April 28
Did anybody really doubt that LeBron James would skip college and go straight to the NBA? His announcement that he's declaring for the NBA draft was about as dramatic as a Cupcake City early-season college game. After all, he's been hyped as the draft's No. 1 pick since last year, his junior year in high school.

How long will it take him to make an impact in the NBA? The first quarter of his first game.

LeBron has size (6-8, 240), strength, an NBA physique, charisma and great vision. He has unbelievable passing ability -- he not only scores but also creates scoring opportunities for his teammates.

For a player of his size, he's the best passer I've seen since that kid from East Lansing, Mich., by the name of Earvin "Magic" Johnson.

LeBron is the most talented high school player I've ever seen. He does such incredible things on the court. He led his school, St. Vincent-St. Mary, to a state championship in Ohio, and he was named the USA Today national player of the year.

LeBron's total court vision is what separates him from his friend, Carmelo Anthony, the diaper dandy who has declared for the NBA draft after leading Syracuse to the national championship.

	LeBron James led his high school, St. Vincent-St. Mary, to three state titles in four years.

King Anthony has tremendous inside-outside ability, and I feel that he's a lock to be a top-five draft pick. He will be a star in the NBA.

But LeBron's vision and passing ability set him apart. He has all the intangibles -- those unbelievable, rare instincts that make his teammates better.

People ask me all the time, how long will it take for him to make an impact in the NBA? I have a simple answer: By the end of the first quarter of his first NBA game, fans will realize that he's the real deal.

There's no doubt about it, LeBron James is a lock to be the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft. The bottom line is this: LeBron will be solid gold wherever he goes.

The NBA has so many young stars -- Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, Tim Duncan. The first three are flashy, while Duncan gets lost in the shuffle sometimes because he does his job in such a quiet manner.

But the league will need to make room for two more next season when LeBron and King Anthony arrive on the NBA scene.