2003 NBA Draft: Top 15 shooting guards
By Chad Ford
NBA Insider
Updated June 12 Quick. Name the last great shooting guard to come out of the NBA Draft.
Don't pause to flip through your draft guide.
Just give me his name.
Is it Jason Richardson (2001)? Desmond Mason (2000)? Richard Hamilton (1999)? Ron Artest (1999)?
Good? Sure. Great? C'mon.
Rewind back to 1998 and we can start talking. Vince Carter went fifth that year though his greatness may forever be limited to Nike and Gatorade commercials. Paul Pierce is the truth, but nine teams didn't believe that on draft night.
Rewind back one more year and you'll find Tracy McGrady on the board at No. 9. Two more years to 1996 and I can give you Allen Iverson (1st overall), Ray Allen (5th ) and Kobe Bryant (13th).
Go back any further and Alzheimer's sets in.
Since 1980, only one two guard, Iverson (and most teams felt he was a point), has been drafted first overall. You have to go back to 1979, when Magic Johnson went No. 1 overall, to find a guard with as much hype going No. 1.
I give this illustration only to point out an obvious disconnect from the lores of scouting wisdom and reality. To quote more than one NBA scout, good shooting guards are a dime a dozen.
Unlike the rare centers and point guards who only appear in leap years when there's a full moon, shooting guards are everywhere. They grow on trees. Take a shot on the big kid who can't tie his shoes. Grab your two guard of the future off any NBDL roster.
Unfortunately, it hasn't happened that way. It's part of the reason that LeBron James is such a big deal. OK, maybe he's not really a shooting guard. Maybe he's a point guard. Or a point forward. Maybe he can spend 10 minutes at power forward. In a year he could be playing center.
The point is that he can play in the backcourt. He can shoot, handle, drive to the basket, post up smaller defenders and run like the wind. Amen.
He's not alone. A kid from France may be the best athlete in the draft, period. Another undersized kid from Marquette is trying to be the next Gilbert Arenas. And then there's the kid from BYU who looks like Eminem with a jump shot.
Break out your Nikes and Gatorade. It's showtime.
Here's a look at the Top 15 shooting guards in the 2003 NBA Draft.
Also see: Top 10 C | Top 15 PF | Top 15 SF | Top 15 PG | Top 15 International
Note: The list includes all players who have declared 2003 draft. An asterisk (*) by a player's name indicates he is either a college underclassman who has not hired an agent or an under 22 international player who can withdraw his name before the June 19th deadline.
1. LeBron James, Akron, Ohio
The line: 6-8, 240, High School Senior
The skinny: For all 12 of you left on the planet who don't already own a LeBron jersey, here it goes. . . Put him anywhere on the floor, give him the ball and get out of the way. When you can say that about any prospect, let alone an 18-year-old fresh off his high school prom, he goes No. 1. End of story.
2. Mickael Pietrus, Pau Ortiz (France)*
The line: 6-6, 215, 21 years old
The skinny: Pietrus has been working on his jumper since we saw him in December. Some teams felt that was his only weakness. Actually, his ability to shoot the 3 consistently is really one of his strengths. He's got a great stroke. Pietrus has a very American game. He loves to take it to the basket and use his athleticism and leaping ability to fly past his opponents. He's also a superb defender. He's aggressive on both ends of the court. He's very strong for his size. Think a mixture of Desmond Mason and Ray Allen. The Bulls have already been making numerous inquiries. He could go as high as No.7 (higher if the Grizzlies trade up). I doubt he slips past the Grizzlies at No. 13.
3. Dwyane Wade, Marquette
The line: 6-5, 212, Junior
The skinny: Wade's game evokes comparisons to Desmond Mason, Fred Jones and even Jerry Stackhouse from scouts. It's not hard to see why when you look at his combination of a strong frame, leaping ability and defensive presence. He's one of the most complete athletes in college hoops. So what's the issue? He's picked up the dreaded "combo guard" label. It's pretty unfair. With a 6-foot-11 wingspan he's long and explosive enough to play the two. Some teams would like to turn him into an Arenas' like point guard, but in the end, based on his strong workouts, it looks like Wade will make it either way.
