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Friday, April 11
Updated: July 22, 5:14 PM ET
 
No surprise: James still makes scouts swoon

By Andy Katz
ESPN.com

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.

Carmelo Anthony
Anthony finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds in national title game.

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:

  • James could be Michael Jordan; Anthony could be Glenn Robinson.

  • James is a better athlete.

  • James is a better defender.

  • James is a franchise player.

  • James has the look of a hall of fame player; Anthony an NBA all-star.

  • James can play a multitude of positions; Anthony is a small forward.

  • James is tougher.

  • James has a more defined and NBA-type body.

  • James beat Anthony in a one-on-one matchup in Trenton, N.J. two years ago that still sticks in the minds of NBA personnel.

  • James will sell more tickets than Anthony.

  • James will sell more jerseys than Anthony.

    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:

  • He's a true small forward.

  • He's an impact scorer.

  • He'll be an early return on the investment.

  • He's a known commodity, especially after the Final Four.

  • Small forward could be the weakest position in the draft, and anybody needing one will try to get him.

    But the are plenty of pros for Milicic, too:

  • He's a 7-footer with skills, possibly the best of a foreign big man since Dirk Nowitzki.

  • He could play small or power forward, like Nowitzki.

  • He could be a major contributor in two seasons, so the wait won't be that long.

  • It's always harder to get 7-footer, who could play inside, than it is a small forward.

    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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