About Me
As a rookie in 2003-04, started 56 of 61 games played in, and averaged 16.2 ppg., 4.0 rpg., 4.5 apg., 1.41 spg., while shooting 46.5 percent from the field and 74.7 percent from the free throw line. Joined ‘04 USA teammates Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James as an unanimous selection to the NBA All-Rookie First Team and finished third in Rookie of the Year voting. Ranked 37th in the NBA in field goal percentage. Ranked in the top five among rookies in five major statistical categories, Ranked second in field goal percentage, second in steals, third in scoring, third in efficiency rating (15.26), forth in assists, fourth and minutes, seventh in blocks per game, 11th in rebounds per game, and 12th in free throw percentage. Helped lead Miami to a surprising runner-up finish in the Atlantic Division with a 42-40 regular season record, a considerable improvement from the Heat's 25-57 showing in 2002-03. Assisted Miami in the 2004 Playoff to the Eastern Conference Semifinals upping his averages to 18.0 ppg., 4.0 rpg., 5.6 apg., 1.31 spg., all while shooting 45.5 percent from the field and 78.7 from the charity stripe. Scored 234 points in the 2004 postseason the third highest single-season playoff total by a Miami player (Tim Hardaway 318 points in 17 games in the 1997, and Alonzo Mourning 303 points in 17 games in 1997). Became the only rookie in Heat history to lead the team in scoring average in the postseason. Posted seven postseason games of at least 20 points, the most by a rookie in the NBA Playoffs since David Robinson had nine in 1990. Became just the fourth rookie since the shot clock era began in 1954-55 to lead his team in scoring average and assist average in the playoffs joining USA teammate Stephon Marbury (21.3 ppg. and 7.7 apg. in 1997), Michael Jordan (29.3 ppg. and 8.5 apg. in 1985) and Billy Ray Bates (25.0 ppg. and 4.0 apg. in 1980). His 18.0 ppg. average in the postseason was the second highest ever by a rookie (with a minimum of 10 games played) since 1984 trailing only David Robinson's 24.3 ppg. average in 1990. In the 2004 Rookie Challenge held during All-Star Weekend, finished with 22 points on 11-16 shooting from the floor, four assists, three rebounds in 26 minutes for the Rookies. Named the Eastern Conference NBA Player of the Week for the week ending Feb. 22, becoming the first Heat rookie to earn league Player of the Week honors and the 21st in NBA history. Was also the first rookie to capture league Player of the Week honors since Steve Francis captured the award in January of 2000 and the first Eastern Conference rookie since Vince Carter in March of 1999. Set a Heat rookie record for scoring average and tied Sherman Douglas' franchise record for most 30 point games in a season by a Miami rookie with three. Set a Miami rookie single-game record with 15 field goals made against Atlanta on Feb. 15 and matched the AmericanAirlines Arena single-game record. Scored a career-high 33 points against Golden State on Dec. 21 which matched the Heat single-game scoring high for the season. Recorded a career-high six steals against New Orleans on Mar. 16 to tie the AmericanAirlines Arena single-game record. Became on Oct. 28, 2003, at Philadelphia the youngest player to ever start on opening night for the Heat (21 years old). Was drafted in the first round, No. 5 overall, of the 2003 NBA Draft by Miami. Became an early entry candidate after two collegiate seasons at Marquette University.
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