Okay, so I’ve been diving deep into NBA history lately, and the 2013 draft class always gets me thinking. It’s considered one of the weakest in recent memory, but what if we could go back and reshuffle the deck? That’s what I started doing – a full 2013 NBA redraft.
First, I pulled up the original draft order. Man, Anthony Bennett at number one… that still hurts to see. I mean, no offense to the guy, but he just didn’t pan out as a top pick.
My Research Process.
Then, I spent hours, and I mean hours, going through player stats from their entire careers. Not just their rookie seasons, but everything. I looked at their Win Shares, their PER, their playoff performances, you name it. I even checked old scouting reports and game footage to see how players developed over *’s tough work!
- Original 2013 NBA Draft Order
- Career Statistics for Each Player (Points, Rebounds, Assists, etc.)
- Advanced Metrics (Win Shares, PER, VORP)
- Playoff Performances and Success
- Injury History
The biggest thing, obviously, was figuring out where Giannis Antetokounmpo should go. He went 15th originally, which is just insane in hindsight. He’s clearly the best player from that class, a two-time MVP, and a champion. So, yeah, he’s my number one.
After Giannis, it got tricky. Rudy Gobert, another late bloomer, jumped way up in my redraft. He’s a defensive monster and has been a game-changer for every team he’s played on.
Then I had to deal with guys like Victor Oladipo, who showed flashes of brilliance but were derailed by injuries. It’s tough to balance potential with actual production, especially when injuries are involved.
CJ McCollum and Steven Adams, solid, consistent players, also moved up significantly in my redraft. They might not be superstars, but they’re reliable contributors who make their teams better.
It was a real eye-opener to see how many players from that draft just didn’t make a lasting impact in the league. Some were out of the NBA within a few years. It really highlights how much of a gamble the draft is, even for the so-called experts.
Finally, I finish my own 2013 redraft list. It’s just my opinion, of course, based on all the data I gathered and my own basketball knowledge,but it is intersting.
