Cavs’ Draft: 5 best players to go 14th in NBA Draft history

Cavs’ Draft: 5 best players to go 14th: No. 2 – Hal Greer, 1958

With all of the caveats that he played in a much different context, the sheer volume of accolades from guard Hal Greer is impressive. The former Marshall star was the 14th pick in the 1958 NBA Draft, which also featured such luminaries as Elgin Baylor (2nd overall) and…well, that’s about it.

Greer made it to 10 All-Star games, made seven All-NBA teams, won All-Star MVP in 1967-68 and a title in 1967, by then in Philadelphia. He was a walking bucket, averaging 19.2 points per game for his career. When he retired he was the league’s leader in games played, and he came in at 62 on our Top 75 players list.

Cavs’ Draft: 5 best players to go 14th: No. 3 – Chet Walker, 1962

One of the best unknown players plying his trade back in the 1960s and 70s, Chet Walker is a Hall of Fame player who made seven All-Star appearances as part of a 13-year career. He started his career on the Syracuse Nationals, who quickly became the Philadelphia 76ers, then was traded to the Chicago Bulls and carried them to six-straight playoff appearances early in their franchise’s existence.

Walker went 14th in a draft loaded with talent. Dave DeBusschere and Jerry Lucas went 1-2 and would eventually win a title together with the New York Knicks. John Havlicek went ninth to the Boston Celtics and was their “bridge” player, helping the old Bill Russell core win a few more titles and then leading the Celtics to two more. Walker deserves easy recognition in their company as a very talented player who accomplished a lot while in the league.