 and was gladly scooped up by the Celtics.

Answer: Kenyon Martin

Baron was the third pick, going to the Hornets, Hamilton was made the seventh pick by Washington, and Marion went to Phoenix shortly thereafter at number 9.

Answer: Pau Gasol

Yao was one of the most highly-touted prospects prior to the '02 draft, and Houston could not resist using its number one pick on him. Eventual Rookie of the Year Amare Stoudemire, went ninth to Phoenix, and relatively unknown Tayshaun Prince went to Detroit at number 23. Gasol was drafted the year before in 2001 and was the Rookie of the Year from that draft.

Answer: Ben Gordon

LeBron entered the League with a bang and rode his seemingly endless talents to the Rookie of the Year award. "Melo" was drafted third by Denver, and Wade went fifth to Miami, where he would also become one of the best players in the NBA. Gordon was drafted the year after in 2004 and became the first rookie to win the Sixth Man of the year award.