2012 NBA Draft: Recent History of the 14th and 16th Picks

When I started writing this article, it was with the idea of highlighting both the good and bad picks made over the last 20 years with the 14th and 16th overall picks. What I found was, there haven't been very many good picks at those two spots. Overall the best two picks at either spot were Peja Stojakovic in 1996 and Ron Artest in 1999; after that it's a who's who of who's that. Those two players are the only players taken at those spots since 1992 who have made an All-Star game (Artest once, Stojakovic 3 times). Most fans were already in agreement that the Rockets should use their assets to move up in the draft, but looking over this list definitely confirms that notion. There are rumors of the Rockets attempting to move up and get the 5th and 8th spots, whether or not that means they'll trade for Dwight Howard; I'm all for them trading up in this draft. If they don't trade up, I'm in favor of them trading back and trying to pick up an extra pick next year because unless they get lucky with someone slipping; there aren't many franchise players available. That's not to say the middle of the draft doesn't have talent, but it's full of role players; something they have in abundance. The only goal this off-season in the draft and in free-agency should be to find their next star.

Look at the list below, I'd challenge you to find 1 player you'd want to build your team around; not even Stojakovic or Artest are franchise players.

2011

14th - Marcus Morris (Houston Rockets)
16th - Nikola Vucevic (Philadelphia 76ers)

2010

14th - Patrick Patterson (Houston Rockets)
16th - Luke Babbitt (Minnesota Timberwolves)

2009

14th - Earl Clark (Phoenix Suns)
16th - James Johnson (Chicago Bulls)

2008

14th - Anthony Randolph (Golden State Warriors)
16th - Marreese Speights (Philadelphia 76ers)

2007

14th - Al Thornton (LA Clippers)
16th - Nick Young (Washington Wizards)

2006

14th - Ronnie Brewer (Utah Jazz)
16th - Rodney Carney (Chicago Bulls)

2005

14th - Rashad McCants (Minnesota Timberwolves)
16th - Joey Graham (Toronto Raptors)

2004

14th - Kris Humphries (Utah Jazz)
16th - Kirk Snyder (Utah Jazz)

2003

14th - Luke Ridnour (Seattle Sonics)
16th - Troy Bell (Boston Celtics)

2002

14th - Fred Jones (Indiana Pacers)
16th - Jiri Welsch (Philadelphia 76ers)

2001

14th - Troy Murphy (Golden State Warriors)
16th - Kirk Haston (Charlotte Hornets)

2000

14th - Matteen Cleaves (Detroit Pistons)
16th - Hidayet (Hedo) Turkoglu (Sacramento Kings)

1999

14th - William Avery (Minnesota Timberwolves)
16th - Ron Artest (Chicago Bulls)*

1998

14th - Michael Dickerson (Houston Rockets)
16th - Bryce Drew (Houston Rockets)

1997

14th - Maurice Taylor (LA Clippers)
16th - Brevin Knight (Cleveland Cavaliers)

1996

14th - Predrag (Peja) Stojakovic (Sacramento Kings)***
16th - Tony Delk (Charlotte Hornets)

1995

14th - Eric Williams (Boston Celtics)
16th - Alan Henderson (Atlanta Hawks)

1994

14th - Yinka Dare (New Jersey Nets)
16th - Clifford Rozier (Golden State Warriors)

1993

14th - Scott Haskin (Indiana Pacers)
16th - Rex Walters (New Jersey Nets)

1992

14th - Malik Sealy (Indiana Pacers)
16th - Randy Woods (LA Clippers)

* One All-Star Team Made
*** Three All-Star Teams Made

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