Your Complete Guide to the 2021 NBA Draft List and Player Selections
As I sit here reflecting on the 2021 NBA Draft, I can't help but draw parallels to what we witnessed just this Tuesday at the Philsports Arena, where Petro Gazz delivered that stunning 25-8, 25-12, 25-12 sweep against Hong Kong's Hip Hing. Both events showcase how strategic selections and team dynamics can create moments of pure dominance in sports. The 2021 NBA Draft was particularly fascinating to me because it represented a return to normalcy after the pandemic-disrupted 2020 draft, with full arenas and the usual pre-draft hype that we'd all been missing. I remember watching that draft night with particular interest because it felt like several franchises were at crucial turning points in their development cycles.
The Detroit Pistons holding that coveted first overall pick created so much speculation in the weeks leading up to the draft. I've followed basketball long enough to know when there's genuine debate about who should go first, and this was one of those years where the consensus wasn't as clear-cut as in some previous drafts. When they selected Cade Cunningham, I have to admit I was thrilled - he seemed like the complete package with his 6'8" frame and guard skills that reminded me of a young Grant Hill. His statistics at Oklahoma State were impressive - averaging 20.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists while shooting about 40% from three-point range - but what really stood out to me was his basketball IQ and maturity beyond his years. I've always valued players who make others better, and Cunningham struck me as that type of franchise-altering talent.
What made this draft class particularly compelling from my perspective was the depth of talent available beyond the first pick. The Houston Rockets selecting Jalen Green second overall made perfect sense to me given their rebuilding timeline. Green's athleticism is just phenomenal - I'd put him in the same conversation as young Vince Carter when it comes to pure leaping ability and body control. Then came Evan Mobley to Cleveland at number three, and I remember thinking how perfect that fit was for a team needing defensive identity. His 7-foot wingspan and mobility reminded me of watching a young Anthony Davis develop at Kentucky. The Raptors taking Scottie Barnes fourth overall was the first genuine surprise of the night for me - most mock drafts had Jalen Suggs going in that spot, but Toronto's front office has earned the benefit of the doubt with their unconventional choices over the years.
The middle of the first round contained what I believe will be remembered as some of the biggest steals of this draft. Josh Giddey going to Oklahoma City at pick number six struck me as brilliant - a 6'8" point guard with exceptional court vision who averaged 7.4 assists in the NBL as a teenager. I've always been higher on international prospects than many analysts, and Giddey's feel for the game is something you just can't teach. Then there was Alperen Sengun falling to Houston at pick 16 - I'm still baffled by how many teams passed on the Turkish League MVP who put up 18.6 points and 8.9 rebounds against professional competition at just 18 years old. The draft analytics community was screaming about his value, and Houston's decision to trade two future first-round picks to acquire him looks like an absolute heist in retrospect.
What fascinates me about evaluating drafts is how quickly narratives can change based on rookie season performances. The 2021 class produced immediate contributors in ways we haven't seen since the legendary 2003 draft. Franz Wagner going to Orlando at number eight has already outperformed his draft position in my opinion - his versatility as a 6'10" forward who can handle the ball, defend multiple positions, and shoot efficiently makes him exactly the type of modern NBA player I value most. Meanwhile, Chris Duarte at number 13 to Indiana gave them immediate scoring punch, averaging 13.1 points in his first 55 games before injuries slowed him down.
The second round contained its usual share of hidden gems that I always find particularly satisfying to uncover. The Memphis Grizzlies selecting Brandon Clarke in 2019 taught me to never underestimate players who fall out of the first round, and the 2021 draft had several such prospects. Herbert Jones slipping to New Orleans at pick 35 still puzzles me - his defensive versatility was evident at Alabama, and he's already proven to be one of the best perimeter defenders in the entire class. Then there's Sharife Cooper going to Atlanta at 48 - his playmaking creativity in college was off the charts, and while he hasn't broken through yet, I wouldn't be surprised to see him become a rotation player in coming years.
Looking back now with the benefit of a full season of evidence, I'd grade this draft class as exceptionally strong - probably an A-minus overall. The top-end talent with Cunningham, Mobley, and Barnes looks franchise-altering, the depth through the lottery produced multiple future All-Stars in my estimation, and the second round yielded legitimate rotation players. The success of this class reminds me that while draft night can feel like a crapshoot sometimes, the teams that do their homework consistently find value throughout the board. Just like Petro Gazz's systematic dismantling of their opponent this week, successful draft selections require preparation, understanding of team needs, and sometimes the courage to go against conventional wisdom. The 2021 NBA Draft provided all of that drama and more, and I suspect we'll be looking back at this class for years to come as one that shifted the league's balance of power in meaningful ways.
