Tracy McGrady claims that the accomplishment of Huge Lebron James belonged to his rival Initially appeared on Sports activities Athlon.
LeBron James was probably the most publicized views to enter the NBA within the historical past of the League in 2003, and it didn’t take him lengthy to point out that he was certainly the true matter. The Cleveland Cavaliers chosen James with the primary selection of the NBA 2003 draft, and he had an affect from the beginning.
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James collected a median of 20.9 factors, 5.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.6 interceptions and 0.7 blocks per sport in 2003-04 to win the recruit of the 12 months, its first prize from the main NBA. He beat Carmelo Anthony to convey the trophy again to the home, acquiring 78 votes in first place towards 40 for his good pal.
San Francisco, California, United States; The Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James striker (23) dribbles towards the Golden State Warriors of Chase Middle.Darren Yamashita-Imagn Photos
Though the recruit race of the 12 months didn’t find yourself being notably shut, there was an concept that Anthony, that the Denver Nuggets had chosen with the third selection, deserved to win the award. He had a median of 21.0 factors, 6.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.2 interceptions and 0.5 blocks per sport in 2003-2004.
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Not like James, Anthony had additionally led his crew to the playoffs, the Nuggets ending eighth from the Western Convention with a file of 43-39. The riders, alternatively, had been ninth within the east with 35-47.
So there was definitely an argument for Anthony to win the award, and the previous NBA star, Tracy McGrady, mentioned on the “7 p.m. in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony” Podcast he ought to have.
“It’s best to have gained this [expletive] Recruit of the 12 months since you took your crew to the playoffs, “mentioned McGrady.” … It is an important achievement for a recruit [and] Having this projector on him like that. And to be despised on the recruit of the 12 months, I didn’t like that in any respect. »»
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It was certainly an enormous accomplishment. The Nuggets had gained solely 17 video games in 2002-2003, and Anthony had led a turnaround. It could most likely have been a lock for the recruit of the 12 months throughout most seasons, however not that one. The exploits of James who left the college had been deemed extra spectacular, and Anthony needed to be content material to be the finalist.
This story was initially reported by Sports activities Athlon On July 18, 2025, the place he appeared for the primary time.
