A total of 52 second-round draft picks from as far back as the Rookie Class of 2006 saw action in NBA games last season.
They ranged in minutes played from E.J. Liddell’s 2.5 to Andrew Nembhard’s 554, and in star power from Leonard Miller and Thanasis Antetokounmpo, both scoreless, to Jalen Brunson and Nikola Jokic, who combined for 765.
Brunson and Jokic surely warrant consideration for the all-time starting five among NBA second-round picks. But be forewarned: The competition is hot and heavy.
Here’s how I would anoint a first and second team, including an all-time MVP and some likely very disappointed honorable mentions:
FIRST TEAM BEST 2ND ROUND PICKS
Center: Nikola Jokic (41st pick, 2014). Without question, he’s the MVP of our team. A second-round pick has won NBA Most Valuable Player honors just four times. Jokic owns three of the trophies, and the 29-year-old could challenge Kareem’s six before he’s done.
Power forward: Spencer Haywood (30th pick, 1971). The Buffalo Braves rolled the dice on Haywood in 1971, even though he’d played the previous season (before he’d been eligible to be drafted) with the SuperSonics. Alas, thanks to a Supreme Court decision, Haywood stayed with Seattle, and every underclassman drafted since has benefited from the Haywood Rule.
Small forward: Alex English (23rd pick, 1976). English isn’t just the all-time leading scorer among second-round picks; he’s one of the NBA’s top scorers (22nd place). His claim to this throne is that he was the most recent NBA scoring champ among second-rounders when he averaged 28.4 points in 1983.
Manu Ginobilii is one of the best second rounders ever, and an important piece to the San Antonio Spurs dynasty. Photo credit: Darren Abate Shooting guard: Manu Ginobili (57th pick, 1999). Sorry, George Gervin was a THIRD-round pick in 1974. So Ginobili, a four-time champ, earns a split decision over guys who outscored him (led by Hal Greer), out-assisted him (led by Dennis Johnson), and outshot him in 3-pointers (led by Kyle Korver). His 2008 Sixth Man Award is testimony to being a great teammate.
Point guard: Maurice Cheeks (36th pick, 1978). The rival Celtics are no doubt happy about the way the 1978 draft went—they got Larry Bird at No. 6—but they also set themselves up for years of nightmares by taking Jeff Judkins at No. 30 when the 1983 champ and five-time All-Defensive choice was still available.
SECOND TEAM BEST NBA SECOND ROUND PICKS
Center: Willis Reed (10th pick, 1964). The all-time leading rebounder among second-round centers missed the first round only because the league had just nine teams. Still, those nine all had a shot at the two-time champ, and eight (all but the Knicks) wish they had it to do over again, especially the Royals (George Wilson), Bullets (Gary Bradds), and Warriors (Barry Kramer).
Dennis Rodman was a second round gem and an important piece to Michael Jordan’s dominance in Chicago. credits: Lynne Sladky Small forward: Dennis Rodman (27th pick, 1986). A seven-time rebound champ and eight-time All-Defensive selection, Rodman was to defense what English was to offense. Like most award tie-breakers, this one goes to the guy who puts up the points.
Shooting guard: Dennis Johnson (29th pick, 1976). Time and again, we’ve seen quality little guys slip in drafts. Johnson, a five-time champion, gets my vote here because he could score (13th all-time among second-rounders), pass (fourth in assists), and defend (seventh in steals).
Point guard: Calvin Murphy (18th pick, 1970). OK, Tiny Archibald deserves this spot. But my sentimental choice is applauded for having stuck with a recent expansion team for 13 lucky years for fans who got to watch him.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Marc Gasol played in 13 NBA seasons. credits: Eric Gay Centers: Marc Gasol (48th pick, 2007), DeAndre Jordan (35th pick, 2008).
Power forwards: Chet Walker (14th pick, 1962), George McGinnis (22nd pick, 1973), and Draymond Green (35th pick, 2012).
Small forwards: Jack Twyman (10th pick, 1955), Clifford Robinson (36th pick, 1989), and Rashard Lewis (32nd pick, 1998).
Shooting guards: Hal Greer (14th pick, 1958), Jeff Hornacek (46th pick, 1986), and Lou Williams (45th pick, 2005).
Point guards: Bill Sharman (17th pick, 1950), Tiny Archibald (19th pick, 1970), and Mark Price (25th pick, 1986).
Editors Note: We updated the article to include Marc Gasol, who was the 28th overall seelection in the 2007 NBA Draft.