nba624

SoCalHoops NBA Draft Analysis

Elgin Baylor Has Lost His Mind. . .
Or Maybe He Hasn't--(June 24, 1998)

Here's our admittedly lame and probably completely wrong first round NBA draft analysis. Hey, it's our site and we can say whatever we want.

Pick No. 1: Clippers-- Michael Olowokandi, 7'-1" Center, University of the Pacific

A walk on at the University of Pacific as the No. 1 pick? Ok, well when was the last time the Clippers had the first pick and who did they draft? Danny Manning, 1988, and look how well that one turned out. Olowokandi has only been playing organized basketball for the last five years! He's admittedly a sort of Olajuwan in the making, but for now he's really a project. And the Clippers have a fully serviceable center in Ike Austin, and even though he's getting up there in years, the thinking is, we guess, that the Clippers don't want to deal with him as a free agent. Sterling never really knows how to pay the money when it comes right down to it. Maybe they didn't want Bibby because they really want Bibby as the coach. Already there are rumors flying that Olowokandi was drafted just as trade-bait for a guard. But for whom? There was talk that he would be traded to Phoenix, but that doesn't seem like a realistic possibility. Even though the Suns are a team in desperate need of a true center and have an over-abundance of guards, who do they have that really is equivalent to a first-round draft choice?

Are the Clippers trying to get Jason Kidd from Phoenix? The Suns would be nuts to deal him. Who else could they be after in a trade with Phoenix? KJ is retiring; Marco Milic or Steve Nash? Not likely. Rex Chapman? No way. The only logical choice for a trade with Phoenix would be Kidd, and Danny Ainge isn't about to let him get away. Besides, the Suns have Danny Manning. Wait, now that's the strategy: Trade Olowokandi for Danny Manning. Maybe Phoenix can get two centers in the bargain, Olowokandi and Keith Closs. :0)

Pick No. 2: Vancouver-- Mike Bibby, 6'2" point guard, University of Arizona

The Grizzlies now have a complete team. Abdur Raheem and Michael Smith at forward spots, Bryant Reeves at Center, Antonio Daniels and Sam Mack at the guard spots, and George Lynch (although he'll be a free agent). The Grizzlies have always been a little bit suspect in their guard play anyway. Wow. An all Pac-10 team. Great choice.

Pick No. 3: Denver-- Raef LaFrentz, 6'-11" Forward, University of Kansas

Whatever it takes. Really, this is Denver for goodness sakes. Take anyone, it doesn't matter. It's a great pick. Denver stinks and anyone will be an improvement. C'mon, we're talking about a team which only won 11 games. Now if they can only get a coach and the rest of a team together.

Pick No. 4: Toronto-- Antawn Jamison, 6'-9" Forward, University of North Carolina

Toronto takes a big man and then exchanges him with another big man from UNC by trading Jamison to Golden State for 6'-7" forward from UNC, Vince Carter. Does this make any sense? We don't know, but these two guys are really not interchangeable, and we think Carter is the more explosive athlete and has a better chance of making an impact immediately.

Pick No. 5. Golden State-- Vince Carter, 6'-7" SG/SF, University of North Carolina

See above. Traded to Toronto for Antawn Jamison. Go figure. We think Toronto got the better end of this deal, particularly since Golden State already has Donyell Marshall at the forward spot along with Clarence Wetherspoon. Maybe another trade in the works? Toronto must have gotten the better deal, because they also paid cash.

Pick No. 6. Dallas-- Robert Traylor, 6'-8" Forward, University of Michigan

Is Dallas signalling or is it sensing the end of AC Green's career? Perhaps. Maybe Cedric is going to go water skiing again, or maybe they just don't sense any excitement from Kurt Thomas. Would you. I mean, look at this guy, Is this the picture of a guy who looks excited to be in the NBA?

Even though Traylor's press has far exceeded his production, this may have been the best choice for them. But is he really No. 6 material? Maybe, who else was left if you're looking for a forward. Well there was Ricky Davis, or Pat Garrity, or Sunday Adebayo. Probably better than Dirk Nowitzki; why, after all, waste a draft choice on someone who may never play a day in the NBA next season and who has indicated that he may stay in Europe. We'll see if Traylor can now put his money where his mouth has been. Can you say NBA Championship Robert?

