5-at-10: NBA draft stuff and Rushmore of best historical inventions

June 23, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. | Updated June 23, 2016 at 12:32 a.m.

by Jay Greeson

FILE - In this Feb. 2, 2016 file photo, LSU's Ben Simmons drives to the basket against Auburn during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Auburn, Ala. Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram look to be the first two picks in the NBA draft, leaving most of the drama Thursday night around who be the No. 3 pick. (Todd J. Van Emst/Opelika-Auburn News via AP, File) MANDATORY CREDIT
FILE - In this Feb. 2, 2016 file photo, LSU's Ben Simmons drives to the basket against Auburn during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Auburn, Ala. Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram look to be the first two picks in the NBA draft, leaving most of the drama Thursday night around who be the No. 3 pick. (Todd J. Van Emst/Opelika-Auburn News via AP, File) MANDATORY CREDIT
photo Jay Greeson
Gang, we are out of pocket from the start this morning.

It's a crazy time because we are crazy busy. So it goes.

With that we'll go old-school 5-at-10 with the statement that we love the draft. You know this.

Here's our top five list of the best five NBA draft picks ever:

(Side note: You have to know that some picks were clear and obvious - LeBron at 1, Jabbar at 1, et al. Also, this does not include the trades that may or may not have happened along the way. It also does not include the guys who fell past round 1 - Draymond Gree for example - because those picks are more lucky than astute.)

With that knowledge and going into tonight's NBA draft, here are the five best draft picks ever:

Jordan. We all know this one and the story.

Larry Bird. He was picked sixth overall in the 1978 draft. Yes that math does not add up but back then players were drafted eligible and could return to school. Still, getting a three-time MVP that redirected the franchise at No. 6 is a bona fide steal.

Steph Curry. He went 7th overall in 2009 from tiny Davidson. Yes, Hasheem Thabeet and Jonny Flynn were picked ahead of the two-time MVP. Enough said.

John Stockton. In arguably the best draft ever - the 1984 draft had more stars than Orion's Belt - Stockton going 16th overall seems steal-tastic.

Karl Malone. Yes, he and Stockton have the same number of titles that you and Spy do. Still, The Mailman is the No. 2 scorer in NBA history and he went 13th in the 1985 draft. So sad. The difference between picks is so magnified. Here are the three picks before the Mailman - Ed Pinckney, Keith Lee and Kenny Green. Enough said.

OK, here are the next few things (hey, it's the 5-at-10 after all):

- Bill Simmons, who is a for sure trendsetter in today's sports media realm, had a very blahtastic debut in his HBO show. Thoughts?

- Cleveland packed the streets for the parade Wednesday. And shirts were optional for the Cavs players. Good times.

- Derrick Rose, a former No. 1 overall pick, was dealt to the Knicks on Wednesday. Here's believing the Knicks got much, Much, MUCH better with that deal.

Last one (beyond remembering the mailbag of course): Today would be the 616th birthday of Johannes Gutenberg, who invented the printing press. Rushmore of best inventions of all-time?

Go.

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