#21-30 has produced better players than #11-20 in the past decade

I posted this in another thread, found it to be an interesting trend. Left out the last 3 drafts, because the jury is still somewhat out.

2001
11-20: Z.Randolph, R.Jefferson, B.Haywood, T.Murphy, J.Collins, V.Radmanovic, K.Brown, S.Hunter, M.Bradley, K.Haston
21-30 T.Parker, G.Wallace, G.Arenas, J.Tinsley, S.Dalembert, T.Hassell, R.Lopez, B.Sasser, J.Forte, B.Armstrong
Conclusion: Both were very good, but 21-30 was better here.

2002
11-20: J.Jeffries, F.Jones, J.Dixon, K.Rush, M.Ely, M.Haslip, J.Welsch, B.Nachbar, C.Borchardt, R.Humphrey
21-30: T.Prince, J.Salmons, R.Mason Jr., N.Krstic, Q.Woods, F.Williams, C.Jacobsen, C.Jeffries, D.Dickau, S.Logan
Conclusion: Both were very bad, but 21-30 was better here.

2003
11-20: D.West, M.Pietrus, N.Collison, L.Ridnour, S.Pavlovic, D.Jones, M.Banks, R.Gaines, T.Bell, Z.Cabarkapa
21-30: B.Diaw, L.Barbosa, J.Howard, K.Perkins, T.Outlaw, B.Cook, C.Delfino, Z.Planicic, N.Ebi, M.Lampe
Conclusion: Very Close, but 21-30 gets the edge with more solid players.

2004
11-20: J.Smith, A.Jefferson, J.Nelson, JR.Smith, K.Humphries, A.Biedrins,D.Wright, R.Swift, K.Snyder, S.Telfair
21-30: K.Martin, T.Allen, A.Varajao, D.West, S.Vujacic, B.Udrih, S.Monia, V.Khryapa, P.Podkolzine, D.Harrison
Conclusion: 11-20 takes it.

2005
11-20: D.Granger, H.Warrick, A.Wright, J.Graham, R.McCants, F.Vasquez, Y.Korolev, S.May, G.Green, J.Hodge
21-30: D.Lee, N.Robinson, J.Jack, J.Maxiell, L.Kleiza, F.Garcia, W.Simien, I.Mahinmi, J.Petro, L.Head
Conclusion: 21-30 takes it closely. Too many busts in the 11-20 category

2006
11-20: J.Redick, R.Brewer, T.Sefolosha, S.Williams, R.Balkman, R.Carney, O.Pecherov, Q.Douby, C.Simmons H.Armstrong
21-30: R.Rondo, K.Lowry, S.Brown. J.Farmar, J.Boone, M.Ager, S.Rodriguez, M.Collins, M.Williams, J.Freeland
Conclusion: The studs in the 21-30 category override its busts, giving it the slight edge

2007
11-20: T.Young, N.Young, R.Stuckey, M.Bellineli, J.Smith, S.Williams, A.Thornton, J.Crittenton, J.Wright, A.Law
21-30: A.Afflalo, W.Chandler, A.Brooks, R.Fernandez, J.Dudley, T.Splitter, D.Cook, M.Almond, A.Tucker, P.Koponen
Conclusion: 21-30 takes it easily, too many quality players.

2008
11-20: R.Hibbert, J.McGee, J.Bayless, J.Hickson, A.Randolph, M.Speights, R.Lopez, B.Rush, J.Thompson, A.Ajinca
21-30: R.Anderson, S.Ibaka, N.Batum, G.Hill, C.Lee, D.Arthur, D.White, K.Koufos, D.Greene, J.Giddens
Conclusion: It’s very close, call it a draw.

So from 2001-2008, seven (six at the least) out of eight years, picks 21-30 produced a better group of players than picks 11-20. This is a puzzling trend, considering the general manner in which the draft works.

Is this a testament to the better teams these players get drafted into, and thus develop better?

 

- 11-20 may have the best player, but 21-30 has 4 guys who have been key contributors on winning teams (and Howard was an all-star as well). 11-20 has 3, but they haven't had as good careers as the 4 from 21-30.
- Both groups have 3 journeymen.
- 11-20 has 2 guys who barely played in the league, 21-30 has 1.

Like I said, more quality in 21-30.