Paolo Banchero and 3 other draft that have entered the history of the NBA

Paolo Banchero is today the name on the lips of all basketball fans.

The not yet twenty-year-old born in Seattle but of clear Italian origins, was the first choice of the Orlando Magic in the last NBA draft, and will therefore be one of the most anticipated protagonists next season.

We were talking about his Italian origins on his father’s side, and therefore of the possibility of playing with the Azzurri di Pozzecco in the future. Banchero has already made it known that he is not available for the European Championships that will start next September, but that from the summer of 2023, he would be honored to be able to answer a call from the Italian national team.

The NBA drafts are always highly anticipated, and the champions of the future come out of the draft, those who later become the most successful champions of the American league.

Here are 3 drafts that have produced authentic samples, even if in some cases they were not selected as first choice …

Draft NBA 1984

It’s the draft he delivered to the world Michael Jordan, one of the greatest – if not the greatest – basketball players in the world.

Jordan was the leader of the Chicago Bulls of the 1990s, the ones who won the NBA Ring 6 times, and established themselves as the best team in the world. In Jordan’s palmarès there are also two Olympic titles with the US national team, but basically we are talking about an authentic phenomenon of this sport.

What is surprising is that Michael Jordan was not the first choice (he was even the third), but he was preferred Hakeem Olajuwonanother absolute star of the NBA, who with the Houston Rockets won two titles in 1994 and 1995.

The biggest regret that year was that of the Portland Trail Blazers, who could have “called” Jordan having the second choice, but they preferred Sam Bowie. The latter was a talented player, who had done well at the university level, but the many injuries penalized his career, so that Bowie left no impact in the history of the NBA.

Draft NBA 1996

1996 is the year of Kobe Bryant, son of Joe Bryant, former NBA star also known in Italy for his experiences in Serie A with Reggio Emilia and Pistoia.

In fact, Kobe was born in Italy, and from us he also learns the language and is passionate about football (he becomes a great Milan fan).

Back in the USA, he became an absolute champion, spending his entire career in the Los Angeles Lakers, with whom he won 5 NBA titles (plus 2 Olympics with the stars and stripes national team).

He tragically dies in a helicopter accident with his daughter Gianna in January 2020, but he will forever remain in the hearts of all basketball fans.

In 1996 however Kobe is the second choice, because the first goes to Allen Iverson, one of the best guards of all time, spending his career among the Philadelphia 76ers, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons and Memphis Grizzlies.

Draft NBA 2003

It is the draft of LeBron James, called as a first choice by the Cleveland Cavaliers, but also that of Carmelo Anthony, third call of the Denver Nuggets, and of Dwayne Wade, fifth choice of the Los Angeles Clippers. All established champions who are making their mark on NBA history.

The only mistake is that of the Detroit Pistons, who choose the Serbian Darko Milicic as a second choice, which will not turn out to be at the level of the aforementioned champions.