Reviewing the Draft: 1992

1992 was a year that saw the introduction to the league of one of its all time greats (Shaquille O'neal) and then a lot of rookies who never turned into the players they had potential to be. Very few drafts in recent history have given us so many accomplished college players and yet only a few (5) turned into All Star quality players.

1. Orlando - Shaquille O'neal (1) - Without question one of the most dominating presences the NBA has ever seen. (Original pick: O'neal)
2. Charlotte - Alonzo Mourning (2) - In any other draft, Zo would have been the number one pick. One of the most intimidating forces in the league for many years. (Original pick: Mourning)
3. Minnesota - Latrell Sprewell (24) - Choking incident aside, Spree was a fierce competitor and a fantastic player on both ends of the court. Some terrible off court decisions messed with a great career. (Original pick: Christian Laettner)
4. Dallas - Christian Laettner (3) - Never lived up the expectations that he set for himself at Duke but was still an All Star caliber player for many years and a solid contributor after that. (Original pick: Jim Jackson)
5. Denver - Robert Horry (11) - The ultimate winner. Horry wasn't particularly great at anything except hitting the big shots time and time again on his way to 8 or 9 championship rings. (Original pick: Laphonso Ellis)
6. Washington - PJ Brown (29) - An excellent defender and strong rebounder, Brown was a major contributor on a number of good teams for a long time. (Original pick: Tom Gugliotta)
7. Sacramento - Jim Jackson (4) - Jackson's size and incredible passing ability set him apart from the average shooting guard of the day. The injury he suffered in 1995 prevented him from moving the way he once was and essentially turned him into a very good role player. (Original pick: Walt Williams)
8. Milwaukee - Tom Gugliotta (6) - Googs became an overnight sensation in Minnesota but after an All Star appearance got overpaid to go to Phoenix and went through numerous injuries that kept him from ever contributing much. (Original pick: Todd Day)
9. Philly - Doug Christie (17) - Say what you will about Christie's mental state, he was an excellent defender and a steady hand on offense while playing on some good teams. (Original pick: Clarence Weatherspoon)
10. Atlanta - Clarence Weatherspon (9) - Far from flashy or sexy, Weatherspoon nonetheless was a solid scorer and rebounder for quite a while on a number of teams. (Original pick: Adam Keefe)
11. Houston - Walt Williams (7) - In all honesty Williams could have done a lot more. Like Jackson, he had a unique combination of size and passing skill and yet as his career progressed he allowed himself to become a shooter (and a very good one, mind you) rather than a playmaker. (Original pick: Robert Horry)

Honorable Mention:
LaPhonso Ellis (5) - Again injuries are to blame. Ellis was a fiery player who could create his own shot but preferred to crash the boards and deliver thunderous dunks.
Jon Barry (21) - An excellent shooter and role player for many years.
Matt Geiger (42) - Never a particularly talented player, Geiger possessed a high basketball IQ and became a very good defender while playing significant roles on good teams.

Biggest Disappointment:
I loved Jim Jackson and an injury early in his career helped move him towards a lackluster career, but a lackluster career he still had. Jackson could have changed the landscape of the NBA. He had a combination of size, athleticism, basketball IQ, court vision, shooting touch, and driving ability that almost no player in the last 25 years has had. He could shoot, he could pass, he could post up, he could drive. Offensively he could have been unstoppable. That he never made an All Star team is a huge, huge disappointment.

-BG