Brooklyn Nets: 15 best draft picks of all-time (updated through 2018-19)
By Phil Watson
147. . PF. New Jersey Nets (1st round, 1st overall, 1990 NBA Draft). Derrick Coleman. 2. player
Derrick Coleman, an All-American as a senior at Syracuse, had the distinction of being the first No. 1 overall pick by the New Jersey Nets in 1990.
Coleman was big for a 4 at 6-foot-10 and 230 pounds, but could run the floor and could shoot a bit from outside (although be probably shot more from deep than he should have). He was a specimen, to be sure.
But he was also not without his flaws. For all his ability, availability was sometimes an issue as Coleman never played more than 77 games in a season due to various nagging issues.
Coleman was the Rookie of the Year in 1990-91, averaging 18.4 points and 10.3 rebounds in 35.2 minutes per game and went on two earn to All-NBA nods and an All-Star berth in 1994.
But after five seasons, Coleman demanded a trade and a month into the 1995-96 season, during which time Coleman was sidelined with an irregular heartbeat, he was sent to the Philadelphia 76ers with Rex Walters and Sean Higgins in exchange for Shawn Bradley, Tim Perry and Greg Graham.
In his five years with the Nets, Coleman produced when healthy — 19.9 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.6 blocks in 35.8 minutes per game, but shot only .461/.275/.770. His willingness to settle for bad 3-pointers (he was just 125-for-454 from outside the arc) was frustrating at times.
He stuck around 15 seasons in all, with two three-year stints in Philly sandwiched around three years with the Charlotte Hornets, with a five-game cameo with the Detroit Pistons at the end.
Coleman was good, but always left a feeling of unfulfilled potential in his wake.