Head of the Class
http://www.atomicsportsmedia.com/articles/661/1/Head-of-the-Class/Head-of-the-Class.html
Josh Binstock
A sports junkie since birth, Josh Binstock takes pleasure in contributing to Atomic Sports Media. His favorite pastimes, other than his beloved Giants, Yanks, Knicks and Rangers, include Family Guy, 24, NFL Films, and Rutgers Football. If Josh was a food, he'd be delicious.
By Josh Binstock
Published on 11/30/2006
LeBron, 'Melo and Dywane make the class of 2003 look like one of the best in NBA history, but Atomic Sports columnist Josh Binstock points to a late-1990s crop that makes a solid case for that title.
LeBron, 'Melo and Dywane make the class of 2003 look like one of the best in NBA history, but Atomic Sports columnist Josh Binstock points to a late-1990s crop that makes a solid case for that title.
Head of the Class
I was reading in the bathroom the other day, as I am wont to do, and I came upon something interesting in the Sporting News’ NBA preview. The writer was trying to make a comparison between the 2003 NBA Draft class and the class of 1984. While we all know about the amazingly quick success of the ’03 class, with Lebron and Co. taking control of the league, it was the year the writer chose to compare it to that startled me.
Most basketball fans can rattle Akeem Olajuwon, Sam Bowie, and Michael Jordan off the top of their heads, and some may be able to remember Charles Barkley and John Stockton were picked later on. Yes, four of the NBA’s top 50 players were products of the ’84 draft, but there is a clear lack of depth. The only other players from that draft to have any semblance of a solid career were Sam Perkins, Kevin Willis and Otis Thorpe, though they were never really household names.
The only year that can hold a candle to the class of ’03 is the group of players from the ’96 draft. They actually do better than “hold a candle.” There is a legitimate argument over which class is better. Here is a look at the top ten from each draft:
1996 2003
1. Allen Iverson Lebron James
2. Marcus Camby Darko Milicic
3. Shareef Abdur-Rahim Carmelo Anthony
4. Stephon Marbury Chris Bosh
5. Ray Allen Dwyane Wade
6. Antoine Walker Chris Kaman
7. Lorenzen Wright Kirk Hinrich
8. Kerry Kittles T.J. Ford
9. Samaki Walker Michael Sweetney
10. Erik Dampier Jarvis Hayes
It can be argued that six players from each class have either been All-Stars or will be this season. Each class has two disappointments, and each one has one player that either had or will have a solid career, but not outstanding (Kittles, Kaman). If we were just going to look at the top 10, one would have to give the nod of superiority to 2003, as it has three of the top 10 players in the league right now.
But as we look further down on the draft list, the ’96 draft pulls closer, and possibly ahead. Picks 13 through 17 read like a current NBA All-Star team: Kobe Bryant, Peja Stojakovic, Steve Nash, Tony Delk, and Jermaine O’ Neal. Pick 19 was Zydrunas Ilgauskas. The staying power of the 1996 draft is remarkable. It is now 10 years later, and the class is still dominating the league. This year’s All-Star teams will no doubt include at least six players from the class of ’96 (Iverson, Allen, Kobe, Nash, Ilgauskas, O’Neal).
That isn’t to say that ’96 is clearly deeper than ’03. After the top 10 picks, the class of ’03 can boast impact players like Mickael Pietrus (11), Luke Ridnour (14), David West (18), Boris Diaw (21), Leandro Barbosa (28), Josh Howard (29), and Kyle Korver (51). We will have to wait a few more years to see how many of these players can achieve the same quality and longevity as the class of ’96.
What we can say, however, is that top to bottom, the 1996 NBA draft has to be considered the best ever. The game has changed because of this class. The up-tempo game is “in” because of two-time MVP Steve Nash and his Suns, the era of athletic power forwards was ushered in by the likes of O’ Neal, Abdur-Rahim, and Walker, and quick point guards who look to score became in vogue because of players like Iverson and Marbury. It also gave us Jesus Shuttlesworth himself, Ray Allen. If the NBA were to make a new “Top 50” list, three players from the class of ’96 would have to be added (Nash, Iverson, Kobe).
