Fansided

5 best 2nd-round picks in NBA Draft history

By Lior Lampert

Feb 13, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) reacts from the court during the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat at Miami-Dade Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 13, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) reacts from the court during the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat at Miami-Dade Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports /
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Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Nikola Jokić

Some might remember Nikola Jokić being drafted during a Taco Bell commercial. While the introduction of Taco Bell’s Quesarito certainly looked tasty in the commercial, we missed a future two-time NBA MVP hearing their name called on draft night.

Since entering the league, Jokić has already cemented himself as one of the greatest and most unique centers of all time. His passing ability and feel for the game are second-to-none among current NBA centers.

Formally known as The Joker, the name suits him well given all the tricks he has up his sleeve when it comes to playmaking. While he has not yet enjoyed the same team success as those on the list before him, he is undoubtedly the greatest second-round selection to ever play in the NBA.

Nikola Jokić has won the past two NBA MVP Awards, a feat only 11 players before him have accomplished. This season, he was just 0.2 assists shy of becoming only the third player in NBA history to average a triple-double throughout the course of a season.

Jokić is one of three finalists for this year’s MVP Award, meaning we could see him become the fourth player ever to win three straight MVPs. The other three players on said list are Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, and Larry Bird, meaning this feat is something that cannot be taken lightly. Those are three of the most impactful players in the history of the NBA, and the fact that Jokić even has a chance to be part of that puts him in rarified air.

Throughout his career, Jokić has averaged 20.2 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game while posting the second-highest Player Efficiency Rating in NBA history. This metric is used to express a player’s per-minute productivity on the court, meaning that Jokić impacts the game positively in a multitude of ways.

The Nuggets were able to land the greatest second-round pick in NBA history with the 41st overall selection of the 2014 NBA Draft, but that night will always be overshadowed by a Taco Bell commercial.

Next. The best NBA Draft pick of all time at every slot. dark

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