Slam's 96 Draft Class Poster...Who's Your Top 5?

[Kil]

I came across this old Slam poster with the 96 draft class (AI missed the shoot but had the cover of the issue) on it while I was in Philly this weekend and during a studio session this poster turned into a 4 hour argument over who's the top 5 players from this draft. I had Kobe #1, Nash #2, Iverson #3, Ray Allen #4 and Marbury #5. The biggest argument was that Iverson should've been ahead of Nash but I feel like Steve has had abetter career then AI. The 2nd biggest argument was that Iverson should've been ahead of Kobe (I obviously was in the studio with some crack heads) and the 3rd argument was that Camby should've had the 5th spot over Marbury...what ya'll think? Here's the link to the poster and some footage of the rookie game from that year:

http://www.willmakebeatsforfood.com/2011...of-96.html

96 Draft

#1 Allen Iverson
#2 Marcus Camby
#3 Shareef_Abdur-Rahim
#4 Stepohon Marbury
#5 Ray Allen
#6 Antoine Walker
#7 Lorenzen Wright
#8 Kerry Kittles
#9 Samaki Walker
#10 Erick Dampier
#11 Todd Fuller
#12 Vitaly Potapenko
#13 Kobe Bryant
#14 Peja Stojakovic
#15 Steve Nash
#16 Tony Delk
#17 Jermaine O'Neal
#18 John_Wallace
#19 Walter McCarty
#20 Zydranus Ilgauskas

[stefans]

My TOP 5.Sorry if i forget somebody i was kid in that days.

#13 Kobe Bryant
#1 Allen Iverson
#5 Ray Allen
#15 Steve Nash
#14 Peja Stojakovic

[skangles]

I came across this old Slam poster with the 96 draft class (AI missed the shoot but had the cover of the issue) on it while I was in Philly this weekend and during a studio session this poster turned into a 4 hour argument over who's the top 5 players from this draft. I had Kobe #1, Nash #2, Iverson #3, Ray Allen #4 and Marbury #5. The biggest argument was that Iverson should've been ahead of Nash but I feel like Steve has had abetter career then AI. The 2nd biggest argument was that Iverson should've been ahead of Kobe (I obviously was in the studio with some crack heads) and the 3rd argument was that Camby should've had the 5th spot over Marbury...what ya'll think? Here's the link to the poster and some footage of the rookie game from that year:

http://www.willmakebeatsforfood.com/2011...of-96.html

96 Draft

#1 Allen Iverson
#2 Marcus Camby
#3 Shareef_Abdur-Rahim
#4 Stepohon Marbury
#5 Ray Allen
#6 Antoine Walker
#7 Lorenzen Wright
#8 Kerry Kittles
#9 Samaki Walker
#10 Erick Dampier
#11 Todd Fuller
#12 Vitaly Potapenko
#13 Kobe Bryant
#14 Peja Stojakovic
#15 Steve Nash
#16 Tony Delk
#17 Jermaine O'Neal
#18 John_Wallace
#19 Walter McCarty
#20 Zydranus Ilgauskas

I agree with your top 4, Kobe #1, Nash #2 (He's a two time MVP), Iverson #3, Allen #4 and I would have Jermaine O'Neal #5.

I don't think there's any doubt about it, O'Neal is a six time all-star, three more than Antoine Walker and four more than either Ilgauskas or Marbury. Not that all-star appearances should be the main factor in this decision. all of these guys would be ahead of Camby in my opinion, albeit its difficult to determine how much weight defense should have in this discussion.

It's also tough that the careers of both Marbury and Antoine ended on such a sour note and that Jermaine O'Neal's career and Ilgauskas's career in the early years have been injury plagued.

[3pointgod]

I think the top four are pretty obvious (Kobe, Nash, AI and Ray Allen) but that fifth spot is a lot harder to pick. O'Neal, Marbury, Camby and even Peja all had good runs, but never really established themselves as consistent, long-term power houses. If I had to take one of those guys ti fill out the top 5, I'd say Jermaine O'Neal. That was such an amazing draft class. I don't think anyone in this year's draft will end up being able to crack the top 10 of the '96 draft.

[Raze Lupin]

I think the top four are pretty obvious (Kobe, Nash, AI and Ray Allen) but that fifth spot is a lot harder to pick. O'Neal, Marbury, Camby and even Peja all had good runs, but never really established themselves as consistent, long-term power houses. If I had to take one of those guys ti fill out the top 5, I'd say Jermaine O'Neal. That was such an amazing draft class. I don't think anyone in this year's draft will end up being able to crack the top 10 of the '96 draft.

I agree this that draft class will always be remembered. Just imagine if Camby, J. O'neal and others would not have been so injury prone? A health J.O'Neal would be monster right now.

[skangles]

The most interesting thing about that draft class was how amazing the picks in the double digits were: Dampier, Kobe, Peja, Nash, O'Neal, Ilgauskas.

Usually its tough to get players that good outside of the top 3 to 5.