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Brian Windhorst, ESPN Senior Author
There aren’t many issues in skilled sports activities that dwell as much as the hype. The 2003 NBA draft was certainly one of them.
Pleasure was constructing for over a 12 months — first amongst league executives after which amongst followers — in regards to the new blood on its method. And boy, did the league want it.
The NBA was in a recession. With Michael Jordan retired, for good this time, and a shortage of marketable younger stars, fan curiosity had waned. Outdoors of the Los Angeles Lakers and their stars, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal, the league did not have many nationwide attracts.
The 2003 NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and New Jersey Nets was the bottom rated in historical past, dropping greater than 50% of the viewers from simply 5 years earlier when Jordan gained his final title with the Bulls.
There was a perception, or a minimum of a hope, {that a} new era of stars may flip issues round, and the 2003 class had a number of promising candidates.
LeBron James was the primary highschool basketball participant whose stardom had already reached to nationwide degree due to a number of journal covers and video games broadcast on ESPN earlier than he’d even turned 18 years previous. Carmelo Anthony catapulted into the highlight by main Syracuse to the nationwide title as only a freshman. A tricky Chicago child named Dwyane Wade additionally made a reputation for himself in the identical NCAA match, main Marquette to an inconceivable Last 4 run and finishing one of many biggest performances in match historical past with a triple-double in opposition to Kentucky.
It wasn’t simply home gamers, both. With Dirk Nowitzki changing into a famous person and Yao Ming a famous person within the making, groups started jetting off the world over to attempt to discover the subsequent worldwide star, and a 17-year-old with bleach-blond hair named Darko Milicic turned an obsession for a lot of who did.
“Once you’ve been round lengthy sufficient you get to the place you realize it if you see a possible franchise participant,” Miami Heat president Pat Riley stated. “All of us knew there have been a number of particular gamers in that draft. You can really feel it. And all of us wished them.”
With a lot expertise available, draft positioning turned a significant storyline of the 2002-03 common season, with followers and media alike protecting an in depth eye on the underside of the league standings. With a lot curiosity, the often mundane draft lottery — wherein the league reveals the order of the groups with the primary 13 picks — turned a significant TV occasion. And on the evening of the draft itself, a number of groups made choices that charted a course for the league over the subsequent decade.
It is now been 20 years since these occasions, and the individuals concerned all have tales to inform. A few of the reminiscences are fond. Some are disastrous.
Editor’s observe: This story was initially printed on June 23, 2013 for the tenth anniversary of the 2003 draft.
Lottery day
Could 22, 2003, the day of the draft lottery, was a pivotal one in NBA historical past, however the motion started the evening earlier than.
Simply after midnight on that Thursday morning, James arrived at a resort in downtown Akron, Ohio, to signal paperwork that immediately made him one of many richest basketball gamers in historical past. He was 18 years previous and two weeks shy of graduating highschool.
After a monthslong recruitment, personal jets selecting him up after college, events and visits to company headquarters, James had selected a shoe firm. Officers from Reebok had been within the resort and anticipated to make a take care of the younger star. However regardless that Reebok supplied extra assured cash, James selected a suggestion from Nike on the final second.
It was for seven years and would ultimately earn him in extra of $100 million, however there was a $10 million bonus as quickly as James signed the provide sheet within the wee hours that morning. The verify arrived just a few days later through FedEx.
All earlier than James had performed an NBA recreation, been drafted and even knew which workforce was going to win the proper to take him with the No. 1 general decide that evening. Which was the purpose of doing it on lottery day.
LeBron James (ahead, St. Vincent-St. Mary’s, Ohio): I used to be in a position to enter the lottery with an open thoughts after I received the Nike deal executed. It was one thing that took some time to come back collectively nevertheless it was arrange so it did not matter the place I performed. That was vital to me.
Aaron Goodwin (James’ agent, 2003-05): The shoe firms had been involved about what market he was going to be in; they most well-liked to attend till after the lottery. I wished it to be about him, he was in most place in a bidding struggle. We took out the “what-ifs.” Getting that executed was the fruits of an intense few days.
Maverick Carter (James’ pal and enterprise associate): That was an enormous occasion. Reebok was providing extra money however LeBron picked Nike. We had been so centered on the issues we needed to do, like his first business or what his first shoe would appear like, than we had been in regards to the cash.
Goodwin: Just a few days earlier than that LeBron did a take care of Higher Deck and received a million-dollar verify so he was already rolling in dough.
Carter: 100 million is some huge cash nevertheless it wasn’t like he may go right into a room with it and swim in it like Scrooge McDuck. He simply could not wait to do the work.
Goodwin: The suite I used to be in on the resort had a big Jacuzzi and after all of the paperwork was executed I wished to chill out so I received in. I used to be so drained I fell asleep within the rattling tub.
The lottery was additionally on the evening of Sport 3 of the Jap Convention finals between the New Jersey Nets and the Detroit Pistons. The Pistons went to John Jay School in Manhattan, N.Y., a preferred spot for visiting NBA groups, for his or her morning shootaround.
