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Lucky 7s? A history of the Detroit Pistons with the 7th pick

By Stuart London

DETROIT, MI - APRIL 12: Greg Monroe #10 of the Detroit Pistons shoots against the Charlotte Hornets during the game on April 12, 2015 at The Palace of Auburn in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by B. Sevald/Einstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - APRIL 12: Greg Monroe #10 of the Detroit Pistons shoots against the Charlotte Hornets during the game on April 12, 2015 at The Palace of Auburn in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by B. Sevald/Einstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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On November 18th, the Detroit Pistons have the No. 7 overall selection in the 2020 NBA Draft. This is the third time in franchise history the Pistons have selected seventh. Looking at how they did with No. 7 in the past, might indicate how it goes this year.

The seventh pick is not always a ‘Lucky 7’ for teams in the NBA Draft.

Usually, the first pick is a no-brainer. There have been historical miscalculations (Anthony Bennett, Michael Olowokandi) but, as a general rule, there is usually a ‘can’t miss’ prospect for the team selecting No. 1.

It does not take a basketball genius to look at, say, LeBron James or Magic Johnson, and think they are going to be a pretty, pretty good player.

Even in a deep draft (which most experts believe 2020 is not), projected superstars usually do not drop lower than fourth or fifth. Chris Paul was the fourth pick of the Hornets in 2005, while Charles Barkley was taken fifth by the 76ers  in 1984 (the Bulls took Michael Jordan two spots earlier)

And there is always some eventual future very good player hanging around in the teens. They may not have developed as quickly as the first few selections; or does not have a flashy game to catch scout’s attention.

Giannis Antetokounmpo was hanging around at No. 15 in 2013 when he was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks. This year’s Bubble playoff hero, Tyler Herro, was picked 13th in last year’s draft by the Miami Heat.

The seventh picks is kind of inbetween the can’t misses, and the picking for potential in the teens.

Plenty of good players have been selected seventh. Among them were Warriors star Steph Curry and former Pistons standout Richard ‘Rip’ Hamilton.

It is just that the seventh overall pick is … a bit tricky.

It is high enough in the draft order that most fans will expect an immediate impact player, but not high enough to be a sure thing.

Seventh is still too high to take a chance on a player you think is a late bloomer, like a Giannis, or a Herro-type sleeper, unless the team is prepared to take a lot of flack.

The Pistons have had the No. 7 overall pick in the NBA Draft twice previous to this November: 1950 and 2010.

The NBA was a different place in both of those times, and certainly they are in an unusual time now. But looking at the past could be a sign how the Pistons do this time.

Here is a look at the past two No. 7 draft choices of the Pistons.