2003 NBA Draft Report Cards (Picks 1-10)

The 2003 NBA Draft was one of great debate. For those who remember, there was a huge debate roaring through the media and even amongst the team officials and scouts as to who would be the number one pick this year. Teenage phenom LeBron James was high on a lot of lists, but there was steady support gaining for the selection of Darko Milicic from Serbia and Montenegro. Some were undecided, although that prospect looks to be humorous now. It was something that people considered and to this day is still a topic among some NBA scouts. With the 2006 NBA Draft quickly approaching, we are left to examine some of the drafts of the past. Three years, I believe, is an adequate body of work to determine some of what these players have accomplished and have yet to accomplish in the NBA. Although we can never really tell, such as in the case of players like Tracy McGrady and Jermaine O'Neal. But for argument's sake, we will take the first three years and give appropriate grades.

I will take a look at how they have performed with their teams first and foremost. We must address the value that the teams who made the initial selection received or gave up, in some cases. Next, you have to factor in the potential that each player has shown, because in some cases these young players haven't had too much opportunity to make their impressions on the NBA and their franchises. Finally, you have to take a look at the needs of the team's then and whether or not these players have filled them or at least have the potential to fill these needs in the future. Team performace as a whole comes into play as well, because whether or not the playing time is there, these players have an effect on their team.

From LeBron James to Josh Howard, and even some notables in the second round, we will grade the best of the best and those left over from the 2003 NBA Draft. We'll examine them by thirds, and this will be the top 10 lottery picks of this draft.

1.) Cleveland Cavaliers: LeBron James, SF - St. Mary-St. Vincent HS (Akron, OH)

Notes: LeBron James has been the superstar of this draft. This is not only because of his popularity and ability on the court, but also takes into account the marketability and the potential for him off the court. Many believed that they hype for him coming out of high school was overblown. They did not believe that he could ever live upto those expectations. All James did that rookie year was surpass all of the expectations, having one of the best rookie seasons statistically in NBA history. He averaged a shade under 21 points per game that year and also threw in 5.9 assists, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.6 steals a game. His statistics have been improving every seasons since, and this season he averaged over 31 points per game and led the Cavaliers to their first playoff appearance since he's been there. All he did there was record a triple-double in his first career playoff game and a series victory over the Washington Wizards. James was an MVP candidate this year and his star is still rising. A second round playoff performance is just the beginning. Indeed, he is King James. Long live the king!
Grade: A

2.) Detroit PIstons: Darko Milicic, F/C - Serbia and Montenegro

Notes: Joe Dumars has been one of the best team architects in the NBA. MAsterful moves brought in players like Rasheed Wallace and Antonio McDyess and a Championship to Motown. However, this will be the one stain on his career. Darko Milicic has become the butt of the jokes in the NBA. In fact, in his rookie season, he became known as the "human victory cigar," only seeing time at the end of games after the outcome had already been determined. His game hasn't been made for the NBA, whether or not you'd like to fault a lack of playing time or no real development in this level or from levels prior. After two and a half seasons, Darko is shipped off to Orlando, where a new start was expected. He was able to see an improvement in playing time, and watched some of his averages increase, so we'll wait and see on him.
Grade: C-/inc.

3.) Denver Nuggets: Carmelo Anthony, SF - Syracuse University

Notes: 'Melo has been a breath of fresh air for the high altitude of the Nuggets. Much of the talk has been of his "matchup" against LeBron during his NBA career, and although I do like Anthony, I still believe he's only the third best player to come from this draft class. Third in this class is no slouch, however, because Anthony has also seen significant improvements in his averages in his first three seasons. Improved shooting from the field and a better understanding of teamwork and passing has made him more valuable to George Karl and the Nuggets. But it still remains to be seen if he's a leader for this team or just a simple cog in a championship machine.
Grade: A-

4.) Toronto Raptors: Chris Bosh, PF - Georgia Tech University

Notes: Bosh has certainly flown a bit under the radar, for a number of reasons that he really has little control over. The caliber and stardom achieved by his draft classmates is one, and the other has to do with playing north of the border. But this young man is carving himself a nice profile in the front court for the Raptors, and his improvement may be better than others in this draft. He played well as a rookie, but has almost doubled his scoring output while almost averaging 10 rebounds a game. He doesn't have the benefit of playing in a proven system in Toronto and does not have a plethora of teammates to assist him, so he's doing quite well with 22 points a game and 9.2 rebounds. Watch for more improvement, and maybe some movement back to the continental 48, during this offseason.
Grade: B/B+