Marc Cornstein (Darko Milicic’s agent): I keep in mind it so nicely. It was the day of the lottery and we used the fitness center at John Jay as our draft coaching fitness center. The Pistons had been there, too. It wasn’t arrange as a exercise for the Pistons. It was a daily day the place Darko was figuring out and our different guys who had been within the draft had been on the street so he was within the fitness center by himself. He was simply on the market with a coach. It was the identical time we did it daily. It had nothing to do with the Pistons. It was a pure coincidence.
Chad Ford (draft analyst, ESPN): Darko had simply arrived in New York just a few days earlier than that. There’s only a curtain that was separating the 2 gyms and I walked over to [Pistons president] Joe Dumars and requested if he knew who was figuring out subsequent door and he stated he did not. I informed him Darko was over there. He requested Cornstein if he may come over. It was an impromptu exercise.
Chris McCosky (Pistons beat author, Detroit Information): I do not suppose it was a coincidence. I keep in mind they had been speaking about it the day earlier than.
Cornstein: Quite a few guys filtered over to the opposite fitness center. Each shot, each transfer, he simply appeared phenomenal. Everybody from the Pistons was there. Joe Dumars, [coach] Rick [Carlisle]. High to backside, they had been all there.
Ford: Darko was simply phenomenal. It could not have been extra excellent in a sure method. In some unspecified time in the future the coaches received concerned and requested to see specific issues. And Darko could not miss and was aggressive and rose to the second with the gamers watching. I used to be sitting subsequent to [Dumars]. He isn’t expressive, he performs the whole lot near the vest. However Darko was simply so spectacular. It was actually the most effective exercise I’ve ever seen. I’ve seen a whole lot and it was the most effective. When you might have a 7-1 child, who’s 17 years previous, doing the issues he was doing, it was a “wow” second, particularly for a workforce that wanted an enormous man. There was only a buzz afterward.
Tony Ronzone (Pistons govt, 2001-10): Our guys had been like, “Oh my God, take a look at this man.” One dribble from the foul line, dunk. Lefty hook. Fast toes. He had nice lateral quickness for an enormous. He had spin strikes. It was unbelievable. He was a freak athlete at 17. He runs like a deer. He jumps. You had been saying “wow.” You can verify off the whole lot on the record.
Jon Barry (Pistons guard, 2001-03): I keep in mind Joe Dumars saying we’re working him out. I feel half a dozen of us went over to observe. Dumars, he was telling me this man goes to be the deal. Stated “he is higher than Dirk. He will be an absolute stud.” So I stated, I will go verify him out.
Cornstein: The Pistons walked away impressed however depressed. They thought when everybody else ultimately noticed him there could be no method they’d be capable of draft Darko.
For the primary time, the lottery was broadcast in prime time and was a standalone half-hour present. ABC had simply taken over the NBA rights from NBC, which had all the time proven the lottery throughout halftime of a weekend playoff recreation. With a lot consideration on this draft class, ABC prolonged the protection and broadcast it from what was then the NBA Leisure Studios in Secaucus, New Jersey, only a few miles away from the Meadowlands Area, the place Sport 3 of the Jap Convention finals would occur.
With 17-65 data, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Denver Nuggets had the most effective probabilities to win, at 22.5% every. However the workforce with the most effective odds to win the lottery hadn’t since 1990.
Mike Tirico (host of lottery present, ABC): This was an enormous deal draft as a result of it was LeBron and Carmelo and America knew who these guys had been. We had been in prime time and it was our first 12 months of the deal. All these trains had been coming into the station on the identical time. Administration determined to make it an enormous occasion. Trying again, that was an important choice. One of many issues I actually keep in mind was this reception earlier than the present. It was stuffed with all anxious and uncomfortable individuals. It was a singular scene to be part of. It was fairly intimate. I keep in mind considering most individuals in there are going to stroll out sad.
Chris Tomasson (Nuggets beat author, Rocky Mountain Information): [Cavaliers owner] Gordon Gund appeared a bit apprehensive. He ate dinner with some media members, which by no means occurred within the 5 seasons I coated the Cavs on the Akron Beacon Journal. It was wonderful he did it in that pivotal of a second as a result of he’d all the time stored his distance. I feel he was in search of anybody he knew to ease the stress.
Warren Thaler (Cavaliers board of administrators): We had been within the hallway and it was time for me to enter the room the place they had been doing the lottery drawing. I used to be about to half methods with Gordon and I may simply inform he was nervous. I wished to attempt to chill out him. So I stated, “Gordon, you realize, this is not like discovering a remedy for blindness.”1
Gund: I checked out Warren and informed him, “It is fairly rattling shut.”2
Tirico: The lottery is a tough present as a result of it is particularly scripted and we get into all these explanations. It was so concerned we needed to have a full rehearsal within the studio. Within the rehearsal I keep in mind the Nuggets gained the lottery. It was a singular time for us. We had dwell photographs from the resort the place LeBron was in Akron, Carmelo was at his home in Baltimore and Darko was at his agent’s home in New York.
James: There had been loads of hypothesis that I used to be going to be the No. 1 decide so I knew whoever gained the lottery, that is the place I used to be going. So after all I used to be nervous. We had rented out this suite on the Radisson Lodge in downtown Akron and all my family and friends had been there. I simply keep in mind sitting alone with everybody behind me. And with every decide I may hear this buzzing behind me.
