New Orleans Pelicans: Ranking the Top 40 No. 1 Picks of All-Time

Zion is the first of the New Orleans Pelicans to make the list of top no.1 draft picks

#24: Zion Williamson- New Orleans Pelicans (2019)

Some would argue that a 19-year-old who has only played 19 games in the NBA should not be on this list, but few of these players have the potential of Zion. He’s an electric athlete who weighs 285 lbs. and can somehow still fly. He averaged 23.6 points and 6.8 boards on a bum knee and did it in spectacular, highlight reel fashion. Zion has a chance to be one of the greatest power forwards of all-time, but like a lot of guys on this list, will have to avoid injuries to do it.

#23: Larry Johnson- Charlotte Hornets (1991)

L.J. had to retire early because of injuries and if you were alive during this time you remember how stiff his back was towards the end of his career. It was actually painful to watch him play by the time he retired in 2001. Prior to that, Johnson was the model for the modern power forward, as he could do a little bit of everything, had a post and outside game, was a great defender, rebounder and a gifted passer. Johnson also famously argued with the next guy on the list.

#22: Bill Walton- Boston Celtics (1974)

Before Celtics fans start throwing their short shorts at me in protest, I admit that Walton would be much higher on this list had his career not been ruined by injuries. Walton was arguably the greatest sixth man of all-time on one of the best teams of all-time. Won titles with Portland and Boston and has probably smoked more weed than any NBA player in history.

#21: Derrick Rose- Chicago Bulls (2008)

Arguably the greatest “what-if” in NBA history, Derrick Rose was on his way to the Hall of Fame before his knees gave out. Rose won an MVP, had revitalized basketball in Chicago, but then tore his ACL and that was that. He’s had a nice comeback in the last two seasons and will get some votes for sixth man of the year, but when Rose was healthy early in his career, there were few players as electric and unstoppable with the ball.

#20: Blake Griffin- Los Angeles Clippers (2009)

This has turned into the “if not for injuries” part of the list. Everyone in this section would be higher had they not lost seasons to injuries, including The Alpha Ginger Blake Griffin, whose combination of athleticism and skill has rarely been seen at the power forward position. Blake was jumping over cars and filling highlight reels early in his career before re-inventing himself as a stretch-four for Detroit. Unfortunately, Griffin missed yet another season this year due to injury, but last year put up 24.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.4 assists for the Pistons. If Blake is healthy, he’s still one of the best 15 players in the NBA.