2003 Draft

A lot has been written about who would be chosen from the 2003 draft if it were reheld today.

I, for one, would still draft Lebron James over, Wade, Bosh and (ahem) Darko. Leaving Darko out of the mix, because it is clear that drafting him at #2 was a mistake, let's examine the other players.

My prior posts have paid homage to the fact that I think Wade may be the best player in the league and I still believe there is truth to that belief. However, his reckless play on a 6'4" body leads me to believe that his career will not be that long. It will be great while he plays at such a high level, but I suspect that within 3 years, he will be the Grant Hill of the NBA.

I have a bias to Chris Bosh who should play at a high level for many years and will likely lead the Raptors to the playoffs (and maybe further) for a long time. But Bosh isn't yet the go to guy that someone like Lebron james is - someone who can score regardless who is on him and can beat you in many ways. Bosh will rely on supporting parts and will be great at it as well as being the ultimate team player and leader. I would have taken him 2nd in this new draft.

Lebron is still the man and while he has been disappointing in many ways, he will play for a long time and will lead the Cavs to success. he cannot be defended when he goes to the basket and creates all kinds of mismatches on the court. Too strong for most, he is too fast for those who are nearly as strong. he still has a long way to go before he is the force that we all felt he would be, but heck, he is only 22. I don't see injuries curtailing his career.

So, in the end, I take Lebron again.

Mark Cuban v. Dwayne Wade

You have to love Mark Cuban. What other NBA owner (or any other pro team owner, for that matter) would come to the defence of his star player Dirk Nowitzki. For those who missed it, Dwayne Wade accused Dirk of being the reason the Mavs lost to the Heat in last year's NBA final due to his inability to come through in the clutch. Cuban responded on his web pages by questioning Wades leadership ability and defended Dirk's leadership skills. Both guys were wrong, but what the hell - it made for great press.

Nowitski didn't have the best series but Wade was terrific and in a short series, he has shown an ability to be the kind of player who can carry a team on his back. The fact tha6 he had help didn't hurt and some questionable officiating also led to the manner in which the final result was obtained. Cuban alluded, indirectly, to these "uncommon elements". Wade should have kept his mouth shut. He is a great player, one whom I called the best in the NBA last year, and he generally exudes "class" both on and off the court. My take is that he is not very "media savy" and may have let bis thoughts get away from him. An apology might have been the best thing to do IF it was done immediately, but now it's a tad late.

Cuban was right to defend Dirk, but to take personal shots at Wade, one of the top drawing cards in the NBA was trivial and consistent with the playground attitude that Cuban has shown during his tenure as owner. It's ok to say that Dirk is a great leader, shown by the fact he carried that team to the NBA finals, but to start questioning Wades ability to lead doesn't quite cut it, particularly when Wade sports a championship ring these days. But I love the controversy. Even the Fan590 in Toronto spoke of it Monday morning and that morning show talks hockey, hockey, hockey, even in the middle of July with the Jays in the running, Wimbledon playing, and NFL teams at training camp.

So Cuban got what the NHL can't - exposure!

Raptors

It's been a while folks, but I'm back and loving this season with the Toronto Raptors.

A great draft, getting Andrea Bargnani, who will be a star within 2 years, and getting Anthony Parker, Jorge Garbajosa, TJ Ford and Rasho Nesterovic have placed the Raptors in the thick of the playoff race, currently leading their division and having endured a very tough first half of the schedule. The newcomers have produced, and Sam Mitchell has done a masterful job of blending a lot of personalities (and languages) into a cohesive unit that actually plays like a "team".

They do tend to make mistakes on the defensive end, and sometimes end up relying too much on the 3 point shot, but this is a team on the way up, and if they can find a slashing wing player (not convinced Joey Graham or Morris Peterson can do it) and a bruising rebounder and defensive presence underneath, the raptors can compete with anyone in the NBA. Bryan Colangelo has turned this thing around in less than one year and will rate consideration as executive of the year once again. Mitchell should also get consideration in the coaching category.

Chicago has been a disappointment for me and I think they will make a big trade (did you say Kevin Garnett?) in the offseason to get rid of their surplus and bring in the one gem they need to take off. I don't like the rumblings for Pau Gasol, particularly if the Bulls have to give up Gordon, Deng, and the Knick's 1st pick.

Stay tuned. We still have a ways to go,