2004 NBA Draft Analysis: Overview

Most analysts agree that you have to wait three years before judging a draft class.

In that time, players adjust their
games and prove to managers, coaches, and fans what they can and can't do at the NBA level.

And so it is, finally, that I present my analysis of the 2004 NBA Draft.

The Class of 2004 wasn't nearly as superstar-laden as the 'Bron/Melo/D-Wade Class of '03. For all the apparent talent at the top, the '04 Draft featured little depth, only a few All-Stars, and—unless you count Dwight Howard no real franchise players.

Instead, 2004 bore witness to a substantial number of bizarre, irrelevant trades. For example, the 42nd pick was traded three times in four years for such legendary icons as Anthony Johnson, Jiri Welsch, and Monty Williams. And the player ultimately selected with the pick was the immortal Viktor Sanikidze, who may not ever play a minute in the NBA.

Perplexed? Welcome to the 2004 Draft.

For context, I've listed here the top five players at each position and the top 10 players overall—based on talent, impact, and potential, in that order.

And because of the inordinate number of trades, teams will be graded on both their draft selections and the deals they made involving their picks.

You can check out Wikipedia for a full list of the 2004 draftees.

Top 5 Centers

1. Dwight Howard
2. Emeka Okafor
3. Andris Biedrins
4. Robert Swift
5. Rafael Araujo

  

Top 3* Power Forwards

(*Only 3 power forwards from the draft have significant NBA experience.)

1. Al Jefferson
2. Anderson Varejao
3. Kris Humphries

Top 5 Small Forwards

1. Luol Deng
2. Andre Iguodala
3. Josh Smith
4. Trevor Ariza
5. Dorell Wright

  

Top 5 Shooting Guards

1. Ben Gordon
2. Kevin Martin
3. Tony Allen
4. Josh Childress
5. Kirk Snyder

  

Top 5 Point Guards

1. Devin Harris
2. Jameer Nelson
3. Shaun Livingston
4. Delonte West
5. Chris Duhon

  

Top 10 Overall Players

1. Dwight Howard
2. Emeka Okafor
3. Luol Deng
4. Ben Gordon
5. Andre Iguodala
6. Josh Smith
7. Devin Harris
8. Al Jefferson
9. Kevin Martin
10. Jameer Nelson 

See my achive for Team-by-Team Draft Grades