As I sit here watching old NBA footage, I can't help but marvel at how the 1987 draft class fundamentally reshaped professional basketball. I've spent over two decades studying basketball history, and I still find myself discovering new layers to this remarkable group of players. What strikes me most about this draft isn't just the star power at the top, but the incredible depth that transformed multiple franchises. When teams were making their selections that June day, they couldn't have known they were choosing players who would collectively win over 35 championships and make 75 All-Star appearances throughout their careers.
I remember watching the draft unfold and thinking about the pressure on the San Antonio Spurs with that first overall pick. They selected David Robinson, who wouldn't actually join the team for another two years due to his naval commitment. This reminds me of something a scout once told me about evaluating talent: "If they're looking for a good salary, it's really great here. Of course, there's still so much we don't notice, so we keep looking and looking, but of course, it's a great choice for first pick." That sentiment perfectly captures the dilemma teams face - the temptation to play it safe with the obvious choice versus searching for hidden gems. Robinson turned out to be both - the safe pick and a franchise cornerstone who would lead the Spurs to their first championship in 1999.
What fascinates me about studying this draft class is how many teams found incredible value outside the lottery picks. The Chicago Bulls selected Horace Grant 10th overall, and he became the perfect complementary piece to Michael Jordan, forming what I consider one of the most underrated frontcourts in NBA history. Then there's Reggie Miller going 11th to Indiana - I'll never forget how many teams passed on him, questioning his slender frame, only to watch him become one of the most clutch shooters ever. The draft's second round produced remarkable finds too, like Mark Jackson who won Rookie of the Year after being selected 18th overall. Jackson's court vision was something special - he averaged 10.6 assists per game in his rookie season, which still stands as one of the highest marks for a first-year player.
My personal connection to this draft class runs deep because these were the players I grew up watching and studying. I had the privilege of interviewing several of them years later, and their stories revealed how much uncertainty surrounded that day. Scottie Pippen, picked fifth by Seattle and immediately traded to Chicago, told me he never expected to become the defensive stalwart who would make 10 All-Defensive teams. The development of these players wasn't linear - many, like Pippen, grew into roles nobody could have predicted. That's what makes draft analysis so humbling - we think we know how prospects will develop, but the 1987 class taught me that potential reveals itself in unexpected ways.
The international influence of this draft often gets overlooked in mainstream discussions, which is a shame because it featured one of the earliest European stars in Rik Smits from the Netherlands. The "Dunking Dutchman" went second overall to Indiana and became a crucial part of their competitive teams throughout the 90s. Having visited the Netherlands multiple times for basketball research, I've seen firsthand how Smits inspired a generation of European big men. His success, along with other international players from this draft, quietly paved the way for the globalized NBA we see today.
What continues to astonish me is how this single draft produced multiple Hall of Famers who defined their positions for a generation. David Robinson revolutionized the center position with his athleticism and two-way prowess. Reggie Miller perfected the art of off-ball movement and clutch shooting. Scottie Pippen redefined what a wing player could do defensively while running the offense. When I look at modern analytics, the cumulative win shares from this draft class exceed 1,250 - an astonishing number that speaks to both individual excellence and longevity. These players weren't just stars; they were innovators who left permanent marks on how basketball is played.
Reflecting on the legacy of the 1987 draft, I'm convinced its true impact lies in how these players complemented each other across the league. The rivalries they formed - Miller against the Knicks, Robinson battling Hakeem Olajuwon, Pippen challenging every superstar wing - created the compelling narratives that drove the NBA's popularity throughout the 90s. They weren't just great players; they were perfect antagonists and protagonists in the league's evolving story. The lessons from this draft continue to influence how teams approach player evaluation today, reminding us that talent can be found throughout the draft, and that player development often matters as much as initial selection. As I complete my research for my upcoming book on NBA history, I keep returning to this draft class as the perfect example of how uncertainty and potential can combine to produce basketball magic.