2003 NBA Draft Report Cards (Picks 21-29 and Select 2nd Round Breakouts)

The bottom third of the 2003 NBA Draft featured international players, high school players, and some solid NBA players. You aren't getting the superstars of the top 10, or an immediate started many times, but these are still players who are at the top 30 of their draft classes. And at this position, more than middle, you can find prime talent who has dropped in the rankings due to various reasons. With Boris Diaw leading the pack, it's definitely an exceptional group of success and failures.

21.) Atlanta Hawks (from Indiana): Boris Diaw, G - France

Notes: Mince words if you want to, but Boris Diaw was a non-factor in two seasons with the Hawks. Dispate starting almost half of his games in two seasons with the Hawks, and averaging 20 minutes, he just didn't do anything for them. Averaged 4.5 and 4.8 points in his first two seasons, his greatest impact for the Hawks was his involvement in a trade to Phoenix with a future first-round pick that netted them Joe Johnson. Of course, after arriving in the Valley of the Sun, Boris Diaw was a new player. A starter, all of a sudden he was scoring the ball, involved in a high-powered offense, and went from a throw-in to a principle of that trade. Diaw averaged 13.3. points per game last season, but he's also been contributing within the offense rebounding and passing. "3D', as he is referred to by fans because of his multi-faceted play and his jersey number combined with the first initial of his last name, has been a breathe of fresh air and won the NBA's Most Improved Player award last season. With Marion, Nash, and Stoudemire (hopefully) next season, Diaw's star will continue to rise, as will Phoenix's title chances.

Grade: A-

22.) New Jersey Nets: Zoran Planinic, G - Croatia

Notes: With guards like Jason Kidd and Vince Carter in front of you, it's hard to see playing time. And for Planinic, that rang very true during his first three seasons. He was able to work himself into a reserve role in the rotation for Lawrence Frank and the Nets, but he's averaging 10 minutes a game over his career. He gets playing time, and has even recorded 10 starts for the Nets, but he's relegated to a change of pace role for them. Planinic has a decent jumper with a good ability to slash and drive, but he'll need to improve getting his teammates involved with him game. He either tries to take over, or gets stuck standing around and watching his teammates. But he is learning a lot from those veterans in front of him. We'll have to see whether or not it translates on the court.

Grade: C

23.) Portland Trail Blazers: Travis Outlaw, F - Starkville High School (Starkville, MS)

Notes: How many people remember the second high school player taken in the 2003 NBA Draft? Well, many poeple won't say Travis Outlaw, unless they're true basketball fans. He's starting to see some more time in the Portland lineup because of Nate McMillian wanting to see what he's got in his younger players. Outlaw, along with names like Randolph and Telfair, are a part of that Blazer youth movement. Incredible athlete, he can jump out of the gym and run with the best of forwards. He's rumored to be able to touch the top of the backboard. Outlaw has seen improvement in each of his first three seasons. When the Blazers drafted him, they hoped he could develop much like another high schooler they chose in the past: Jermaine O'Neal. High expectations, no doubt. But he has yet to live upto them...

Grade: B-/Inc.

24.) Los Angeles Lakers: Brian Cook, PF - University of Illinois

Notes: Phil Jackson has a reputation as not being receptive to younger players. This, however, has had to change with his second stint in Los Angeles. But Brian Cook has been able to establish himself since he arrived in Los Angeles for his hard work, good defense, and consistent mid-range jumper. He's a stronger player who benefited from his college experience, and has come in and made himself a fixture in the Laker rotation. With this young Laker team continuing to gain trust and familiarity with each other, Cook can further establish himself as a solid performer. A bit streaky, when he's on, he's on... but if he's off, he needs some time to shoot himself out of it. It'll be a transition for him as he continues to get comfortable with his offensive system, but he's had a solid role-playing career in L.A. thus far.