Goodwin: LeBron and everybody had been nervous. There have been lots of people there however you might inform they had been having fun with it.
Carmelo Anthony (ahead, Syracuse): I used to be simply completely happy that I used to be going to be within the league. I used to be excited that this was simply the subsequent step. It was a superb time.
Kiki Vandeweghe (Nuggets common supervisor, 2001-06): I keep in mind fascinated with loving each LeBron and Melo and I actually thought Melo was going second at that time. So that you’re actually hoping to get in these first two picks.
No workforce was in a extra awkward place on lottery evening than the Memphis Grizzlies. After going 28-54 within the 2002-03 season, Memphis had the sixth-best likelihood [6.4%] to get the highest general decide. However that is all of the Grizzlies may hope for.
In 1997, then-Vancouver Grizzlies common supervisor Stu Jackson traded a future first-round decide to the Pistons for Otis Thorpe. The decide had varied protections on it, however by 2003, the one method the Grizzlies would maintain their decide was if it was No. 1 general.
The Pistons made the transfer, a minimum of partly, as a result of Thorpe clashed with then-coach Doug Collins. Thorpe, who was 35 on the time of the commerce, performed 47 largely sad video games with the Grizzlies earlier than being traded to the Sacramento Kings for Bobby Hurley simply earlier than the commerce deadline in 1998.
Memphis additionally owned the Houston Rockets‘ No. 13 decide from the 1999 Steve Francis commerce. However that decide solely had a 0.5% likelihood of shifting as much as No. 1. It didn’t. Memphis ended up taking Marcus Banks with that decide and buying and selling him on draft evening to Boston.
Jerry West (Memphis Grizzlies common supervisor, 2002-07): I hate the lottery; I feel it is a horrible factor. And I say that realizing it has labored moderately nicely. It’s a must to depend on hope.
Ford: I am shocked Jerry wished to be there. I feel Memphis had a 6% likelihood of getting the highest decide; the rest and it might instantly lose the decide to Detroit. Every other outcome than getting No. 1 would’ve made it a disappointment. Perhaps it might’ve been higher if Stu Jackson [by then a vice president with the league office] needed to be there. That commerce was horrible.
Shane Battier (Grizzlies ahead, 2001-06): We knew the entire 12 months that we weren’t going to get an impression participant within the draft due to Otis Thorpe. It turned a working joke. I do not suppose Stu Jackson may’ve come to a Grizzlies recreation that 12 months as a result of the followers of Memphis knew it, everyone knew it.
West: For a commerce that, if you look again in historical past, was made for no matter motive, it was arduous to think about {that a} commerce like that will’ve been made and never shield a workforce that hadn’t confirmed its value but. I am not going to dangerous mouth anyone however that was an ill-advised choice.
Tirico: The factor in regards to the lottery is it’s each tense and really boring. Groups with little or no likelihood of shifting up are known as off. However issues modified when [NBA deputy commissioner] Russ Granik opened the envelope for the sixth decide that was alleged to be the Grizzlies. It wasn’t, it was the Clippers brand and we knew we might simply had one thing dramatic occur. The Grizzlies had moved up.
Riley: I wasn’t even watching, I used to be sitting in my workplace with my eyes closed simply listening to the TV and hoping to maneuver up. We had been alleged to be fourth. However then Memphis moved up previous us. At that time, I used to be rooting for Jerry to get LeBron. That was all he had, everybody knew about that commerce.
James: My thoughts was shifting quick. I used to be fascinated with loads of completely different potentialities. I used to be fascinated with Chicago profitable it as a result of I would been a Bulls fan after I was youthful. I knew New York was in there. Not everybody was rooting for Cleveland [40 miles from James’ hometown], individuals had completely different picks. Some individuals wished me to go to Miami for apparent causes. I by no means thought as soon as about Memphis.
When Granik completed opening the primary 10 envelopes, just one workforce had moved up: the Grizzlies. They had been within the prime three together with the Nuggets and Cavs. The Toronto Raptors, who had a 15% likelihood of profitable, had been knocked to No. 4. ABC went to business because the studio and followers of all three groups tensed.
West: You are sitting there scared to demise that we’re not going to have our decide and also you’re begging, “Please allow us to have this decide.” All of us knew what was at stake for us. You then see that you’ve got moved up and your coronary heart goes into your throat a bit of.
Gund: Jerry had all the time been fortunate so I someway felt good about our likelihood. I informed him, “Right here we go.”
James: When it went to business and we knew the highest three had been Denver, Memphis and Cleveland, I simply had a sense that I will keep residence. I may hear the chatter beginning within the room. They had been getting excited.
Goodwin: By then all of us wished Cleveland, it was going to be a fairy story.
Vandeweghe: I used to be nervous. I used to be telling myself, no matter occurs now it is OK as a result of we will get somebody we actually like. However you are all the time wanting that first decide.
Battier: I used to be like, holy s—, we’d get this child.
Granik opened the envelope for the third decide, revealing the Nuggets’ brand. Then he cracked the one with a big No. 2 on it and pulled out the Grizzlies’ brand. “Meaning …” Granik stated. Few concerned even noticed him pull the Cavaliers’ brand from the envelope.
