NBA Draft Analysis: 2008 vs. 2003

The 2008 NBA rookie class is going to go down as one of the best NBA drafts of all-time.  The 1996 and 2003 drafts have been two of the best in recent memory.  The ’84 draft probably has them both beat, but this class has the potential to be great.

The Top Five:

2008:

Derrick Rose.  The ultra-athletic guard out of Memphis has been known to basketball fans for a few years now.  He brings a dynamic to his position the way LeBron has to the swing man position.  His natural ability to make plays is as unique as we have seen.  He’s just as dangerous attacking the basket as he is passing the ball. 

The holes in his game are fixable holes.  He needs to improve his free throw shooting (just ask Justin Timberlake) and become a viable outside threat so teams can’t do the Rajon Rondo defense.  He will be a great point guard for years to come.

2003:

LeBron James.  I’m not saying Derrick Rose is going to be better than LeBron in any way here but the numbers aren’t that much different.  LeBron: 21 ppg, 6 apg, and 5.5 rpg.  Rose:  17 ppg,  6.5 apg, and 3.5 rpg.  LeBron is a one-of-a-kind player that I don’t think we’ll ever see anyone comparable to LeBron again but Derrick Rose impact on the game will be as big as LeBron's years to come. 

2008:

Michael Beasley is a match-up nightmare for teams.  His problem right now is that he’s not big enough to defend the bigger posts in the NBA but not quite quick enough to guard the great perimeter players either.  His athleticism is a big help to his “problems” physically.  As far as talent goes he may be the most talented basketball player in this class. 

He has the ability to go inside and outside, isn’t scared to have the ball late, and plays mature beyond his years.  The best case scenario for him would be to play his career as a three and abuse people in the paint.  He’ll probably end up being what Lamar Odom was supposed to be. 

2003:

Darko Milicic.  Well that’s about enough about that subject. 

2008:

O.J. Mayo has perennial all-star written all over him.  He’s going to average 20-25 points a game no problem and his uncanny offensive skill-set will make him a defensive headache his entire career.  A thing great about his game is his willingness to play defense so early in his career. 

He isn’t one of those guys that runs twice as hard on offense as defense.  He plays tough on both.  If Memphis can keep the core of Mayo, Rudy Gay, Mike Conley Jr., and Marc Gasol around they will be a team on the rise.

2003:

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