Who beat the odds most?

[elementally morale]

Which players became very good / stars / superstars / great role players against all odds?

We all knew in 1992 Shaq's going to be great. LeBron was a phenom in high school. As was Wilt. Kareem, Magic and Bird in college. But which players became great with virtually no expectations?

Who was not really good before becoming great?

Steve Nash is one that comes to mind. Tell me some others.

[SpaceJam2]

Paul George
Kawhi Leonard
Steph Curry

Come to mind

[elementally morale]

Manu became very good and no Americans knew him. But Europeans and South Americans did. So I'd say Manu doesn't fit into this category.

Gilbert Arenas
Tony Parker

[E_Stamkos]

One for the future.... My boy Spicy Pascal Siak

[MrFonzworth]

TJ McConnell went from undrafted to the most feared enforcer in the NBA, he deserves a mention.

[Stephonit]

Draymond Green drafted 35th
Isaiah Thomas drafted 60th

[scuzzy]

Ben Wallace


Undrafted straight out of Cuyahoga Community College :applause:

[Mr.GOAT2408]

Would Butler have a good argument? Not really an all-timer but a great player and one no one really saw him coming. Plus his backstory as well

Offensively he was trash early in his career, became a two way player

[fourkicks44]

TJ McConnell went from undrafted to the most feared enforcer in the NBA, he deserves a mention.

No better story of the American dream right there

[fourkicks44]

Would Butler have a good argument? Not really an all-timer but a great player and one no one really saw him coming. Plus his backstory as well

Offensively he was trash early in his career, became a two way player

Butler and TJ on the same team.

I believe that is why they are so tight. Mutual respect for the insurmountable odds they had to fight to get where they are.

Lets not forget when Jimmy challenged Coach Brown about TJ getting a greater offensive role on the team.

[nayte]

Paul George
Kawhi Leonard
Steph Curry

Come to mind

damn this.

[RoseCity07]

Damian Lillard was drafted after Thomas Robinson lol.

I think every recognized Curry has an amazing jump shot but he went to a small school. No one really wanted to draft him #1.

Kawhi is a obvious one. I never heard of him till he was on San Antonio. San Diego State? Really? Now he's the best two way player in the game.

Basically a lot of Spurs players. Parker an Manu.

I didn't think much of Harden as a rookie. He became a big star. Although he was drafted pretty high. So maybe not a big surprise.

Giannis is probably the biggest one. He's an MVP talent. I don't know how so many teams missed on him.

[Mr.GOAT2408]

Giannis is probably the biggest one. He's an MVP talent. I don't know how so many teams missed on him.
He was raw as hell before getting drafted, also 6'9 and skinny

It looks foolish in hindsight but at the time it seen as a high risk high reward selection

It definitely paid off but it could have been similar to Raptors drafting Bruno except Giannis showed way more polish at that stage than Bruno ever has

[Uncle Drew]

Dennis Rodman was a janitor and touched a basketball for the first time in his life at age 19. He was a 22 year old freshman at some D2 school.

[And1AllDay]

Dennis Rodman was a janitor and touched a basketball for the first time in his life at age 19. He was a 22 year old freshman at some D2 school.

Did not know thanks for the post G :cheers:

[bigkingsfan]

“I'm Not Even Supposed to be Here” - LeBron James

[SpaceJam2]

[QUOTE=bigkingsfan]

[LostCause]

I gotta go with Curry

Not because he wasn't expected to be good, but because dude could barely get on the floor without injuring his ankle earlier in his career. To go from that to leading a team to 73 wins, unanimous MVP and 3 championships... Dude redefined what it means to be a shooter

He should get it just for the scope of his accomplishments