Is Allen Iverson coming back? Well, it seems like the erstwhile superstar is on the verge of a comeback of some sorts. News broke today that Iverson turned down a D-League job, but maintained that he was still interested in an NBA return. And why not? The guy could fall out of bed and score about 28 points (on 30 shots, but still) and plenty of teams could use a little scoring off the bench. Plus, an awful lot of Iverson’s draftmates are still in the league.
Wow, take a look at that draft. Iverson was the no. 1 pick in 1996, but it could be argued that he didn’t deserve it. A lot of those guys are still kicking around – some bench players, some useful pieces, one super star – and it seems like as good a time as any to rank them up. Who are the top 10 best players from the 1996 draft? Find out!
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11 ) Marcus Camby
This spot could go to some of the other recognizable names from that draft: Erick Dampier, Kerry Kittles, Malik Rose, the delightful Moochie Norris. A lot of good bench guys debuted that year, but Camby is still around somehow at the advanced basketball age of 38. Original draft team? The Toronto Raptors, believe it or not. Now Camby is making a comeback with the Knicks, the team where he made a name for himself as a valuable defender.
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10) Shareef Abdur-Rahim
This draft was so long ago that Abdur-Rahim was actually drafted by the Vancouver Grizzlies. A guy who made a name for himself as a great scorer on bad teams, and a guy who made just one playoff trip in his 12-year NBA career. Career 18.8 PPG, 7.5 RPG – solid career, if one completely devoid of winning.
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9) Derek Fisher
Great career for Fisher, who was the no. 24 pick out of Arkansas-Little Rock. Probably best known for being the glue guy on a bunch of championship Laker teams, and for the “0.4 Second Shot,” one of the most controversial and exciting plays in basketball history. Not the only guy with five championship rings on this list…
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8) Antoine Walker
The Shimmy, the horrendous but relentless three-point shooting, the malcontent label, the gambling debts, I think a comeback in Puerto Rico? Antoine Walker had it all, but he was very good at basketball for a few years in there.
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7) Jermaine O’Neal
Definitely an unfulfilled talent guy. O’Neal blossomed in Indianapolis after entering the NBA as a teenager (not the only teenager on this list… hint hint) and being traded from the Trail Blazers to the Pacers. He’s still around as well, playing for the Suns. He’s only 34, but with his injury history there’s no telling how many games O’Neal has left in the tank. Also, the second-best O’Neal of the last two decades, which is a definite strike against him.
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6) Stephon Marbury
My favorite Marbury story, which may be apocryphal, is that a reporter asked him which school he went to – Georgia, or Georgia Tech – and he didn’t know. Maybe not true? But the fact that it’s believable basically sums up Stephon Marbury.
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5) Peja Stojakovic
Paved the way for tall European three-point shooters, later revolutionized by Dirk Nowitzki. Peja was drafted in 1996, but didn’t debut for the Kings until 1999. An absolutely deadly three-point shooter – career 40%, sixth on the all-list in three pointers made. But well behind the next guy…
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4) Ray Allen
AKA Jesus Shuttlesworth. Allen is maybe the best pure shooter in NBA history, and certainly the best three-point shooter of all time. His devotion to fitness is the reason why he’s still around today, contributing hard and on the hunt for another ring. Only 1,000 points behind Allen Iverson on the all-time scoring list, by the way.
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3)Steve Nash
Just a great player, the most fun guy to watch in the 2000s. Two MVP awards, deserved or not, and one of the most accurate shooters in NBA history from the free-throw line and the field. Still searching for that elusive ring, and this year doesn’t seem like it’s the one.
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2) Allen Iverson
For all the “practice!?” joking and run-ins with the law, Iverson was as tough as they come and could probably still be a pretty valuable piece for a team – IF he’s will to stow his ego, and that’s a big IF.
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1) Kobe Bryant
Forgot about him, huh! Bryant was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets (who?) and then traded (whoops!) to the Lakers for Vlade Divac (whoops, again!) at the tender age of 17. Bryant actually forced his way out of Charlotte, proving that even as a teen, he was coooold blooded. Top-five all time, reasonable argument for no. 2 all-time. I will not accept him as no. 1, sorry Kobe fanboys.