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SPORTSMonday 15 February 2016

The 2003 draft class still going All-Star strong

TIM REYNOLDS The exploits of the 2003 sure,” said James, who led

AP Basketball Writer group are well-chronicled. the Cleveland Cavaliers

TORONTO (AP) — On the Wade won his first NBA to last season’s NBA Finals

night that he entered the championship in 2006 for and has them back atop

NBA in 2003, someone Miami, then added more the Eastern Conference

asked LeBron James to as- titles in 2012 and 2013 with standings this season. “You

sess the potential of the Bosh and James as Heat just look at our resumes, the

draft class that he was teammates. Wade and things that we’ve done in

headlining as the No. 1 James are 12-time All-Stars, our class, we’ve got mul-

pick. Bosh is an 11-time selection tiple champions, we’ve got

James answered quickly. and Anthony is a nine-time MVPs, we have All-Stars, we

“You’ll see,’” James said. pick. James has four MVP have everything that you

People did see, of course. awards and will be gener- can ask for.”

And when it comes to the ally considered the best The sense of nostalgia is

stars in that class, they’re player of his era — if not kicking in, without question.

still seeing. any era. Wade has savored this All-

This All-Star weekend has In this Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016 file photo, Cleveland Cavaliers’

been a celebration of all LeBron James, right, steals the ball from New Orleans Pelicans’
things Kobe Bryant, whose Anthony Davis in the second half of an NBA basketball game
career ends when his 20th Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016, in Cleveland.
season concludes with
Associated Press

scoring milestone. Duncan, Dirk Nowitzki, Kev-

in Garnett and Paul Pierce

probably almost certainly

aren’t more than a couple

years from their final games

either.

So as strange as this seems

to the players themselves,

the 2003 group is on the

verge of becoming the

NBA’s elder statesmen.

“Look at Kobe’s generation

with Kobe, Duncan, Dirk

and KG to name a few,”

James said. “We’re the next

generation that comes af-

In this Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016 file photo, Golden State Warriors ter that, meaning myself, In this Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2016 file photo, Miami Heat’s Dwy-
forward Andre Iguodala (9) defends New York Knicks forward Chris Paul, D-Wade, Chris ane Wade, right, dribbles the ball while Los Angeles Clippers’
Carmelo Anthony (7) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Bosh, Melo. They paved Chris Paul, left, defends him during the second half of an NBA
at Madison Square Garden in New York. the way for us. You’ve got basketball game in Los Angeles.

Associated Press Kobe retiring, Timmy D is al- Associated Press

ways on the fence of what

the Los Angeles Lakers in “There’s a lot of great draft he may do, KG as well. They may be the best class Star weekend more than
a couple months. But his classes, man,” said Wade, “It’s like ‘Wow, we’re the ever. he has in previous years.
presence in Toronto also citing 1984 and 1996 in next wave,’” James add- James thinks so, for certain. Bosh stuck around even af-
left some of the other vet- particular. “We’ve got a ed. “It’ll be us next.” “I’m definitely biased for ter pulling out of the game
erans — like that 2003 draft good draft class. We’ve
foursome of James, Car- got some good players, with an injury, just to remain
melo Anthony, Chris Bosh some Hall of Fame players
and Dwyane Wade — tak- in our draft class. But it’s part of the festivities. An-
ing stock of their own ca- hard to compete against
reers as well. the past and what those thony’s phone has plenty
And while they’re all still players have done, espe-
playing at an extremely cially when you’re doing it of new videos he took to
high level, what they’ve al- still. You don’t get that until
ready accomplished merits it’s all done and everybody chronicle the weekend,
including them in the de- sees the full body of work.”
bate of which draft class With Bryant, the body of including his son dunking
was the best. Only four work is easy: five champi-
drafts in the last 40 years onships, 18 All-Star nods, during the All-Star Saturday
produced at least three No. 3 on the all-time scor-
20,000-point scorers, and ing list. Night event.

“Every other guy in other

classes, they can argue

the same thing,” Bosh said,

when asked if the 2003

class is the best. “You can

talk about hardware and

championships and MVPs

and things of that nature.

Having LeBron helps. Hav-

ing Dwyane helps. Two of

In this Friday, Dec. 18, 2015 file photo, Miami Heat forward the greatest players ever to

the 2003 group is on target Chris Bosh (1) drives to the basket as Toronto Raptors guard play this game. From top to
to get there in a few weeks But he’ll be gone soon, and DeMar DeRozan, left, defends during the second half of an bottom, it was a complete
when Wade reaches that other longtime stars like Tim NBA basketball game in Miami. draft.”q

Associated Press