Best NBA lottery picks of all-time

NEW YORK - JUNE 26: (L to R) Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Jarvis Hayes, Maciej Lampe, Kirk Hinrich, Chris Kaman, NBA Commissioneer David Stern, Darko Milicic, T.J. Ford, Zarko Cabarkapa, Dwyane Wade, Nick Collison, Reece Gaines, Mike Sweetney and LeBron James poses for a photo prior to the 2003 NBA DRAFT at the Paramount Theater at Madison Square Garden on June 26, 2003 in New York, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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Average career Win Shares from No. 1 picks, 1985-2017: 67.8

Let’s be honest, we knew LeBron James would win this, it was only a question of how much and if anyone would make a contrarian stance. Turns out, Trevor Magnotti was willing to stand against the wind and be a free thinker in a crowd of sheeple and chose Shaquille O’Neal as the best No. 1 lottery pick ever.

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His reasoning: “Shaq might have made an even bigger impact than LeBron in his first few years. Shaq’s peak was shorter but arguably more dominant and it came quicker, and I think in most scenarios, 21-year old Shaq gets you competing faster than 19-year old LeBron.”

He forgot to mention Shaq had his own video game and starred in movies. That’s what really sets the No. 1 picks apart. Maybe next year it will be unanimous.

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