Throughout history, allteams have turned to the NBA Draft in hopes of landing a franchise players, a young guy that can turn them around and take them to the top of the world like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, or Bill Russell did.
Obviously, the closer you are to the top of the order, the more likely you are to land a generational talent, as the best players in the Draft are usually the ones who are gone first. That’s not rocket science.
However, year after year there are some top-tier prospects that fly below the radar and then take the NBA by storm, proving their doubters wrong and earning the distinction of the ‘steal of the Draft’.
Some of those guyswent on to make a huge impact in the game and even led their teams to multiple NBA Championships. Today, we’re going to honor them by talking about the top 5 biggest steals in NBA Draft history.
Honorable Mentions: Steve Nash, Tony Parker, Karl Malone, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, Clyde Drexler, Shawn Kemp, Draymond Green, George Gervin, Alex English
5. Dirk Nowitzki – 9th Pick (1998)
Nowitzki started his career at DJK Würzburg. (Getty)
Stats: 20.7 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 2.4 APG
Accolades: 14x All-Star, 12x All-NBA, MVP, Finals MVP
Championships: 1
When he first entered the league, most scouts sawDirk Nowitzki as another lanky and unathletic European guy with no superstar potential. In fact, the Milwaukee Bucks drafted him 9th overall and traded him to the Dallas Mavericks along with Pat Garrityin return for Robert Traylor.
Nowitzki went on to become the greatest shooting big man to ever live and revolutionizing the way the power forward spot was played as the first true ‘stretch four’. He was the embodiment of a leader on and off the court and the greatest player in Dallas Mavericks history.
4. Manu Ginóbili – 57th Pick (1999)
Ginóbili was born in Bahía Blanca, Argentina. (Getty)
Stats: 13.3 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 3.8 APG
Accolades: 2x All-Star, 2x All-NBA, All-Rookie, Sixth Man of the Year
Championships: 4
Even though Manu Ginóbili was the best player in Europe when the San Antonio Spurs took him near the end of the second round, there were still plenty of doubts regarding his ability to dominate in the NBA. Fast-forward to today, and he’s considered one of the greatest sixth men of all time and one of the most influential shooting guards ever.
Manu’s signature Euro-Step and pull-up threes from the top of the key were mimicked by every other leftie shooting guard in the league, including James Harden. He was the ultimate floor general and an extension of Gregg Popovich on the hardwood, and one of the main reasons why the Spurs became such a big dynasty in the last two decades.
3. John Stockton – 16th Pick (1984)
Stockton played for 19 seasons. (Getty)
Stats: 13.1 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 10.5 APG
Accolades: 10x All-Star, 11x All-NBA, 5x All-Defensive, All-Star MVP, 9x Assists Leader, 2x Steals Leader,Hall of Famer
Championships: 0
John Stockton was a bit of a late bloomer because he didn’t get many minutes earlier in his career. But once he settled as the starting point guard for the Utah Jazz, he became the true definition of a playmaker. Up to this day, some still consider him the greatest pure point guard of all time because of his passing and defending skills.
Stockton was the definition of durability, as he only missed 22 games over his 19-year career. He wasn’t flashy or athletic but was savvier and smarter than everybody else on the court. He piled up15,806 assists and3,265 steals over his career, which are both NBA records unlikely to be topped. Sadly, he could never win a ring because of Michael Jordan.
2. Dennis Rodman – 57th Pick (1986)
Rodman played for the Pistons, Spurs, Bulls, Lakers, and Mavericks. (Getty)
Stats: 7.3 PPG, 13.1 RPG, 1.8 APG
Accolades: 2x All-Star, 2x All-NBA, 8x All-Defensive, 7x Rebounds Leader, 2x Defensive Player of the Year, Hall of Famer
Championships: 5
Dennis Rodman was undersized and lacked an offensive game so he slipped to the end of the second round of the Draft. 14 years later, he would be remembered as the greatest rebounder of all time. Rodman mastered the craft and art of rebounding like no one else, even studying the trajectory and spin of the ball to make sure he got an advantage over his peers.
Rodman was a fearless defender that could guard one through five with ease. He wasn’t the tallest big in the league, but he was definitely the biggest hustler and one of the strongest players ever. He could go a game without even attempting a shot but he’d grab 20 boards and lock down the rivals’ best player. Also, he led the league in boards 7 straight times.
1. Kobe Bryant – 13th Pick (1996)
The Hornets traded Kobe for Vlade Divac. (Getty)
Stats: 25.0 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 4.7 APG
Accolades: 18x All-Star, 15x All-NBA, 12x All-Defensive, All-Rookie, 4x All-Star MVP, MVP, 2x Scoring Champion, 2 Finals MVP, Hall of Famer
Championships: 5
Coming straight out of High School, it was pretty clear that Kobe Bryant was special. However, he wasn’t that ready to be taken with a top-5 pick, so he slipped to the Charlotte Hornets at 13th. Then, Jerry West convinced the Los Angeles Lakers to do whatever it took to get that young shooting guard out of Lower Merion, and the rest is history.
Kobe went on to become the greatest player to ever wear the purple-and-gold. His determination, drive, and work ethicwere only topped by his offensive talent and never-ending competitiveness. He was the most unstoppable scorer in the league for years and one of the most influential players of all time, on and off the court.
