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Former NBA Guard Names 'Greatest #1 Pick Ever,' And It's Not LeBron James

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ashish Mathur | Last updated Jun 5, 2025 7:59 PM ET

The Cleveland Cavaliers selected LeBron James with the first overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft. Since then, James has won four MVPs, four Finals MVPs and four championships and scored the most points in NBA history.

A future Hall of Famer, James has career averages of 27.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.7 blocks. He's the only player in NBA history to rank top five all-time in points and assists.

James hasn't spent his entire career with the Cavaliers. He has also played for the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers. The King is the only player in NBA history to win three Finals MVPs with three different teams.

Most people believe James is the best No. 1 draft pick of all time. However, one former NBA guard doesn't.

Nine-year veteran Brandon Jennings posted on X that he thinks San Antonio Spurs legend Tim Duncan is the best first overall pick ever.

The Spurs drafted Duncan with the first pick in the 1997 NBA Draft.

Duncan spent his entire career with San Antonio. He won five championships, three Finals MVPs and two MVPs while averaging 19.0 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 0.7 steals and 2.2 blocks.

A Hall of Famer, Duncan made 15 All-Star teams, 15 All-NBA teams and 15 All-Defensive teams during his legendary career.

Meanwhile, James has made 21 All-Star teams, 21 All-NBA teams and six All-Defensive Teams.

It sounds like Jennings believes Duncan is the best No. 1 overall pick of all time since the Spurs got five championships out of drafting him, while the Cavaliers only got one title with James.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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