Would he still be a guaranteed top pick in that era? Where is he getting selected at, and why? Is he cracking the top five?
Take in consideration: potential, early 2000’s style of play, and ability to adapt.
2003 NBA Draft Top 10
- Lebron James (SF)
- Darko Miličić (F/C)
- Carmelo Anthony (SF)
- Chris Bosh (F/C)
- Dwyane Wade (SG)
- Chris Kaman ©
- Kirk Hinrich (PG)
- T. J. Ford (PG)
- Michael Sweetney (PF)
- Jarvis Hayes (F/G)
Those of you who are not saying one are forgetting something very key:
You’re in 2003, not 2023.
Context matters. Besides 2003 in which Euro Darko went 2 on potential alone, Bosh went 4, and Chris Kaman went 6…
2002: Yao 1, 3 bigs in the top 5 including Tskitishvili (Euro)
2001: 1-4 were all bigs, including Pau (Euro)
2000: 7 of the top 9 and 9/12 had PF or C in their position designation.
Oh, but maybe 2003 was the start of the transition to wings?
2004: Dwight-Emeka 1-2.
2005: Bogut 1.
2006: Bargnani 1. 4/5 top picks were PFs.
2007: Oden-Durant-Horford with 4 more bigs in the top 10 after them.