Call me crazy but I think if you take the best from each draft and create a team, the 1996 squad would beat the 2003 lineup.

Kobe, Iverson, Camby, Nash, Ray Allen, and even Marbury and Jermaine are mentally and physically tougher than LeBron, Carmelo, Wade, Bosh, Kaman, and David West. I'd even argue Kobe, Iverson, and Marbury are quicker and faster.

Thoughts?

1996
Iverson
Kobe
Camby
Marbury
Ray Allen
Nash
Peja
Jermaine O'neal (was actually decent in his prime)
Derek Fisher

2003
LeBron
Melo
Bosh
Wade
Kaman
Hinrich
David West
TJ Ford
Josh Howard

That's tough. Today id lean 96. But
In a few years I could lean 03

96

Yeah, my buddy said "when it's all said and done, 2003"

I guess I just don't see LeBron having a better career than Kobe. He may have him physically, but DEFINITELY not mentally... and that's huge as you age and can't just jump over everyone else.

Also, none of the 2003 guys could guard Nash or Iverson in their prime, and I'd say Fisher, Camby, and Jermaine have better defensive skills/size.

The more I think about it, the more clear 1996 is haha

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Yeah, my buddy said "when it's all said and done, 2003"

I guess I just don't see LeBron having a better career than Kobe. He may have him physically, but DEFINITELY not mentally... and that's huge as you age and can't just jump over everyone else.

Also, none of the 2003 guys could guard Nash or Iverson in their prime, and I'd say Fisher, Camby, and Jermaine have better defensive skills/size.

The more I think about it, the more clear 1996 is haha

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LeBron has the best stats in close out games in NBA history....not mentally?

Okay, whatever the case may be, he is nowhere near as mentally tough as Kobe. Not even close.

Let's see how lebron is when he ages. When he can't just jump over everyone.
Will he develop an elite post game? Will his jumper be consistently reliable?

Jordan and Kobe adjusted with age. Look what's happening to Wade. Time will tell with LeBron.

Let's see how lebron is when he ages. When he can't just jump over everyone.
Will he develop an elite post game? Will his jumper be consistently reliable?

Jordan and Kobe adjusted with age. Look what's happening to Wade. Time will tell with LeBron.

2 of the top 10 scorers of all time in 1 draft?

yeah, 1996 has 2003 beat

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2 of the top 10 scorers of all time in 1 draft?

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Huh?

Darko

end of thread

Damn I knew darko was coming

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Huh?

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http://www.sportscity.com/nba/records/all-time-points-per-game-leaders/

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2 of the top 10 scorers of all time in 1 draft?

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Huh?

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'96 has 3 in top 21 not two in top 10

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Huh?

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http://www.sportscity.com/nba/records/all-time-points-per-game-leaders/

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That's ppg not all time points

http://www.sportscity.com/nba/records/all-time-scoring-leaders/

i look at ppg more than total points. not everyone plays 15-18 seasons

PPG favors 2003.

1996
6 Iverson
10 Bryant

2003
3 James
11 Wade
14 Anthony

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Kobe, Iverson, Camby, Nash, Ray Allen, and even Marbury and Jermaine are mentally and physically tougher

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Such an obvious troll.

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Okay, whatever the case may be, he is nowhere near as mentally tough as Kobe. Not even close.

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Always laugh when people bring up Kobe and mental toughness, like just because he acts mad all the time he's mentally tough.

Where was that mental toughness when he shot 33% and got blown out of the 2008 NBA Finals? Or when he shot 38% and lost 3 in arow to lose 2004 Finals? The made up 'mental toughness' people try to come up with for Kobe is amazing. I guess they have to come up with a reason for why he is dick all the time so they label it as intensity and mental toughness.

No, you don't understand, if you'd rather take 7 absolutely stupid shots in a row at the end of a close game rather than maximize your chance to win by passing to the guy jumping up and down wide open under the basket, you have a "killer instinct". If you shoot an atrocious percentage in the clutch but still demand to take every clutch shot, that makes you tougher mentally than a guy who shoots a high percentage and racks up a lot of assists in the clutch.

[This message has been edited by Ulrich (edited 6/23/2013 7:12p).]

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Will he develop an elite post game? Will his jumper be consistently reliable?

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didnt he shoot like 60% in the post this season?

shut the eff up

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Will he develop an elite post game? Will his jumper be consistently reliable?

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Yeah, those two things already happened.

He's not a great contested jump shooter, but if you give him space (and most teams almost have to) he will knock them down at a solid clip.

Lebron has already surpassed Kobe.

Wow. Nice graphic mr. Bond

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Wow. Nice graphic mr. Bond

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Can't take full credit I just found it

As for the OP, I think a starting lineup of LBJ, Melo, Bosh, Wade and Hinrich would crush the 96 team. You could even start Kaman in the post and bring Melo off the bench. Not enough defense on the 96 team. Who the hell would Iverson or Nash guard if they took Hinrich off the floor and ran a no PG lineup (ala the Heat in the playoffs)

LeBron, Wade, Melo, Bosh > Kobe, Allen, Iverson, Nash

David West, Kaman, Hinrich > Marbury, O'Neal, Camby

Not to mention Nate Collison and Kendrick Perkins are two solid big men from the 2003 class.

2003 would beat 1996

"David West, Kaman, Hinrich > Marbury, O'Neal, Camby"

Ill disagree with this

1996 has three MVP's. 2003 has one. Not really close.

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LeBron, Wade, Melo, Bosh > Kobe, Allen, Iverson, Nash

David West, Kaman, Hinrich > Marbury, O'Neal, Camby

Not to mention Nate Collison and Kendrick Perkins are two solid big men from the 2003 class.

2003 would beat 1996

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All of this is wrong. Sorry. 1996 also has a DPOY in its group.

OP also left out Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Antoine Walker, and Ben Wallace. All of them were All-Star players and Ben Wallace is a multiple DPOY winner. How is this even close with respect to guards or big men.

Perkins? Whoever Nate Collison is? GTFOH.

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1996 has three MVP's. 2003 has one. Not really close.

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Huh!?!


Edit: you mean 3 individuals I'm assuming. That's not totally fair, if 1996 had Jordan/ Lebron they'd prolly be in Same boat as '03

[This message has been edited by Mr.Bond (edited 6/23/2013 9:46p).]

My starting 5 of LeBron, Wade, Bosh, Melo and West would destroy any 5 you put together from 1996. It isn't close.