Now, I like Naruto. I consider it one of my "Guiltiest pleasures."
Yes, the anime can-and will-draw itself out (Like the massive stare offs,) and I can tell (I'm watching the series on TV which is a rarity among "otaku" these days) the filler episodes are going to suck. But all of this aside, I think it's a great show.
I plan on reading the manga as soon as my library fixes the first two books (Yet another rarity among "otaku") I've already read one or two issues, and they seem a lot better.