Welcome to the tenth installment of 30 Teams, 30 Years, 30 Drafts featuring the Indiana Pacers. This series takes you through each of the teams’ draft picks from 1978-2008 and evaluates how they fared. The Pacers have had a pretty interesting draft history including guys like Clark Kellog, Sam Mitchell and of course Reggie Miller.
Total Score: 2.762
View the previous teams and their scores here:
Boston Celtics – 3.885
Philadelphia 76ers – 2.561
Toronto Raptors – 2.659
Orlando Magic – 2.861
Charlotte Bobcats – 2.225
New York Knicks – 2.471
New Jersey Nets – 2.49
Atlanta Hawks – 1.258
Miami Heat – 2.743
Milwaukee Bucks – 3.616
Chicago Bulls - 2.93
Cleveland Cavaliers – 3.176
Let us know in the comments below who you think their best and worst draft picks were.
To see how the score was calculated, check out the intro post here.
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1- Drafted over Larry Bird.
2- According to wikipedia the Knicks made the finals in ’94 and ’99 with Williams serving as “Team Leader”. Now I’m sure Herb was a great guy and a great locker room presence, but to call him the leader of the team is just a little crazy.
3- Yes, it’s the same Clark Kellogg you hear when you play NBA 2K12. Clark was actually on his way to a promising career, averaging 19 ppg before chronic knee injuries forced him to retire just a couple of games into his 5th season. Luckily for Clark, he had a decent backup plan that included playing H.O.R.S.E with the most powerful man in the free world.
4- In December of 1980 Steve was shot in the shoulder while in his apartment. He told police that a man with cowboy boots and a flannel shirt had broken into his apartment and shot him in the shoulder while shouting obscenities about basketball players. Turns out, he actually pulled a Plaxico and shot himself. Or did Plaxico pull a Stipanovich since he predated him by 30 years. Either way, he admitted as much to the police. I’m guessing Missouri gun laws must be a little more lax than NY, as there were no repercussions.
5- Keep an eye on the name Andrew Wiggins, who is Mitchell’s son. He is 17 and currently one of the top recruits in the country. The gene pool is pretty impressive, as his wife is a two time silver medalist for Canada in track and field.
6- Yes, there is an actual former player named Devin Durrant. Considering he’s a white Mormon from Utah, I’m going to venture a guess to say they are not related.
7- After having a successful playing career Wayman went on to have a successful career as a jazz musician as well. Sadly he was diagnosed with cancer and passed in 2009. RIP Wayman.
8- As a Knicks fan if it weren’t for the fact that I actually had to listen to him, I would probably take some satisfaction out of the fact that he went on to be one of the worst announcers of all time for TNT. As it is, TNT only has one option, they must have Reggie Miller killed.
9- Malik’s father was a bodyguard for Malcolm X. Sadly, Malik’s career and more importantly life were cut short when he was killed by a drunk driver traveling on the wrong side of the road on his way home from Kevin Garnett’s birthday partying in 2000. RIP Malik.
10- Although he never played in the NBA you may remember Thomas from the classic 1992 Duke-Kentucky game. After Laettner hit his game winning shot, it was Hill that the cameras found on the court, as he had his hands on his head appearing to be crying for joy.
11- Although Granger is young and has one All Star Game to his credit, it is hard to foresee him getting two more with the depth of the NBA as it is right now.
12- Lorbek is currently one of the best power forwards in all of Europe, making the All-EuroLeague Team. If he does decide to join the NBA he would probably be a welcome addition to the team who owns his rights, which is of course the San Antonio Spurs. In 2009 he signed a three year deal with Barcelona which allowed him to leave for the NBA after the first year. Seeing how he’s still not here, I don’t foresee him coming.
13- I like to believe that Barac has not made his way over to America mainly because he is named Stanko.
14- Roy has perhaps the best twitter account of any basketball player. He is random, weird, hilarious and insightful. I strongly suggest that any NBA fan follow him. His handle is @hoya2apacer
