The Smoking Cuban
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Dallas Mavericks: Lucky Number 9 Has a History

By Kohl Rast

Dec 23, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks power forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) congratulates small forward Shawn Marion (0) after a play during the third quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. The Mavericks defeated the Rockets 111-104. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks power forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) congratulates small forward Shawn Marion (0) after a play during the third quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. The Mavericks defeated the Rockets 111-104. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 5, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks power forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) shoots over New York Knicks power forward Amar’e Stoudemire (1) during the second half at the American Airlines Center. Nowitzki leads team with 18 points. The Knicks defeated the Mavericks 92-80. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 5, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks power forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) shoots over New York Knicks power forward Amar’e Stoudemire (1) during the second half at the American Airlines Center. Nowitzki leads team with 18 points. The Knicks defeated the Mavericks 92-80. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

The 2017 NBA Draft is 9 days away and the Dallas Mavericks have the 9th pick in the draft. This is more than just a good thing in Mavs history, the 9th pick has a great history in the NBA.

This is going to be a good year for the Dallas Mavericks, I can feel it. There are a lot of great options in the draft and even more in free agency and Dallas is just in a good place right now. Everyone knows that Dallas has had a unique draft history, but will this year be one to remember?

As I have been researching for different draft ideas, one thing that has constantly been on my mind is the past. Previous draft picks and draft trades have been researched, but I was only looking at the narrow window of the Mavs past picks.

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For an upcoming piece, however, I wanted to see at what position all the great players were drafted. Most people know that LeBron James was a first overall pick, Kevin Durant fell to number 2 behind Greg Oden, and His Airness, Michael Jordan was a number 3 pick.

What a lot of people don’t realize is that the NBA has a good history at the 9th overall pick, one that really could find its way into the top 5 in best overall picks if you look at it long term. Obviously there are players that fall inexplicably in the draft (although hindsight is 20/20), but the 9th overall pick has some noteworthy players.

Today, I wanted to countdown the best #9 overall picks in NBA history. Since we are talking about the 9th pick with 9 days left until the draft, I felt it only fitting that we pick the “9 Best #9 Picks, 9 Days Before the Draft”.

Most of these names should be recognizable to a majority of fans, but I will give a brief explanation for their inclusion in the list.

Next: Honorable Mention and #9 - #7

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