NBA Draft: 10 greatest No. 1 picks in league history

LeBron James was the first pick of the 2003 NBA Draft.
LeBron James was the first pick of the 2003 NBA Draft.

#8 Oscar Robertson - No. 1 pick in the 1960 NBA Draft

The Big O and Russell Westbrook.
The Big O and Russell Westbrook.

The Cincinnati Royals (now Sacramento Kings) selected Oscar Robertson with their first pick of the 1960 NBA Draft (their second consecutive No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft). Robertson arrived in the NBA and immediately created a huge impact.

The Big O averaged 30.5 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 9.5 assists per game in his first year. He led the Royals to six straight appearances in the NBA Playoffs from his second year, twice reaching the Divison Finals (Conference Finals now) and falling twice to Bill Russell and the Boston Celtics.

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Robertson did not give the Royals a title, but his impact was unique and proved to be a tremendous pick for Cincinnati. Of course, he averaged a triple-double while playing at Cincinnati in the 1961-1962 season, becoming the first player to do so and the only one until 2017.


#7 David Robinson - No. 1 pick in the 1987 NBA Draft

Robinson won two titles with the Spurs.
Robinson won two titles with the Spurs.

David Robinson was the first pick of the 1987 NBA Draft, and even though his naval service did not allow him to play in the league until 1989, he was tremendous for the San Antonio Spurs.

Robinson entered the league as a solid player, and averaged 24 points, 12 rebounds, and four blocks per game. He played his entire 14-year career for San Antonio, and helped the team achieve the NBA Playoffs 13 times (with the only exception being the 1996-97 season in which he got hurt, but the team could draft another unique superstar in the NBA Draft).

Robinson won the NBA MVP and Defensive Player of the Year awards with the Spurs while making 10 All-Star games, 10 All-NBA teams, and eight All-Defensive teams. He was also unselfish at the end of his career and allowed his younger teammates to lead the team, which resulted in two NBA titles with the Spurs.


#6 Shaquille O'Neal - No. 1 pick in the 1992 NBA Draft

Shaq dominated since his rookie year.
Shaq dominated since his rookie year.

Shaquille O'Neal was selected first overall in the 1992 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic, and his presence in the league was felt throughout his career.

Though Shaq did not win a title with the Magic, he established the franchise on the NBA picture. The team was founded in 1989 and never had a winning season until Shaq got there. O'Neal played four years at Orlando, and their worst season saw them register a 41-41 record.

O'Neal also led Orlando to the NBA Finals in 1995, before leaving for the LA Lakers and dominating the league with four titles (one with the Miami Heat). He won three NBA Finals MVPs and is undoubtedly one of the greatest big men in NBA history.


#5 LeBron James - No. 1 pick in the 2003 NBA Draft

The King is arguably the GOAT.
The King is arguably the GOAT.

ron James was the first pick of the tremendous 2003 NBA Draft class. The King was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers - a team which he eventually led to the NBA championship in his second stint.

Though LeBron James is arguably the greatest NBA player in history, he does not rank first in this list because out of his four NBA championships, only one came with the team that drafted him.

Still, he fulfilled his duties with Cleveland handsomely, pushing the team to five NBA Finals appearances and one unbelievable championship run in 2016. The Cavs' pick in the 2003 NBA Draft proved huge for the franchise, though the championship arrived 13 years later.

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