James: When the envelope opened and stated [Memphis] I do not even keep in mind them opening the one which stated Cleveland. Everybody simply began yelling and coming over to me and leaping on me. From then on that evening it was a blur. I did not even see them pull out the jersey with my identify on it, I did not see that till later.
West: It was devastating to the franchise to not have that decide. We had been in a position to construct a good workforce after that however simply think about having a participant like Mr. James taking part in on your workforce. It was unbelievably disappointing. For a few of us, we had been stuffed with anger as a result of we had been considering, “How may we not have this draft decide protected?” With all the great issues which were executed in Memphis and the place they’re at this time, that franchise may’ve come a lot farther. It hurts to consider. It was a tragic day.
Battier: I nonetheless keep in mind the look on Jerry’s face.
Ford: It was merciless in a sure strategy to the Grizzlies. Jerry could not constrain his facial features. It made for nice TV nevertheless it was very tough on him.
The next season, West gained Government of the Yr after the Grizzlies made the playoffs for the primary time in franchise historical past.
Anthony: At that time I used to be fairly certain I used to be going to Detroit. I assumed I used to be going to positively be that No. 2 decide if Cleveland was taking Bron because it appeared like.
Dumars: Once they drew the Nuggets card at No. 3 my coronary heart stopped for the 60 seconds it took Russ Granik to disclose who was No. 2. It did not begin till I heard Memphis’ identify at No. 2.
Cornstein: The celebrities had aligned. It was surreal. Eight hours earlier the Pistons had been dreaming of getting Darko after which that they had the No. 2 decide. By the top of the evening I would heard from the Pistons and had been fairly certain they had been going to take him with that decide.
Ronzone: We had been like, “Are you able to consider this man simply fell into our lap?”
James: The one factor I actually keep in mind from after the lottery that evening was seeing Austin Carr crying on tv. That received to me; that received me excited.
Austin Carr (No. 1 general decide in 1970, Cavs broadcaster): We held a lottery social gathering at this restaurant and when that envelope opened they usually pulled [Memphis] the place simply exploded. I used to be overcome with emotion and I could not maintain again. I had no concept the cameras had been on me. I simply knew he was an important participant and would do nice issues and I wasn’t mistaken.
Goodwin: Inside a half hour I heard from Jim Paxson that they’d be taking LeBron they usually’d be in contact quickly.
Jim Paxson (Cavs common supervisor, 1999-2005): Proper after we gained I received within the automotive and drove to a lottery social gathering the workforce was having the place Austin was crying in entrance of the cameras. Then my telephone rang and it was from a 609 space code. That was [Gund’s] space code and I assumed he was calling me again as a result of we might solely briefly talked. I reply and it is Wes Wesley. He principally stated congratulations on profitable the lottery and Larry Brown would like to educate LeBron. We did not have a coach on the time however weren’t considering in any respect about Larry; he was the coach of the 76ers, however I knew Wes was very near him. We hung up however I by no means heard from Wes or Larry about it once more.
Inside 10 days, Brown had resigned as coach of the 76ers and was employed to exchange Carlisle as coach of the Pistons. Brown led the Pistons to a title the subsequent season.
Cornstein: After the lottery, all of us went out to dinner at Mr. Chow’s. After which Mariah Carey sat down on the subsequent desk. I imply, this present day was surreal, you could not make these items up.
Ford: Darko had by no means had Chinese language meals earlier than. He was upset as a result of he wished bread. They introduced him out some mu shu pancakes. He was like, “What the heck is that this?” That is if you realized how younger he was and the way new this all was to him. He was discombobulated. It was humorous on the time nevertheless it was a kind of little indicators of how arduous the transition was going to be for him.
Tirico: Throughout halftime of the Nets-Pistons recreation we did a three-way interview with LeBron and Carmelo. What struck me then and even now was how composed LeBron was. I could not have executed that after I was 18. He got here proper out of highschool and was about to turn into a worldwide megastar in his yard.
Anthony: LeBron and I had been speaking through the lottery about what was occurring. I form of knew Cleveland was going to get the No. 1 decide. I feel they rigged it. However no, I am kidding, do not quote me on that.
Draft day
The 2003 NBA draft happened on June 26 at The Theater at Madison Sq. Backyard in New York. Many who work within the league known as it one of many deepest drafts in historical past. It has ended up producing 9 All-Stars, a handful of franchise gamers and two Finals MVPs, and 7 years later, it spawned the greatest free agent class ever.
Paxson: I assumed there was an opportunity just a few groups would name us with nice affords for the No. 1 decide. There was most likely no method we might have traded however I anticipated groups to attempt. I feel I’d’ve tried. However we by no means received one actual name about it. We introduced LeBron and his mom to a [WNBA Cleveland Rockers] recreation and had dinner with him for a face-to-face sit-down so everybody may get to know one another. We had a sham of a exercise for him, nevertheless it was primarily for the media.
James: I knew I used to be staying residence. It was a peaceful day for me till I needed to go up and meet [NBA commissioner] David Stern. I had dreamed about that second, strolling throughout the stage and placing on the hat. So I received a bit of anxious after I received up there.
