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Updated: July 22, 5:14 PM ET No surprise: James still makes scouts swoon By Andy Katz ESPN.com |
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PORTSMOUTH, Va. -- LeBron James is still the unquestioned No. 1 pick in the June 26 NBA draft, regardless of the positive vibes Syracuse freshman Carmelo Anthony may have generated with his Most Outstanding Player performance at the Final Four.
And, Anthony might not even be No. 2, since a number of teams still enamored with Yugoslavian forward Darko Milicic.
That means that Anthony could fall to No. 3. And though he'll possibly have the most impact of any of top three next season, he may not be the best over the long haul.
The overriding feeling among NBA teams is that the three players represent the best in their individual category -- by far. James is the best prep player, with no one else on the horizon. Milicic is the best foreign player, with no others expected to make a contribution next season. And Anthony, thanks to a remarkable freshman season, is the best college player. After that, there's a significant drop-off.
The ironic thing is that all three technically are not in the draft -- yet. None has filled out the required paperwork and filed it with the NBA office. But that appears to be a foregone conclusion. James, out of St. Vincent-St. Mary High, is simply putting off his declaration, but will make one by the May 11 deadline. Agent Aaron Goodwin is the favorite to represent James.
Milicic has worked through the issue of turning 18 before the draft, but not before the entry deadline. His agent, Marc Cornstein, has worked tirelessly to ensure that he would still be in the draft.
Anthony said Monday night in New Orleans that he would make up his mind after school, but there isn't a source close to him that expects him to return. He's expected to sign with agent Bill Duffy. In reality, there are two intriguing debates among some scouts: James vs. Anthony and Anthony vs. Milicic. Neither appears to be as close as those in the media or the casual fan would think. Several NBA personnel directors polled at the Portsmouth Invitational on Thursday said that support for James is overwhelming.
Here's why:
The bottom line? "You'd have to have guts to take Anthony over James,'' said one NBA general manager. "Big-time guts to do that.'' The same question was posed to NBA personnel regarding Anthony vs. Milicic. This was closer, but certainly not a given for either player. Among the scouts contacts, the pros for Anthony were:
But the are plenty of pros for Milicic, too:
The consensus among NBA teams is the easiest pick in the draft will be No. 3. That's because James will be No. 1 and then either Anthony or Milicic will be No. 2, leaving the other for No. 3.
The hardest pick is No. 4, because no one knows yet who could be in that spot.
Andy Katz is a senior writer at ESPN.com. |
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