Top Five Best And Worst NBA Players Selected Third Overall
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Sixers and general manager Sam Hinkie have seven picks in the 2014 NBA draft, none more important than their first one--the third overall selection. Hopefully, the Sixers will draft someone in the first top-five list below, rather than the second. Or who knows, maybe they'll even get the next Michael Jordan.
Best
5. Carmelo Anthony
Anthony was drafted third overall in the 2003 NBA draft by the Denver Nuggets. Anthony was traded to the Knicks during the 2010-11 season and just finished his 12th season in the NBA. Anthony, 30, is already a seven-time NBA all-star and an NBA scoring champion.
4. Grant Hill
Hill was drafted third overall in 1994 by the Detroit Pistons. Hill played for the Pistons, Magic, Suns, and Clippers over his 18 year NBA career. Hill was a seven-time all-star.
3. Kevin McHale
McHale was drafted third overall in 1980 by the Boston Celtics and played his entire career there with the Celtics, 13 seasons winning three NBA titles and playing in seven all-star games.
2. Dominique Wilkins
Wilkins was selected third overall in the 1982 NBA draft by the Utah Jazz, but was traded to the Atlanta Hawks shortly after the draft. Wilkins went on to be a nine time NBA-all star, NBA scoring champ, and is regarded as one of the best dunkers in NBA history.
1. Michael Jordan
Do I even need to explain this one?
Worst
5. Mike Dunleavy Jr.
Dunleavy Jr. was selected third overall in the 2002 draft by the Golden State Warriors. The 2013-14 NBA season was Dunleavy Jr.'s 13th NBA season. He has played with five teams throughout his journeyman career, averaging 11.9 PPG, 4.5 RPG, and 2.4 APG.
4. Billy Owens
Owens was selected third overall in the 1991 draft by the Sacramento Kings. Owens never lived up to his full potential, playing for six teams in ten seasons, before injuries got the best of him. He averaged 11.7 PPG and 6.7 RPG in his career.
3. Darius Miles
Miles was selected third overall in the 2000 NBA draft, right out of high school. Miles, a 6'11" small forward, seemed to have NBA athleticism, but he just never panned out. In eight career years in the NBA, Miles averaged 10.1 PPG and 4.9 RPG. He's currently 32 years old, but hasn't played in the NBA since 2009.
2. Adam Morrison
After a dominate college career that concluded with a senior season where Morrison led Division 1 in scoring and was a consensus first team All-American for Gonzaga, Morrison was selected third overall by the Charlotte Bobcats in the 2006 NBA draft. Morrison's NBA career only last four seasons, however, before Morrison went to play overseas. He averaged 7.5 PPG in his NBA career.
1. Chris Washburn
Washburn was the third overall pick in the 1986 NBA draft. As a 6'11" center, Washburn was one of the top high school recruits in the country. After playing at N.C. State, Washburn was drafted by the Golden State Warriors. His career in the NBA lasted 72 games over two seasons averaging 3.1 PPG and 2.4 RPG, before receiving a lifetime ban for drug use.