Goodwin: It was a particular second for LeBron and [his mother] Gloria. I actually loved their emotion regardless that they already knew he was getting picked. That is a once-in-a-lifetime second there. The following 12 months, after I represented Dwight Howard, I knew for a pair days the Orlando Magic had been taking him No. 1, however I did not inform him till proper earlier than the decide as a result of I feel that is such an exquisite second.
James wore an all-white go well with that instantly turned one of many extra memorable in draft vogue historical past. Later, an organization put it on a bobblehead.
James: That was a disgusting go well with. It was too large, and I appeared like Casper the Pleasant Ghost, all that white. I do know it goes down as one of many memorable draft fits with Karl Malone and his tie and Jalen Rose and Samaki Walker together with his hat. However I am unable to bear to look again at it.
There was no drama with the primary decide, however the remainder of the draft lacked such certainty.
Ford: A few week after that Darko exercise in New York, the Pistons introduced him to Detroit and he labored out once more. It wasn’t nearly as good as the primary one however he was spectacular they usually just about dedicated to him then. Will Robinson was this legendary scout for the Pistons. He had found Grant Hill, Joe Dumars and lots of, many others. Will in contrast him to a younger Wilt Chamberlain. I wrote his quote however individuals all the time appear to attribute it to me.
Will Robinson (Pistons scout, 1976-2003): [Darko] goes to personal the sport. Personal the sport. We’ll need to construct a brand new enviornment. The one factor that might destroy a child like that could be a girl. 5
Ford: Seems Darko’s two biggest moments had been these exercises for Detroit. And I may by no means watch one other exercise once more with out a excessive diploma of cynicism.
Cornstein: We canceled all different exercises. He was going to Detroit. It appeared like an important state of affairs on paper. There was a void there. It actually made sense. On the time, we did not suppose the Larry Brown rent would have an effect on Darko in any respect. We had been mistaken.
Vandeweghe: [Cornstein] stated Darko’s not going to work out for us as a result of he’ll be gone after the Detroit decide. I used to be shocked at that time. I used to be a bit of skeptical, let’s put it that method. In that place, you must be as a result of everyone seems to be attempting to play video games. I flew to New York so I may watch Darko work out. I would seen him play in Europe. One recreation he did not play in any respect and one other recreation he solely performed a couple of minutes. Exhausting to get an important concept.
Ronzone: Groups stored calling us in regards to the No. 2 decide, providing us all types of packages. We had a few conversations about Carmelo. Chris Bosh had an important exercise with us and we actually favored him. However we had been centered on Darko.
McCosky: Proper as much as the draft, proper as much as the Pistons occurring the clock, the Nuggets wished to commerce as much as get the No. 2. Kiki would possibly’ve wished Darko. The Pistons simply weren’t that prime on Carmelo. That they had Tayshaun Prince they usually wanted an enormous man. If that they had traded again and Darko was gone, I feel they’d’ve taken Chris Bosh at No. 3 and never even Carmelo there.
Tomasson: Kiki by no means publicly gave us his private order however a number of Nuggets front-office members I talked to earlier than the lottery stated that they had Darko ranked forward of Melo. They labored out another guys however I feel they had been fairly locked in on Melo after the lottery. Lottery evening it was reported the Pistons had been most likely going to take Darko No. 2.
Vandeweghe: I known as about buying and selling for the No. 2 decide; groups behind us known as about buying and selling for our decide. I wasn’t actually certain what Detroit was doing and wished to research all choices.
Anthony: I used to be flat-out informed by any person that I used to be going to be the No. 2 decide and go to Detroit. However one thing occurred. To this present day, I do not know what it was.
Ford: It was only a second when the unknown had eclipsed the recognized. Lots of the youthful GMs had this worldwide fever. There was a mania to search out the subsequent Dirk. There was a realization by these NBA guys that these Euro gamers may play. As scouts had been bemoaning the state of basketball within the U.S. due to AAU, listed here are these Euros who had been so expert and had been drilled in all the humanities. Scouts had been flocking over to Europe. Jerry West was the one voice who was constantly calling me and asking me why Darko was rated so excessive. I assumed he was being xenophobic. He was old fashioned.
West: We did our analysis. There isn’t any method we might’ve taken Darko at No. 2.
The Pistons, after all, took Milicic in what turned one of many largest errors in draft historical past. He performed lower than three seasons with the Pistons, averaging fewer than two factors and two rebounds in 96 video games. He went on to an unremarkable profession with 5 different groups, by no means averaging greater than seven factors and 6 rebounds over the course of a whole season.
“It was a peaceful day for me till I needed to go up and meet David Stern. I had dreamed about that second, strolling throughout the stage and placing on the hat. So I received a bit of anxious after I received up there.”
