In case you are wondering who to take with the first pick in the NBA draft, let me shed some light on the situation and give you my opinion.

Lebron seems to be the better athlete. Carmelo seems to be slightly slow off the dribble to me, but then again he did average 22+ points per game, 10 rebounds and a 45% FG percentage against the best the NCAA had to offer. Either player is going to be good, but the real question is whether either of them will be the next Kobe, Mcgrady or Garnett. I doubt if either of them will be as good as them for the following reasons:

# Kobe grew up playing against professionals since he was like 12 years old. Grant it they were from Europe, but either way the physical toughness and talent were there to challenge him from day one.
# Mcgrady is basically a freak of nature. Just watch one of Mcgrady’s playoff games and you will see what it is like to be able to do what you want when you want it. Both Carmelo and Mcgrady are 6′9″, but there is no comparison in their athletic talent, dribbling skills or jump shot.
# Garnett is a freak of a different sort. He is around 6′10″ but plays as if he is a 7+ footer with the the physical toughness of a Charles Barkley and touch of an Earl Monroe (Check your history book you youngin’s who don’t know who I am talking about).

If you are looking for a player to come and in and be able to contribute considerably the first year or two, then go with Carmelo because Lebron is going to schedule against the NBA talent in the beginning. Let’s be honest, it isn’t a seemless jump from high school kids who are just learning how to run the flex offense, to running Phil Jackson’s practically patented triangle offense. Lebron is always complimented on his passing ability, but in high school all you have to do is look away and half the kids have no idea where the ball is going.

So here you are with the #1 pick in the draft and your stuck with what to do…Carmelo or Lebron. First let me comment that both are going to the NBA despite rumors that Lebron may go to college if Carmelo stays at Syracuse. Carmelo already has his national championship, and Lebron has too many would be endorsements waiting to be signed. Now, back to the situation at hand…Carmelo or Lebron. I for one am a sucker for athletic talent and future ability. Lebron seems to be the all around better athlete, and we all know what happens if you over look that factor (just remember that Michael Jordan was taken 3rd in the 1984 draft behind Hakeem Olajuwon and Sam Bowie). Lebron can learn how to shoot a jump shot and also learn how to make passes in the NBA. Carmelo will be able to do this, but I don’t think quite as well in the end. My choice is Lebron with the number 1 pick in the 2003 NBA draft.

However, one must consider what is going on in their head…which I have no idea. If either player is the type of person who is not willing to work on his game, and he thinks he is ‘good enough’ then forget him. Always take the person who is willing to improve their game.