NBA Draft: Redrafting the 1984 Draft Class

With the 5th pick, the Philadelphia 76ers select Alvin Robertson

Alvin Robertson (L) defends Magic Johnson

Robertson's stellar career was tragically cut short by injury, but as perimeter defenders go, he is second to no one in NBA history. He holds the all-time record for steals per game average at 2.71, and is one of only 4 players in league history to record a quadruple-double.

He was selected by the San Antonio Spurs with the 7th pick in the 1984 draft, and instantly became their best two-way player following the regression of George Gervin - an all-time franchise legend. His emergence as a star was confirmed by his second season, when he made the All-Star team, the All-NBA Second Team, First Team All-Defense and was named as the Defensive Player of the Year for that season, averaging an NBA record 3.7 steals per game.

He made 4 All-Star teams in his career (1986-1988, 1991). Despite playing only 5 seasons for the Spurs, he is third in franchise history for steals (1129 total). He played for the Milwaukee Bucks from 1989-1992, before getting traded to the Pistons - spending half a season there before going down with the back injuries which would end his career prematurely.

Robertson was drafted by the Raptors in the expansion draft of 1995, but only played one more season before leaving the game for good.