4. Aleksandar Pavlovic, Buducnost (Yugoslavia)*
The line: 6-9, 215, 20 years old
The skinny: Pavlovic is the hottest riser in the draft right now. He's wowed teams with at several workouts since he arrived in the U.S. last week. A Nets scout called him "the best shooter in the draft" after a workout on Monday and Boston GM Danny Ainge reportedly fell in love. Pavlovic is a big time athlete with great hops and speed getting to the basket. The more people see him, the higher he seems to rise. He could go anywhere from No. 13 to Memphis down to No. 19 to the Jazz.
5. Jarvis Hayes, Georgia*
The line: 6-7, 220, Junior
The skinny: Teams like his body, strength and athleticism for the position and think his shooting has really improved. However, in a draft where being labeled "multi-dimensional" will make you multi-millions, Hayes has the rep of being a one-note player. It's not entirely fair. Hayes is a decent rebounder and defender. But his inability to put the ball on the floor or create his own shot will be a problem. He averaged just 3.3 free throw attempts per game. Think Allan Houston without a first step. Should go somewhere between Boston at No. 16 and Atlanta at No. 21.
6. Carlos Delfino, Argentina*
The line: 6-7, 215, 21 years old
The skinny: Several teams like Delfino, but a serious ankle injury a month ago really hurt his stock. Delfino's team keeps winning in Italy which means he won't have the chance to come over and workout. Teams love his toughness, shooting ability and how he can get to the basket. Can he slip into the first round? A team late in the first round might take a chance. He could go anywhere from No. 25 to Detroit down to No. 27 to Memphis.
7. Travis Hansen, BYU
The line: 6-6, 210, Senior
The skinny: No one helped himself more at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament than Hansen. Hansen turned out to be a much better athlete than original scouting reports indicated. He also turned out to be a much better perimeter shooter, averaging 15.7 ppg on 57 percent shooting. He shot 63 percent from behind the arc during the tournament. Hansen didn't play as well in Chicago but he did ace the physical combine recording a record on a cone drill that measures lateral quickness and scoring a 38 inch vertical jump. Teams were also impressed with his toughness. Several scouts claimed he reminded them of a more-athletic Jeff Hornacek. Another went even further, comparing him to Danny Ainge. Hansen's maturity seems to be the other deciding factor. At 25, he'll be able to step in and play right away. Look for him to go as high as Boston at No. 20 or down to the early-second-round.
8. Josh Howard, Wake Forest
The line: 6-7, 205, Senior
The skinny: While Howard doesn't do anything extraordinary, he seems to do everything well. Scouts love his maturity and patience on the court. He has a solid mid-range jumper, is great on the offensive glass, has solid handles and always seems to play in control. He's an above-average defender. He doesn't have deep range on his jumper, but his 3-ball is improving. He's a good athlete, but not an explosive one. Doesn't really play above the rim. At the start of the year, scouts had him penciled in as a borderline second-round pick. Now, several teams say they wouldn't be surprised if he slips into the late first round. His 7-foot-2 wingspan won't hurt things. While Howard doesn't project to be a star in the league, he has the potential to be a solid rotation player. You know what you're getting with him. His stock starts at No. 18 with the Hornets, but more likely he's a late-first- rounder, early-second-rounder.
9. Dahntay Jones, Duke
The line: 6-6, 210, Senior
The skinny: Another super athlete who could've helped himself with a strong performance in Chicago. He didn't shoot the ball very well, however, and seems to be stuck on the bubble. Jones averaged nearly 25 ppg in the tournament this year and proved to scouts that his outside shooting is coming around. He's got the size, athleticism and strength teams want in a two guard. He's a good defender and proved that, with good coaching, he can improve his game. Right now he's an early to mid-second-round pick.
10. Alexander Vujacic, Slovenia*
The line: 6-6, 210, 19 years old
The skinny: Vujacic is a big time prospect who's stock is beginning to rise dramatically after his strong showing in Chicago. He is an athletic combo guard who can play the point or the two. He's great at getting the ball to the basket. He's very smart and sees the floor well. His defense needs work, his perimeter shot could be more consistent and he needs to get stronger, but he could be a sleeper to watch. He's got an outside shot at the late-first-round, but more likely he's a second rounder.
