NBA Draft as talented as the 2003 Lebron, Wade, Melo lottery?

TOP: Lebron James, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Mo Williams, Josh Howard
BOTTOM: David West, Leandro Barbosa, Kirk Hinrich, Chris Kaman, Kendrick Perkins, TJ Ford

   Now it's hard to say with any definite tone that this upcoming NBA Draft of 2014 is going to be as good as 2003's, as I've read in numerous articles from respected reporters and scouts (Lebron, Melo, Wade, Bosh, and others noted in picture above).  Now I'm trying to do my best to stay objective, but it's hard to beat that class after reading it might be as good as some 80's draft that had so much talent and stars.  But I like comparing this years draft to 2003's (as they are similar in the young talent as well as depth) and think they are actually quite right on about the talent coming out for this year's draft, including the young freshman class that has dominated the NCAA landscape.

March Madness is looking to be played at one of the highest levels it's ever been played in the next few weeks. Freshman players like Jabari Parker (SF/PF), Andrew Wiggins (SG/SF), Dante Exum (SG/PG), Julius Randle (PF), Joel Embid (C), and Noah Vonleh (PF/C) are all sure to be an NBA All-Star at least one time in their careers, if not multiple All-NBA's; simply franchise level players. Sorry for you NBA purists, but those names I'm listing are all having good to great college seasons and you will know who they are soon enough. There's also another 5-10 freshman like Aaron Gordon and Zach Lavine that will likely declare who are going to need one or two years of development, whether it be shooting, athleticism or NBA IQ, which makes the mid picks truly interesting.

So why is this all interesting?  ]Because just as many other great players and talent that have been in college 2 years for some odd reason.  The sophomore class has surefire starters or stars in Marcus Smart (PG), Kyle Anderson (6'8'' PG/Point Forward), Rodney Hood (SF) and so many others. People forget too often that not all great players are out of high school or they are one and done's in college; even 1st overall pick Blake Griffin played 2 years in college.  

All will be solid to very impactful starters as rookies. Simply put, even if 1/3 of the players succeed as it appears they should from all the scouting we get 5 or so legit franchise level players.  That gets me truly psyched (especially as a Laker fan with a top 5 pick). 

Literally, I'd not be surprised if the first round of the draft had 29 freshman and sophomores, with one senior, Dough McDermott  leading the D1 in scoring at 28 points a night, is the end result. Though there are 5-10 really solid Juniors and Seniors heading into the draft as well. Though I really like Fair and Ennis of Syracuse.

I actually think there will be more than that 1 or 2 guys from the late 1st or 2nd round pick who ends up being a legit starter or 6th man in the NBA.  Many seniors coming out have great NBA ready talent, and with the competition and average NCAA college game's level higher than ever I think these 3 and 4 year players that shined this year are quite NBA ready and very coachable.  A new bread of players like this might be coming in.  Just another element to add to this talented and deep draft.

Did I mention the other international players besides Dante Exum?  By the way, he could be the Australian Michael Jordan. I really like Darko Saric's game, and enjoyed watching Serbian National Team member Bogdan Bogdanovic who is NBA ready at 21 with 3 Euroleague's out of his way.  In every aspect, this draft has haunting amounts of talent and depth.

I'm curious, because if the talent coming in is truly this good, meaning 40-60 players end up signing contracts as NBA rookies and getting looks or playing, well, simply, it would result in a sort of boot to the older players in the league.  I mean there is only so much room in the NBA and on each teams roster. Each year the players drafted who play well and sign new contracts, big and small, take one veteran out of the NBA.

I just have a feeling this next season will be weird due to the crossover of youth that's already been infused into the NBA the last year or two.

So what does this all mean?

It means good things for Boston, who has a ridiculous 4 or 5 or 6 picks in this draft (though they likely will trade a couple to move up or clear cap). Truly though all teams will benefit, especially those in the top 5-10. Who can expect near immediately positive results.  But everyone in the draft: lottery, mid-first, early-second, 60th pick, all have a chance to add at least one legit player to their rotation, starting 5, or franchise leader.

Most appealing is the top 5-10 prospects like Wiggins, Jabari, Embid, Vonleh.  They all have the potential to be truly great, not just good, and players like that come along once or twice in most drafts, if at all. We all want to see that "next superstar".  Lebron one a title.  Durant is the NBA's scoring leader, as always.  And 23 year old Paul George became a franchise player this year.  The fact that there isn't just 1 or maybe 2 players like most drafts, rather 8-10 or so.

All I know is that these guys are amazing and the NCAA March Madness tournament is going to be a blast this year. Players have been breaking out, and more are sure to come onto the scene as a result of the tournament.

To everyone, a sincere March Madness, as well as a good draft for your teams!  Signing off!