I remember watching the 2019 NBA Draft like it was yesterday - the anticipation, the speculation, and those unforgettable green room moments. Three years later, I find myself constantly amazed by how this particular class has developed. Looking back at that night at Barclays Center, nobody could have predicted exactly how these careers would unfold, much like that Filipino saying I once heard from a basketball analyst: "Ganun talaga, sometimes slow, sometimes very fast yung umpisa, hindi natin masabi." That perfectly captures the unpredictable nature of how these young talents have started their professional journeys.
Zion Williamson's career trajectory embodies that saying more than anyone else's. Selected first overall by the New Orleans Pelicans, he's shown flashes of generational talent when healthy, averaging 25.7 points per game in his 85 career appearances. But those 85 games out of a possible 236 regular season contests tell their own story. I've personally watched him dominate in stretches that made me believe we were witnessing the second coming of Charles Barkley, only to see him sidelined by injuries that tested everyone's patience. The Pelicans' cautious approach with his recovery reminds me of that wisdom about taking things "one point at a time" - they understand that building a franchise player requires patience, even when fans and media demand immediate results.
Ja Morant, the second pick, represents the "very fast yung umpisa" part of that saying. I've never seen a point guard take control of a franchise so quickly since Derrick Rose. His Rookie of the Year campaign was just the beginning - this season he elevated his game to averaging 27.4 points and 6.7 assists while leading the Grizzlies to the second seed in the Western Conference. What impresses me most isn't just his athleticism but his undeniable leadership quality. When I watch Memphis play, you can see how he's transformed the entire culture of that organization. They play with a swagger that directly mirrors their point guard's fearlessness, and honestly, I think they're closer to championship contention than most people realize.
RJ Barrett's development with the Knicks has been more of that "slow" progression the saying mentions. Selected third overall, his scoring averages have steadily increased from 14.3 to 17.6 to 20.0 points per game across his three seasons. I've noticed how his game has matured - he's become more efficient, better at creating his own shot, and developed into a reliable secondary option behind Julius Randle. While he might not have the flashiness of some classmates, there's something to be said about players who improve incrementally, getting those points "one point at a time" as the saying goes. In today's instant-gratification NBA world, we sometimes underestimate the value of steady growth.
Then there are the surprise packages from this draft class - players selected outside the lottery who have outperformed expectations. Darius Garland at number five has become an All-Star, Jordan Poole at 28 won a championship with Golden State while showing explosive scoring ability, and let's not forget about the late-second round steals like Terance Mann. I've particularly enjoyed watching Miami's undrafted find from that class, Max Strus, develop into a legitimate starting wing. These success stories remind me that player development isn't linear and that organizations deserve credit for nurturing talent at different paces.
Looking ahead, I'm bullish about this class's potential to produce multiple Hall of Famers. Williamson, if he can maintain health, has MVP-level talent. Morant looks like a future face of the league. But what excites me most are the players who haven't even reached their ceiling yet - De'Andre Hunter's two-way potential, Tyler Herro's scoring evolution, and Matisse Thybulle's defensive mastery. The 2019 draft class has already given us 12 players averaging double figures in scoring this season, which is remarkable for a group just completing their third professional year.
My prediction? This class will be remembered as one of the deepest in recent memory, potentially rivaling the legendary 2003 group featuring LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Carmelo Anthony. The distribution of talent across positions is exceptional, with franchise point guards (Morant, Garland), versatile wings (Barrett, Hunter), and unique big men (Williamson, Brandon Clarke). As they enter their prime years and second contracts, I expect to see at least three championships won by players from this draft class as their centerpieces.
The true test will come in the next two seasons as these players transition from promising talents to established veterans. Contract extensions will bring new pressures, and team expectations will rise accordingly. But if there's one thing I've learned from tracking this group, it's that they've already demonstrated the resilience and adaptability needed for long-term success. They understand that progress isn't always linear - sometimes it's slow, sometimes it's fast, but what matters is consistently moving forward, accumulating achievements "one point at a time." That mindset, combined with their evident talent, suggests the 2019 NBA Draft class has only begun to write its story.