"The Voice of the Clippers," Ralph Lawler, checks in with Clippers.com to give his take on how he thinks the 2003 NBA Draft will shape up. However, in the madness that is the NBA Draft, just about anything can happen between now and June 26th....
June 9th - The draft remains fluid right up until June 26. Work-outs will send players up or
down the list between now and draft day. Trade talks will intensify and rumors
will fly. If the draft were held today and no trades were made, it could go like this:
| #1 Cleveland |
LeBron James - St. Vincent-St. Mary H.S. |
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Ralph's Take:
Duh! No player has ever been so highly touted coming into the league. In this case, the teenage schoolboy from Ohio has the game to match the hype. For the first time ever, go ahead and circle Cav’s games on your NBA Calendar.
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| #2 Detroit |
Darko Milicic - Yugoslavia |
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Ralph's Take:
He’s a 7-1 Euro star with an uncharacteristic low post game and a bit of a mean streak. He can also step out and make jump shots. Turns 18 just before the draft. He has Super-star potential.
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| #3 Denver |
Carmelo Anthony - Syracuse |
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Ralph's Take:
If he were to wait a year
he would be Number 1 over-all in the 2004 draft. But he’s ready
now and his NCAA Title as a freshman at Syracuse made his decision
to turn pro an easy one.
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| #4 Toronto |
Chris Bosh - Georgia Tech |
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Ralph's Take:
He’s a 6-10, 219-pounder. Athletic.
A very smooth offensive player with 3-point range. Could be a year
or two away from being able to make an impact.
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| #5 Miami |
T.J. Ford - Texas |
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Ralph's Take:
Best point guard instincts of any player entering the league since Jason Kidd turned pro in 1994. Wooden and Naismith Award winner. Could be the fastest player in the game. Meausred at 5-11 in Chicago.
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| #6 CLIPPERS |
Pavel Podkolzin - Russia. |
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Ralph's Take:
Wowed ‘em in Chicago work-out and he’s
shooting up the draft charts. Don’t be shocked if Toronto or Miami cut
in line and take this 7-4, 300 pound, 18 year old before the Clippers get
their shot at him. That would make Bosh or Ford available here.
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| #7 Chicago |
Dwayne Wade - Marquette |
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Ralph's Take:
Talented combo-guard seems to be
just what the Bulls want. Not a great shooter but he’ll find a way to
score.
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| #8 Milwaukee |
Chris Kaman - Central Michigan |
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Ralph's Take:
Not impressive in early work-outs.
He’s tumbled out of the Top 5 and could fall even further. Still, he’s a
7-footer with a big body and the Bucks could use one of those.
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| #9 New York |
Maciej Lampe - Poland |
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Ralph's Take:
Another Dirk Nowitzki-type: a 7-footer who
can run the floor and shoot the lights out. He’s only 18 and probably
a bit of a project.
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| #10 Washington |
Jarvis Hayes - Georgia |
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Ralph's Take:
Everybody loves a shooter and this guy can
shoot. He really needs to get better off the dribble. Has an NBA body.
6-7 and 220.
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| #11 Golden State |
Kirk Hinrich |
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Ralph's Take:
Has had impressive work-outs and his stock
is rising. He’s a sweet-shooting point guard and would be a valuable
insurance policy for the Warriors should Gilbert Arenas bolt via free
agency.
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| #12 Seattle |
Leandrinho Barbosa - Brazil |
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Ralph's Take:
The Sonics have a need at the point and
this 6-4 play-maker would fill the bill. He’s had killer work-outs and
could move up and out of Seattle’s reach. A Caveat: He does not speak
much English.
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| #13 Memphis |
Mickael Pietrus - France |
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Ralph's Take:
This is a pick the Grizzlies picked up from
Houston. It hardly replaces the one they gave up to Detroit, but the
athletic Pietrus has a big up-side for a player chosen so late.
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OTHERS TO WATCH:: Michael Sweeny, Nick Collison, Sfoklis Schortsianitis, Luke Ridnour, David West,
Reece Gaines
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