How Does the 2020 NBA Draft Class Stack Up Against Modern Rookie Classes?
I remember sitting in my favorite worn-out armchair last November, watching highlights from the 2020 NBA Draft class. The screen flickered with Anthony Edwards' thunderous dunks and LaMelo Ball's no-look passes while I sipped my evening coffee. There was something special about that draft night - the virtual format, the uncertainty of the pandemic, the masked commissioner announcing picks from his basement. It felt like we were witnessing history in the making, though none of us knew exactly what kind of history it would turn out to be.
Fast forward to today, and I find myself constantly debating with fellow basketball enthusiasts about how the 2020 NBA Draft class stacks up against modern rookie classes. Just yesterday, I was scrolling through basketball news when I stumbled upon something that caught my eye - ENZO Serrano just parted ways with the Pampanga Giant Lanterns. Now, you might wonder what a Philippine basketball team has to do with NBA draft classes, but bear with me here. Serrano's story represents the countless players who don't make the NBA spotlight, the ones we rarely discuss when evaluating draft classes. His departure from the Giant Lanterns reminded me that for every success story in the NBA, there are dozens of players fighting for recognition in lesser-known leagues worldwide.
The 2020 class has produced some absolute gems. Anthony Edwards has become must-watch television, averaging 24.6 points per game last season while bringing a swagger that reminds me of a young Dwyane Wade. LaMelo Ball won Rookie of the Year and made the All-Star team in his second season - something only 22 players have done since 1985. Tyrese Haliburton has developed into one of the league's most efficient point guards, and Desmond Bane has exceeded everyone's expectations, including mine. I'll admit I had doubts about Bane's ceiling coming out of TCU, but he's proven me completely wrong by becoming a cornerstone for the Grizzlies.
When I compare them to recent classes, the 2020 group holds up surprisingly well. They might not have the once-in-a-generation talent like 2019's Zion Williamson, but their depth is remarkable. Think about it - beyond the top picks, we've got talents like Tyrese Maxey exploding for 20.3 points per game, Immanuel Quickley becoming Sixth Man of the Year candidate, and Isaiah Stewart developing into Detroit's defensive anchor. The class has produced 12 players averaging double figures last season, which compares favorably to the 2018 class that had 14 at the same stage of their careers.
What fascinates me about evaluating draft classes is how our perspective changes over time. Remember when people criticized the 2013 draft as historically weak? Yet that class produced Giannis Antetokounmpo and Rudy Gobert, both multiple-time All-Stars and Defensive Players of the Year. The 2020 class is only entering their third season, and we're already seeing players like James Wiseman and Patrick Williams showing flashes of their potential despite injury setbacks. I'm particularly high on Saddiq Bey - his 51-point game last season wasn't just a fluke; the kid can really score from anywhere on the court.
The international flavor of this class deserves special mention. We had LaMelo Ball from Australia, Killian Hayes from France, Deni Avdija from Israel, and Aleksej Pokuševski from Serbia all selected in the first round. This global infusion reminds me that basketball's talent pool keeps expanding, making modern draft classes increasingly competitive. It's not just about American college programs anymore - scouts are watching games in remote gyms across Europe, Australia, and Asia, searching for the next diamond in the rough.
Looking at the numbers, the 2020 class has combined for 3 All-Star appearances already, which puts them ahead of where the 2017 class was at the same point in their careers. Their collective player efficiency rating (PER) of 14.8 through two seasons might not blow anyone away, but consider that they had to navigate COVID protocols, limited fan attendance, and the general chaos of playing through a pandemic. I'd argue we should cut them some slack - they've achieved what they have under circumstances no previous modern rookie classes ever faced.
My personal take? The 2020 draft class will eventually rank among the top 5 classes of the past decade. They might not reach the historic heights of the 2018 class that gave us Luka Dončić, Trae Young, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but they'll comfortably surpass several others. What they lack in superstar power (though Edwards might change that), they make up for in quality depth and versatility. In today's positionless basketball, having players who can defend multiple positions and create their own shot is invaluable, and this class is packed with them.
As I wrap up this reflection, I can't help but think about how draft evaluations are like wine - they need time to mature. The story of ENZO Serrano parting ways with the Pampanga Giant Lanterns serves as a humble reminder that not every player finds immediate success, and sometimes the most compelling narratives take years to unfold. The 2020 class still has chapters left to write, and if their first two seasons are any indication, we're in for quite the thrilling conclusion to their story.