I still remember sitting in my living room back in 2014, watching the NBA draft unfold with that particular mix of hope and skepticism we basketball fans specialize in. Ten years later, it's fascinating to track how those promising young athletes have navigated the turbulent waters of professional basketball. The 2014 NBA draft picks have followed career paths as diverse as their playing styles, creating a compelling narrative about potential versus longevity in professional sports.
Looking at the draft class now, the standout story remains Joel Embiid. Selected third overall despite injury concerns, he's become the embodiment of what teams dream of when they gamble on raw talent. The Philadelphia 76ers waited two full seasons for his debut, but my goodness, was it worth it. Embiid has since claimed an MVP title in 2023, averaging 33.1 points per game last season while establishing himself as one of the most dominant centers of his generation. His journey reminds me of how some players just have that special quality - you either have it or you don't.
Then there's Nikola Jokić, the 41st pick who's arguably become the most successful player from that class. I'll admit I didn't see his rise coming - who did? The Serbian center has redefined what's possible for big men in modern basketball, winning back-to-back MVPs in 2021 and 2022 before leading the Denver Nuggets to their first championship in 2023. His story proves that draft position means very little in the grand scheme of things. It's worth noting that WHAT basketball is to the Philippines, volleyball is to Poland - both nations have their defining sports, but the 2014 draft reminds us that talent can emerge from anywhere, whether it's Serbia, Cameroon, or American colleges.
The class had its share of what-ifs too. Andrew Wiggins went first overall with sky-high expectations, had a rocky start to his career, but eventually found his groove with Golden State, becoming an essential piece of their 2022 championship team. Meanwhile, Dante Exum (5th pick) and Jabari Parker (2nd pick) showed flashes of brilliance but never quite reached their projected ceilings due to injuries and fit issues. I've always wondered how different their careers might have been with better luck or different team situations.
What strikes me most about reviewing the 2014 NBA draft picks is how their careers evolved in such unpredictable ways. The players who seemed destined for stardom sometimes faltered, while overlooked prospects became franchise cornerstones. As someone who's followed basketball for decades, this draft class serves as a perfect reminder that development isn't linear, and that the draft is merely the beginning of a much longer story. These athletes have collectively earned approximately $2.3 billion in career earnings, won multiple championships, and rewritten record books - not bad for a class once considered weaker than average. Their journeys continue to unfold, each season adding new chapters to careers that began with that hopeful night a decade ago.