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Darren Abate/Associated Press

Best: Tim Duncan, Power Forward/Center, San Antonio Spurs, 1997

By the time he retires, LeBron James may go down as the greatest player to be taken No. 1 overall since 1997. Heck, there’s an argument to be made that James is already there. His three titles, eight Finals appearances, seven MVPs (four during the regular season, three in the Finals) and countless other accolades comprise a strong case in support of King James.

But don’t let recency bias distract from consideration of Tim Duncan for this spot. The Big Fundamental won five championships, two regular-season MVPs and three Finals MVPs along the way.

Duncan’s arrival in the Alamo City 20 years ago laid the foundation for the Spurs to become one of the league’s flagship franchises that they are today. James has done some of the same in Cleveland, though it’s fair to suggest the Cavaliers wouldn’t be able to sustain their excellence in his absence the way San Antonio did during Year 1 A.T. (After Timmy).

Worst: Anthony Bennett, Power Forward, Cleveland Cavaliers, 2013

Anthony Bennett’s NBA career didn’t just get off on the wrong foot; it never found the right one.

After the Cleveland Cavaliers shocked the world by making him the No. 1 pick in the 2013 draft, Bennett sat out summer league in Las Vegas with a shoulder injury then, once healthy, proceeded to miss his first 16 regular-season shots—an NBA record.

The UNLV product played for four teams in four years before flaming out of the league entirely. But Bennett, wherever he goes, will always be the answer to at least two basketball trivia questions: Who was the first Canadian taken No. 1 overall? And, who was the other No. 1 pick traded to Minnesota in the Kevin Love deal?