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The NBA Draft has always been an exciting event, no matter the year in which it is held. The prospect of young players coming in and potentially shaking up the league, as LeBron James did, is a tantalizing one for everyone in the NBA community. However, in the rich history of the NBA, some draft classes are generally regarded as stronger than others.
On that note, let us have a look at the top five NBA Draft classes of all time.
NBA Draft: Top 5 classes in the history of the league
For the sake of simplicity, we have only considered the elite players that have come out of the NBA Draft over the years. The list includes superstars and top-tier role players, some of whom are still active in the competition.
Without further ado, let's get started.
#5 Class of 1985
The first-ever NBA Draft with the 'lottery' system - the class of 1985 - is also one of the best of all time in the history of the competition.
This draft class brimmed with stars like Patrick Ewing, Detlef Schrempf, Joe Dumars, and 'the Mailman' Karl Malone, to name a few.
This NBA draft set the tone for countless drafts that followed, and it is truly fitting that this draft class is considered as one of the strongest of all time.
#4 Class of 1981
The NBA Draft class of 1981 had Mark Aguire as the first overall pick. However, with the second pick Isiah Thomas going on to become a 12-time All-Star and a two-time champion, the decision to pick Aguire as the first pick looked like a massive mistake in hindsight.
This draft class also included the likes of Danny Ainge and Rolando Blackman, with the latter going on to become a franchise legend for the Dallas Mavericks.
Overall, the draft class of 1981 had it all - top-tier role players, a plethora of stars and a handful of superstars - making it one of the strongest classes in the history of the NBA.
#3 NBA Draft Class of 2003
The 2003 NBA Draft class was by far one of the most power-packed ones in the history of the NBA. Headlined by arguably the greatest of all time in LeBron James, this draft class also included the likes of Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade and Carmelo Anthony.
This NBA Draft featured a bevy of future Hall of Famers and champions. Given the general star power it packed, the 2003 NBA Draft has to go down as one of the greatest of all time in the history of the competition.
#2 Class of 1996
The NBA Draft class of 1996 was another one that was stacked with superstars. Allen Iverson was picked first overall, and justifiably so, because the player is generally considered one of the greatest of all time and is a Hall of Farmer.
However, the one player from this draft class who surpassed them all in terms of pedigree and achievements in the NBA was Kobe Bryant.
A five-time NBA champion and 18-time All-Star, Kobe Bryant was arguably one of the greatest players of all time. His Jordan-esque style of play captured the imagination of fans and experts alike.
This NBA Draft class also featured Steve Nash, Antoine Walker, Ray Allen and Peja Stojakovic, whose success made this class one of the best of all time.
#1 Class of 1984
Hakeem Olajuwon went first overall in the 1984 NBA Draft. While he was an all-time great and a Hall of Famer, he wasn't the best to come out of this class. That honor went to arguably the greatest of all time, a certain Michael Jordan.
These two players in the Draft class were incredible, to say the least. However, there were other all-time greats like John Stockton and Charles Barkley in this Draft class too, players who went on to etch their names as some of the finest ever to have graced the NBA.
Considering the sheer pedigree of this Draft class, it is arguably the greatest of all time in competition history.
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