11. Ronald Dupree, LSU
The line: 6-5, 200, Senior
The skinny: Dupree's is another guy who really helped himself in Portsmouth. However, his Chicago performance left everyone scratching their head. He was basically invisible. Scouts love his explosiveness around the basket but he's going to have to start nailing jumpers for scouts to begin considering him in the first round. Right now he's a mid-to-late-second-round pick.
12. Carl English, Hawaii*
The line: 6-5, 20`, Junior
The skinny: A big-time scorer and shooter, English helped himself with a strong Chicago performance. English has strong ball-handling skills and is a decent passer. He tried to prove to scouts that he can make the transition from shooting guard to point guard in the pros. Not sure it worked, but someone will take a chance on him in the second round..
13. Keith Bogans, Kentucky
The line: 6-6, 213, Senior
The skinny: Bogans shot the ball well in the camp averaging 13.3 ppg on 51.7 perecent shooting from the field and 41.7 percent shooting from the three point line. His strong performance for Kentucky this season will get him a second look from scouts.
14. Marquis Daniels, Auburn
The line: 6-7, 200, Senior
The skinny: Daniels was another sleeper who could've helped himself with a big performance in Chicago. He's tough, athletic and really knows how to take the ball to the basket. Daniels isn't a great three point shooter, but he has a decent mid range game. He's got a very good handle and has the ability to play point guard in a pinch. He's also an excellent rebounder. His performance was up and down in the tournament, neither helping nor hurting his stock. Right now he's a late second rounder.
15. Bernard King, Texas A&M
The line: 6-5, 200, Senior
The skinny: King is another guy who missed out on a golden opportunity to help himself in Chicago. He's a good passer and an above-average ball handler. His 5.6 apg last season has caught the eye of scouts. He's fundamentally very solid. The issues are with his athleticism and ability to play in control. Shot selection has been an issue with King in the past, though last season he seemed to get things under control. Not sure if he'll get drafted at this point.
Others to watch: Matt Carroll, Notre Dame; Andre Emmett, Texas Tech; Willie Green, Detroit; ; Quinton Ross, SMU; Ronald Blackshear, Marshall.
By Chad Ford
NBA Insider
Updated June 12 Quick. Name the last great shooting guard to come out of the NBA Draft.
Don't pause to flip through your draft guide.
Just give me his name.
Is it Jason Richardson (2001)? Desmond Mason (2000)? Richard Hamilton (1999)? Ron Artest (1999)?
Good? Sure. Great? C'mon.
Rewind back to 1998 and we can start talking. Vince Carter went fifth that year though his greatness may forever be limited to Nike and Gatorade commercials. Paul Pierce is the truth, but nine teams didn't believe that on draft night.
Rewind back one more year and you'll find Tracy McGrady on the board at No. 9. Two more years to 1996 and I can give you Allen Iverson (1st overall), Ray Allen (5th ) and Kobe Bryant (13th).
Go back any further and Alzheimer's sets in.
Since 1980, only one two guard, Iverson (and most teams felt he was a point), has been drafted first overall. You have to go back to 1979, when Magic Johnson went No. 1 overall, to find a guard with as much hype going No. 1.
I give this illustration only to point out an obvious disconnect from the lores of scouting wisdom and reality. To quote more than one NBA scout, good shooting guards are a dime a dozen.
Unlike the rare centers and point guards who only appear in leap years when there's a full moon, shooting guards are everywhere. They grow on trees. Take a shot on the big kid who can't tie his shoes. Grab your two guard of the future off any NBDL roster.
Unfortunately, it hasn't happened that way. It's part of the reason that LeBron James is such a big deal. OK, maybe he's not really a shooting guard. Maybe he's a point guard. Or a point forward. Maybe he can spend 10 minutes at power forward. In a year he could be playing center.
The point is that he can play in the backcourt. He can shoot, handle, drive to the basket, post up smaller defenders and run like the wind. Amen.
He's not alone. A kid from France may be the best athlete in the draft, period. Another undersized kid from Marquette is trying to be the next Gilbert Arenas. And then there's the kid from BYU who looks like Eminem with a jump shot.
Break out your Nikes and Gatorade. It's showtime.
