NBA Draft: Cade Cunningham’s rank among last decade of #1 picks
NBA Draft: Ranking number one picks: 4-2
#4- Ben Simmons, 2016
It might be hard to believe now, but Ben Simmons was one of the most hyped number one picks over the last decade. People were calling him the next LeBron, a point guard in a power forward’s body who could score from all three levels and guard everyone. It turns out that was only partially true, as Simmons is one of the best defenders in the NBA, but can’t shoot (though he shoots similar percentages as Josh Jackson). Simmons might not have become the next LeBron, but he is pretty good and the hype behind him as the number one pick was huge.
Related Story. Constructing the dream offseason for the Detroit Pistons. light
#3- Cade Cunningham, 2021
You might think this is a bit high but I think the hype for Cade Cunningham is as big as nearly anyone on this list. He is a consensus number one choice regardless of what some Houston media might think, and a guy most people think is almost guaranteed to be a star in the NBA. He was given center stage in the NCAA tournament, and though he came up short, every scout in the NBA was watching and drooling. He is a player who can do it all on both ends, doesn’t have a huge weakness and is rightfully being hyped as one of the best prospects of this decade. There were huge question marks about most of these other guys, but ESPN scout Mike Schmitz called Cunningham “The most complete prospect I have ever evaluated.”
Cunningham said he was “very excited” to join the Pistons and i think I speak for most fans when I say the feeling is more than mutual.
#2- Anthony Davis, 2012
The “Brow” was just a skinny center coming out of Kentucky but everyone knew he was going to be a star and the number one pick in the NBA Draft. He was already an elite defender coming out of college and there really wasn’t ever a thought that someone else might be drafted with the top pick. Michael Kidd-Gilcrest (AD’s teammate at Kentucky) went number two but this was one of the biggest gaps between the top two picks in the entire decade, as Davis was billed as a superstar and was the consensus choice.
There’s only one guy who had more hype coming into the NBA Draft.