Impossible as it seems to identify LeBron James as an elder (though he entered the NBA before Entourage, Lost and Desperate Housewives debuted, and has provided greater intrigue and entertainment than any of them), as he approaches 32 years old, he's been increasingly reflective of late.
James spoke recently of the retirements of Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett, the 14th and 17th leading scorers in NBA history, both exiting right after Kobe Bryant, who ranks third on that list.
"It feels like our era is next," James told reporters. "That's what it feels like. Me, [Dwyane] Wade, [Carmelo Anthony], [Chris] Bosh. We're next. We're on deck. We're the next group behind those guys. I mean seriously, if you look at it, we're the next group. So that's one of the first things that I thought about, like, once Dirk [Nowitzki], and Vince [Carter], and Paul Pierce decide to go, we're next. You just don't take it for granted. Every time we come out here, we talk to you guys, step out on the floor, we're going to play this game, we love it, but we're on deck."
James has such an unusual appreciation of NBA history, and such an uncanny ability to memorize lists and numbers, that it hardly seems accidental that he named Nowitzki, Pierce and Carter off the top of his head. They're first, second and fourth among active players in all-time scoring, with James (11th overall) sandwiched between Nowitzki (6th) and Pierce (16th).
Next?
Melo (29th) and Wade (39th).
Then, after Joe Johnson (47th), Pau Gasol (49th), Jason Terry (60th), Tony Parker (70th) and the only younger player in the top 100 -- Kevin Durant (77th) -- there's Bosh, 86th, where he'll be stuck until some team other than the Heat clears him to play.
But even if Bosh is done, that list is indicative of the enormous impact made by James' 2003 draft class, and specifically its top five, in which James (1st), Anthony (3rd), Bosh (4th) and Wade (5th) were selected. So, sure, they're next -- and if James had been pressed, he probably would have included Chris Paul, a fellow Banana Boatsman who was drafted in 2005.
But it's more interesting to take his baseball analogy further, and ask this:
If they're on deck, who's in the hole?
That's where there's a gaping hole.
While the 2003 class produced four certain Hall of Famers, and five others who made All-Star teams, the 2004-2007 classes haven't left anything near such a lasting legacy.
Five members of the 2004 class have made All-Star teams (somehow including Devin Harris and Jameer Nelson), and one (Andre Iguodala) has won an NBA Finals MVP, but only Dwight Howard (115th) and Al Jefferson (172nd) are in the top 200 in scoring.
Hall of Famers?
Howard's eight All-Star appearances give him about the same chance as he has of making a free throw -- 56.8 percent entering this season.
The 2005 class?
There's only one Hall of Famer there also, and that's Paul, who is also its top scorer (144th), even though scoring is secondary to other stuff he does. The second-leading scorer? Monta Ellis, who is 154th all-time. Andrew Bogut, Deron Williams, Andrew Bynum, Danny Granger and David Lee have also made All-Star teams, though none will be making induction speeches, though Bogut's would be hilarious and Bynum deserves an honor for his hairstyle.
The 2006 class produced five All-Stars, but one (Brandon Roy) had to retire early. That leaves LaMarcus Aldridge (164th all-time in scoring) as the only potential Hall of Famer still playing, even as Rajon Rondo, Kyle Lowry and second-round steal Paul Millsap all remain relevant, as do J.J. Redick and Rudy Gay, neither of which has made an All-Star team.
The 2007 class? As far as All-Stars go, it's been Durant and three solid bigs -- Al Horford, Joakim Noah, second-rounder Marc Gasol. Plus the best compensated non-All-Star in history, $30 million man Mike Conley.
So, in one draft, four surefire Hall of Fame players -- with Bosh the only question, though his 11 All-Star appearances suggest swift election.
And in the next four drafts, just two for sure (Paul, Durant), one likely (Howard) and perhaps a maybe or two (Aldridge foremost among them).
It's not exactly news that the 2003 class has been exceptional, and not just on the court, since James, Anthony, Wade and Bosh have been cultural and community leaders as well, all finding their voices on critical topics -- including LeBron's recent endorsement of Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton -- while taking stands against management.
But what makes them stand out most is how we'll always group them together, and how many years needed to pass for drafts to produce players of their caliber. They have been an era in themselves. As James might say, you don't take it for granted.
