Dismissing LeBron James, Michael Jordan, and More, Heat Legend Issues Verdict on NBA’s “Best Draft Class”

Michael Jordan entered the NBA in 1984 as the 3rd overall pick in the first round. Despite there being many incredible basketball players in the league, Jordan is the most successful player from his draft. His draft comprised talented players like Hakeem Olajuwon and Charles Barkley! LeBron James, on the other hand, entered the NBA in the 2003 NBA Draft class alongside future NBA legends like Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony.

Despite such star-studded NBA Draft classes, a Miami Heat legend gives his opinion on NBA’s “Best Draft Class”. This NBA veteran’s opinion is bound to surprise and upset quite a few basketball fans. In a recent with “Run It Back”, Miami Heat legend Antoine Walker shares his opinion on which NBA Draft class is the best.

Antoine Walker on NBA’s “Best Draft Class”

The conversation started after one host asked the 3x NBA All-Star, “Antoine, you were part of maybe the best draft class in the NBA history in 1996. Its you, Kobe, Allen Iverson, Ray Allen, Steve Nash, Stephon Marbury…at the time, who did you think was going to be the best player from the draft?” Antoine Walker laughs as he replies, “Myself.” Then the three-time NBA All-Star firmly states, “I don’t think ‘arguably’, I think we do have the best draft class if you really look from top to bottom honestly.”

Antoine Walker is an NBA champion, who won the coveted ‘Larry O’Brien’ championship trophy with the Miami Heat in 2006. He explains that the entire 1996 NBA Draft class (including many players from the 2nd round) had productive NBA careers. But what about the NBA Draft classes of two of the arguably best basketball players of all time?

LeBron and Jordan’s Respective Draft Classes

Michael Jordan entered the NBA with a star-studded NBA Draft class of 1984. The draft consisted of future NBA legends like Hakeem Olajuwon (1st pick), Charles Barkley (5th pick), and John Stockton (16th pick) among others. LeBron James entered the NBA in the 2003 NBA Draft class alongside future NBA legends like Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh among others. Many may argue the fact that the ‘most successful’ players of all time have come out of the 1984 and the 2003 NBA drafts. However, the 1996 NBA Draft was the most successful draft overall. On an average, most of the 1996 NBA Draft players from the 1st and 2nd rounds went on to be productive and have good NBA careers.

However, the main attractions of the 1996 NBA Draft were obviously the late Kobe Bryant (13th pick), Allen ‘The Answer’ Iverson (1st pick), Ray Allen, and Steve Nash among others.

What are your thoughts on Antoine Walker’s take on the ‘Best NBA Draft class’? Let us know in the comments below!