Section 215
Fansided

History Says The Philadelphia 76ers Won’t Get Best Player In Draft

By Mike Lacy

Feb 20, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) dribbles the ball in front of Tennessee Volunteers forward Kyle Alexander (11) at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 20, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) dribbles the ball in front of Tennessee Volunteers forward Kyle Alexander (11) at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /
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2011

Top pick: Kyrie Irving

Best player: Kawhi Leonard (15)

Other notables: Klay Thompson (11)

Analysis

When healthy, Irving has been a good point guard, and was one of the main reasons why LeBron James came back to Cleveland. Had Leonard gone to a bigger name school than San Diego State, he likely would have been a higher pick. Ironically, that may have hurt his career. Joining a championship-caliber team in San Antonio, he was allowed to develop into a defensive specialist. He finished second in MVP voting this year.

Thompson is yet another example of the Warriors not needing the top pick in the draft to assemble a championship team.

Philadelphia 76ers pick: Nikola Vucevic

Vucevic has established himself as one of the better offensive centers in the league. It’s just too bad the Sixers traded him as part of the Andrew Bynum deal.

Next: 2012