Here's a look at the Top 15 shooting guards in the 2003 NBA Draft.
Also see: Top 10 C | Top 15 PF | Top 15 SF | Top 15 PG | Top 15 International
Note: The list includes all players who have declared 2003 draft. An asterisk (*) by a player's name indicates he is either a college underclassman who has not hired an agent or an under 22 international player who can withdraw his name before the June 19th deadline.
1. LeBron James, Akron, Ohio
The line: 6-8, 240, High School Senior
The skinny: For all 12 of you left on the planet who don't already own a LeBron jersey, here it goes. . . Put him anywhere on the floor, give him the ball and get out of the way. When you can say that about any prospect, let alone an 18-year-old fresh off his high school prom, he goes No. 1. End of story.
2. Mickael Pietrus, Pau Ortiz (France)*
The line: 6-6, 215, 21 years old
The skinny: Pietrus has been working on his jumper since we saw him in December. Some teams felt that was his only weakness. Actually, his ability to shoot the 3 consistently is really one of his strengths. He's got a great stroke. Pietrus has a very American game. He loves to take it to the basket and use his athleticism and leaping ability to fly past his opponents. He's also a superb defender. He's aggressive on both ends of the court. He's very strong for his size. Think a mixture of Desmond Mason and Ray Allen. The Bulls have already been making numerous inquiries. He could go as high as No.7 (higher if the Grizzlies trade up). I doubt he slips past the Grizzlies at No. 13.
3. Dwyane Wade, Marquette
The line: 6-5, 212, Junior
The skinny: Wade's game evokes comparisons to Desmond Mason, Fred Jones and even Jerry Stackhouse from scouts. It's not hard to see why when you look at his combination of a strong frame, leaping ability and defensive presence. He's one of the most complete athletes in college hoops. So what's the issue? He's picked up the dreaded "combo guard" label. It's pretty unfair. With a 6-foot-11 wingspan he's long and explosive enough to play the two. Some teams would like to turn him into an Arenas' like point guard, but in the end, based on his strong workouts, it looks like Wade will make it either way.
4. Aleksandar Pavlovic, Buducnost (Yugoslavia)*
The line: 6-9, 215, 20 years old
The skinny: Pavlovic is the hottest riser in the draft right now. He's wowed teams with at several workouts since he arrived in the U.S. last week. A Nets scout called him "the best shooter in the draft" after a workout on Monday and Boston GM Danny Ainge reportedly fell in love. Pavlovic is a big time athlete with great hops and speed getting to the basket. The more people see him, the higher he seems to rise. He could go anywhere from No. 13 to Memphis down to No. 19 to the Jazz.
5. Jarvis Hayes, Georgia*
The line: 6-7, 220, Junior
The skinny: Teams like his body, strength and athleticism for the position and think his shooting has really improved. However, in a draft where being labeled "multi-dimensional" will make you multi-millions, Hayes has the rep of being a one-note player. It's not entirely fair. Hayes is a decent rebounder and defender. But his inability to put the ball on the floor or create his own shot will be a problem. He averaged just 3.3 free throw attempts per game. Think Allan Houston without a first step. Should go somewhere between Boston at No. 16 and Atlanta at No. 21.
6. Carlos Delfino, Argentina*
The line: 6-7, 215, 21 years old
The skinny: Several teams like Delfino, but a serious ankle injury a month ago really hurt his stock. Delfino's team keeps winning in Italy which means he won't have the chance to come over and workout. Teams love his toughness, shooting ability and how he can get to the basket. Can he slip into the first round? A team late in the first round might take a chance. He could go anywhere from No. 25 to Detroit down to No. 27 to Memphis.
7. Travis Hansen, BYU
The line: 6-6, 210, Senior
The skinny: No one helped himself more at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament than Hansen. Hansen turned out to be a much better athlete than original scouting reports indicated. He also turned out to be a much better perimeter shooter, averaging 15.7 ppg on 57 percent shooting. He shot 63 percent from behind the arc during the tournament. Hansen didn't play as well in Chicago but he did ace the physical combine recording a record on a cone drill that measures lateral quickness and scoring a 38 inch vertical jump. Teams were also impressed with his toughness. Several scouts claimed he reminded them of a more-athletic Jeff Hornacek. Another went even further, comparing him to Danny Ainge. Hansen's maturity seems to be the other deciding factor. At 25, he'll be able to step in and play right away. Look for him to go as high as Boston at No. 20 or down to the early-second-round.
