Brooklyn Nets: Buck Williams (BEST)
Charles Linwood “Buck” Williams was the 3rd overall pick in the 1981 NBA Draft, and is one of only three players from that draft to be named to at last one All-Star game and one All-NBA Team.
Williams’ 17-year NBA career was highlighted by three All-Star Game appearances, a Rookie of the Year award, an All-Rookie team selection, an All-NBA second team selection and four selections to the first and second NBA All-Defensive teams. He remains near the top of all Nets’ franchise records for points, total rebounds, games played, minutes played, rebounds per game, and free throws made.
Brooklyn Nets: Dennis Hopson (WORST)
The New Jersey Nets owned the number three pick in the 1987 draft and used it on Ohio State wing Dennis Hopson. Hopson never quite found his footing, improving gradually over three seasons before being offloaded unceremoniously in a trade.
Maybe the Nets should have taken the Central Arkansas wing that went two picks after Hopson, one Scottie Pippen. If not Pippen, they might have picked up Reggie Miller, Kevin Johnson, or Horace Grant, all among the next ten picks. It was a huge miss for the Nets.