Fansided

The best NBA Draft pick of all time at every slot

By Brandon Jefferson

NEW YORK - JUNE 26: LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers poses with his jersey during the 2003/2004 NBA Draft Portrait at Paramount Theatre 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. Mandatory copyright notice: Copyright 2003 NBAE (Photo by: Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK - JUNE 26: LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers poses with his jersey during the 2003/2004 NBA Draft Portrait at Paramount Theatre 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. Mandatory copyright notice: Copyright 2003 NBAE (Photo by: Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK – JUNE 25: LeBron James answers questions from the media during the 2003 NBA Draft Media Availability at the Westin Times Square hotel on June 25, 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. Copyright 2003 NBAE (Photo by M. David Leeds/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK – JUNE 25: LeBron James answers questions from the media during the 2003 NBA Draft Media Availability at the Westin Times Square hotel on June 25, 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. Copyright 2003 NBAE (Photo by M. David Leeds/NBAE via Getty Images) /

1. LeBron James, 2003 NBA Draft, Cleveland Cavaliers

The list of number-one picks in NBA history is littered with all-time greats, Hall-of-Fame players, franchise cornerstones, and much more. However, when the conversation shifts to the greatest player of all-time one name from this bunch stands out above the rest: LeBron James. James’ story is now ingrained in the minds of the masses, but it’s worth revisiting to help build a case for why he is the best player to ever be taken with the first overall pick.

Before he could legally drive, LeBron was a name that every basketball fan knew. As a sophomore, he was the best player at St. Vincent-St. Mary’s and arguably the greatest in all of high school. He soon would be crowned “The Chosen One”, by Sports Illustrated and was one of the youngest athletes to grace the cover of multiple magazine covers.

He was then taken by the hometown Cleveland Cavaliers and right away made his presence known as he took home the NBA Rookie of the Year award. Then he led an undermanned Cavaliers team to the NBA Finals in 2007, but ultimately we would have to wait until his run with the Miami Heat — two championships and four NBA Finals appearances in four seasons — to realize how great James was. After his pitstop in South Beach, he returned back to the Cavaliers and helped lead them to three trips to the Finals and brought one home for Cleveland in 2016 (becoming part of the only team in NBA Finals history to come back from a 3-1 series deficit).

This season, he moved on to his next challenge: the Los Angeles Lakers. Year one was rocky as a groin injury would cause James to miss the most games in a season in his career. Yet, LeBron still averaged 28 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists on the season. We are closer to the end of James’ career, but even still he is a force to be reckoned with and the closest competitor to Michael Jordan’s claim as the greatest player of all time.

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