The best NBA Draft pick of all time at every slot

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 26: Russell Westbrook shakes NBA Commissioner David Stern’s hand after being selected number four overall by the Seattle SuperSonics during the 2008 NBA Draft on June 26, 2008 at the WaMu Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City. 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 2008 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /

4. Russell Westbrook, 2008 NBA Draft, Seattle SuperSonics

Here’s the slot where we meet our first real tough decision. The following players were also selected fourth overall in their respective drafts: Dikembe Mutombo (1991), Dolph Schayes (1948), Chris Bosh (2003), and Chris Paul (2005). While great in their own right, Mutombo and Schayes aren’t necessarily players whose games had a lasting impact on any one team. Bosh is receiving some much-deserved love from Raptors fans following their run to the 2019 NBA Finals, and Heat fans still wonder what the post-LeBron years would’ve looked like if not for the blood clots that forced him to retire. However, he too falls short of the careers we’ve seen out of Paul and Westbrook.

Deciding between the two point guards left is no easy task. Paul has been the defining player for the position his entire career (so much so it earned him the nickname, “Point God”) and since entering the league 14 years ago he’s steadily been one of the top players at his position. Where Paul falters is in career accolades and playoff success. Paul has appeared in one conference final (2018 Western Conference Finals) and besides the Rookie of the Year award and 2013 All-Star Game MVP, his individual awards are lacking as well. If starting a team there’s a case to be made that prime CP3 would be a better choice than prime Westbrook, but for the purpose of this article Westbrook is the better pick.

Why? Westbrook was no consensus stud prospect when the Seattle SuperSonics selected him. Coming out of UCLA, Westbrook was thought of being a defense-first guard with little playmaking feel. Sam Presti saw something more and over a decade later, Westbrook has made the general manager look smart time and time again.

Winning the MVP in 2017 and averaging a triple-double for each of the last three seasons has vaunted Westbrook’s status among his peers to the upper echelon of today’s game. Westbrook’s ascension from no sure thing to perennial All-Star gives him a leg up as the best player ever selected at this spot.

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