Can you guys name some early draft picks who were raw when drafted and panned out?

2 words... Akeem Olajuwon

 

Tmac Maybe

 

Hibbert, Tyson Chandler, KG, Camby, Sam Bowie.

 

I think Bynum is a perfect example of what you are asking. Maybe Dwight too.

 

Jermaine O'neal. Even though he was not a lottery pick (17th pick)

 

I don't know if Tyson Chandler really panned out as he was projected to do. I remember ppl were saying he was going to be the next Kevin Garnett when he was drafted, but he never developed any kind of an offensive game.

 

DeMarcus Cousins

 

Hibbert was a big factor in the Heat series. He was one of the guys that the Heat actually had trouble with on both ends. Take Hibbert away, the Heat win in 4.
It's the bench choking that killed the Pacers in the end.
Hibbert was not impressive in Orlando series though, had a ton of trouble with Baby Davis defensively.

But Hibbert is a bad example for the question. He was never "raw". He was one of the most skilled big men to come out in the draft in the last decade.
He just lacked physically. Strength and mobility. He had a lot of fat, so he had to drop weight and replace it with muscle.

 

not 'raw'. Very skilled. Just stupid, poor attitude, fat.

 

this.

 

also, Luol Deng.

 

Bynum.
Ibaka.
DeAndre Jordan seems well on that path.

 

*edit* i didn't notice we are talking lotto picks specifically, so Jordan, Ibaka and O'Neal wouldn't apply.

 

Dikembe Mutombo, pick at #4 in 1991 and was considered raw despite putting up nice block numbers and FG% at Georgetown. He immediately showed what he could do though, unlike many other centers who did well in college. I think if bigs don't show their talent in the NBA immediately (within 2 years), chances are they are not going to make it.

 

Antonio McDyess (I remember him being a late draft riser)
Andre Iguodala
Russell Westbrook
Andrew Bynum
Kris Humphries

Then there's high school drafted guys like Tracy McGrady and Amare while not considered quite "raw", high schoolers just arent easy to forecast so they're very "green", its about the same thing.

Not a lottery pick, not even in the 1st round.

 

Sorry, but that's not true. If you had said that about Hakeem when he first arrived at UH directly from Nigeria, then hell yes. Many don't realize that Coach Lewis redshirted him his first year, and that he didn't play a hell of a lot as a redshirted freshman. Sure, he was raw and skinny back then, but by the time he was up for the NBA draft, Olajuwon was a skilled force of nature. Why do you think he was the #1 pick? On potential? Not hardly. He could already make the midrange jumper. He already had some shake and bake moves. He already scared the hell out of opposing coaches. Dream is not a good example at all.

 

your question was 'high picks who were raw'.
But now you are dismissing Chandler and Westbrook (two guys drafted because of immense athletic talent that was far above their skillset) because they were picked high.
What gives?