The Case for 2003
"We are all witnesses."
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| LeBron James hit two game-winning shots in the Cavaliers' first-round victory over the Wizards. (Gregory Shamus -- Getty Images) |
This is the slogan that has been beat about the heads of NBA fans this postseason as Nike extols the virtues of LeBron James. Though "King James" is the most high-profile member of the 2003 draft class he certainly is not the only star. For all the hype (much of it deserved: 2006 All-Star MVP, 2006 league MVP runner-up) that has surrounded James's first postseason appearance, more needs to be said of his classmates.
No. 3 pick Carmelo Anthony has been a key part of the renaissance his team has enjoyed as he has led the Nuggets to three straight playoff berths.
No. 5 pick Dwyane Wade was just named Finals MVP and lead the Miami Heat to their first NBA championship.
Speaking of renaissances, what about the Clippers who finally ended their playoff drought this year thanks in large part to the awkwardly talented Chris Kaman, selected with the sixth pick in '03 out of Central Michigan.
Let us also not forget the dynamic third year duo that Phoenix possesses in Boris Diaw and Leandro Barbosa. Barbosa has proven to be a lightning fast scoring machine well-suited for the run-and-gun Suns and the French-born Diaw was named this year's most-improved player.
Still out West is Dallas forward Josh Howard who very quietly has turned out to be quite a nice pick for the Mavericks who took him with the last selection in 2003's first round.
Though it may seem odd to think of leadership just three years into someone's career, three point guards have turned out to be the workhorses of their teams. It wasn't too long ago that Kirk Hinrich (No. 7, Chicago), T.J. Ford (No. 8, Milwaukee) and Luke Ridnour (No. 14, Seattle) were lounging out on the quad.
Forgotten in basketball Siberia is the raw talent of Chris Bosh. Bosh (No. 4) is probably the best young player no one knows about, having completed his third year in Toronto ranking in the NBA Top 15 in 13 categories (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/chris_bosh/index.html).
Finally, there is the second member of the 2003 draft class that owns an NBA title - Darko Milicic. The Serbian version of Sam Bowie had the honor of riding the coattails of the Detroit Pistons to a championship ring before being shipped off to Orlando. At just 20 years old, Milicic still has plenty of time to prove that the hype that got him selected second overall was deserved.
Sure the other classes have had more time to pad their résumés but the Class of 2003 is well on its way to earning the distinction of being the best draft class ever and we are all witnesses.
By C.J. Holley |
June 19, 2006; 7:12 PM ET
Previous: The Case for 1984 |
Next: The Case for 1996
Posted by: Anthony Davneport | June 27, 2006 07:44 PM
The sort of topic is for lame americans with nothing better to do. why dont you guys talk about a sport that holds more interest to the rest of the wrold
Posted by: | June 28, 2006 07:58 PM
This is the best draft there has ever been. Hands down! Only for the simple fact that Chris Bosh was drafted...Bring out the cheese and salami!
Posted by: Chuck Swirsky | June 29, 2006 08:54 PM
One sentence about Dwyane Wade after an entire paragraph about LeBron James? All you have to say about Wade is that he "was named Finals MVP and led the Miami Heat to their first NBA championship"? Did you watch him play in the Finals or have you watched him play at all? Wade may end up being the best player of the class of 2003 if he isn't already. Certainly, he's got a leg up on his draftmates at the moment. The 1984 draft is the best, however.
Posted by: jay | June 30, 2006 03:02 AM
I would have to say that I do not think that the 2003 class should and can be considered for this label...YET! Now if the 4 superstars from the class of 03 can continue to make the kinde of strides that they have over the last 3 years, their is no question what draft is the best but, with LBJ just turning old enough to drink this year, it is yet to be seen what will actually come of this class but, in 7-10 more years when they have comprised the same number of season as the other two classes mentioned then we will have something to debate. Although, if I had to bank on future outcomes I would say 03 has it hands down.
Posted by: Tony | August 12, 2006 08:42 PM
The fact that chris bosh could have been playing with vince carter would have made him twice the better player he is right now! Chris bosh is the best player in the 2003 NBA draft!
Posted by: Jason Ramsay | August 17, 2006 12:27 PM
1984 is the best at the momment. They have the best players to ever play in the NBA and maybe the best pure pg but the 2003 might end up being the best when it's all said and done seeing as how none of the other two had the type of sucsses they did this fast
Posted by: Kirt Caesar | January 11, 2007 11:49 AM
Carmelo Anthony-LeBron Jizzle-D-Wade-C.Bosh
NUFF SAID
Posted by: The Right ONE | February 16, 2007 08:49 PM
"Forgotten in basketball Siberia is the raw talent of Chris Bosh. Bosh (No. 4) is probably the best young player no one knows about, having completed his third year in Toronto ranking in the NBA Top 15 in 13 categories"
Basketball Siberia? Thats a little harsh.. Maybe Chris Bosh wouldnt be so "forgotten" if people like you paid attention to the Raptors even though they are allll the way up here, about an hour and a half away from the American border...
Posted by: Justin | February 16, 2007 11:28 PM
Well Lebron, D-wade, Bosh, Melo, T.J FORD, KIRK,Luke, KAMIN, david west, josh howard, do i need say more?
Posted by: ak47 | February 17, 2007 06:00 PM
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All were great draft classes however, with Air Jordan, Hakeem the dream and Sir Charles in your class at this time that class is by far the best to date. Ask me again in five years and I may have a different opinion.