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NBA Draft 2016: Every team’s most underrated pick ever

By Brad Rowland

Feb 27, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker (9) during the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker (9) during the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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MIAMI, UNITED STATES: Miami Heat player Glen Rice (R) signs autographs for fans 30 August after he cast his vote at a federal office building in Miami as to whether or not accept a controversial labor deal or de-certify the NBA’s player’s union. The NBA’s 420 players are voting at 44 sites across the US 30 August, with a second round of voting scheduled for 07 September. AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read RHONA WISE/AFP/Getty Images)
MIAMI, UNITED STATES: Miami Heat player Glen Rice (R) signs autographs for fans 30 August after he cast his vote at a federal office building in Miami as to whether or not accept a controversial labor deal or de-certify the NBA’s player’s union. The NBA’s 420 players are voting at 44 sites across the US 30 August, with a second round of voting scheduled for 07 September. AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read RHONA WISE/AFP/Getty Images) /

Miami Heat: Glen Rice, No. 4 pick, 1989 NBA Draft

For as much success as the Miami Heat have enjoyed over their near 30-year existence, the NBA Draft has not been a huge factor for the franchise. The Heat did manage to pick up the most important player in the history of the organization (Dwyane Wade) via the draft, but aside from that, Miami has built largely through free agency and trade, leaving their NBA Draft profile as something of a mixed bag.

To be candid, Glen Rice did not jump off the page to me when considering Miami’s draft profile… but there isn’t much here. Steve Smith was a very nice pick, Kurt Thomas and Caron Butler were solid investments and Justise Winslow is already looking good. However, Rice combines relative longevity (478 games over six seasons) with success in a way that no one else can claim outside of Wade.

Rice was an immediate factor after landing in Miami out of the University of Michigan, and he was selected to the NBA’s All-Rookie second team. That was a springboard to legitimate stardom, as Rice then averaged 20.4 points and 5.0 rebounds over the next five seasons, including a lights-out 39.2 percent clip from three-point range.

Some will remember Glen Rice for his stint with the Hornets and his overall marksmanship, but he was quite important to the Miami Heat as well.

Next: Milwaukee Bucks

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