2003
Basketball Draft
July 10, 2003
By
Bob Radl, staff writer
The 2003 NBA draft has come and gone again. Some teams appear to be obvious winners while other team's futures do not glow quite so brightly after this years draft. The 2003 draft was considered by experts to be a fairly deep one. Time will tell. Most selections cannot be fully judged for two or three years as young talent take time to develop. Only a few players can be expected to make an immediate impact in the NBA. 14 of the first 29 picks in Round One were either teenagers or foreigners. Overall, 21 foreign born players were selected in the draft, a NBA record. Listed below are capsule summaries of the top draft picks and other selected players.
1. LeBron James, G/F, Cleveland Cavaliers. James was the consensus #1 pick by most NBA draft experts. He is one of the most exciting young NBA prospects in decades and will see immediate action as a rookie with the Cavaliers. He may open the year as the PG for the CAVS. He is smooth, athletic with excellent body control. His court vision and passing are already at NBA standards. James has an NBA body at 6' 7" and 245 pounds. James is very poised and mature for his age. He has the talent and potential to be another Tracy McGrady or Kobe Bryant if he works hard at his game. James will have immediate fantasy value for the Cavs. He is a great pick in dynasty or keeper leagues. James will need to improve his jump shot and his man-to-man defense.
2. Darko Milicic, PF, Detroit Pistons. Milicic can play all three frontcourt positions and may be the front line offensive player that the Piston so desperately need. His game is compared to that of Dirk Nowitzki from Dallas. He is only 18 years old with a huge upside. Milicic need to improve his low block strength and add perhaps 15 to 20 pounds of muscle, but then watch out !! Another solid choice for keeper leagues.
3. Carmelo Anthony, SF, Denver Nuggets. Anthony came out early after leading Syracuse to the national title as a freshman. Anthony has a real feel for the game. He can play both inside and outside. He is ready to contribute this year. He is a strong rebounder, fundamentally sound and an excellent leaper. He has the height of a forward to go along with the quickness and ball handling skills of a guard. He will have immediate fantasy value as a rookie. He has great value also in keeper leagues. Anthony will need to improve his first step blow by ability.
4. Chris Bosh, PF, Toronto Raptors. Bosh was an early entry candidate and the Atlantic Coast Conference rookie of the year. He has the ability to glide around the court and makes things look effortless. He has a smooth shooting stroke and runs the floor well for a man of his size at 6' 10" and 200 pounds. He is a quick jumper and excellent shot blocker, a weakness of raptor's last year. Bosh will need to add muscle to his thin frame to bang against the bigger and stronger PF in the NBA on a nightly basis. Bosh will also need to improve his back to the basket skills.
5. Dwayne Wade. G/F, Miami Heat. Wade really burst on the scene in the NCAA tournament with a triple double (29 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists to go along with 4 blocks) in the Round of 8 versus Kentucky. NBA scouts like his explosive first step as well as his leaping ability and quickness. He is projected to be a physical 2 guard in the NBA. The big question is which position to play. He has the instincts to play the point and is natural scorer. That makes him a likely candidate for the off guard slot. Look for Coach Pat Riley to find ways to get Wade on the court with Eddie Jones and Caron Butler as they form a very athletic trio for the Heat.
6. Chris Kaman, C, Los Angeles Clippers. Kaman was one of the few players in the draft with the ability to play with his back to the basket, a lost art in today's NBA game. He is skilled with both his right hand and his left hand when he shoots. He has solid footwork for a man of his size. He is not considered to be a great athlete. He could see significant minutes for the Clippers if Michael Olowokandi departs during the off-season. Kaman will also need to improve his strength and his defense.
7. Kirk Hinrich, PG, Chicago Bulls. Hinrich is a fundamentally sound player who will be able to contribute on both ends of the floor for the Bulls this next year. He excels in an up-tempo game. Hinrich will most likely back up both guard positions this year for the Bulls.
8. T. J. Ford, PG, Milwaukee Bucks. Ford was another early entry candidate in this year's draft. He won the Nainsmith and Wooden awards as college player of the year. He has great court awareness that allows him to anticipate plays. Questions linger due to his size at 5' 10" and his inability to stay healthy in college. Ford could see major minutes as a rookie if Gary Payton departs as anticipated via free agency.
9. Mike Sweetney, PF, New York Knicks. Sweetney should see immediate action a rookie as the Knicks were one of the worst rebounding and shot blocking teams in the NBA last year. He is a strong physical player at 6' 8" and 260 pounds with a solid work ethic. He has long arms for a man of his height and can get to the free throw line. He has soft hands in the paint and can score from up to 15 feet. Sweetney will need to improve on his explosiveness.
10. Jarvis Hayes, G/F, Washington Bullets. Hayes was another early entry candidate and a two-time consensus first team all Southeastern Conference pick. He has a good shooting range and is considered to be a catch-and-shoot shooter. Hayes will need to work on his ball handling and his defensive intensity.
11. Mickael Pietrus, G/F, Golden State Warriors. Pietrus was another early entry who played in France the last three seasons. He is considered to be a freak of an athlete and a great defensive stopper. He is very explosive, but not a polished offensive player. His perimeter shooting needs work, as does his ball handling. Pietrus' fantasy value will be limited in the 2003-04 season.
12. Nick Collison, PF, Seattle SuperSonics. Collison is a four-year player from Kansas who should see plenty of action as a rookie in Seattle. He is a nice interior scorer with good post-up moves. He rebounds well and is very fundamentally sound. He should have decent fantasy value this season. Collison may struggle at times against the bigger stronger PFs in the Western Conference.
13. Marcus Banks, PG, Boston Celtics. Banks was acquired by the Celtics on a draft day after he was traded by the Memphis Grizzlies. He has a NBA body and nice size for a PG. He is considered to be explosive with good penetrating skills at the point. Banks will need to work on his ball handling skills and his leadership skills for the Celtics.
