Looking Back on the 1997 NBA Draft
The Boston Celtics Miss Out on Tim Duncan; Tracy McGrady Slips
This June marks the ten-year anniversary of the 1997 NBA Draft. Hindsight offers a better picture of which teams were most successful in that draft.
The 2007 NBA Draft will be held this upcoming June. Future stars like Greg Oden, Kevin Durant and Brandan Wright are projected to lead the group of youngsters into a new era of NBA basketball. Yet, not every player drafted will become NBA superstars. In fact, most of them will likely end up riding the pine throughout their careers if they’re lucky to have long-lasting careers at all.
In order to better understand this phenomenon, let’s take a trip back in time ten years ago to the 1997 NBA Draft. Tim Duncan was a lock to be picked number one, and many experts thought he would have been picked first had he entered the Draft a year sooner. The Boston Celtics had two picks in the top ten and had high hopes of landing Duncan. They ended up having to settle for the third and sixth picks, which were disappointing consolation prizes as Chauncey Billups didn't really start impressing until much later in his career, and Ron Mercer never made the step from NBA prospect to NBA star.
The San Antonio Spurs won the rights to the first pick and ultimately selected Duncan. Suddenly, their roster looked that much stronger. The Spurs had been one of the top teams in the West throughout the nineties, but as a result of an injury-plagued season that forced their star player, David Robinson, among others to sit out the entire year, the Spurs dropped significantly in the standings and thereby putting them in prime position to win the NBA Draft Lottery.
The Philadelphia 76ers drafted Keith Van Horn with the second overall pick, but Van Horn was not keen on the idea of playing for the Sixers. He said he would not suit up for Philly and was was traded to the New Jersey Nets for a package deal that included 7th pick, Tim Thomas.
Perhaps the biggest steal of the draft was Tracy McGrady, selected with the 9th overall pick by the Toronto Raptors. He bypassed college altogether to enter the NBA Draft, following in the footsteps of Kevin Garnett (5th pick - Minnesota Timberwolves, 1995 NBA Draft) Kobe Bryant (13th pick - Charlotte Hornets, 1996 NBA Draft). "T-Mac" was the cousin of then-Raptor star Vince Carter and the two made for an exciting combo while they played together. McGrady was even the runner up to Carter in the 2000 Slam Dunk Contest.
Some noteworthy players who went undrafted are: PG Troy Hudson; PG Damon Jones; F Mikki Moore and FG Ira Newble.
Here's a look at the 1997 NBA Draft:
1. Tim Duncan - San Antonio Spurs
- Career averages: 22.0 ppg, 12.0 rbpg, 2.5 bspg
- Best season: (2001-2002) 25.5 ppg, 12.7 rbpg, 2.5 bspg
- Duncan has been the cornerstone to the Spurs franchise that has won three rings since his rookie season. Few would disagree that he’s a lock for the Hall of Fame.
2. Keith Van Horn – Philadelphia 76ers (traded on Draft day to the New Jersey Nets)
- Career averages: 16.0 ppg, 6.8 rbpg
- Best season: (1999-2000) 19.2 ppg, 8.5 rbpg
- Van Horn never became the superstar some thought he might turn into, but he did have some productive seasons. Generally regarded as a role player throughout his career.
3. Chauncey Billups – Boston Celtics
- Career averages: 14.5 ppg, 5.3 apg
- Best season: (2005-2006) 18.5 ppg, 8.6 apg
- Billups was a late bloomer and floated around the league before finding a home in Detroit. In 2004, he helped the Pistons win a championship by averaging 21.0 ppg and 5.2 apg and was named the NBA Finals MVP. He was selected to the All Star team for the first time in 2006.
4. Antonio Daniels – Vancouver Grizzlies
- Career averages: 7.9 ppg, 3.3 apg
- Best season: (2004-2005) 11.2 ppg, 4.1 apg
- He has been a solid backup point guard throughout his career, which was highlighted by the 2004-2005 season when he was a key reserve for the Seattle SuperSonics in their run to the Western Conference Semifinals.
5. Tony Battie – Denver Nuggets
- Career averages: 6.7 ppg, 5.6 rbpg
- Best season: (2002-2003) 7.3 ppg, 6.5 rbpg, 1.2 bspg
- Like Daniels, Battie was considered somewhat of a disappointment considering how high he was picked in the draft. However, he is currently playing with the Orlando Magic and has been a solid role player for them.
6. Ron Mercer – Boston Celtics
- Career stats: 13.6 ppg
- Best season: (2000-2001) 19.7 ppg
- Injuries really hurt Mercer’s career, though there were many times he showed flashes of greatness.
7. Tim Thomas – New Jersey Nets (traded to the Philadelphia 76ers on Draft day)
- Career averages: 11.8 ppg, 4.1 rbpg
- Best season: (2002-2003) 13.3 ppg, 4.9 rbpg
- Many experts believe Thomas never reached his full potential. He was regarded as having tremendous upside as a rookie, but over the years he was said to lack heart and criticized for mediocre defensive play and his low rebound average.
9. Tracy McGrady – Toronto Raptors
- Career averages: 22.3 ppg, 6.3 rbpg, 4.5 apg
- Best season: (2002-2003) 32.1 ppg, 6.5 rbpg, 5.5 apg, 1.7 spg
- “T-Mac” has dazzled fans with his highlight dunks and stellar plays over the years. He led the league in scoring in 2002-2003 with the Orlando Magic and is currently leading the Houston Rockets while Yao Ming recovers from injury.
10. Danny Fortson – Milwaukee Bucks
- Career stats: 8.2 ppg, 7.3 rbpg
- Best season: (2001-2002) 11.2 ppg, 11.7 rbpg
- Forston has a reputation for being an obsessively physical player, averaging nearly three fouls in just over 11 minutes per game this season. Still, he has established the reputation for being a stellar rebounder, but has been troubled by injuries throughout his career.
Also, check out:
"Looking Back to the 2006 NBA Draft"
"Looking Back to the 2005 NBA Draft"
"Looking Back to the 2004 NBA Draft"
"Looking Back to the 2003 NBA Draft"
"Looking Back to the 2002 NBA Draft"
"Looking Back to the 2001 NBA Draft"
"Looking Back to the 2000 NBA Draft"
"Looking Back to the 1999 NBA Draft."
"Looking Back to the 1998 NBA Draft."
