Valley of the Suns
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Phoenix Suns: Top 6 missed opportunities with #6 pick

By Khaleel Abdullah

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 1: Jonny Flynn #10 of the Minnesota Timberwolves dribbles around Joel Anthony #50 of the Miami Heat during a basketball game at Target Center on April 1, 2011 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien /Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 1: Jonny Flynn #10 of the Minnesota Timberwolves dribbles around Joel Anthony #50 of the Miami Heat during a basketball game at Target Center on April 1, 2011 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien /Getty Images) /
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#6 – 2010 NBA Draft

With the sixth pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, the Golden State Warriors select Ekpe Udoh.

He was an impressive prospect as a rim protector with a 7-foot-4 1/2 wingspan. He was the Big 12 Conference’s leading shot blocker during the 2009-10 season, one season after leading the Big Ten Conference in blocked shots. I mean, you can see why the team looked his way, especially after a 26-win season that featured the second worst defense in the league.

It didn’t work out, though he is still looked to for short bursts of defense in the paint, as he played for the Utah Jazz this past season behind Rudy Gobert.

He holds career averages of 3.5 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game.

What stands out the most in what makes him a huge miss is who the Warriors could have had instead of him? I’m sure they don’t look too much at as life has been great in Golden State for several seasons recently. Still…

Available – Gordon Hayward (#9) and Paul George (#10)

Steph Curry was a young, promising point guard. Monta Ellis was 24-years-old and fresh off a season where he’d scored 25.5 points per game. Stephen Jackson and Corey Maggette were both on the team as well. The team was loaded at guard and on the wings. So, one could see why the team didn’t go that route, which is why this doesn’t rank higher on the list.

Still, Jackson (31) and Maggette (30) were both getting older. Hayward and George, who need no introduction, both blossomed into stars. Selecting Udoh over them has to make the cut.

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