The 10th Pick Overall

Paul Pierce went to the Celtics with the 10th overall pick of the 1998 NBA Draft. Predicted to be a top-three selection, the California native hoped the Los Angeles Clippers would take him first overall. At worst, Pierce thought, he would go second. A further eight teams passed on Pierce until the Celtics chose the childhood Lakers fan that would become a legend in Boston. He first took the court in 1999 after a lockout delayed the start of his rookie season.