Did anyone really think Joe Alexander would be a good NBA player? Anyone?
2001: DeSagana Diop, 8th Overall
OK, so: Diop's a true seven-footer who played at basketball factory Oak Hill. But he had no semblance of an offensive game — not even the kernel of one; it's not that hard to average 14 points a game when you're seven feet tall in high school — and though Diop's put together a career as a pro, he's never been more than a defensive specialist. He's certainly not an offensive specialist — the most points per game he's ever scored in a season was 3.0, in 2007-08. He also did this.
Players who were drafted after Diop:
Joe Johnson
Richard Jefferson
Troy Murphy
Zach Randolph
Brendan Haywood
Gerald Wallace
Samuel Dalembert
Jamaal Tinsley
Tony Parker
Gilbert Arenas
Image by Chuck Burton / AP
2002: Nickoloz Tskitishvili, 5th Overall
Georgian seven-footer Nickoloz Tskitishvili was drafted sixth-overall despite averaging only 6.6 points per game in the Italian league the year before the draft — not exactly a sign of future NBA greatness. Sure enough, the guy shot 30% from the field for his career. (Reminder: HE'S SEVEN FEET TALL.) That would be a terrible number for a volume-shooting guard; for a center, it's abysmal.
Players who were drafted after Diop:
Nene
Chris Wilcox
Amar'e Stoudemire
Caron Butler
Jared Jeffries
Tayshaun Prince
John Salmons
Roger Mason
Carlos Boozer
Matt Barnes
Luis Scola
Image by Matt York / AP
2003: Darko Milicic, 2nd Overall
Everyone knows the story of Darko Milicic, and it seems at first glance that maybe he doesn't belong on this list — people though Milicic would be good, right? Sort of. Even at the time, there were serious questions not only about Milicic's game, but also his motor and state of mind, and the latter two concerns especially proved to be millstones that he could never quite get rid of in the following decade. Milicic will forever be notable, though, for the sheer quality of players drafted after him, including Melo, Chris Bosh, and D-Wade, who at the time were all regarded as can't-miss superstars.
Players who were drafted after Diop:
Carmelo Anthony
Chris Bosh
Dwyane Wade
Chris Kaman
Kirk Hinrich
Mickael Pietrus
Nick Collison
Luke Ridnour
David West
Boris Diaw
Carlos Delfino
Kendrick Perkins
Leandro Barbosa
Josh Howard
Jason Kapono
Steve Blake
Willie Green
Zazu Pachulia
Matt Bonner
Mo Williams
James Jones
Kyle Korver
Image by Jessica Rinaldi / Reuters
2004: Luke Jackson, 10th Overall
Despite having a remarkable college career, Jackson's game never seemed like it would translate well to the NBA — you can't be a spot-shooter as a pro unless you're a really great shooter, and Jackson's career average of .357 from three tells you all you need to know about a guy who can't create his own shot. He would only score 252 points over the course of seven seasons.
Players who were drafted after Diop:
Andris Biedrins
Sebastian Telfair
Kris Humphries
Al Jefferson
Josh Smith
JR Smith
Dorell Wright
Jameer Nelson
Delonte West
Tony Allen
Kevin Martin
Beno Udrih
Anderson Varejao
Chris Duhon
Trevor Ariza
Via: en.wikipedia.org