I wanted to look at how players who were selected in the first round of the creation draft performed for the first four seasons of the league. The first ratings will be their original ratings and the secnd rating will be there rating as we we enter year 5. What teams grabbed steals? Who drafts bums? I examined all picks from the first round and gave them one of the following grades:
Bust - At what pick they were selected there were other players who have performed better or the player just hasnt performed to warrant the selection
Good Value - Neither a homerun or bust but the pick is acceptable and made sense given where you were picking
Great Pick - Player has exceeded expectations or dropped for unknown circumstances given their quality
Lets dive in and take a look back at the creation draft.
1. Boston Celtics
Larry Bird SF 6'9'' 220 24 B B- B- A- B+ A
Larry Bird SF 6'9'' 220 28 B B C+ B+ B+ C
Small movement from the top pick and he has provided his teams with a line of 23 ppg, 9 rpg and 5 apg. That’s a great return for a SF but turnovers have been an issue. Constant All-League performer and worthy of a top pick but should he have gone number 1?
Classification: Good Value
2. Detroit Pistons
Magic Johnson PG 6'9'' 215 21 B C- B- A- C A
Magic Johnson PG 6'9'' 215 25 B C+ A+ A C B
One of the youngest picks in the first round so this pick was looking towards the future and with considerable gains in ratings, Magic has provided a solid return in that facet. Winning on the other hand has been hard to come by but as he enters his prime, can he add winning to his list of awards?
Classification: Good Value
3. Philadelphia 76ers
Moses Malone C 6'10'' 255 25 A C- D+ A- A B
Moses Malone C 6'10'' 255 29 A C D+ A A C
32 PPG, 12 RPG, 2 BPG. Nothing else needs to be said. Moses has proven he should have been the top pick in this draft and is clearly the best player in the league without question and he is still in his prime.
Classification: Great Pick
4. Indiana Pacers
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar C 7'2'' 230 33 A C- C A A- C
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar C 7'2'' 230 37 A- C- C- A- B C
Not far behind Moses is Kareem for discussion of one of the best players in the league even though his career is winding down now. He was the playoff MVP in the ’80 season leading his team to the Championship while also competing for two other titles.
Classification: Great Pick
5. Charlotte Hornets
Jack Sikma C 6'11'' 250 25 B+ C C B A- B
Jack Sikma C 6'11'' 250 29 B+ C C B A- C
There was a run on centers and Sikma continues the train of top big men in the league and solidifying his inclusion of being a top 5 pick. Rewarded with a big contract in the off-season, Sikma looks to have a good future in front of him.
Classification: Good Value
6. Seattle SuperSonics
Alex English SF 6'7'' 190 27 A- C C+ B B- B
Alex English SG 6'7'' 190 31 B+ C C B+ C+ C
Career 21 PPG, 7 RPG is a solid player, not to mention his All-League honors in three seasons but as a number 1 option on a team, he hasn’t been able to propel his team to any success and as the #6 pick, you would expect more.
Classification: Bust
7. Los Angeles Clippers
Larry Smith PF 6'8'' 215 22 B- D+ C- B+ A B
Larry Smith PF 6'8'' 215 26 B- D+ C A- A C
Rookie of the year in ’80 season and countless All-League honors to his name. Not the highest scoring big man but at age 26 he is entering his prime as one of the top rebounding bigs in the league.
Classification: Good Value
8. Sacramento Kings
Joe Barry Carroll C 7'0'' 235 22 B C- D+ B+ B+ A
Joe Barry Carroll C 7'0'' 235 26 B+ C D A B+ C
Second to Larry Smith in Rookie of the Year voting, Carroll has soared past Smith in terms of production and winning. A 22 PPG, 10 RPG and 3 BPG, Carroll is an elite center who has just entered his prime. For the 8th pick, Kings grabbed a steal.
Classification: Great Pick
9. San Antonio Spurs
George Gervin SG 6'7'' 185 28 A C+ C+ B C B
George Gervin SG 6'7'' 185 32 A- C C+ B- C C
George is starting to slow down but at age 32 he is still a top scorer in the league. Three All-League appearances showed he was a top player capable of carrying a team. He still has another 2 solid years in him so for the 9th pick, he has provided good value to the city of San Antonio.
