Rookie Class of 2003
Posted on June 3rd, 2006 by
With LeBron James leading the charge, the 2003 NBA draft has turned out some of the most talented players in the NBA today. From LeBron James, to Dwayne Wade, from Leandro Barbosa to Boris Diaw, the rookie class of 2003 will definitely have a lasting effect in the NBA for years to come.
In just 3 years, the first pick of the draft, LeBron James, was this year’s runner up to Steve Nash in MVP voting. LeBron James has already broken numerous NBA rookie records, and earlier this year was awarded the NBA All-Star Game MVP. Not only has he won several awards, but he has several milestones and broken records under his belt. He is the youngest NBA player to record a triple double (at the age of 20), to score 50 points (versus Toronto Raptors on March 20th, 2005), to reach 1,000 points, 2,000 points, 3,000 points, 4,000 points, 5,000 points, 6,000 points, and is one of only three NBA players in history to average 20+ points, 5+ rebounds, 5+ assists in his rookie season, and one of only three players to record a triple double in his first playoff debut. If signing a 90 million dollar Nike contract straight out high school wasn’t enough, with the way he is playing, there is no doubt it’s only the beginning.
Darko Milicic was chosen by the Detroit Pistons with the second pick of the 2003 draft. After a dismal season with failed expectations, he became the youngest player to appear in a finals game (at 18 years and 356 days), and the only rookie in the class of 2003 chosen in the top 10 to win an NBA championship. Today he plays for the Orlando Magic, but continues to struggle to prove himself in the NBA.
The other three players selected in the top 5 were Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, and Dwayne Wade, players who have all had amazing seasons since their NBA debut. Both Chris Bosh and Dwayne made all-star appearances earlier this year in Houston, and Carmelo Anthony is the heart of a well rounded Denver Nuggets team. They each play different positions, but the one commonality between these players is that without them, there would be a catastrophic effect on their respective teams.
Another two players in the 2003 NBA Draft were Leandro Barbosa, and Boris Diaw. Although they went late in the first round of the draft, their contributions to the Phoenix Suns team have been remarkable. Boris Diaw who was awarded this year’s “Most Improved Player”? award by the NBA, is one of only three players in the NBA averaging more than 6 rebounds, and 6 assists a game (the other two being LeBron James, and Jason Kidd). Boris Diaw even had two amazing performances on April 14th, and 16th with back to back triple doubles. Another key to the Phoenix Sun’s amazing success lies with Leandro Barbosa, who other than being an amazing defender, was number three in the league in 3-point shooting (44.4%). The third year Sun also holds several Phoenix Suns rookie records including 27 points on January 5th in his rookie year, and 3-point shooting for the most consecutive games with a made 3-pointer. Led by Steve Nash, both Diaw, and Barbosa have had three amazing games to help the Suns become only the eighth team in league history to come back after trailing in a playoff series 3-1 against the Lakers.
It has only been three years since these rising stars got drafted into the NBA but their impact has been phenomenal. Only the future will tell which of them will develop into MVP caliber players.
