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Share on FacebookWhat people have to say about NBA Rookie of the Year LeBron James, the first pick in the 2003 NBA Draft:
Dallas Mavericks Guard Steve Nash
LeBron James. Speed, explosiveness and agility – he has the whole package.
 In 2003-04, James led Cleveland with 20.9 points per game. David Liam Kyle NBAE/Getty Images |
He's a spectacular rookie and I've never seen anything like that from a high school kid. He's a great kid.
New York Knicks Guard Stephon Marbury
He's the best rookie ever. I can't describe it any more than that – he's that good.
Toronto Raptors Guard/Forward Vince Carter
He can play. He's been blessed with an unbelievable talent, and he's getting an opportunity to use it. If he goes to a team where he's not able to be who he is, we probably wouldn't be here worrying about LeBron James.
Let's look at facts. Some of these other rookies are on teams where they don't need them to score like that. LeBron needs to score or the Cleveland Cavaliers don't win. Let's not forget about that.
New Jersey Nets Guard Jason Kidd
He has all the gifts, the maturity and all the other special talents. The only way I can compare him is to Tiger (Woods) coming out and being very heady, very understanding of the game, and he enjoys the spotlight in the sense that everybody's looking to see what he's going to do next.
Los Angeles Lakers Centre Shaquille O'Neal
I like him because he's one of the first young superstars that comes in and plays the all-around game. Most of the young guys that come in want to do all of that dribbling stuff . . . But this guy comes down and if it's two-on-one, he'll give it up. He plays good solid basketball. He has a lot of poise for a (19-year-old) and I wish him well.
San Antonio Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich
He is already one of the best players in the league. You're impressed with his skills and his body. I think he plays with a demeanour and a sense of the game that's way, way beyond his years.
Detroit Pistons Coach Larry Brown
He plays the right way. He cares about the right things. He understands it's a team game.
The thing that separates him from so many players is he truly respects the game. I haven't read anything about him wanting to lead the league in scoring or making the All-Star team. It's all been about making his teammates better, helping Cleveland get back to winning basketball and getting to the playoffs.
New Jersey Nets GM Rod Thorn
There was a huge aura around Michael his rookie year. But I've never seen anything like it's been for LeBron, and you know what? Just like Michael, he's getting better and better from the first game he played.
 Anthony was Denver's top scorer this season with 21 points per game. Garrett W. Ellwood NBAE/Getty Images |
Indiana Pacers Forward Ron Artest
I like playing against him. He's tough. He's one of the toughest guys I've had to guard in a real long time. He's up there with the best. I don't think a lot of people are going to be able to stop him.
Houston Rockets Coach Jeff Van Gundy
Star. He gets to the offensive boards. He makes open shots. He drives hard, cuts hard, posts well and rebounds it.
Denver Nuggets GM Kiki Vandeweghe
I think he's played very well. He's basically a throwback player who hearkens back to the days of Bernard King, Adrian Dantley and Larry Bird. At one point in the NBA, there were five or six really good small forwards who could get you 25 points a night along with seven or eight rebounds. These guys were consistent and not that flashy. Melo's like that. He's a player who's mature beyond his years and comes to play every night.
What I really like about him is whether his shot is falling or not, he still plays extremely hard.
Denver Nuggets Guard Jon Barry
He's got a certain swagger to him that looks like he belongs. He's got an NBA game.
Orlando Magic Guard Tracy McGrady
He is to me, a better basketball player than LeBron. LeBron is a better athlete. I'm not taking anything away from LeBron but Carmelo can score in more ways than LeBron.
What two NBA Greats have to say about the two rookies:
Former Lakers Star James Worthy
Both of those guys . . . have brought so much to the table, not quite like Larry and Magic, but we haven't seen that type of excitement since those two came into the league.
Former Lakers Star Magic Johnson
Both young men have brought a great freshness, a great smile back to the game.
