Guest Redhawk Report post Posted April 9, 2003 After Carmelo's NCAA tourney performance, a lot of people have been saying he might have jumped over LeBron as the best player in the 2003 NBA Draft. Who would you take, assuming your team needed help at both of their positions? Info taken from nbadraft.net Carmelo Anthony ============ 6-8, 220 Small forward NBA comparison: Antoine Walker Strengths: Has a chance to be special. Very smooth with the basketball. Uses his size and strength well to back players down and score over them or draw fouls. Has good aggressiveness. Jumpshot has good form. Understands the game well. Passes the ball extremely well and has great vision and creativity. Body has already filled out and has strength. Creates well off the dribble with a nice crossover. Has it all, and should dominate from the start in college basketball. Weaknesses: Athleticism is very good but a notch below the likes of LeBron, Carter, Kobe. Not overly quick. Excels using his strength more than quickness and this will hinder his superstar potential. Must gain more maturity and consistency. Displays good intensity, but must develop a killer instinct, a better work ethic, and not be content being very good. LeBron James ========== 6-8, 240 Point guard/shooting guard NBA comparison: Magic Johnson Strengths: About as can't miss as can't miss gets. Blessed with supreme athletic gifts and the mind to maximize these tools. Very unselfish, and like Magic Johnson seems to get the most satisfation from a great pass. His vision and passing skills are one of the big aspects which set him apart from other 6-7 wing freaks. Lending to his amazing composure on the floor are his supreme vision and court sense. Has another gear to blow by virtually any defender, and has great leaping ability to get above the rim for spectacular finishes. LeBron excels against top competition, as evidenced in his showdown with Lenny Cooke at the ABCD Camp where he outscored the previous year's MVP and top 3 Senior (Cooke) 25-9. He capped the game off with a three pointer at the buzzer to win the game. A very fundamentally sound player with excellent form on his jumpshot. The sky is truly the limit. Weaknesses: Still has physical developing in front of him but at just 16, strength does not appear to be a long term issue. His free throw shooting must improve. Right now, he's around a 60%, but this should definitely improve with experience. Age, the task at hand is staying focused and continuing to develop, without developing a fat head. As Randy Newman said, "It's lonely at the top." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest bps "The Truth" 21 Report post Posted April 9, 2003 If I'm Cleveland and I take James. If I have the first pick and I don't take JAmes my fans will kill me. I would rather take Anthony...but it aint gonna happen. Bottom line for me is that both are extremely talented...but one has played against the best in COLLEGE and stood at the very top in his first year. Would James do the same? Quite possibly...but I don't build teams based on possibly. I deal in facts. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted April 9, 2003 I would take Carmello over James in theory but James is a flat out superstar already who will jack the attendence (which would be great for alot of Lotto teams) NBA will rig the thing to have Cleveland or Maybe Atlanta win James...I bet Carmello ends up on one of those good but not there yet teams like Seattle. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Mik at Cornell Report post Posted April 9, 2003 BPS is right. If a team takes anyone other than LeBron number one...they're fucked. Goodbye season ticket holders. EVERYONE wants LeBron. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Flyboy Report post Posted April 9, 2003 What the fans want is important, but what is more important is who is the better player and who can help you get to a championship. Carmelo Anthony is that man. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest CanadianChris Report post Posted April 9, 2003 I'd still take LeBron -- he has a much higher upside than Anthony, even though Anthony's probably the better player right now. For that matter, I'd take Milicic over Anthony right now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Human Fly Report post Posted April 9, 2003 Anthony might be the better player right now, but that's not set in stone. If You pass on LeBron and he becomes the next Jordan, the next Kobe, or the next McGrady then you will go down as an idiot. Anthony will be a good player, a superstar, but these teams are so far off that he's not going to make them a championship caliber team. And after one year who's to say that Anthony will still be better than LeBron (if he even is now). Don't forget that in his Jr. year in High School LeBron put up 36 on Anthony. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gert T 0 Report post Posted April 9, 2003 Exactly Human Fly, Sam Bowie anyone? Although by no means is Carmelo going to be a bust. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest starvenger Report post Posted April 9, 2003 I agree. The LeBron James situation is similar to last year's Yao Ming situation - you could make the case for picking someone else but you just can't pass up the consensus 'top' pick. And if it weren't for James, Milicic would probably be number 1. But if you're picking top 3, I don't see how you lose. Well, unless you're #3 and Anthony stays at Syracuse another year. And I'm thinking that, either by draft or by trade, Cleveland is getting James. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Vern Gagne Report post Posted April 9, 2003 James is compared to Magic Johson, and Carmelo Anthony to Antoine Walker? Why is James compared to one of the all time greats, but Anthony to a good player, but certaintly not in the league of Magic. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Redhawk Report post Posted April 9, 2003 If anyone is going to be a bust, it'll probably by Darko Milicic. Someone I heard on the radio was actually comparing this draft to the 1984 draft. LeBron would get picked No. 1 like Hakeem Olajuwon and will be a great, potential Hall of Fame player. Darko would be the Sam Bowie of 2003, and Carmelo could be the Michael Jordan. But if you notice, no one criticizes the Rockets for taking Hakeem over Jordan. Although, persoannly, I still see where the Blazers were coming from since they already had Clyde Drexler at shooting guard. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Polish_Rifle Report post Posted April 9, 2003 Darko is going to be huge. The man is like 7"1 and he is only 17! He shoots like Dirk and will be the savior for the Clippers. European is the way to go. Those players have better fundamentals, they understand that the game is more than making Sportscenter highlights and they can shoot. Take Darko for instance, he's been playing in pro leagues since he was 14! Clips can't go wrong with this guy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted April 9, 2003 I'm guessing it will be #1-James #2-Anthony #3-Darko I expect NBA to rig it so that Those three go to teams that are on the brink of success or in need of a draw.. NBA can't allow Cleveland to be #1...Too much constroversy...So Expect a City that would imbrace James...Atlanta. Both are greats fits. #2 will be Seattle and they will get their new Payton in Carmello. #3 will be Cleveland who will get another "coulda been good but wasn't anything" in Darko. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest mw679 Report post Posted April 9, 2003 After watching Anthony trough the NCAA tourny I think he has the chance to become better than Walker. I'm a huge Celtics fan and Walker is way too selfish. Carmello seems more team oriented and has shown some great skills, give him some time and you got a superstar. Even with that, I wouldn't pass up on LeBron,either...He goes #1. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted April 9, 2003 Your right...It makes me feel sad that I feel that a BETTER player should be "held" down but NBA needs stars...James will give the NBA a kick in the ass...Something KOBE hasn't... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Vern Gagne Report post Posted April 9, 2003 Barring a disaster James will go number 1. He'll immediatley sell tickets. Something Cleveland, Atlanta, and Denver need. Although it might not matter for Atlanta. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted April 9, 2003 James is the type of person that would be embraced by the Black Hip-Hop community of Atlanta...So he could REALLY help Atlanta... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Polish_Rifle Report post Posted April 9, 2003 I just hope James doesn't let all the hype go to his head like Kobe. He should pay attention to the route that KG has taken. With that said, I think he'll be a better fit in Denver than in Cleveland or Atlanta. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Crazy Dan Report post Posted April 9, 2003 I think that Anothony will be able to contribute right away. While I see James having a bigger learning curve, but James will be the real deal. I think the teams that draft these two, will be very happy. In the case of James, he has dominated boys, in the NBA, he is going to face men. And so, it might take a season or two for James to make the necessary adjustments. But, I think James will be an excellant player due to the fact that he loves getting his teammates the ball. He is an excellant passer, and that unselfishness will make him a very complete player. Anthony has benefited from a year of college, and more than likely will enter the draft, but there was a little speculation that him entering the draft is not a 100% sure thing. I would love it if stayed one more year at the Cuse, and develope even more. But regaredless of if he stays or not, I believe Anthony will a great player who will make the all star game year and year out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest NoCalMike Report post Posted April 9, 2003 LeBron James has the potential to be the better of the two in 2-3 NBA years. Carmelo would be better as a rookie in the NBA. Carmelo is basically doing what Lebron has been doing in highschool, to a bunch of college players, where the level of competition is a hell of light higher. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest HHH123007 Report post Posted April 9, 2003 Who would I pick? It depends on what team I am.... If I'm a team that needs tickets/merch sold, I pick James. If I'm a team that is already pretty good but seems to be lacking something, I pick Anthony. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Vern Gagne Report post Posted April 9, 2003 Who would I pick? It depends on what team I am.... If I'm a team that needs tickets/merch sold, I pick James. If I'm a team that is already pretty good but seems to be lacking something, I pick Anthony. I'd say if the draft doesn't have any suprises, and a team like Denver gets the #1. pick they'll take James. However if someone like Washington gets the first pick they might take Anthony. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Human Fly Report post Posted April 9, 2003 The only reason that this is a topic of conversation is because for over a year people have been slobbering over LeBron James and now people are trying to be cutting edge with their love for Carmello. James would do for the Hawks what Michael Vick has done for the Falcons. If they do get LeBron though they are going to have to rebuild their team. Adding James and a returning (from injury) Dermarr Johnson to a team with Rahim, Robinson, and Terry will not work. They were complaining about there not being enough shots this year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Spicy McHaggis Report post Posted April 9, 2003 I just hope James doesn't let all the hype go to his head like Kobe. WTF are you talking about? As for Anthony vs. James... I'd take niether, Carmelo if I had to. LeBron's biggest asset, his size, won't exist in the NBA. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MarvinisaLunatic Report post Posted April 10, 2003 Anthony won't put asses in seats, which is what Cleveland, Denver, Atlanta, etc.. need. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Spicy McHaggis Report post Posted April 10, 2003 Winning puts asses in seats. More than anything it's winning. LeBron may increase attendance short-term, but he will end up average at best. His team will stay mediocre... attendance will decrease. Nobody will continually pay exorbitant ticket prices to watch an 18 year-old lose. James is no Garnett, definitely no Bryant. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest phoenixrising Report post Posted April 10, 2003 Based on his performance in the tournament and against better competition than James, I'd personally take Anthony with the #1 pick. However I think that James will ultimately be the #1 pick. He's already very popular and would be a big boost in attendance. And he has the potential to be much better than Anthony in the future. He'd have to have a fast learning curve though, cause he'd be thrown right into the starting lineup and expected to contribute right away. As for the lottery, it wouldn't surprise me if New York or Chicago drew the #1 pick so LeBron could go to a big market team rather than small market like the Cavaliers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest starvenger Report post Posted April 10, 2003 As for the lottery, it wouldn't surprise me if New York or Chicago drew the #1 pick so LeBron could go to a big market team rather than small market like the Cavaliers. Ah yes, let the Patrick Ewing-esque conspiracy theories begin... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HurriShane 0 Report post Posted April 10, 2003 NBA will rig the thing to have Cleveland or Maybe Atlanta win James...I bet Carmello ends up on one of those good but not there yet teams like Seattle. He wouldn't really fit in on the Sonics because they've got Rashard Lewis at the 3 and Ray Allen at the 2, and those two players look to be the future for the Sonics. I'd say Carmello would be a great fit for the Knicks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Mindless_Aggression Report post Posted April 10, 2003 I'd go with Carmelo for now, although in the long term, James may be more vital. He could either be a huge bust or a triple double machine, there is no in between with him. Carmelo, I think you get guaranteed production for years to come. Now watch them just draft some guy from Turkey at 1. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
