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The 2020 NBA Draft was celebrated less than a week ago, and we saw the best prospects in basketball achieving their NBA dreams. LaMelo Ball was selected by the Michael Jordan-owned Charlotte Hornets with the third pick of the 2020 NBA Draft.
Greatest #3 picks in NBA Draft history
Jordan himself was the third pick of the historic 1984 NBA Draft and went on to dominate the NBA.
Over the years, we have seen several busts selected in the Top 5 of the NBA Draft, but many teams got it right with their top picks.
In this article, we will list the five of the greatest No. 3 picks in NBA Draft history. Without further ado, let us start.
#5 Luka Doncic - 2018 NBA Draft
The Atlanta Hawks selected Luka Doncic with the third pick of the 2018 NBA Draft. The Hawks traded the Slovenian playmaker to the Dallas Mavericks for Trae Young.
Coming from a great pro career with Real Madrid, Doncic established himself as one of the NBA's best players after two seasons in the league. Through his first two years, Doncic averaged 24.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game.
He won the 'Rookie of the Year' award in his first season and is one of the favorites to win the 2020-21 NBA MVP award. Doncic has 25 Triple-Doubles in his short NBA career. He led the league in the 2019-20 season with 17 Triple-Doubles (the youngest player to lead that ranking in NBA history).
Doncic showed his potential in his first appearance in the NBA Playoffs. He averaged 31 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 8.7 assists per game against the favored LA Clippers in the 2020 NBA Playoffs.
#4 Dominique Wilkins - 1982 NBA Draft
The Atlanta Hawks selected Dominique Wilkins with the third pick of the 1982 NBA Draft.
Wilkins played 12 seasons with the Atlanta Hawks, averaging 26.4 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. He made 46% of his shots with the Hawks and guided the team to eight postseason appearances.
He played for the Los Angeles Clippers, Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs, and Orlando Magic before retiring from the league. Wilkins scored 26,668 points in his NBA career and was enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 2006.
Wilkins was an amazing dunker who earned nine All-Star selections and was named seven times in the All-NBA teams. He won a scoring title in the 1985-86 NBA season with an average of 30.3 points per game.
#3 Kevin McHale - 1980 NBA Draft
A member of the Hall of Fame and one of the greatest power forwards in NBA history, Kevin McHale was the third pick of the 1980 NBA Draft.
The Boston Celtics selected McHale in the NBA Draft and secured 13 years of greatness from an amazing post scorer.
McHale made the All-Star team seven times, won two 'Sixth Man of the Year' awards and made it to one All-NBA team in his career.
McHale won three NBA championships with the Boston Celtics (1981, 1984, and 1986). He averaged 18 points and seven rebounds in his NBA career (971 games).
He was a tremendous scorer, but he was a 'team-first' athlete who played in any role the team required. Collective success was more important to McHale than individual awards.
He made 55% of his shots in his NBA career.
#2 James Harden - 2009 NBA Draft
James Harden is a revolutionary scorer. The 2017-18 NBA MVP was the third pick of the 2009 NBA Draft.
The OKC Thunder selected him after his collegiate career at Arizona State.
Harden won the 'Sixth Man of the Year' award with the Thunder before starting his stint with the Houston Rockets in the 2012-13 NBA season.
With Houston, 'The Beard' has been an elite NBA player for eight seasons. He averages 25.2 points, six assists, and five rebounds per game in his career.
The left-handed guard has won three scoring titles. Moreover, he is an eight-time All-Star and has seven All-NBA selections in his career.
#1 Michael Jordan - 1984 NBA Draft
Arguably the greatest player in NBA history, Michael Jordan was the third pick of the fantastic 1984 NBA Draft.
After the Houston Rockets selected Hakeem Olajuwon with the first pick, the Portland Trail Blazers passed on Jordan and picked Sam Bowie instead.
The Chicago Bulls selected Jordan with the third choice of the 1984 NBA Draft, and MJ changed the franchise's history.
Jordan was great since his first season. He won the 1984-85 'Rookie of the Year' after an average of 28.2 points per game in his first year.
'His Airness' led the Bulls to six NBA championships, and he earned Finals MVP recognition six times in his career (a record).
He also won 10 scoring titles, five regular-season MVPs, and one Defensive Player of the Year award.
Jordan is the all-time leader in NBA history in points per game, with an average of 30.1 in his career.
He earned 11 All-NBA selections and appeared in nine All-Defensive teams during his legendary career.
Also read: 2020 NBA Draft: Where are the best undrafted free agents signing?
Guess the Lakers players!
