Revisiting the 2000 NBA Draft

It was ten years and change ago that it finally happened; the NBA had its worst draft, ever. Yes, I am talking about the infamous 2000 Draft (I hope the title gave it away). Because it has been 10+ years, I've decided to go pick by pick in the Top 10, analyzing the pick, and say who should've been picked there.

1. Kenyon Martin When Kenyon Martin is the best player taken in a draft, it's not a good thing. Anyways, Martin was the first pick in the draft, and has had an okay career, amassing a whopping 1 All-Star game. But he is also one of three all-stars that were drafted in this class, so I suppose that he wasn't a bad 1st overall considering the lack of depth in 2000. He was after all a part of the successful Nets teams of the early aughts. Who'd they pick instead: Probably Kenyon Martin again, but Michael Redd or Hedo Turkoglu wouldn't be bad choices either (in this draft at least.)

2. Stromile Swift Taken at number 2 by the Grizzlies (then in Vancouver), Swift came into the draft highly touted due to his athleticism. People must've forgot this wasn't track and field, as Swift spent a forgettable 9 seasons in the NBA. He now plays in China. Who'd they pick instead: Again, either Michael Redd or Hedo Turkoglu, but I'll say Hedo Turkoglu, as it looks like Vancouver was going for height.

3. Darius Miles Ahh Darius Miles. Taken by the lottery's favorite team, the Clippers, Miles was the highest a high-school player was taken at that time. And like a lot of busts, Miles wasn't mature enough to play with the big boys. He played only seven seasons in the NBA, and 2 with the Clips. Who'd they pick instead: Michael Redd, one of the other future (one-time) all-stars in the draft class. He's also the most successful player taken in this draft,and he was taken in the second round.

4. Marcus Fizer It just keeps getting better and better doesn't it? The Bulls took Fizer despite already having a PF on their squad, 1999's first-overall pick Elton Brand. Fizer fizzled in the NBA, but he was a one time MVP, of the NBA D-League. He and Anotine Walker are now playing together in Puerto Rico. Who'd they pick instead: Probably Mike Miller, the last of the very good players left in this draft, and that is a stretch to say.

5. Mike Miller A good pick here, because he's still in the NBA and he's still producing. He outlasted the three previous players taken, so by comparison, he looks like Michael Jordan. he won the NBA Rookie of the Year and has average 13.7 points so far in his ten year career. Who'd they pick instead: Assuming Miller is taken by the Bulls in my mock draft, we'll say they take Quentin Richardson, another guard/forward who can shoot the three effectively.

6. DerMarr Johnson Despite a creative name, DerMarr never found his footing in the NBA. Sounds familiar. He played 7 seasons in the NBA averaging just over 6 PPG. Johnson most famous for getting in a near-paralyzing car accident, and somehow recovering. He is now playing in Lebanon. Who'd they pick instead: Jamal Crawford, who won last year's "Sixth Man of the Year" award, and has had a pretty successful NBA career, averaging 15.5 PPG over his career.

7. Chris Mihm A former Cavaliers, Lakesr, Celtics, and Grizzies player, Mihm had a very forgettable NBA career. he waselected by the Bulls, but traded to Cleveland for Jamal Crawford. The 7-footer averaged a measly 5.3 RPG over his career, a terrible figure for a big-man. Mihm was far too stiff to play in the NBA, and is now out of the league. He is actually the poster-child for white, stiff centers. Who'd they pick instead: I suppose Joel Pryzbilla, because the Cavs were looking for height apparently, and Pryzbilla was a better career reboudner than Mihm (not by much,) though not a prolific scorer. More on him a little later.

8. Jamal Crawford I've already spoken about Crawford, who has carved a good career for himself. He was selected by the Cavs and traded to the Bulls probably to play back-up SF to Fizer, who'd have to move down to SF because Brand was already PF. Who'd they pick instead: Assuming Crawford is gone, the Bulls would take guard/forward Morris Peterson, who is still in the league, and has average 10.8 PPG in his career. Slim pickins I suppose.

9. Joel Pryzbilla An okay center at best, Pryzbilla is still in the league, playing for the Portland Trailblazers. he was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks, and hasn't had an impressive career scoring, but an okay career on the boards. We're too the point where okay players are being selected, and they look like true blue-chip prospects. This draft is depressing. Who'd they pick instead: The last all-star from this draft Jamaal Magloire who had a career year in 2003-2004. He hasn't done much since that great season, but its better than the others in this draft.


10. Keyon Dooling One letter away from the first overall pick, Dooling hasn't achieved half the success of Kenoyon Martin. He's still in the NBA, and has had a very okay career. Very okay, yes I just made that up. It's borderline bad but not quite bad enough. Just very okay. Who'd they pick instead: Maybe Desmond Mason, whose career was more okay than Dooling;s. Plus, he won a dunk contest in 2001, which actually counts for something in the 2000 NBA Draft.

They say, "Putting make-up on the pig does not change the pig" and no adage applies to this mock re-draft better. The 2000 NBA Draft sucks no matter which way you rearrange picks. Will there ever be another draft this bad? Well top scouts are saying that next year's draft will be a very weak one, so I might be seeing you guys in 2021, putting make-up on another pig.