ESPN ranks ex-Michigan star Chris Webber as the third-best No. 1 NBA pick of the past 20 years
Chris Webber's college career will likely forever come with an asterisk.
But his NBA career? Well, he wasn't half bad.
ESPN.com NBA draft analyst Chad Ford ranked the top No. 1 overall draft choices of the past 20 years Thursday, and the controversial former Michigan basketball phenom came in at No. 3 on the list.
Chris Webber
Associated Press
"Webber's high-profile part as the leader of the "Fab Five," combined with a perfect combination of NBA size, basketball IQ (the infamous no-timeout incident notwithstanding) athleticism and skill made him one of the three most coveted prospects in the past two decades," Ford wrote of Webber. "He had a very successful NBA career, but never quite lived up to the hype that surrounded him before the draft. He was a five-time All-Star but never the superstar NBA GMs and scouts thought he'd be."
After leaving Michigan as a sophomore, Webber was selected No. 1 overall by the Orlando Magic in 1993. Rather than pair him with Shaquille O'Neal, though, the Magic promptly traded Webber on draft day to the Golden State Warriors, a deal that eventually sent Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway to Orlando.
Webber played 15 seasons in the NBA, and finished with a career 20.7 points per game scoring average to go along with 9.8 rebounds per game.
No. 1 on the list was LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers, 2003). No. 20 on the list was Michael Olowokandi (Los Angeles Clippers, 1998).
What do you think? Is Webber rated too high? Too low? Just right?
Nick Baumgardner covers Michigan sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2514, by email at nickbaumgardner@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.
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Comments
Wally the Wolverine
Fri, Jun 22, 2012 : 4:04 p.m.
I agree with heartbreak. C Webb never got a ring. That was Lebron's knock up until now.
treetowncartel
Fri, Jun 22, 2012 : 2:20 p.m.
I rememebr going to see Weber play his first game at the Palace, which turned out to be Laimber's last.
heartbreakM
Fri, Jun 22, 2012 : 12:42 a.m.
Everywhere Webber went, he was expected to lead his team to the top level and he just simply did not do that. He had stats, yes, but did he even make it to the NBA finals once?? He moped a lot, didn't play defense a lot, and was never that dominant guy that he looked to be when leading Michigan to two NCAA finals. (I do have sour grapes over the whole Michigan probation fiasco and his hypocrisy). #1 picks are supposed to be dominating. #3? I wouldn't put him that high, but I don't know all of the top picks off the top of my head.
Marcel Wallace
Fri, Jun 22, 2012 : 12:40 a.m.
That article was NOT saying that Chris Webber is the 3rd best #1 pick in the last 20 years. Chad Ford wrote that piece ranking the last 20 No. ! picks based off of their pre draft hype, not accomplishments or anything. Webber was VERY highly regarded coming out of Michigan as a 6'9'' hyper athletic PF with offensive skills. He wasn't the 3rd best NO. 1 pick..he was the 3rd most hyped prospect. Nick...you should edit this, because its incorrect.
Tally10
Thu, Jun 21, 2012 : 11:30 p.m.
#3 at this time is about right, although, there are a few young guys ( as Craig mentioned ) in the game today that could surpass him if this list is revised 10 years from now. Over a 15 year career Webber averaged 20.7 ppg and 9.8 rpg, that's basically averaging a double-double for 15 years. That means the young guys on the list have to continue to produce to move ahead of him.
greg, too
Thu, Jun 21, 2012 : 10:58 p.m.
Definitely in the top 10 due to some real duds like Oden, Kwame, Olowakandi, and Joe Smith, but not #3. James #1, then Duncan (HOF'er), O'Neal (HOF'er), Howard, and Iverson are surely above him. Griffin and Irving should pass him as they get older. I could argue than Brand was a better #1 pick as well.
Craig Lounsbury
Thu, Jun 21, 2012 : 10:25 p.m.
Its hard to say. Its too early to say about some recent guys. and it depends on how we count 20 years. Since the 2012 draft hasn't happened the last 20 drafts that did happen get us to Shaq. Id' put Shaq ( if we can count that far back) Lebron, Tim Duncan, Dwight Howard, Allen Iverson ahead for sure. And its a little early but i think Derrick Rose is headed toward passing him.