| TOP 10 BUSTS

August 21, 2016October 15, 2016

Typical NBA Draft Picks (#1 to #10)

When originally preparing my countdown of Top 10 Busts, I reviewed all NBA players drafted since 1970. Of note, I relied on basketball-reference.com in order to compile and analyze the career statistics of these players. By doing so, I was able to create thresholds above or below which they could be grouped. For example, I identified all-time greats, stars, average players, busts, and Top 10 Busts. In this post, I offer the representative NBA draft picks who help define the categories.

August 19, 2016October 17, 2016

Potential Top 10 Bust: Kris Dunn (2016 NBA Draft)

With the 5th overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves selected point guard Kris Dunn. As a junior at Providence last year, Dunn averaged 16 points, five rebounds, six assists and two steals per game. Those numbers, which were unmatched by anyone else in the NCAA, earned him 2nd Team All-American honors. Including Dunn, the Timberwolves have amassed a talented group of young players over the last three years. Specifically, they have the last two Rookies of the Year (and #1 overall picks) Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns. At the same time, reigning two-time Slam Dunk Champion (and 2014 #13 overall pick) Zach LaVine has shown that he's not a one-trick pony. It's too early to tell how good the Timberwolves can be, but Dunn should help make them even more competitive for years to come.

August 15, 2016November 28, 2017

Potential Top 10 Bust: Dragan Bender (2016 NBA Draft)

With the 4th overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, the Phoenix Suns selected Croatian phenom Dragan Bender. Unlike the first three picks, Bender played exclusively overseas. As such, most of us have no basis to compare him with the other top prospects. Regardless, the "experts" believe he has the talent to become a star. In contrast, I believe he's more likely to become a bust. I'll admit that I undervalued 2015 #4 overall pick Kristaps Porzingis. However, I'll double down and bet that Bender is not another "unicorn."

August 4, 2016September 22, 2016

NBA TOP 25 GREATEST PLAYERS (2016)

Twenty years ago, the NBA celebrated its 50th Anniversary by revealing the names of the 50 greatest players in league history. In anticipation of the NBA's 75th Anniversary, many sites are starting to compile their own rankings of top players. Given the outstanding players from the last two decades, the league easily could expand the honor to 75 players without diluting quality. At the same time, it could fix the injustice of omitting players like Dominique Wilkins and Walt Bellamy. Thanks to analysis provided by my son, Top10Busts has joined the fray with a ranking of the NBA Top 25. As a teaser, the top five are Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, and LeBron James.