It has only been three years, but the class of ’03 has begun to make its case. In 2013 we may look back and declare that the ’03 draft produced more talent than any other draft. Lebron may end up averaging a triple-double every year, D Wade may win a few more championships, Carmelo may average 35 points a game, and Darko could be in someone’s starting lineup. That will be fun to watch in the next decade. But until then, the class of 1996 reigns supreme. Sorry, class of ’84. You’re dismissed.
Most basketball fans can rattle Akeem Olajuwon, Sam Bowie, and Michael Jordan off the top of their heads, and some may be able to remember Charles Barkley and John Stockton were picked later on. Yes, four of the NBA’s top 50 players were products of the ’84 draft, but there is a clear lack of depth. The only other players from that draft to have any semblance of a solid career were Sam Perkins, Kevin Willis and Otis Thorpe, though they were never really household names.
The only year that can hold a candle to the class of ’03 is the group of players from the ’96 draft. They actually do better than “hold a candle.” There is a legitimate argument over which class is better. Here is a look at the top ten from each draft:
1996 2003
1. Allen Iverson Lebron James
2. Marcus Camby Darko Milicic
3. Shareef Abdur-Rahim Carmelo Anthony
4. Stephon Marbury Chris Bosh
5. Ray Allen Dwyane Wade
6. Antoine Walker Chris Kaman
7. Lorenzen Wright Kirk Hinrich
8. Kerry Kittles T.J. Ford
9. Samaki Walker Michael Sweetney
10. Erik Dampier Jarvis Hayes
It can be argued that six players from each class have either been All-Stars or will be this season. Each class has two disappointments, and each one has one player that either had or will have a solid career, but not outstanding (Kittles, Kaman). If we were just going to look at the top 10, one would have to give the nod of superiority to 2003, as it has three of the top 10 players in the league right now.
But as we look further down on the draft list, the ’96 draft pulls closer, and possibly ahead. Picks 13 through 17 read like a current NBA All-Star team: Kobe Bryant, Peja Stojakovic, Steve Nash, Tony Delk, and Jermaine O’ Neal. Pick 19 was Zydrunas Ilgauskas. The staying power of the 1996 draft is remarkable. It is now 10 years later, and the class is still dominating the league. This year’s All-Star teams will no doubt include at least six players from the class of ’96 (Iverson, Allen, Kobe, Nash, Ilgauskas, O’Neal).
That isn’t to say that ’96 is clearly deeper than ’03. After the top 10 picks, the class of ’03 can boast impact players like Mickael Pietrus (11), Luke Ridnour (14), David West (18), Boris Diaw (21), Leandro Barbosa (28), Josh Howard (29), and Kyle Korver (51). We will have to wait a few more years to see how many of these players can achieve the same quality and longevity as the class of ’96.
What we can say, however, is that top to bottom, the 1996 NBA draft has to be considered the best ever. The game has changed because of this class. The up-tempo game is “in” because of two-time MVP Steve Nash and his Suns, the era of athletic power forwards was ushered in by the likes of O’ Neal, Abdur-Rahim, and Walker, and quick point guards who look to score became in vogue because of players like Iverson and Marbury. It also gave us Jesus Shuttlesworth himself, Ray Allen. If the NBA were to make a new “Top 50” list, three players from the class of ’96 would have to be added (Nash, Iverson, Kobe).
It has only been three years, but the class of ’03 has begun to make its case. In 2013 we may look back and declare that the ’03 draft produced more talent than any other draft. Lebron may end up averaging a triple-double every year, D Wade may win a few more championships, Carmelo may average 35 points a game, and Darko could be in someone’s starting lineup. That will be fun to watch in the next decade. But until then, the class of 1996 reigns supreme. Sorry, class of ’84. You’re dismissed.