By: Tyler Ward
My previous column, "NBA All-Time Draft Busts" inspired me to do a "Steals" version. Anually, one of my favorite parts of sports is the drafts. I feel that it's one of the most important things throughout the year. So, here's my list:
NOTE: I feel that a player can only be identified as a steal when chosen past the 25th overall pick. So, with that said, all the players on this list were chosen past that selection.
10. Monta Ellis, Golden State, 2005 (40th overall)
Players taken above him: Sean May, Fran Vasquez, Yaroslav Korolev, Julius Hodge, Wayne Simien
9. Rashard Lewis, Seattle, 1998 (32nd overall)
Players taken above him: Michael Olowokandi, Robert Traylor, Michael Doleac, Bryce Drew, Roshown McLeod, Sam Jacobson
8. Dennis Johnson, Seattle, 1976 (29th overall)
Players taken above him: Norm Cook, Chuckie Williams, Phil Hicks, Jacky Dorsey
7. Gilbert Arenas, Golden State, 2001 (30th overall)
Players taken above him: Kirk Haston, Kedrick Brown, Joseph Forte, Kwame Brown, Eddy Curry
6. Carlos Boozer, Cleveland, 2002 (34th overall)
Players taken above him: Steve Logan, Nikoloz Tskitishvili, Curtis Borchardt, Ryan Humphrey, Qyntel Woods, Frank Williams, Chris Jefferies
5. Bill Laimbeer, Cleveland, 1979 (65th overall)
Players taken above him: Tico Brown, Larry Knight, Danny Salisbury, Lawrence Butler, Kim Goetz
4. Dennis Rodman, Detroit, 1986 (27th overall)
Players taken above him: Ken Barlow, Maurice Martin, Chris Washburn, Anthony Jones
3. Tony Parker, San Antonio, 2001 (28th overall)
Players taken above him: Kirk Haston, Kedrick Brown, Joseph Forte, Kwame Brown, Eddy Curry
2. Manu Ginobili, San Antonio, 1999 (57th overall)
Players taken above him: Frederic Weis, Aleksander Radojevic, Jonathan Bender, Trajan Langdon, Cal Bowlder, Quincy Lewis, Tim James, Leon Smith (all 1st round picks)
1. George Gervin, Phoenix, 1974 (40th overall)
Players taken above him: Ruben Collins, Cliff Pondexter, Don Smith, Len Kosmalski, Dennis DuVal