LeBron James
Dumars: Completely, it was a mistake. I may give a dissertation on [background research] now. After I drafted Darko, from that time on, the quantity of background we do on each single participant that you just see us draft is ridiculous. We do as a lot or extra background than another workforce within the NBA due to that. The background on Darko was about 20 p.c of what we do now. I look again on it now and notice you did not know half of the stuff you wanted to know. With Darko, we might have had two sources of knowledge. That was it. We might have talked to a few guys over in Europe. That was it. 6
Darko Milicic (heart, Hemofarm Vrsac, Serbia): They did waste a decide, you realize. Why did they take me? Who is aware of if I actually had an opportunity to play like these gamers that play like Dwyane Wade or Carmelo, these guys are unimaginable gamers. So for me, being a second decide, I do not get why they did not play me in any respect. Why did they take me? You need to take somebody that they actually suppose was going play straight away as a result of simply taking somebody to take a seat on the bench, you waste a decide and also you waste the man’s time. So I simply did not get it. I suppose they thought they had been going be champions perpetually. I do not know. 7
Cornstein: We do not dwell in a vacuum. We all know what has occurred since. It’s a must to keep in mind, he was as impressive-looking bodily and what he may do in a exercise [was as impressive] as anybody I’ve ever seen. I am certain now in the event you requested everybody within the lottery that 12 months, all 13 would inform you they’d have taken Melo second. Not solely is that not true, extra would’ve take Darko at No. 2 than not. I do know that for a reality. He was 17, had an unimaginable physique for his age. He was very mature for his age, which I do know might sound odd now that you just look again. Look, you may have lightning in a bottle.
Taking Anthony third appeared like a no brainer, however the Nuggets needed to suppose it by. Anthony was listed at 195 kilos on the official Syracuse roster. When he weighed in at pre-draft camp in Could, he was 233 kilos. When he went to go to Denver, he did not do a full exercise and largely simply shot round. He was a bit of winded through the exercise, which he attributed to the altitude.
Vandewedge: We talked about him protecting himself in the most effective form. I had a dialog with him saying it was a lot simpler in the event you simply maintain your self in taking part in form as an alternative of working into it throughout coaching camp. However all of us favored Melo, we knew it was a franchise-caliber participant. We had been rebuilding and focusing on that decide for 2 years, and it actually labored out for us.
Dwyane Wade (guard, Marquette): Denver known as and introduced me in for a exercise. Once I received there, I used to be like, “Why am I right here?” I did not suppose they had been going to take me at No. 3. However they stated they weren’t certain who could be there at No. 3 they usually had been nonetheless making their choice. I am undecided what that was about.
Anthony: That’d be even higher, going to Detroit. That is a playoff workforce. Once I first heard [I might go to the Nuggets], I used to be like, “I do not need to go to Denver.” However then I sat down with my agent and he informed me how a lot cash [under the salary cap] they will have. They’ve an opportunity to be good. 8
The Nuggets signed Andre Miller and Earl Boykins that offseason utilizing a few of their cap house. They used the remainder of it in 2004, after they signed Kenyon Martin. With the addition of Anthony, Denver went 43-39 in 2003-04, its first profitable season since 1993-94, and made the playoffs for the primary time since 1995.
Chris Bosh (ahead/heart, Georgia Tech): The primary exercise I had was proper after the pre-draft camp in Chicago, we went proper to the Bulls’ facility and there was about seven of the highest large guys within the draft there. I had the jitters. I used to be like, “Oh, no, I am not prepared for this.” I did terribly and I wished to return to school after that.”
Henry Thomas (agent for Bosh and Wade): I used to be very assured Chris would go excessive. His draft standing was established very early on.
Ford: Nobody doubted Bosh would go within the prime 5. He had a terrific exercise in Toronto and Detroit, and that cemented it.
Bosh: I do not keep in mind doing that nicely in Toronto. I used to be going up in opposition to Nick Collison just a few instances, and typically I performed higher than him and typically he performed higher than me. However then I went to Miami, they usually had the No. 5 decide. When it was over, they stated, “We such as you however we hear you are going to be passed by our decide.” That was first time I noticed I most likely was going to go within the prime 4.
Thomas: I’ve recognized [then-Raptors general manager] Glen Grunwald for a while. He is from the Chicago space and I am from Chicago, and in a previous life, we used to play in opposition to one another within the attorneys league. I knew they had been going to take Chris.
Bosh: I could not breathe. I used to be sitting there with my household. My brother cracked a joke to get me to chill out, and I used to be like, nothing is humorous proper now. I simply began sweating. It was the longest three minutes of my life to that time. It was a loopy time.
The Raptors took Bosh with the fourth decide. He went on to have 5 All-Star appearances in seven years with the workforce and led the Raptors to their solely division title within the 2006-07 season.
Wade: I knew who the highest 4 picks had been going to be. I feel most individuals did. Apart from Chris; he by no means believed he was going till they took him. I all the time felt the draft would actually begin at No. 5. That is what I felt that evening.
Ford: We had Wade ranked No. 13 popping out of the NCAA match, which is form of embarrassing if you look again on it. Jerry West cherished Dwyane Wade. West actually thought he may get Wade together with his thirteenth decide at one level. West had been speaking him up. If Jerry cherished Wade, then you must give the man a re-evaluation. The priority about Wade is that he was an undersized capturing guard who was attempting to promote himself as a degree guard.
Riley: I’ve all the time wished to educate veterans. I’ve all the time most well-liked to educate 25- or 26-year-olds who had some expertise. I additionally by no means believed that our workforce was ever going to be dangerous sufficient to suppose we might get a excessive decide. However that 12 months we ended up with No. 5, and I used to be taking a look at level guards and facilities; that is what we would have liked. I had guys like Kirk Hinrich, T.J. Ford and Chris Kaman excessive on our record, and I used to be interested by them. Dwyane was on there, however at the beginning of the method, I wasn’t certain.
