The 2003 NBA Draft will go down as one of the best in NBA history. It consisted of LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, and of course, Los Angeles Lakers coach Luke Walton, the player whom the Miami Heat star Wade believes everyone will remember the most when they think about that legendary draft.
Dwyane Wade walked by Walton’s pregame presser just as it ended, and said loudly, “Luke Walton made the ‘03 Draft what it is!”
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) December 11, 2018
Of course, Dwyane Wade is just kidding here. Luke Walton was drafted by the Lakers with the 32nd overall pick. Ironically, Walton is now the head coach of Los Angeles, while LeBron James and Dwyane Wade face off for the final time Monday night at Staples Center.
Luke Walton won two championships with the Lakers thanks to Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal, and Phil Jackson. The current Lakers coach had career averages of 4.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 564 games while shooting 42.9 percent from the field, 32.6 percent from beyond the arc, and 71.5 percent from the free-throw line. Walton played for the Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers.
LeBron James and Dwyane Wade are going to be first-ballot Hall of Famers one day. Luke Walton? Not so much. But at least Walton won't be remembered like Darko Milicic is, who was the second overall pick after James. Milicic went to the Detroit Pistons and was a colossal bust.
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