8. Josh Howard, Wake Forest
The line: 6-7, 205, Senior
The skinny: While Howard doesn't do anything extraordinary, he seems to do everything well. Scouts love his maturity and patience on the court. He has a solid mid-range jumper, is great on the offensive glass, has solid handles and always seems to play in control. He's an above-average defender. He doesn't have deep range on his jumper, but his 3-ball is improving. He's a good athlete, but not an explosive one. Doesn't really play above the rim. At the start of the year, scouts had him penciled in as a borderline second-round pick. Now, several teams say they wouldn't be surprised if he slips into the late first round. His 7-foot-2 wingspan won't hurt things. While Howard doesn't project to be a star in the league, he has the potential to be a solid rotation player. You know what you're getting with him. His stock starts at No. 18 with the Hornets, but more likely he's a late-first- rounder, early-second-rounder.
9. Dahntay Jones, Duke
The line: 6-6, 210, Senior
The skinny: Another super athlete who could've helped himself with a strong performance in Chicago. He didn't shoot the ball very well, however, and seems to be stuck on the bubble. Jones averaged nearly 25 ppg in the tournament this year and proved to scouts that his outside shooting is coming around. He's got the size, athleticism and strength teams want in a two guard. He's a good defender and proved that, with good coaching, he can improve his game. Right now he's an early to mid-second-round pick.
10. Alexander Vujacic, Slovenia*
The line: 6-6, 210, 19 years old
The skinny: Vujacic is a big time prospect who's stock is beginning to rise dramatically after his strong showing in Chicago. He is an athletic combo guard who can play the point or the two. He's great at getting the ball to the basket. He's very smart and sees the floor well. His defense needs work, his perimeter shot could be more consistent and he needs to get stronger, but he could be a sleeper to watch. He's got an outside shot at the late-first-round, but more likely he's a second rounder.
11. Ronald Dupree, LSU
The line: 6-5, 200, Senior
The skinny: Dupree's is another guy who really helped himself in Portsmouth. However, his Chicago performance left everyone scratching their head. He was basically invisible. Scouts love his explosiveness around the basket but he's going to have to start nailing jumpers for scouts to begin considering him in the first round. Right now he's a mid-to-late-second-round pick.
12. Carl English, Hawaii*
The line: 6-5, 20`, Junior
The skinny: A big-time scorer and shooter, English helped himself with a strong Chicago performance. English has strong ball-handling skills and is a decent passer. He tried to prove to scouts that he can make the transition from shooting guard to point guard in the pros. Not sure it worked, but someone will take a chance on him in the second round..
13. Keith Bogans, Kentucky
The line: 6-6, 213, Senior
The skinny: Bogans shot the ball well in the camp averaging 13.3 ppg on 51.7 perecent shooting from the field and 41.7 percent shooting from the three point line. His strong performance for Kentucky this season will get him a second look from scouts.
14. Marquis Daniels, Auburn
The line: 6-7, 200, Senior
The skinny: Daniels was another sleeper who could've helped himself with a big performance in Chicago. He's tough, athletic and really knows how to take the ball to the basket. Daniels isn't a great three point shooter, but he has a decent mid range game. He's got a very good handle and has the ability to play point guard in a pinch. He's also an excellent rebounder. His performance was up and down in the tournament, neither helping nor hurting his stock. Right now he's a late second rounder.
15. Bernard King, Texas A&M
The line: 6-5, 200, Senior
The skinny: King is another guy who missed out on a golden opportunity to help himself in Chicago. He's a good passer and an above-average ball handler. His 5.6 apg last season has caught the eye of scouts. He's fundamentally very solid. The issues are with his athleticism and ability to play in control. Shot selection has been an issue with King in the past, though last season he seemed to get things under control. Not sure if he'll get drafted at this point.
Others to watch: Matt Carroll, Notre Dame; Andre Emmett, Texas Tech; Willie Green, Detroit; ; Quinton Ross, SMU; Ronald Blackshear, Marshall.