Thomas: Though he had an important 12 months at Marquette, individuals had loads of questions on Dwyane. He was a bit of undersized to be a capturing guard and did not have an important shot. He wasn’t a traditional level guard. We ended up sending him to about 11 or 12 exercises with groups as a result of he needed to show himself.
Tim Grover (NBA private coach): Henry Thomas known as me and informed me to get Dwyane prepared for workforce exercises. Once I noticed him, I stated, “Is that this the identical child from the NCAA match?” I simply did not see it. I do not know if he was nervous or what it was within the drills. However once we began to compete, it was like a special particular person. He went on a tear. I used to be like, OK, I see what they’re saying. He has a change that only a few individuals have.
Ford: Once you noticed his wingspan, athletic means you had been . Then there was phrase that he was killing everybody within the fitness center. He was outplaying NBA guys like Corey Maggette, Quentin Richardson and different youthful NBA gamers. You noticed it would work out for this man.
Wade: I used to be a tweener however I used to be a playmaker. Once I was in conferences and groups requested, I informed them I may deal with the ball and make performs. I informed groups I used to be a basketball participant.
Randy Pfund (Warmth common supervisor, 1995-2008): We got here to Chicago to work out Chris Kaman and we had been standing round ready for him to come back out for the exercise. And Dwyane was figuring out on the different finish of the fitness center with Tim Grover. And Pat turned and stated, “Who’s that? Who’s that child down there?” I stated, “That is Wade.” And he stated, “Whoa.” Dwyane was impressive-looking, and that caught Pat’s eye from a distance. And I feel that was most likely 4 or 5 days earlier than we labored out Dwyane in Miami.
Riley: I used to be teaching a horrible workforce, and I used to be in Milwaukee and watching a recreation the place Marquette was taking part in Kentucky [in March]. I used to be on the treadmill and it was raining and it was a foul evening. I watched Dwyane put up 30 factors. He was so distinctive, virtually Jordan-like in the way in which he managed the sport and moved on the courtroom. He was fearless. That evening had an important impression on additional researching him.
Wade: I went to Miami for a exercise and I went to dinner. On the dinner, Pat stated, “We predict we all know who we will take,” after which he stated he was flying to see another person the subsequent day. I did not know if he was speaking about me or what. I did not have my greatest exercise after that.
Riley: I am undecided why I informed him that however he had a horrible exercise. He was very nervous. I keep in mind shaking his hand and thought the one time I ever shook a hand of a rookie that got here in that had extra sweat on his palm was James Worthy. He could not make a shot. However that wasn’t going to sway us.
Israel Gutierrez (Warmth beat author, Miami Herald): Riley was large on the bigs, and that was Kaman. He additionally actually favored T.J. Ford. I do know he was interested by Wade nevertheless it was recognized that his employees needed to do some convincing to get him to resolve on Wade.
Thomas: The Warmth wished an enormous man; we did not suppose that was the place Dwyane would find yourself.
Pfund: There have been some sturdy opinions within the draft room that 12 months, they usually weren’t all the identical. I had seen some issues in Dwyane’s recreation and I felt he had a star high quality. I felt we would have liked that.
Grover: I knew Dwyane’s ceiling was the seventh decide and Chicago. I knew they had been going to take him there. However the day of the draft, Pat Riley known as me. He stated, “All proper, Tim. Wade or Kaman: Who would you are taking?” I had labored with each of them and I used to be honored he known as me to ask my opinion. I used to be fascinated with it, and the 1984 draft flashed in my thoughts when Portland took Sam Bowie forward of Michael Jordan. I informed them to take Dwyane.
Riley: It was by no means simply my name even when I’ve that authority. That evening it was a consensus. We mentioned it. When it comes proper right down to it, I am not going to be bull-headed. We made the choice just a few hours earlier than the draft that we had been going to take Dwyane if he was on the board.
Wade: Miami wasn’t in my head. It was Chicago, Chicago, Chicago. I grew up a Bulls fan. The media was pointing in that path. My greatest exercises had been in Chicago. I did not even work out for the Clippers at No. 6 so I by no means considered going there. I used to be headed to Chicago with the No. 7 decide.
“We got here to Chicago to work out Chris Kaman and we had been standing round ready for him to come back out for the exercise. And Dwyane was figuring out on the different finish of the fitness center with Tim Grover. And Pat turned and stated, ‘Who’s that? Who’s that child down there?’ I stated, ‘That is Wade.’ And he stated, ‘Whoa.'”
Randy Pfund, former Miami Warmth GM
Thomas: Randy Pfund known as me and hollered into the telephone, “We’re taking Wade.” I calmly hung up the telephone.
Wade: [Thomas] came to visit and sat subsequent to me. He whispered in my ear, “Do not change your expression however the Miami Heat are going to select you at 5.” It occurred in a flash.
Riley: I assumed we will make him a degree guard and we will have essentially the most athletic and most gifted level guard within the league. I keep in mind watching movie and noticed typically when he dropped to make a drive and would flip the nook, typically his shoulders had been decrease than his knees, he may discover areas on the courtroom and get to the rim higher than another participant I would ever seen. Dwyane simply turned out to be the participant of all gamers for us.
