2003 SSBL Draft Grades: Eastern Conference

We are going to take a look at how the teams in SSBL graded after the first round of the draft. We will mention the player picked and if it was the right selection. In this edition, we will look only at the Eastern Conference teams.

All opinions are solely based on our writers.


Boston Celtics

Player(s) selected: SF LeBron James, C Darko Milicic, PF David West

Grade: A-

The Celtics got the best player in the draft. He is a young stud who is now their franchise player. Word around the league is that the Celtics GM really wanted to go with Wade, but couldn't pass up the Ohio standout. James takes over for Butler at the 3. Butler moves to the 2, but could be moved for a true SG during the rest of the offseason. The Celtics have a franchise player, but don't get an A solely because they drafted the best player, so why give them an A. A monkey could have chose James at #1. They also drafted two bigs. West could step in and start at PF for this team. Young Euro prospect Milicic may see PT behind West and Haywood.

Miami Heat

Player(s) selected: No picks

New Jersey Nets

Player(s) selected: SF Gerald Wallace

Grade: C

The Nets didn't come away as good as they could have in the draft. In our eyes, they should have gone in a different direction. Wallace is a good player, but he lacks a scoring game. The nets could have gone with a safe pick like UCONN SG Ben Gordon or even nab young big Perkins. Perkins would have been a nice selection as he could groom his skills behind veteran Marcus Camby. The Nets lack depth, but a SF is something they really didn't need this early in the draft.

New York Knicks

Player(s) selected: PF Amare Stoudemire

Grade: A

The Knicks wasted no time with this selection. They needed frontcourt help and got it big time here. Stoudemire is young and can play either PF or C. he will likely start at PF for the Knicks come season's start. The knicks did a good job, and only needed one pick to get it right.

Orlando Magic

Player(s) selected: SF Jason Kapono

Grade: C-

Did the Magic go by BPA here or go by a need? We are not too sure. The Magic needed a SG option, but instead landed a SF. They wanted to move the pick, but found no buyers, so they kept it. Pierce could move to the 2 and they could give Kapono more minutes that way, but with cap, will they do that? We shall see.

Philadelphia 76ers

Player(s) selected: SF Kyle Korver

Grade: C

The 76ers grabbed a backup SF here, but they could have grabbed a PF or C here too. Mike Sweetney could have been a good choice here due to his defense and rebounding, at a young age. Zaza Pachulia could have made more sense here too, since they lack a backup C. Korver is a shooter, but will he see alot of time behind Lewis?

Washington Wizards

No picks

Atlanta Hawks

Player(s) selected: PG Mo Williams

Grade: C-

The Hawks went PG, and we are still wondering why. On paper, it was apparent they needed a PF. There were a few PF names still on the board, and the Hawks still went small. David West would have bene a good selection for the Hawks. Mo Williams is younger then the other guards on the team, but will he produce better? Only time will tell. The Hawks GM may hear about this selection from the fans, if things go wrong.

Charlotte Hornets

Player(s) selected: SF Mickael Pietrus

Grade: C-

The Hornets had a tough choice here, and it shows. According to sources, they were torn between two foreign prospects. French forward Mickael Pietrus won out though. The Hornets lack a true SG and could have gone with Leandro Barbosa. Barbosa is a good shooter and could have added instant offense to this young Hornets club. Pietrus could play SG, but will he be that effective? Diawara has better ratings the Pietrus, so this pick is risky.

Chicago Bulls

Player(s) selected: SF Carmelo Anthony

Grade: B+

Anthony was the 2nd best prospect in this draft, was it a tough choice for the Bulls GM? We think not. He gives this club instant offense, and will be the franchise player too. Anthony can score and rebound, something the Bulls lack from a player on their roster. Anthony will step right in and start at SF.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Player(s) selected: C Sofoklis Schortsanitis, SF Josh Howard, PF Chris Wilcox, PG Luke Ridnour

Grade: B

The Cavaliers GM went MIA during the draft, but still came away as winners. They are in the process of building a roster, and added some good pieces. Greek Shaq will stay overseas for one season, and could become an instant fan favorite. He could also be thrown right into the starting lineup, once he arrives to the US. Howard is a scorer, and the Cavs need that badly. Adding Rindour and Wilcox late in the draft was big too. Ridnour could be a starting PG here soon and Wilcox is a big body who can do a few things.

Detroit Pistons

Player(s) selected: SG Leandrinho Barbosa

Grade: B+

The Pistons might have gotten the steal of the draft. Barbosa is a combo guard, and could start at the PG for Detroit. The Pistons are loaded at SG, but lack a PG. Barbosa was a good pick by the Pistons GM and could have easily been gone before this pick.

Indiana Pacers

Player(s) selected: PG Zoran Planinic

Grade: D

The Pacers drafted a PG, why? They are fine at PG, but need some SF help. There were a few options here, and they looked over them. Nikoloz Tskitishvili and Luke Walton would have been better choices here. They must see something in Planinic that we, or anyone else, does.

Milwaukee Bucks

No picks means no grade

Toronto Raptors

Player(s) selected: SG Dwyane Wade, C Kendrick Perkins

Grade: A-

The Raptors could possibly be the ultimate winners in the draft. The GM was MIA, but they still got very solid players. Wade fills a big need for this club. He is young, but could carry this club on his shoulders come the new season. Perkins fills a big hole downlow for Toronto. He is raw, but could be shuffled into the mix early on. The Raptors were winners in the draft, but did the GM forget he had 2 lotto picks?