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

  1. Lebron James (SF)
  2. Darko Miličić (F/C)
  3. Carmelo Anthony (SF)
  4. Chris Bosh (F/C)
  5. Dwyane Wade (SG)
  6. Chris Kaman ©
  7. Kirk Hinrich (PG)
  8. T. J. Ford (PG)
  9. Michael Sweetney (PF)
  10. Jarvis Hayes (F/G)
  • jeff2def@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    I think the fact he is a much better shooter overall than Lebron was when he got drafted, you can’t pass up the size and skill. They’d both have the “he’s still growing” phase but Wemby can anchor a defense himself. I’d take that over Lebron. Although if your Cleveland, you probably can’t take a French guy over a homegrown kid from Akron haha

  • throwawaythursday99@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    I mean in a 3 year window (2002,03, 04) there were seven non-Americans picked in the top 15 each year. I think given his hype he would have landed top 5-6 in 03. Can’t imagine Chris Kaman would have outplayed Wemby in workouts, much less Darko and maybe not even Bosh.

  • bb1432@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    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.

  • herseyhawkins33@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    2nd after LeBron. Yes the hype with LeBron was that insane and he would’ve been considered more of a sure thing than wemby.

  • Joetheshow1@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    At that time Cleveland is not passing up on Akron born Lebron James no matter what, so Wemby would go 2nd