The Best NBA Draft Class of All Time: 1996 or 2003?

03-1: LEBRON JAMES (drafted first overall by Cleveland)- Also out coming out of high school, this versatile 6'9" small forward met all expectations, proving that he is MVP material.  Led the NBA in scoring averaging 30.0 per game in '07-'08, leading his team well into the playoffs to a tough game seven loss in the second round in Boston.

Edge: LEBRON JAMES.  Kobe is the better player now after all he has been through, but in five years LeBron has made more progress as an individual, mainly because he is the Cavs' premier player where as Kobe had to share that honor with Shaq in LA.

96-2: ALLEN IVERSON (drafted first overall by Philadelphia)- Quick, talented 6'0" guard entered the league after two years in college and showed everyone right away what he can do.  After five years, Iverson was seen as undoubtedly one of the best players in the NBA.  A huge scoring threat, averaging 31.1 points per game in '00-'01 to lead the NBA, took the Sixers to the Finals where they lost to the Lakers in five games.

03-2: DWYANE WADE (drafted fifth overall by Miami)- A fast, strong 6'4" shooting guard finds every which was to get to the basket.  Had a quiet impact at the start of his career, but rose to the top very quick winning himself an NBA championship.  Looked as though the sky was the limit for this young gun until he got injured.

Edge: ALLEN IVERSON.  D-Wade had it going for him until two injury plagued seasons quickly dropped the anchor.  Iverson battled and battled in his first five seasons and proved a lot, where as Wade still has a lot of question marks floating over him.

96-3: STEVE NASH (drafted 15th overall by Phoenix)- a finesse 6'3" point guard with very strong fundamental skills backed up Jason Kidd in Phoenix for a couple seasons before going to Dallas and becoming the starting point guard.  He earned his reputation in Dallas becoming a steady starting point guard, averaged 15.6 points per game and 7.3 assists per game in '00-'01.

03-3: KIRK HINRICH (drafted seventh overall to Chicago)- another talented 6'3" guard, added a much needed valuable backcourtpresence to a rebuilding Chicago Bulls team.  Eventually teamed up with Ben Gordon to form a strong backcourt 1-2 punch, leading the Bulls to a fourth place Eastern Conference finish and a Sixth place Eastern Conference finish, upsetting the NBA Champion Miami Heat in the first round, in back to back seasons.

Edge: STEVE NASH.  Lets face it, Nash could not flash the highlights or the numbers that Hinrich can, but proved to be such a valuable consistent performer to the Mavericks against all odds.

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