14. Luke Ridnour, PG, Seattle SuperSonics. Ridnour is a creative playmaker who makes excellent decisions. He is not the most athletic PG and is best in an up-tempo style of game. He is a good passer and a great shooter. He will provide instant offense off of the bench for the Sonics. He will need to improve his strength to match up against the bigger point guards in the NBA.
15. Reece Gaines, SG, Orlando Magic. Gaines is projected to be a combo guard for the Magic this year. He was a two-time All-Conference USA pick. He switched to the point guard this last year after playing the off guard for three years; he can shoot the trey well and is a solid defender. Gaines also has good change of direction and vision on the court. He will need to work on his ball handling skills at the next level.
16. Troy Bell, PG, Memphis Grizzlies. Bell was acquired by the Grizzlies during a trade on draft day to be a backup to Jason Williams. His speed and quickness will be a nice change of pace from Jason Williams' long range trey bombs. Bell is quick off of the dribble with good balance and strength. He will need to improve his leadership capabilities.
17. Zarko Cabarkapa, PF, Phoenix Suns. Cabarkapa has excellent ball handling skills and quickness for a man of his size at 6' 11" and 235 pounds. He is capable of playing all three front court positions and can create his own shot. He will need to improve his strength to be able to bang with the strong power forwards in the Western Conference.
18. David West, PF, New Orleans Hornets. West was a dominating post player in college. He is considered a tad undersized to play PF in the pros. He can score with his back to the basket or facing it. West has strong hands and a nice mid-range jump shot. West will need to work on his passing skills.
19. Aleksandr Pavlovic, F, Utah Jazz. Pavlovic was another early entry candidate from Serbia. He had his most productive year in Europe where he averaged 10.1 points along with 60.4% from the field. He is a streak shooter who can score in bunches. Pavlovic will need to improve his defense and his strength.
20. Dahntay Jones, G/F, Memphis Grizzlies. Jones was acquire don draft day by the Grizzlies. He is a great athlete and a lock down defender. Jones has great leaping ability and is very explosive. He will need to work on his perimeter game at the next level.
21. Boris Diaw, SF, Atlanta Hawks. Diaw has excellent speed and quickness. He has great leaping ability, a huge wingspan and explosive quickness to make him a threat on both offense and defense.
22. Zoran Planinic, PG, New Jersey Nets. Planinic was another early entry candidate in the draft. He was named the 2001-02 Best Young Croatian Player. He has played both guard and forward in the past. He has nice size for a PG and can shoot the trey quite well. He will need to improve his defense and bulk up at the next level.
23. Travis Outlaw, SF, Portland Trail Blazers. Outlaw was one of the high school players chosen in the first round. He has a forward's body to go with the speed of a guard. He is a great leaper and shot blocker. He hustles on both ends of the court. Outlaw will see some action from the bench this year.
24. Brian Cook, PF, Los Angeles Lakers. Cook was the Big ten player of the year as a senior. He can score from both the inside and the outside and runs the court well for a big man. Cook has good footwork along with solid fundamentals. He will need to improve his defense.
25. Carlos Francisco Delfino. Delfino was most likely replace free agent Jon Barry off of the bench for the Pistons. He is a nice outside shooter and can also drive well to the hoop. Limited fantasy value this year.
26. Ndudi Ebi, SF, Minnesota Timberwolves. Ebi was another high school player to go in the first round. He has a thin frame with long arms and good post moves. Ebi has a nice outside shot and can penetrate to the hoop. Limited value for some time, as he will be on the bench. Ebi needs to work on his strength.
27. Kendrick Perkins, C, Boston Celtics. Perkins was a dominant high school post player and shot blocker. He may me too short to play center at the pro-level. He will be a project for the Celtics and would have benefited from a year or two of college ball.
28. Leandrinho Barbosa, SG, Phoenix Suns. Barbosa was one of the dominant players in Brazil's top league. He is a good three-point shooter. He speaks little English which could be a problem in terms of communication on the floor.
29. Josh Howard, SF, Dallas Mavericks. Howard was the Atlantic Coast Conference player of the year. Howard is a smooth ball handler with a good mid-range jumper. He is also a solid perimeter defender.
NOTABLE SECOND ROUND DRAFT CHOICES
30. Maciej Lampe, C/F, New York Knicks. Lampe was an early entry candidate and one of Europe's most promising young players. He is an excellent athlete with a nice shooting touch. Many NBA scribes had Lampe going in the top 15 in the draft. This kid has a nice upside down the road.
34. Sofoklis Schortsanitis, C/F, Los Angeles Clippers. Schortsanitis was called the Baby Shaq of the draft. His game is considered to be raw and his post game needs work. He is a very strong offensive rebounder. Most scouts had him going in the first round.
36. Mario Austin, F, Chicago Bulls. Austin was an early entry candidate who had one year of eligibility remaining. He is a high percentage shooter with a nice touch. He plays a power game, but is shorter than advertised. This could be a problem against larger power forwards in the NBA.
37. Travis Hansen, G/F, Atlanta Hawks. Hansen spent three years on a missionary for the Mormon Church. This added maturity. He is a high-energy player who can drive to the basket or make the outside shot. He will need to improve his ball handling.
39. Slavko Vranes, C, New York Knicks. Vranes is only 20 years old and another early entry into the draft this year. He has great size for the frontcourt at 7' 4" and 250 pounds. He runs the floor well, is a good rebounder and shot blocker. His offensive game is quite raw and needs a great deal of work. Most NBA scribes had him going late in the first round. He will need two or three years of development to contribute at a higher level. The Knicks may have landed some nice value at this point in the draft.
