Looking Back to the 2004 NBA Draft

Dwight Howard, Emeka Okafor Battle for Picks 1 and 2

May 5, 2007

This June marks the three-year anniversary of the 2004 NBA Draft. Hindsight offers a better picture of which teams were most successful in that draft.

There was much debate over whether the college veteran, Emeka Okafor, or high schooler, Dwight Howard, should be selected with the first overall pick. Ultimately, the Orlando Magic went with Howard, though Okafor would end up Rookie of the Year with the Charlotte Bobcats. The jury's still out on which one has had a better career so far. Okafor's second season was slowed with significant injury, but he bounced back in his third season.

Dwight Howard has impressed in his first few seasons, out-rebounding opponents and providing an imposing force in the middle for the Magic. In his first season, he averaged a double-double of 12.0 points per game and 10.0 rebounds per game to go along with 1.7 blocked shots. He has improved upon that each season, averaging 17.6 points per game, 12.3 rebounds per game and 1.9 blocks per game in 2006-2007. Howard is not known for having much of an offensive game, relying heavily on his superior athleticism and intensity. He averaged only 10.7 field goal attempts per game last season, despite being a focal point of the Magic offense. Still, he's very young and constantly improving.

Emeka Okafor was the 2005 Rookie of the Year, averaging 15.1 points per game, 10.9 rebounds per game and 1.7 blocks per game in his rookie campaign. He played only 26 games in his sophomore season due to back injury, which plagued him even in college. However, he bounced back this season, averaging 14.4 points per game, 11.3 rebounds per game and 2.6 blocks per game in 67 games.

Guard Ben Gordon was solid in his first two seasons, averaging 15.1 points per game and 16.9 points per game respectively. However, he took the next step as an NBA scorer averaging 21.4 points per game this past season. Critics contend that he still needs to develop more of a well-rounded game. He averaged only 3.6 assists per game with 3.0 turnovers. That being said, he is certainly making a case for himself as a future All Star after establishing himself as the Chicago Bulls' primary scorer.

The Los Angeles Clippers selected point guard Shaun Livingston with the fourth overall pick. Like Howard, Livingston also entered the draft directly out of high school. At 6-7 and a mere 175lbs (he's gained about 20 lbs since), Livingston was criticized for his lack of strength in draft camps. He was enjoying his best statistical season this year, 9.3 points per game, 5.1 assists per game, before seriously injuring his knee. He is said to be out at least a year.

The Washington Wizards claimed the fifth pick of the Draft, but traded the rights to the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavs selected point guard, Devin Harris. After having his best statistical season this year, Harris hopes to help Dallas avenge last year's defeat in the NBA Championship. He averaged 10.2 points per game and 3.7 assists per game in 26 minutes a night as a regular starter.

The Atlanta Hawks draft versatile forward, Josh Childress, with the sixth overall pick. Childress has averaged double digits in scoring in each of his first three seasons, including 13.0 points per game this last season. Ultimately, he missed 27 games to injury, but remains a gem for the up-and-coming Hawks. Aside from his 13.0 points, Childress averaged 6.2 rebounds per game, 1.1 steals per game and only 1.5 turnovers per game.

The Chicago Bulls made their second pick of the draft by selecting forward Luol Deng with the seventh overall pick. Deng has been an integral part of the Bulls' recent success and is a candidate for Most Improved Player for the 2007 season, averaging 18.8 points per game to go along with 7.1 rebounds per game. Deng also shot nearly 52% from the field this season.

Andre Iguodala was selected nineth overall by the Philadelphia 76ers. After playing in the shadow of Allen Iverson, Iguodala (the other "AI") stepped up big, increasing his scoring average by six points (18.2 points per game) as well as his assists per game by over two and a half points (5.7 per game). Iguodala looks to be the future of the Sixers.

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