5.) Miami Heat: Dwayne Wade, SG - Marquette University

Notes: In my eyes, the best player so far from this draft class, bar none. Nothing against LeBron James, but Flash, as Shaq once affectionately annointed him, is clearly the furtherest ahead in his development and adaption to the NBA game. This in no more evident in the fact that his role has genuinely increased and remained important to a team which has seen significant changes in each of his first three seasons. From a lineup with Lamar Odom and Caron Butler, to Shaq, to Jason Williams and Antoine Walker, he's seen changes around him constantly yet has gotten himselt into the number one role. Even though the offense runs through Shaq when he's on the floor, Wade commands most of the attention now and is the man they look to in the fourth quarter. This postseason has been his "ode to greatness," and it's not ending anytime soon.
Grade: A

6.) Los Angeles Clippers: Chris Kaman, C - University of Central Michigan

Notes: When there are so few legitimate big men in the league who can pose a scoring threat and a defensive presence, you have to marvel when a team is able to find one. Whether a genuine lack of big men or whether there are too many pretneding to be big men, Chris Kaman is proof that they do still exist. Like Bosh, has taken his full three years to really settle in, but Kaman has become a big part of coach Mike Dunleavy's system and plans. Kaman rewared Dunleavy with double digit point outputs and good rebounding and defensive skills. Not a slouch in the middle. Kaman can still stand to get better with his offensive post game and develop a strong post move that would create more opportunity to score. I still think there's more improvement for him to come. The Clippers have to be thrilled.
Grade: B

7.) Chicago Bulls: Kirk Hinrich, PG - University of Kansas

Notes: Considering he was never supposed to be an NBA caliber point guard by most scouts' examinations, I think that Hinrich has done quite well for himself. The unquestioned anchor in the young Bulls offense, Hinrich really busted onto the scene in his sophomore season and has not let up since. He's a pure point guard in the Steve Nash mold. Pass first, get his teammates opportunities, but more than willing and able to score. Averages more than 10 points a game in all three years, he's the head of a guard group in Chicago that is very dynamic. He averages more than 6 assists a game and also shoots 40 percent from the field. He's the catalyst that the Bulls need to jump-start the offense. If anything, could stand to get a better understanding of the pick and roll and some more advanced offensive sets, but that's being petty. He's an incredible value at #7.
Grade: A-

8.) Milwaukee Bucks (from Atlanta): T.J. Ford, PG - University of Texas

Notes: Highly touted as one of the best players coming out of college that year, Ford was high on many boards and was surprisingly taken at 8 after Hinrich. After missing last season with injury, he returned this year to continue to build on what was a promising, yet unfulfilled rookie campaign because of that injury. At his best, Ford is a playmaker who isn't afraid of taking the ball to the basket and making things happen. He is also part of a young nucleus in place in Milwaukee that includes Michael Redd and 2005 #1 pick Andrew Bogut. Ford must improve on his midrange shot and needs to have more consistency, something in which he showed flashes of during this past season. The Bucks are a good young team who will need Ford's improvement to continue for him to be a top flight PG in the league. He's right on the cusp of it.
Grade: B

9.) New York Knicks: Michael Sweetney, PF - Georgetown University

Notes: Despite weight issues and thoughts that he might be undersized for the NBA as a power forward, the Knicks took a chance and selected Sweetney 9th overall. A combination of post offense and solid defense in college, Sweetney was supposed to bring stability to the frontcourt of the Knicks. He has yet to establish himself as a solid NBA PF in limited minutes, and a change of teams last year did little to aliviate that stress. After two quiet years in NY, he was sent to Chicago in the Eddy Curry deal, and still has yet to reach the level that was expected of him. He's not strong under the basket and allows rebounds to escape him. Not enough hustle at times. His offense is not polished enough for the top tier forwards and is easily defended against. Chicago still hopes he can be a contributing factor, but I doubt highly he will ever live upto his high lottery expectations.
Grade: D

10.) Washington Wizards: Jarvis Hayes, F/G - University of Georgia

Notes: Former SEC Player of the Year, Hayes has made himself into a valuable commodity off hte bench for the steadily improving and fast Washington Wizards team. This is because of his hustle and ability to hustle around the ball and even away from the play. In a game of talent, he's one of the few who exhibit an incredible work ethic that goes with that talent and it translates on the court. Capable of high scoring outputs, he knows that when he is needed, he can put the ball in the hoop. But he's mostly used for his ability to be versatile and play good defense against different types of players. He'll remain a roleplayer for the majority of his career.
Grade: B