NBA draft 2003: Best draft class of the new millennium

Held at the Madison Square Garden, the NBA Draft of 2003 is known for having one of the most talented draft pools in the history of the league.

Four of the top 5 picks of the Draft are multiple All-Stars and “Redeem team” Olympic gold medalists: Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and LeBron James. A total of 8 players from this Draft class have been an All-Star. Also 4 of first 5 picks have lifted the Larry O’Brien trophy with Carmelo Anthony never making it to the finals while 2^nd pick overall Darko Milicic was a member of the victorious 2004 Detroit Pistons squad.

If asked to select the top 5, there would be no doubt or debate about the first 4 spots (also none for the top spot). Lot of players however comes into contention for 5^th spot. Before we start the list there is one player who should be mentioned for his talent and skill though he doesn’t make it to the top 5.

Kyle Korver:

Known for his three point shooting skills, he was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers as the 51^st overall. In just his second season he was tied with teammate Quentin Richardson for most three s in the league: 226. He competed in the 2003 and 2004 Foot Locker three point shooting contests at the All-Star weekend. He holds the NBA record for highest three point shooting percentage in a season of 53.6 % in the year 2009-2010 where he would come off the bench for the Chicago Bulls. During the 2006-2007 season with the Utah Jazz he was the league leader in free throw shooting percentage of 91.4%.

Now that that’s out of the way let’s get to our top 5:-

5. David West:

#21 David West moved to the Indiana Pacers from the New Orleans Hornets in 2011.

The power forward was drafted by the New Orleans Hornets as the 18^th overall pick. His first two years with franchise involved modest production. Next season was his breakout year where he averaged 17.4 ppg and 7.4 rpg while shooting 51.2 % from the field. In this season he also showed versatility by playing Center due to lack of center in the team’s roster.

A 2-time All-Star along with point guard teammate Chris Paul in the years of 2008 and 2009, West is often under-rated for his contribution to the team. After exercising his player option in the last year of the contract to join the Indiana Pacers, his career numbers dipped in the scoring category as he moved to a more balanced scoring team unlike his earlier where he was no.2 scorer after Chris Paul.

A fine mid-range game to go with threatening inside presence, West is an above average ball handler for a power forward standing tall at 6 foot 9 inches. In this era of flamboyant plays, his game is majorly dependent on fundamentals. A NBA title still eludes him and West would fancy his chances with the Indiana Pacers this season thanks to their busy yet successful offseason.

4. Chris Bosh:

#1 Chris Bosh with his first title with the Miami Heat in 2012.

A defending double world champion with the Miami Heat, Bosh was initially drafted by the Toronto Raptors as the 4^th overall pick before joining the Heat being a free agent in 2010. He was voted to the All NBA second team in 2007, Raptors first appearance in the Playoffs post the Vince Carter era. He averaged a double double twice in his career, once during his breakthrough 2007 season and the other time in his last season for the Raptors.

Part of the All NBA rookie team, he is an 8 time All-Star and the fourth youngest player to record the figures of 20 points and 20 rebounds. He is the Toronto Raptors’ all-time leader in points scored, rebounds, blocks, free throw made and attempted.

Standing at 6 foot 11 inches Bosh possesses excellent speed, athleticism and ball handling skills. Known for his well-developed jump shot, He is noted for his ability to drive to the basket and finish strong at the rim getting him to the free throw line from where he averages an impressive 80% for his career.

3. Carmelo Anthony:

#7 of the Carmelo Anthony with the New York Knicks

The reigning NBA season scoring champion has the ability and possesses the skill set on the offensive end to take over any game. However he has never made it to the Finals and has a lone appearance in the Conference Finals with the Denver Nuggets in 2009. His years at Denver were disappointing as made it past the first round just once, although each time having terrific regular season.

A 6 time All-Star, “Melo” was traded to the Knicks in the midseason of 2011 and first season for the Knicks, he averaged a double double in the Playoffs. His move to the Knicks however did not help his championship hopes, losing the first two years in the first round to the Indiana Pacers and Miami Heat and this year they lost in the Conference semis once again to Pacers.

A 6 time selection to the All NBA teams, Anthony was also voted the MVP of the All Star Rookie Challenge in 2005 as a sophomore. He has been a part of the USA National team and has won gold at the Olympics twice in 2008 and 2012 after a disappointing bronze at Athens in the 2004 Olympics.

2. Dwyane Wade:

#3 Dwyane Wade in his first finals series in 2006 against the Dallas Mavericks

Another member of the All-NBA rookie team, the talented and skilled shooting guard was drafted by the Miami Heat as the 5^th overall pick. Leading his Miami Heat to the title in 2006 at the Dallas Mavericks expense, he lifted the NBA Finals MVP award along with the Larry O’Brein trophy. A 9-time NBA All Star he won the MVP for the All-Star game at Dallas in 2010.

A capable point guard, Wade’s signature 2 step allows him to finish past bigger defenders and occasionally earn an extra shot at the free throw line. An Olympic gold medalist in 2008, post the Finals victory Wade developed a reputation as one of the premium clutch players in the NBA.

A 3 time NBA champion with the Miami heat, Wade has also been the NBA Skills Challenge Champion in consecutive years 2006 and 2007 at the All-Star weekend. He has 8 All NBA team selections to go along with 3 selections to All NBA Defensive second team. He is the only champion of this draft year to still remain with the team that drafted him.

1.LeBron James

#6 Lebron James of the Miami Heat with his second NBA Trophy and NBA finals MVP trophy

There is no debate here guys!

He tops the list and his career stats and feats would justify his position. Here is a small look at the career feats- A 4-time NBA league MVP, 9 time All-Star, 2 time All-Star game MVP, 2 time NBA champion, 2 time NBA finals MVP, Rookie of the Year and 9 selections to All NBA teams. The list goes on but lets stop here for now. You got to give time to digest so many at once right?

He was the most anticipated first overall draft pick in the history of the sport. The all-time leading scorer for the Cleveland Cavaliers is also a double Olympic gold medalist in 2008 and 2012. At 6 feet 8 inches he is an extremely versatile player, capable of playing all 5 positions on the floor. Weighing at 250 pounds, many analysts term him as the best physical specimen in the sport.

The 2008 NBA Scoring champion has also made it the NBA All-Defensive first team 5 times. Without debate the best player on the planet right now, James is known and feared across the NBA for chase down blocks and while on a charge to the basket the chances a defender has of altering his shot are close to nil.