Re-drafting the impactful 1997 NBA Draft Lottery picks
Original: 13th-Cavaliers. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Shooting Guard. Derek Anderson. 6. 18
The well-rounded game of the 6-foot-5 versatile former Kentucky guard Derek Anderson allowed him to thrive in a bench role in the NBA for longer than one decade. The Celtics originally picked up Ron Mercer with their sixth overall pick. But Anderson would be an upgrade compared to Mercer in this spot.
Anderson was an NBA Champion in 2005-06 with the Miami Heat and a member of the All-Rookie Team in 1997-98 with the Cavaliers. He spent two seasons with the Cavaliers prior to getting dealt to the Clippers. But most of his career would be spent with the Portland Trail Blazers and Cavaliers.
The advanced stats for Anderson were pretty decent too. He registered a 13.5 value over replacement player rating, .117 win shares per 48 minutes, 43.9 win shares, and 1.0 box plus/minus rating.
Small Forward. 66. Original: 42nd-Suns. Stephen Jackson. 5. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis
In the thick of his career with the Pacers, Warriors, Bobcats, and Atlanta Hawks, the former 6-foot-8 and 220 pound former Butler County Community College small forward Stephen Jackson was a solid scorer. Jackson averaged at least 16.5 points per game in total with each team.
The advanced numbers were never the best friend of Jackson, but his best years were more friendly to him. The beginning and the end of the run for Jackson was the what watered down his advanced stats. He had multiple seasons with at least four or five win shares, but also a career box plus/minus rating in the negative.
Jackson played in more than 850 career regular season games. He also played in more than 70 playoff games, and was a winner there. In the playoffs, he registered a 0.8 box plus/minus rating and 3.2 win shares.