• 2001 2. Tyson Chandler vs. 3. Pau Gasol.
  I didn't think this would be such a big deal so fast but Gasol is definately going to get consideration for ROY along with his teammate Battier and late draftee Tinsley.
• 2000 2. Stromile Swift vs. 3. Darius Miles
  The jury is still out here, and Swift could in the longrun be the better player...but Miles has potential!
• 1999 2. Steve Francis vs. 3. Baron Davis
  Hey! They can't all workout right? Stevie Franchise is number one in this class.
• 1998 2. Mike Bibby vs. 3. Raef Lafrentz
  I really like the big man from Kansas with the soft shooting touch. I think he will be an all-star before Bibby.
• 1997 2. Keith Van Horn vs. 3. Chauncey Billups
  Chauncey is a washout as an NBA player, so now the number 2 pick has two better players than number three.
• 1996 2. Marcus Camby vs. 3. Shareef-Abdur Rahim.
  Camby has been way too inconsistent.
• 1995 2. Antonio McDyess vs. 3. Jerry Stackhouse
  McDyess ain't bad...but he doesn't have his own shoe commercial, yet.
• 1994 2. Jason Kidd vs. 3. Grant Hill
  This is a close one, and from year to year the advantage goes one way or the other. If Hill is healthy he's on top in my book.
• 1993 2. Shawn Bradley vs. 3. Penny Hardaway
  'Nuff said.
• 1992 2. Alonzo Mourning vs. 3. Christian Laettner
  So Mourning tops Laettner for the third number two pick to do better than number three.
• In 1991 and 1990 Kenny Anderson and Gary Payton emerged as great number two picks.
• 1989 2. Danny Ferry vs. 3. Sean Elliott
  (Again the mold fits.)
• Then there's the cursed #2 pick of 1986...Len Bias, who tragically died shortly after being picked by the Celtics.
• If you aren't satisfied yet...remember in 1984 Portland took Sam Bowie at number two over Michael Jordan

As you can see, those teams that have the number two pick are not guaranteed anything. In fact, perhaps it is better to have the number three because a renowned college player that excelled at that level may not be able to elevate his game to NBA stardom. The team with the number three pick might be able to overlook all the hype and take a player with more potential.

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Larry Brooks