Class of 2003 starting to hit its stride

Carmelo Anthony and the rest of the rookie class of 2003 are off to one of the best starts in the last decade.

Updated: December 8, 2003, 5:00 PM ET

By Chad Ford | NBA Insider

What's the matter with these kids today?

On Friday we explored the growing trend toward drafting international teenagers in the NBA and their inability to make an instant impact in the league. Today, it's time for the rebuttal.

Led by Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony, the draft class of 2003 is shaping up to be the most prepared group of rookies since the 1996 draft saw standout rookie performances by Allen Iverson, Stephon Marbury, Ray Allen, Antoine Walker, Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Marcus Camby.

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