[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

Best: Jerry West (1960)
The obvious selection here would be Bill Russell who was drafted second overall in 1956. However, Russell was actually drafted by the St. Louis Hawks and later traded to the Celtics in one of the greatest heists in NBA history. The Hawks did manage to win a title with the pieces they got for him, so it wasn’t a total loss for them. I went with west, who played his entire legendary career with the Lakers and was one of the best players of his era. Made 9 finals appearances but only won once. Could see a strong argument for durant, isiah thomas as well.
Other contenders: Bob Pettit (1954) Rick Barry (1965) Earl Monroe (1967) Wes Unseld (1968) Isiah Thomas (1981) Gary Payton (1990) Kevin Durant (2007)

Worst: Sam Bowie (1984)
There is no shortage of busts taken with the number 2 pick, and Bowie is far from the one who had the worst career. He was a completely serviceable big when healthy. However, this is more a reflection of what the Blazers could have had. Michael Jordan was there for the taking and the Blazers took Bowie instead, in spite of his injury history. That makes this possibly the worst draft pick in history, in hindsight.
Other contenders: Len Bias (1986) Danny Ferry (1989) Stromile Swift (2000) Jay Williams (2002) Darko Milicic (2003) Hasheem Thabeet (2009) Derrick Williams (2011) Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (2012)

[dmo21Participant]

Best: Russell: They traded for his rights, so I would still consider that as them picking him and is actually why it put him over the others. The Celtics took a chance by trading 2 veteran players to draft him and he became great.

Worst: Darko: I don’t like to use injuries to deem players as busts (like Bowie). Darko was an international man of mystery in a very strong and top heavy draft. Detroit dropped the ball by taking him over the next 3 players who were perennial all stars in Anthony, Wade and Bosh. As a current playoff team, Detroit could have made a dynasty if they hit this pick. But they didn’t.

[Author]

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