Grade: B

25.) Detroit Pistons: Carlos Delfino, G - Argentina

Notes: For two seasons, it's been a hard road for Delfino in the NBA. After having international success, including a gold medal with the Argentina national team, Delfino wasn't able to crack the rotation of then-coach Larry Brown. But when he left for New York, Flip Saunders came in and made Delfino a member of the rotation. His ability to make plays and a decent jump shot guaranteed him some timee as a change of pace guard for the Pistons. He works hard on defense and is fundamentally solid, and continues to show that. We'll see if he can continue to chip away at some playing time and work to give his starters a rest. But Delfino, who has been lauded as an incredible player, will continue to get his chances to show it.

Grade: C+

26.) Minnesota Timberwolves: Ndudi Ebi, F - Westbury Christian High School (Houston, TX)

Notes: This was Minnesota's first first-round pick in six years, due to infractions leading to penalties and having their picks taken away by the NBA. Ebi was not a good choice for the Wolves. He was not able to ever crack the rotation, and not able to even see much playing time. He only saw action in 19 games in his career, and after his options to the NBDL had been exhausted and expired, he was released for Ronald Dupree, acquired in a trade. Dupree, incidentally, was an undrafted SF eligible in the 2003 Draft. Just not a good pick for the Wolves.

Grade: F

27.) Memphis Grizzlies (from Sacramento; traded to Boston): Kendrick Perkins, C - Ozen High School (Beaumont, TX)

Notes: Perkins was probably the key component in the trade that included Marcus Banks, Dahntay Jones, and Troy Bell. He's the only player to have made a significant contribution for the team that acquired him in the draft. After seeing only 10 games of action in his rookie season, he gained the favor of new coach Doc Rivers and watched as his minutes began to slightly increase. He was regarded as a tough player, one of the tougher guys on the roster. He has the ability to defend the low post against most big men and is a scrapper on the boards. Became a starter last season and has grown into a fan favorite, Perkins development has been solid and there is no reason to believe it will not continue on this relatively young Boston team.
Grade: B

28.) San Antonio Spurs (traded to Phoenix): Leandrinho Barbosa, PG - Brazil

Notes: A speedy point guard with lightning quick reflexes and an above-average shot, Barbosa has continually made his presence vital to the way the Suns run their offense. Another change of pace player, he has recently seen time side-by-side with the MVP Steve Nash, and has watched his career numbers inflate this past season. One of many Suns benefiting from Nash's MVP performances, Barbosa has deeloped into a lethal three-point threat and a guy who can sneak into the lane with quickness like few before him. Barbosa will continue to watch a spike in minutes come his way as Phoenix looks to keep Nash fresh as much as possible. With Diaw, Barbosa, and James Jones (selected 49th by Indiana) all on the roster and making contributions, the 2003 Draft was vital to the Suns development into an NBA title contender.

Grade: B+

29.) Dallas Mavericks: Josh Howard, F - Wake Forest

Notes: Howard, the last pick in the first round, has turned into one of the bigger stars of this draft and perhaps the most valuable pick of them all. Former ACC Player of the Year, Howard dropped because people believed there was little to be gained from Howard after his initial skills. Howard would waste little time cracking the rotation and made 2nd-team all-rookie. He continued to get better and eventually took over as the small forward for Steve Finley, who became a shooting guard and later released by the Mavericks. A truly special player, he's not only settled into the startling line-up but has become a rising star in the NBA. It's only risen with his performance in the 2006 Playoffs, and his subsequent invitation to play for the USA Basketball team. Howard has been more than a value, he's been as good as a top 5 pick for the already-talented and loaded Maverick team.

Grade: A

2nd Round Breakout Players
32.) Luke Walton, F - Los Angeles Lakers (University of Arizona)
38.) Steve Blake, G - Washington Wizards (University of Maryland)
42.) Zaza Pachulia , PF - Orlando Magic (Turkey)
47.) Maurice Williams, G - Utah Jazz (University of Alabama)
49.) James Jones, F - Indiana Pacers (University of Miami)
51.) Kyle Korver, F - New Jersey Nets (Creighton)

Undrafted Notables
- Marquis Daniels, G/F - University of Auburn
- Udonis Haslem, PF - University of Florida
- Quinton Ross, G - Southern Methodist University