Classification: Good Value
10. Los Angeles Lakers
Norm Nixon PG 6'2'' 175 25 B C- A- A- D+ B
Norm Nixon PG 6'2'' 175 29 B- C- A- A D+ C
Norm was the 2nd PG selected in the creation draft and he had all the potential to lead the Grizzlies. Unfortunately, he simply hasn’t been that type of player. 10 PPG, 7 APG just isn’t good enough from the 10th pick and all of his teams have underperformed with him running point.
Classification: Bust
11. Houston Rockets
Kenny Carr PF 6'7'' 220 25 B C- C B- A- B
Kenny Carr SF 6'7'' 220 29 A- C- C+ A- A- C
Solid player who contributed all he could on a bad team before being shipped out. Carr has been a solid scorer (21 PPG) and rebounder (11 RPG) but only has one All-League award to his name. Good pick here at 11.
Classification: Good Value
12. Atlanta Hawks
Bernard King SF 6'7'' 205 24 B+ C- C C+ C+ A
Bernard King SF 6'7'' 205 28 B C C B C+ C
His best season was the first and since then it has been down hill but is that due to his team around him? A 16 PPG scorer doesn’t quite cut it for a #1 option and with the Hawks drafting his potential replacement, could we see King being shipped out?
Classification: Bust
13. Phoenix Suns
Julius Erving SF 6'6'' 200 30 A- C B- A B- C
Julius Erving SF 6'6'' 200 34 A- C C+ A+ B C
How did Dr. J fall to the 13th pick? Using that as fuel, he has guided the Suns to back to back Championships (back to back Playoff MVP’s as well) averaging 27 PPG and 9 RPG. Teams are kicking themselves for not taking the doctor earlier in the draft.
Classification: Great Pick
14. New York Knicks
Bill Laimbeer C 6'11'' 260 23 C+ C- C B B+ A
Bill Laimbeer C 6'11'' 260 27 C+ C- C A- A B
Laimbeer knows his role and that’s to clog the paint be a destructive force. While his stats don’t say much (14 PPG, 10 RPG, 1.6 BPG), he is surrounded by better scorers and other bigs so his role will be smaller as a result. While you would expect more from the 14th pick, it hasn’t been too bad either.
Classification: Good Value
15. Milwaukee Bucks
Bill Cartwright C 7'1'' 245 23 B C- C B B A
Bill Cartwright C 7'1'' 245 27 B+ C- C- B+ B B
Similar pathing to Laimbeer, Cartwright does flash a better scoring ability (17.5 PPG) but he hasn’t really developed his defensive game to the level of Laimbeer. He hasn’t been a complete bust so I lean towards good value here but its close.
Classification: Good Value
16. Washington Bullets
Mike Gminski C 6'11'' 260 21 B- C- D B+ B A
Mike Gminski C 6'11'' 260 25 B C D- A B C
Mike had to carry the Bullets his first four seasons to the tune of 18 PPG, 8 RPG which is good considering he came into the league as a 21 year old. Not much growth over those four seasons but he was still a quality contributor, so I say he provided good value.
Classification: Good Value
17. Utah Jazz
Kevin McHale PF 6'10'' 210 23 B- C- D B+ C+ A
Kevin McHale PF 6'10'' 210 27 B+ C- D B+ B B
McHale has provided a nice career for himself (17 PPG, 8.5 RPG) but he hasn’t been able to take the next step but as the 17th pick, you could have done much worse.
Classification: Good Value
18. Denver Nuggets
Adrian Dantley SG 6'5'' 208 25 A C+ C B- C C
Adrian Dantley SG 6'5'' 208 29 A C C+ B- C C
All-League performer in each season with back-to-back 1st team appearances. Career 26 PPG shows he is capable of carrying a team but he hasn’t been provided much help outside of the Finals appearance in the ’80 season where he got injured and couldn’t play in the Finals. As the 18th pick, the Nuggets got themselves a great player.
Classification: Great Pick
19. Cleveland Cavaliers
Robert Parish C 7'0'' 235 27 B C- C- A- B+ C
Robert Parish C 7'0'' 235 31 B+ C- C- A A- C
Weird career from an awards perspective (2nd team All-League in ’82) but he produces on the court (21 PPG, 2.7 BPG and 11 RPG). Clearly he has outperformed other bigs selected before him but the recognition hasn’t been received but as the 19th pick, he has provided more than enough.
