Busting Brackets
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NBA Draft 2019: Best draft picks from No. 1-30 since 2000

By Joey Loose

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 21: Picks one through 30 are seen on the board at the conclusion of the first round during the 2018 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 21, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 21: Picks one through 30 are seen on the board at the conclusion of the first round during the 2018 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 21, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – NOVEMBER 05: Rajon Rondo #9 of the Boston Celtics reacts after a play against the Toronto Raptors at TD Garden on November 5, 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – NOVEMBER 05: Rajon Rondo #9 of the Boston Celtics reacts after a play against the Toronto Raptors at TD Garden on November 5, 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images) /

22. Kenneth Faried (2011)

He may not be part of this year’s fantastic Nuggets squad, but when the Nuggets took Faried with the 22nd pick in 2011, they landed a stud forward. He starred at little-known Morehead State before developing into one of the Nuggets’ stars, playing with them until this past season. He was an All-Rookie selection who averaged double-digits in his first five years. He spent the last season with the Nets and Rockets, starting to revive his play in Houston after dealing with an injury. He hasn’t been an All-Star but he was a solid bench player for those Rockets at the end of this season.

There was plenty of talent in the 2011 draft, though the selection of unheralded OVC prospect was a wise choice for the Nuggets. They just missed on Nikola Mirotic and Reggie Jackson, but didn’t settle for someone like Jordan Hamilton, JaJuan Johnson, or Justin Harper, three players with brief NBA careers. History hasn’t smiled very brightly on the 22nd pick in recent years (Fab Melo), but Faried was a talented contributor for seven seasons in Denver.

Honorable mentions: Jared Dudley (CHA – 2007), Jarrett Jack (DEN – 2005)

21. Rajon Rondo (2006)

One of basketball’s most versatile point guards, Rondo starred for two seasons at Kentucky before the Celtics selected him in 2006. He quickly developed into a standout guard, helping lead the Celtics to the NBA title in 2008 on a very talented team. He was a double-digit scorer for most of his career with the Celtics, though he’s bounced around the league in recent seasons. Rondo’s accolades are impressive to list: 4 All-Star games, 4 All-Defensive teams, and he’s led the league in assists 3 times and steals once. He’s bounced around, playing on the Lakers last season, but he’s continued to be better than serviceable after thirteen years in the NBA.

As we’ve already mentioned, Lowry was taken just three picks later, but the Celtics probably made the right pick with Rondo. They needed Rondo more as a distributor than bigtime scorer, and they avoided Marcus Williams and Josh Boone, two former UConn players taken by the Nets between Rondo and Lowry. In a draft full of bad lottery picks (Adam Morrison and Patrick O’Bryant stand out), Rondo became a champion and one of the league’s top point guards.

Honorable mentions: Darren Collison (NOH – 2009), Boris Diaw (ATL – 2003)

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