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Los Angeles Lakers: 5 greatest 22nd overall picks in NBA history

By Jason Reed

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 25: Jared Dudley #10 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on January 25, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 25: Jared Dudley #10 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on January 25, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

1. Truck Robinson, 1974, Washington Wizards (Bullets)

Truck Robinson has the most career win shares of any player to be drafted with the 22nd overall pick and he had the highest ceiling as well. While he is not a name that most modern-day basketball fans may know, he did put together a good career in the 1970s and early ’80s.

Robinson was ironically taken in the second round of the 1974 NBA Draft as there were only 18 teams in the league. He finished his career with the eighth-most career win shares of a draft class that was headlined by Bill Walton, Jamaal Wilkes and George Gervin.

Robinson was the classic four in the NBA. He is not someone who would have survived a minute in today’s game with the shooting and the floor spacing as he was someone who made his money banging down low, finishing near the rim and picking up boards.

Robinson was not even that tall, standing in at six-foot-seven. He would be way too small to be a center in today’s NBA and did not shoot well enough to play the four. He is a brand of player that is now extinct in the league.

Robinson finished his career averaging 15.5 points and 9.4 rebounds per game but the highs were really high. He led the league in rebounds in 1977-78 with a career-high 15.7 per game. He averaged 22.7 points per game to not only be an all-star but to be named to the All-NBA First Team.

He is the only player on this list to be named to any All-NBA Team, let alone the First Team. He is one of just 10 players to average 22 points and 15 rebounds in a single season. The other nine are all Hall of Famers.

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He earned one other all-star nod in his career and only made the NBA Finals once in his rookie season. The Washington Bullets were swept by the Golden State Warriors.

All statistics courtesy of Basketball-Reference. 

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