Wade did play level guard for the Warmth that season, they usually surprisingly reached the second spherical of the playoffs underneath first-year coach Stan Van Gundy. Since, Wade has gained three titles with the Warmth and was instrumental in recruiting two males he sat alongside that evening on the draft, James and Bosh, to check in Miami earlier than the 2010-11 season.
The remainder of the draft
With the No. 6 decide, the Los Angeles Clippers took Kaman, who later turned their franchise heart and an All-Star. The Bulls, upset they missed out on Wade, took Hinrich with the No. 7 decide.
The No. 8 decide belonged to the Milwaukee Bucks, and on the time, Bucks proprietor Sen. Herb Kohl was in deep talks to promote the workforce to the just lately retired Michael Jordan. Bucks common supervisor Ernie Grunfeld was 4 days from leaving to turn into the GM in Washington, and coach George Karl left earlier than the beginning of the subsequent season. The Jordan buy fell aside simply after the draft however there was all the time a query as to who was controlling that decide.
Grunfeld: We had been going younger. We would traded Glenn Robinson to Atlanta for that draft decide and we had been about to commerce Sam Cassell to Minnesota. We would have liked a degree guard and wished both Hinrich or Ford. We favored them each, and when Hinrich went to Chicago, we took T.J. The rumors of the sale had been there, after all, however that didn’t have an effect on who we drafted.
Larry Harris (Bucks govt, 1990-2008): We heard after it was all executed that it actually did come right down to the wire, he virtually offered the workforce. Jordan was by no means a part of our choice; that decide was one hundred pc for Herb. There isn’t any grey space there. It was Sen. Kohl’s workforce, and we drafted for him. There was by no means any three-way message or something. We had been by no means drafting for anybody else.
The 2003 draft produced quite a few American-born stars, nevertheless it did not actually flip into the worldwide revolution some within the league anticipated. Together with Milicic, eight worldwide gamers had been drafted within the first spherical and 20 had been taken general, each of which had been data.
Nevertheless, none of them turned stars. Essentially the most profitable had been Boris Diaw, Carlos Delfino, Leandro Barbosa and Zaza Pachulia.
That worldwide curiosity from league executives pushed down some gamers who may need gone larger, together with future All-Stars David West, Josh Howard and Mo Williams.
David West (ahead, Xavier; No. 18 decide to New Orleans): Everybody knew these stars on the prime however I all the time felt like I used to be the most effective of the remaining. Clearly my opinion does not imply a lot, it was as much as the GMs and I did not get invited to the draft so I used to be at residence in North Carolina. I suppose I hoped it might simply work out. There have been loads of different guys who went in entrance of me who aren’t within the league.
After the draft
The following day, James flew again to Cleveland on a business flight and was a visitor of the Cleveland Indians that evening. He took batting apply and threw out the primary pitch, a photograph op that later turned a baseball card. But it surely was not a memorable scene. If there was one factor worse than James’ makes an attempt to make contact, it was his woeful try at a primary pitch.
James: It was horrible. You have not seen me throw out one other first pitch since then. And also you by no means will.
Bosh apparently meant it when he stated he did not count on to get drafted by Toronto. He left his passport at residence in Dallas and was not instantly admitted to Canada when he flew there for his information convention the subsequent day.
Bosh: We needed to inform them the story earlier than they let me in. Then my luggage received misplaced. I had one other go well with in there for the press convention. I solely had two fits, one for the draft and one for the press convention. So that they gave me a polo and I wore sweats. I used to be like, “Sorry I could not gown up.”
Wade was nonetheless shocked he was headed to Miami.
Wade: I used to be numb. They despatched a non-public airplane; I had by no means been on a non-public airplane earlier than. I got here proper to the sector. Pat Riley met me within the household room and he introduced me an enormous playbook and the very first thing he stated was “study this.” After, they put me up at a pleasant suite on the Mandarin Lodge. I walked out onto the balcony and appeared on the metropolis and appeared out over the water. I assumed that this was the place I am at now. I did not develop up like that. I could not consider I used to be there. My household was emotional.
This was my new life.
Riley: We made the proper selection but additionally typically you get fortunate. That 12 months, 2003, is when this franchise modified and for the final 10 years this franchise has been heading in the right direction.
David West: It is labored out for us in the long term. I feel all of us who had been taken in ’03 have a sure delight about being part of that class up till this present day. There was a degree the place there was virtually a starter on each workforce from that class. I feel it ought to go down as among the finest ever.
James: I feel it is fairly apparent, the draft had a fairly large impression on my life.
1 – Gund, who has Retinitis Pigmentosa and went blind as a younger man, has spent his life funding analysis for a remedy.
2 – The interviews with Gund and Thaler happened in 2006.
3 – Dumars stated this in an interview with ESPN.com on the day of the lottery.
4 – Anthony stated this in a dwell interview on ABC the evening of the lottery.
5 – Robinson stated this to ESPN.com in Could 2003. He died in 2008.
6 – Dumars stated this in a information convention following the 2012 draft.
7 – Milicic stated this in a 2010 interview with Slam Journal.
8 – Anthony stated this in a Could 2003 interview with the Rocky Mountain Information.