The Top 5 NBA Draft Classes in Recent History

5. Class of 2005

WS/48: .1071

As great as LeBron's draft class is, the numbers tell us to pay attention to the class of '05, as well. The class holds a total of 17 players with at least .100 win shares per 48 and 1,000 minutes played. Among those are top three picks Andrew Bogut, Marvin Williams and Deron Williams, who have been serviceable NBA players in their 12 years in the league since. But, the real gems of the class turned out to be Chris Paul, Andrew Bynum, David Lee and Marcin Gortat.

Although he played just eight seasons before hanging up the sneakers, Bynum was a force in his time with the Los Angeles Lakers. In a string of five seasons -- though riddled by injury -- the seven-footer tallied at least .183 win shares per 48 minutes. He was a beast on the block and on the boards, and, as such, helped himself to an All-Star game and the Lakers to two NBA championships in his tenure.

Lee and Gortat, in stark contrast to Bynum, have had, for the most part, long and healthy careers thus far. Each have played at least 10 seasons and are still valuable big men in today's NBA. At the ages of 32 and 33, Gortat's and Lee's best years are behind them, but, at .150 win shares per 48, they're both far above league-average players for their careers.

And then there's Paul, the superstar and veteran point guard of the class.

Throughout his 12 seasons, he's been one of the NBA's best floor generals. He's yet to reach the elusive Finals, but has put up numbers with the best of them. His .251 win shares per 48 and 150.8 total win shares are first in his class by wide margins. In fact, his win share rate is first among all players with at least 1,000 minutes. For that reason, Paul has enjoyed many individual accolades, including six-time All-Defensive First Team, eight-time All-NBA team and being a nine-time All-Star.

He's singlehandedly carried this just above-average class into the top five.