Classification: Great Pick
20. Vancouver Grizzlies
Kiki Vandeweghe SF 6'8'' 220 22 B- C C- B C A
Kiki Vandeweghe SF 6'8'' 220 26 C+ C+ C A- C+ C
Kiki started his career with much promise and hope but he has regressed each successive season. 10 PPG is disappointing and now finds himself as a backup defensive specialist.
Classification: Bust
21. Orlando Magic
Reggie Theus SG 6'6'' 200 23 B+ C+ B- B C- B
Reggie Theus SG 6'6'' 200 27 B C+ A- A C- C
Started his career with the Magic but was dealt after the first season to the 76ers to be paired with Moses Malone. As a result, his production has seen a drop but he now plays more team ball and winning basketball.
Classification: Good Value
22. Golden State Warriors
Cliff Robinson PF 6'9'' 220 20 B C C- B B A
Cliff Robinson PF 6'9'' 220 24 B- C C- A- A- B
One of the youngest selections in the creation draft, Cliff is still growing and hasn’t entered his prime but is now a top rebounder and defender. Scoring still needs some work but at age 24, he has many years ahead of him. Great pick at 22.
Classification: Great Pick
23. Portland Trailblazers
Darrell Griffith SG 6'4'' 190 22 B+ C C B D+ A
Darrell Griffith SG 6'4'' 190 26 B+ B B- A+ C- B
Started his career as a 2/3 option but he produced 17 PPG and has grown each season. Currently he finds himself leading a team with Larry Bird (remember he was selected #1!) and has just entered his prime. Great pick at the end of round 1.
Classification: Great Pick
24. New Jersey Nets
David Thompson SG 6'4'' 195 26 A- C C C+ C- C
David Thompson SG 6'4'' 195 30 B C C+ C C- C
His draft rights were traded to the Trailblazers and he had a good first season (17.5 PPG on .504 FG%) but has fallen on hard times since then. Currently he s being used in trades and could find himself out of the league in another season or two.
Classification: Bust
25. Miami Heat
Mychal Thompson C 6'10'' 235 26 B D+ C B+ B+ B
Mychal Thompson C 6'10'' 235 30 B D+ C+ B+ A- B
Currently he is partnered next to Malone but previously he was anchoring the paint for the Heat where he grew impatient with losing and bolted for the Sixers last year. No awards to his name but a good starting C in this league.
Classification: Good Value
26. Dallas Mavericks
Phil Ford PG 6'2'' 176 24 B C A- B D- B
Phil Ford PG 6'2'' 176 28 B C+ B+ A- D- C
Career 11 PPG and 8.7 APG isn’t horrible (compared to Nixon who was picked 16 spots earlier) but like Nixon, Ford hasn’t been able to translate his abilities to a winning team (Finals appearance in ’82) on his own but as a floor general, he has one his job.
Classification: Good Value
27. Chicago Bulls
Sidney Moncrief SG 6'4'' 190 23 B- C- C+ B- C A
Sidney Moncrief SG 6'4'' 190 27 B- C C+ B+ C B
Has already been on three teams (traded to Nets for Isiah Thomas and signed with Cavaliers), Moncrief hasn’t been able to perform (7 PPG, 3 APG) and now finds himself as a backup. What started as a potential number 1 in the future, he hasn’t lived up to his potential.
Classification: Bust
28. Toronto Raptors
Kelvin Ransey PG 6'2'' 170 22 B C B B- D A
Kelvin Ransey PG 6'2'' 170 26 B C A- A- D+ C
The best PG (arguably) was selected with 28th pick. Ransey took a huge step forward last season (16 PPG, 9 APG) as he entered his prime and looks destined to be a force for the next 6 seasons. Great steal at the end of round 1 here.
Classification: Great Pick
29. Minnesota Timberwolves
Otis Birdsong SG 6'4'' 195 25 A- C C+ B- D+ B
Otis Birdsong SG 6'4'' 195 29 A- C+ C+ A- C- C
Another player who is on his third team (Signed with Timberwolves after 1 season in Minnesota and then signed with Hawks the following season) but on each stop, Otis has produced buckets to the tune of 21 PPG, 5 RPG and 4 APG. His prime is near the end but as the final pick of the first round, he has outperformed many players selected before him. He also has three All-League appearances.
Classification: Great Pick
