For a team to land pick 2 in a draft is amazing. You can select any player except 1 who was the first pick. When you think of the most recent no. 1 picks, (Cade, Edwards, Zion, Ayton, Fultz), they usually tend to be good. But when looking at #2 picks, why are they so bad? Today we'll be going through a long and detailed history of the #2 pick.
2021: Jalen Green
Not much to argue here since he's only played 1 month of NBA basketball but he has seen his fair share of ups and downs.
2020: James Wiseman
Once again, he can still be a great player but injuries have delayed his progress heavily. Also, he was drafted between Edwards and LaMelo which declines his case.
2019: Ja Morant
An exception since Ja has had a great year so far, so moving on to the next one.
2018: Marvin Bagley
I remember how much hype Bagley had gotten even in high school. Leading up to draft night, everyone thought Sacramento had gotten a future star but injuries and Luke Walton have plagued his career
2017: Lonzo Ball
Another case of an exception as Lonzo is better than Fultz, but he for sure and will not live up to the hype from the media and Lavar
2016: Brandon Ingram
Another exception since Ingram was an All-Star a few years. But Ingram is having a major down year this year even without Zion.
2015: D'Angelo Russell
D-Lo looked like one of the best young assets in 2019 as an All-Star and carrying the Nets to the 6 seed. But, Russell has taken a major slide downwards since joining forces with KAT.
2014: Jabari Parker
Parker and Bagley are similar. Both are 6'9 PFs who's young careers have been ruined by injuries. Parker, 5 years ago, was supposed to be a dynamic duo with Giannis in Milwaukee and now he's out of the league while Giannis wins MVPs
2013: Victor Oladipo
Oladipo was on an insanely good trajectory after winning MIP in 2018 and was most likely going to help the Pacers to a top 5 seed in 2019, until he was injured. Since then, he's not been the same and he may have found a solid role in Miami as a backup.
And from 2012 to 2008, is a mix of guys who were selected 2nd, ended up being busts and are now out of the league.
2012: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
2011: Derrick Williams
2010: Evan Turner
2009: Hasheem Thabeet
2008: Michael Beasley
Now in 2006 and 2007, we saw the best 2 2nd overall picks of the 21st century. KD and Aldridge are both great so moving onto another compilation of busts that were taken 2nd.
2005: Marvin Williams
2004: Emeka Okafor
2003: Darko Milicic
2001: Tyson Chandler
I wouldn't say Tyson is a bust but he definitely wasn't worth the 2nd pick when Pau Gasol was taken after him with other names also in this class
2000: Stromile Swift
I can go on and on about how 2nd overall picks tend to be busts but I'm stopping at 2000 as that is going to conclude it. Let me know what you think about the 2nd overall pick and thanks for listening!