Friday, October 16th, 2009 at 11:05 am  |  77 responses

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1992 NBA Draft Remix

Never mess around with a Shaq Fuschnick.

by Jeff Fox

Now who’s the first pick? Me, word is born and
Not a Christian Laettner, not Alonzo Mourning.

Shaquille O’Neal, What’s Up Doc (Can We Rock?)

Don’t worry Shaq — these lyrics from your 1993 debut rap album still hold true today — you’re still at the top of the heap of the 1992 NBA Draft remix. In fact, Shaq is one of the few players from this draft year who truly had a special career. Other than the top two or three players in this remix, there aren’t a whole lot of standout players to choose from. There are loads of quality players who had solid careers, but no real superstars among the bunch. Which made the remixing of this draft all the more difficult.

1992 NBA Draft

Grade: B+

All-Stars: 5 (Shaquille O’Neal, Alonzo Mourning, Christian Laettner, Tom Gugliotta, Latrell Sprewell)

Biggest Bust: Adam Keefe, Atlanta, pick No. 10
Second Round Steal: P.J. Brown, New Jersey, pick No. 29
Winning Team (in the long run): Los Angeles Lakers (Shaquille O’Neal)
Career Scoring Leader: Shaquille O’Neal
Career Rebounding Leader: Shaquille O’Neal
Career Assist Leader: David Wesley

Pick No. 1 | Orlando Magic
Actual Selection: Shaquille O’Neal
Draft 365 Remix: Shaquille O’Neal (1)

Four NBA titles. Three NBA Finals MVPs. Rookie of the Year. NBA MVP. 15-time All-Star. 14 All-NBA appearances. Three All-Defensive Team appearances. Top ten all-time in blocks, field goals, field goal %, free throw attempts, offensive rebounds, defensive rebounds and points. ‘Nuff said.

Pick No. 2 | Charlotte Hornets
Actual Selection: Alonzo Mourning
Draft 365 Remix: Alonzo Mourning (2)

There wasn’t a more intimidating player in his prime than Alonzo Mourning, with his chiseled frame, fierce competitiveness, physicality, and most importantly, ever-present scowl. Remembered mostly for his defensive talents (he was a two-time winner of the Defensive Player of the Year award), Zo was a more-than-capable scorer also, topping the 20 ppg mark six times in his career.  And lets not forget he was barely beaten by Karl Malone for the 1999 NBA MVP trophy and was third in voting the next season. Yet, some people still question whether or not the seven-time All Star should get into the Hall of Fame!?!

Pick No. 3 | Minnesota Timberwolves
Actual Selection: Christian Laettner
Draft 365 Remix: Latrell Sprewell (24)

Unfortunately Latrell Sprewell is remembered for all the wrong things, whether it be choking his coach, complaining that the millions of dollars he was being offered wasn’t enough to feed his family, or his recent bankruptcy woes.  But, put all that aside if you can, and concentrate on his performance on the court.  Spree was a joy to watch during his career, a player able to do a bit of everything at both ends of the floor, and his resume has four All-Star appearances as well as All-NBA and All-Defensive Team honors to show for it.

Pick No. 4 | Dallas Mavericks
Actual Selection: Jim Jackson
Draft 365 Remix: Doug Christie (17)

This is the part of the remix where it gets tough to figure out the pecking order.  Doug Christie ultimately gets the nod due to his four All-Defensive Team appearances and his versatility on the court.  Not only was he a lock-down defender, he was an above average ball-handler, a solid rebounder and a capable scorer.  (Feel free to insert your own wife joke here).

Pick No. 5 | Denver Nuggets
Actual Selection: LaPhonso Ellis
Draft 365 Remix: P.J. Brown (29)

For a small school, Louisiana Tech sure knows how to pump out NBA big men. Karl Malone, Paul Millsap and, you guessed it, P.J. Brown all are alumni.  Despite not putting up big numbers, Brown was in enough demand to last over 1000 games in the League, and made his way onto three All-Defensive Teams. But, seriously, who was the joker who gave him a MVP vote in 2005?

Pick No. 6 | Washington Bullets
Actual Selection: Tom Gugliotta
Draft 365 Remix: Christian Laettner (3)

Dream Team anyone? Yes, the only member of the original Dream Team from this draft class is one Christian Donald Laettner.  While Laettner didn’t come close to matching his success in college while in the NBA, his first five years in the League he was good for about 17-8-3. Plus he made the 1997 All-Star team.

Pick No. 7 | Sacramento Kings
Actual Selection: Walt Williams
Draft 365 Remix: Jim Jackson (4)

If every season could have been like ’94-95 for Jimmy Jax (not including the knee injury and the Jason Kidd-Toni Braxton issue) he would have ended up No. 2 on this remix. 25.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 3.7 apg is not too shabby at all.

Pick No. 8 | Milwaukee Bucks
Actual Selection: Todd Day
Draft 365 Remix: David Wesley (Undrafted)

Perhaps its fitting that after being underappreciated and not getting drafted, David Wesley also had an under-the-radar NBA career. Still, he’s fifth all-time in this class in scoring and first in assists. You have to appreciate that.

Pick No. 9 | Philadelphia 76ers
Actual Selection: Clarence Weatherspoon
Draft 365 Remix: Tom Gugliotta (5)

Googs’ first seven seasons in the League were pretty stellar, culminating in an appearance in the 1997 All-Star Game. But Tom Gugliotta never could stay healthy enough to play a full season and almost died due to an allergic reaction to a supplement while riding on the Phoenix Suns’ team bus in 1999.

Pick No. 10 | Atlanta Hawks
Actual Selection: Adam Keefe
Draft 365 Remix: Clarence Weatherspoon (9)

The poor man’s Charles Barkley, Clarence Weatherspoon had his best year in 1994, when he put up 18 and 10.  Not bad for a 6-6 power forward.

Barely missed the Top 10 Remix: Robert Horry, LaPhonso Ellis, Walt Williams, Todd Day.

Next on the Remix: Tark the Shark’s Runnin’ Rebels descend on the NBA.

Read more of Jeff Fox at The Hoops Manifesto.