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**remy23** · 02-19-2006, 10:24 AM

Quote:

LeBron James competes in the skills challenge during NBA All-Star Saturday Night in Houston. James is considered one of the top talents in the 2003 draft class.

Class of 2003

Sunday, February 19, 2006

Branson Wright
Plain Dealer Reporter

The 1984 NBA Draft that included Michael Jordan, Hakeem -- then known as Akeem -- Olajuwon, Charles Barkley and John Stockton is considered the best draft in the history of the league.

Jordan, Olajuwon, Barkley and Stockton were recognized as four of the "50 Greatest Players in NBA History" during the league's 50th anniversary season of 1996-97.

That draft, however, is receiving a considerable challenge from the 2003 draft, led by LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony. The 2003 draft is so good that two players from the class, James and Wade, are starters in tonight's 55th All- Star Game in Houston. Chris Bosh, another gem from 2003, has made the Eastern Conference team as a reserve.

The 2003 class is tied for second in participation in tonight's All-Star Game behind the six participants of the 1996 class. Drafted were Allen Iverson, Ray Allen, Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash and Jermaine O'Neal, who won't play because of an injury. Ben Wallace wasn't drafted.

"A lot of us said it's going to be one of the best drafts in a while," Wade recently told reporters. "Guys are holding their own. We're going to be strong in the East with myself, Chris Bosh and LeBron holding everything down."

Time will tell on where this class will rank in the future, but presently it is making plenty of noise as one of the best ever.

"That's as good a quality class you're ever going to see," Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. "They're probably as good as one you'll see in a while. Some of the guys like Bosh and [Kirk] Hinrich, people weren't sure how good they were going to be, and they're both high-level starters. Bosh is an All-Star, and Hinrich is an All-Star-to-be. A lot of people think Darko [Milicic] will be a hell of player when he gets a chance."

Most members of the class have taken advantage of their chances by either becoming All-Stars or becoming vital pieces to their organization's success. James is leading the charge with the Cavaliers, Wade has moved the Miami Heat into the playoffs in two of his first three seasons and Anthony is the reason for the resurgence of the Denver Nuggets.

"We were all fortunate to come in and play, and that has been the difference [compared to other classes]," said Milwaukee Bucks guard T.J. Ford, the eighth overall pick in 2003 draft. "A lot of teams gave guys opportunities to play. Most of the time, rookies don't get to play as much. A lot of guys went to teams where they needed us, and some of us have made some immediate impacts."

James made an immediate impact as one of the most hyped high school players in history. Not only has James been the face of the Cavaliers, but he's also becoming the face of the NBA. He collected his eighth career triple double right before the All-Star break and for the second straight year, he has the Cavs in position to make the playoffs for the first time since 1998. James is third in the league in scoring with 31.2 points per game.

"The 2003 was a phenomenal class," college basketball analyst Dick Vitale said. "Any class with LeBron is a great class because he's out of this world. When I said he was the best high school player I had ever seen, I was criticized for hyping him. That kid is in another world. Bosh has also been terrific, T.J. Ford has been great and so has Wade. Give this class a few years before you start ranking them with some of the greats, but they're off to a great start."

Unlike the 1984 draft, the 2003 draft is deep. James, Anthony, Wade and Bosh highlighted the first few picks in the round, but other players have emerged. Ford, Hinrich and Luke Ridnour are the other top guards of the class, and second-round picks Steve Blake and Luke Walton have made an impact. Some surprises have stepped up, such as David West of the Hornets, who went from averaging 3.8 points and 4.2 rebounds during his rookie year to currently averaging 16.8 points and 7.8 rebounds. West also has been a factor in the Hornets' push for the playoffs.

"It's one of the deepest [draft classes]," Bosh said. "Guys are just doing well. A guy like Josh Howard that got picked 30th, he's doing extremely well. We have one of the deepest draft classes in a while."

Howard was the last pick in the first round but his position in the draft didn't stop him. The Dallas Mavericks have the second-best record in the league. Howard's 16.1 points and 6.7 rebounds per game has been major in the Mavericks' surge.

"We have all had an impact on our team to the point where we have helped our teams to win," Howard said. "Maybe the guys in that draft really had a lot of willpower and had the mind-set where we won't be denied. I know that's how I play the game. I came in here just trying to find a way to fit in, and I did and started playing."

The 2003 class also separates itself from other classes in the versatility of the players. The ability to score, defend and handle the ball with ease by many of the players is common.

"We knew we had a special class when were drafted," James said. "We have guys that can go inside and outside, and most of the guys that have been drafted are the leaders of their team like Carmelo Anthony, myself, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Kirk Hinrich. [There are] a lot of great players from our class and it's wonderful."

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