2003 NBA draft day awards

By Rich Levine Sports Central Columnist

The 2003 NBA draft is once against behind us. Here's a look at the good, the bad, and the ugly from last Thursday night.

Worst Picks

3. Jarvis Hayes, WAS: Don't get me wrong, I am definitely a Jarvis fan, but with Jerry Stackhouse, and thus 80% of the Wizards shots, signed up more another two years, how does Hayes find his way into the offense? The Wizards needed a point guard, and considering that five of the seven players picked after Hayes can run the point, I think Washington missed the boat. And for all you optimistic Wiz fans out there, I'll say this only once -- Steve Blake is not and never will be the answer.

2. Travis Outlaw, POR: Yes, I know, the last name Outlaw/Trailblazers joke has been made 25 times already (20 times by Tom Tolbert), so I won't beat a dead horse. In all seriousness, though, could there be a worse place for a high-schooler to become acclimated with the league? I guess hell, but believe me, Portland is a very close second.

1. T.J. Ford, MIL: You know, building a team around a short, college All-American point guard who can't shoot has worked so well in the past that it's hard to criticize the Bucks. If all goes to plan, Ford will most likely be named the third point guard on next years' Olympic team alongside Jacque Vaughn and Tyus Edney.

Best Picks

3. Luke Walton, LAL: Shaq and Kobe have found their ideal teammate. He's soft-spoken, plays defense, won't take any spotlight away from them, and most importantly, he loves to pass! The only drawback I see here is the potential of having Bill (Walton) hanging around the locker room before and after games.

2. Dwyane Wade, MIA: The number five spot might be a little early for a team to turn to the best available player strategy, but when it came time for the Heat to pick, Wade was undoubtedly the best guy left. He can score, he can pass, and has the maturity to maybe one day become a decent point guard if need be. I'm not sure if this means that Eddie Jones is out in Miami, but if he stays, I'm salivating at the thought of seeing Wade, Jones, and Caron Butler running the show all at once.

1. Carmelo Anthony, DEN: There was a lot of talk about what Denver might do with this pick. They allegedly weren't crazy about 'Melo, and explored possible trades with teams that could give them some proven talent. Let me tell you something, Carmelo Anthony is a proven talent. The Nuggets have all the money in the world right now to go out and sign quality free agents, and passing on the chance to get Anthony would have just been another in a long line of Denver draft day mistakes. Watch out for the Nuggets in the next couple years. Especially if the kid from Syracuse is taking alley-oops next year from a Kidd from New Jersey.

Best On-Air Personality

Am I the only one blown-away by Greg Anthony's TV persona? I mean, here's a guy who acted like nothing short of a punk throughout his NBA career (see playoff hijinx with M.J.), yet he gets in front of the camera and emerges as the most articulate and sensible part of ESPN's coverage. Who said that Jerry Tarkanian never produced any students? What's next, L.J. and Plastic Man in '08?

Worst On-Air Personality

I could go on for about 30 pages on this one, but I'll try to keep it short -- Tom Tolbert sucks. That just about sums it up. Can't you just picture Tolbert high-fiving himself in his hotel room Wednesday night after he came up with that stupid "scouting embryos during the ultra sound" bit?

You're killin' them, Tommy boy, just killin' them.

Best Suit of the Night

Those of us who were desperate enough to sit through the coverage of the second-round were aptly rewarded with the sight of Serbia's Slavko Vranes making his way up to the podium. The 7-4 future Knickerbocker's 7-2 long suit jacket may never again be matched.

Lastly, a three-way tie for one of the more popular awards ...

The Most Awkward Moments

1. Darko Milicic and ESPN's Michelle Tafoya go one-on-one: You have to give some respect to Milicic for braving his first American TV interview sans interpreter, but I would have liked to see him more prepared. The long pauses, awkward stares, and nervous smiles were non-stop. Darko will be okay, he just needs a Sammy Sosa-esque "baseball been very good to me" go-to line that he can use in times of crisis.

2. Mr. Lampe all by his lonesome: It was just way too awkward. I almost had to turn off the TV. I could no longer stand to see this clueless pimple-faced Polish kid twiddling his thumbs in the green room into the second-round. Thank God the Knicks eventually took one for the team.

3. Stuart Scott harasses Mrs. Anthony: I realize that you need to be aggressive if you are going to get an interview, but Stu Scott needs some common sense. Her son just made it, Stu, he was drafted to the NBA -- she will now be supported for the rest of her life, she has no more house payments, no more bills, and no more nine-to-five work days -- let Mrs. Anthony take it in for a second and get your interview once she stops balling her eyes out.

Article courtesy of Sports Central.