COLUMN: Rookies impacting NBA
Looking back now, I can vividly recall the excitement I felt on June 26, 2003.
Sadly, this is one of my favorite days of the year, the NBA draft. My emotions are always the same on this fantastic day.
At first, my imagination runs wild at the thought of a new crop of potential superstars joining ranks with the top basketball players in the world. This illusion is then abruptly interfered with my depressing pessimism. I know, deep down, that no matter how much ability these young prospects have, my favorite lottery teams are destined to pick up more four-year plans like Darius Miles, Kwame Brown, or Stromile Swift.
This year, however, has proved to be the exception. It has been many years since a group of rookies have had such an immediate impact on the game. What makes this draft class special is the top three picks. Each player would have gone number one in most of the drafts of the last several years. To go with the top three, nine other first rounders are regular starters in the NBA this
season.
Headlining this marquee group is the first overall pick, LeBron James.
Without question, James is the most hyped rookie ever, but with good reason.
The Ohio product started the season out with a mesmerizing performance versus the Sacramento Kings. Though the Cavaliers lost, James posted 26 points, nine assists, and six rebounds.
Check out ESPN.com’s “LeBron Line” and find out that Cav’s box scores will show similar results most nights. What’s even more impressive about James is the incredible court vision that most only dreamed about while reading Internet scouting reports. I laugh whenever I hear someone still say “King James” is overrated. He will be the greatest player ever. At 6’8, 245 pounds, James is neck-and- neck with the top physical specimens in the game, and head and shoulders above the best young players in regards to court vision, unselfishness and maturity.
After James’ selection, the Detroit Piston’s chose 7’0 forward Darko Milicic, from Serbia-Montenegro. Milicic was deemed the most talented big man to come out in several years, but has yet to show his ability under veteran-minded coach Larry Brown. Watching tapes from Milicic’s days playing for his old team, Hemofarm, the 18-year-old blondy has Tim Duncan’s skills and Kevin Garnett’s nastiness.
With the third pick, Denver happily settled with 2003 NCAA Tournament MVP, Carmelo Anthony. Anthony is Denver’s starting small forward and go-to-guy. He lacks the super run-jump ability and passing skills of James, but makes up with remarkable scoring and rebounding ability. With Anthony at the helm, the Nuggets are currently the eighth seed in the Western Conference playoff race. Some players just know how to win, and Carmelo is one of them.
The rest of the draft has rounded out very nicely thus far.
The point guard position has been the highlight of the ’03-04 rookie class. James, Chicago’s Kirk Hinrich, Miami’s Dwayne Wade, Milwaukee’s T.J. Ford, and Phoenix’s Leandrihno Barbosa are each their respective team’s starting point guard.
Toronto boasts one of the top young power forwards in the East in Georgia Tech product Chris Bosh. He has been forced to play out of position at center, yet he has played up to the level of the top big guys in the East, game in and game out.
Washington’s Jarvis Hayes and Utah’s Sasha Pavlovic have been the top rookie wings of the draft. Both have been in and out of the starting lineup, playing inconsistently, yet helping their respective teams immensely.
This could be the draft that brings the NBA back to the top. The most dominant players of the day are arguably Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, Dirk Nowitzki and Shaquille O’Neal. These players have been spectacular enough to keep the league going, but these rookies are giving the league an extra jolt.
James’ and Anthony’s jerseys are the top two sellers in the NBA. Otherwise-vacant seats seem to fill up where ever they play. It is so refreshing to see this awesome league start to climb up to the level which it has not been at since the days of Jordan, Bird and Magic. With James, Anthony and several other rookies shining in their first season, the NBA’s future is very bright.
Brad Barth is a freshman majoring in English. He can be contacted at bcb@cc.usu.edu.