There's a magical draft pick in the NBA, and it's the 13th pick. There is a saying circulating in the NBA management that "if you don't know who to choose, then it is not wrong to choose a 1.98-meter-tall shooting guard with the 13th pick." The myth of the 13th pick was undoubtedly brought up by Kobe Bryant, and in the 1996 draft, the Hornets used the 13th pick to select Kobe Bryant, who had just graduated from high school, and since then has opened a magical career. Especially in recent years, the defender with the 13th pick has always given a lot of surprises.
13th pick in 2021 Duarte
In this year's draft, the Pacers picked 24-year-old rookie Duarte with the 13th pick, who had arrogantly told the Warriors before the draft, "If the Warriors want to win now, choose me", which now does not seem to be bragging. Duarte scored 27 points on his debut, averaging 18.6 points per game so far this season, and overpowering other rising stars of the same year, and was selected as the first place in the NBA's best rookie list. Duarte, who is 1.98 meters tall, reminds fans of the fear of being dominated by the 13th pick.
2019 13th pick Taylor-Hilo
The 13th pick of the point guard will never let you down, in 2019, the Heat selected Taylor Hiro with the 13th pick, when the top ten picks did not shout his name, Hiro sitting in the waiting seat has even cried out, but what the lad does not know is that a magical pick is waiting for him. In his first year in the league, Hiro averaged 13.5 points per game, and formed the Heat's "Splash Brothers" with Duncan Robinson, helping the rookie return to the Finals in his first year. This season, Hiro's average per game has improved to 21 points, and the myth of 13 picks continues to be continued by him.
13th overall pick in 2017 Mitchell
The 13th pick in 2017 also did not disappoint, Donovan Mitchell from the 13th pick, the first season averaged 20.5 points per game, helped the team to the playoffs, and eliminated the Thunder triumvirate led by Westbrook, George, and Anthony, standing out among the new stars, if it were not for the 16-year repeat student Simmons stealing his best rookie, the 17-year best rookie award would undoubtedly be awarded to Mitchell. The current Mitchell is undoubtedly one of the supergiants of the league, and he will undoubtedly shine more in the future.
Booker was the 13th pick in 2015
The star in the 15th year and 13th pick is the Suns star Booker, who is undoubtedly one of the current recognized Kobe Bryant successors, Booker's growth rate is also very fast, the third season of his career can average 24.9 points per game, and has been stable at 25+ since then. The current record of the highest single score in a single game is also held by Booker 70 points, and last year Booker also led the Suns to return to the finals after many years, which undoubtedly made fans look forward to the future of the 24-year-old Booker.
Lavin took the 13th pick in 2014
Now the Chicago Bulls' star - Zach Lavin was also a rookie with the 13th pick at the time, and when the Timberwolves did not play a famous role, the most impressive moment left for the fans was only a glimpse of the dunk contest, and after suffering a major injury, it also made the fans question his athletic ability, but LaVine used his own efforts to prove itself in the Bulls. Last season, LaVine averaged 27.4 points per game, a career-high, and now That LaVine has led the team to a four-game winning streak, making it possible to enter the playoffs for the first time in his career. （ikuet）