Updated post-draft-- Traylor is traded to the Bucks in exchange for two future picks, Nowitzki (No. 9 pick) and Pat Garrity. Does Dallas gets what it wants, and Milwaukee does too.

Pick No. 7. Sacramento-- Jason Williams, 6'-1" Guard, University of Florida

Either the next Pistol Pete, or the next Latrell Sprewell. Actually a pretty good choice for a team in need of a true point guard, but Williams big question mark is whether he can cut it in the NBA. Kicked off the team at University of Florida after only playing one season (sat out a year after redshirting following his transfer from Marshall. Could be the next Stockton/Hornacek. Not a bad choice. A very exciting guard, can do amazing things with the ball. If nothing else, he'll sell tickets.

Pick No. 8. Philadelphia-- Larry Hughes, 6'-5" Guard, St. Louis

Larry Hughes and Allen Iverson? Is there enough room in the locker room for these two guys? How many youngsters can there be on a team? Actually one of the best picks overall in the draft, but he's still only 19 years old. They really need a small forward, not another guard, unless there's something in the works. A trade perhaps?

Pick No. 9. Milwaukee-- Dirk Nowitzki, 6'-11 Forward, Germany

His reputation is built on a single game this year at the Hoop Summit. A non-commit for Cal, Kentucky and anyone else who is pursuing him, he is rumored to be better than many his age, but really a complete unknown. Will he stay in Europe or will he play. Has already said that he wouldn't play for a non-contender team. Milwaukee was and is a contender and with Ray Allen at the point, and Gilliam's head in a noose, Nowitzki might just be the guy. Besides, Milwaukee will draft the UCLA guys anyway, right?

Post Draft Update: Nowitzki is traded to the Mavericks in exchange for Tractor Traylor; Bucks also give up Garrity (Pick No. 19 and two future draft picks. So who got the better deal. Probably an even deal since it's now doubtful that Nowitzki will even show. Mavs then trade Garrity to Phoenix in exchange for Steve Nash, Bubba Wells, Martin Muuresep and a first round 1999 pick.

Pick No. 10 Boston-- Paul Pierce, 6'-7" Forward, University of Kansas

Pierce is a solid pick, who we would have expected to go much higher (ok, so he went in the top ten). We actually thought he would go before Jamison, Carter and certainly before Traylor. Will fit in very well with Walker, Anderson and Mercer. Walter McCarty's job may be in trouble.

Pick No. 11-- Detroit--Bonzi Wells, 6'-5" Guard/Forward, Ball State

Wells with Dumars, Stackhouse, and Sealy? Someone's going, and we think it will be Stackhouse. A terrrific scorer, he just could be the next Isaiah Thomas type of player. Ranked 8th in the nation in scoring last season with 22.2 ppg. MidAmerican Conference Player of the Year. A great choice.

The rest of the first round:

Pick No. 12. -- Orlando-- Michael Doleac-- Orlando gets 12th, 13th and 15th, and goes with a center, a center, and a 6'-8" forward. Have they learned nothing from history? They desperately needed a point guard so that Penny could move to the SG spot, but instead they try to reassemble a front-line that doesn't need reassembly.

Pick No. 13. -- Orlando-- Keon Clark-- no comment

Pick No. 14. -- Houston-- Michael Dickerson-- need a guard, got a forward. Oh well, Barkley's a free agent and Dickerson might be seen as some insurance.

Pick No. 15. -- Orlando-- Matt Harpring-- see above

Pick No. 16. -- Houston-- Bryce Drew-- They needed a guard to replace Drexler, and they got one.

Pick No. 17. -- Minnesota-- Radoslav Nesterovic-- who? Just what we need in the NBA, more Yugoslavians. An Italian Pro veteran.

Pick No. 18. -- Houston-- Mirsad Turkcan-- who? From Turkey, and that's all we know.

Pick No. 19. -- Milwaukee-- Pat Garrity-- just in case Nowitzki doesn't show up. Not a bad choice.--Post-draft update: Traded to Dallas; then traded to Phoenix. He's getting dizzy with all the trading.

Pick No. 20. -- Atlanta--Roshown McLeod -- If Laetner and Henderson go in the free agent fight, then this is probably a pretty savvy choice.

Pick No. 21.-- Charlotte-- Ricky Davis-- They've got two centers who are going to be free agents, so what do they do, draft a small forward. Get out your checkbooks gentlemen, because this one is going to cost you. Can you say trade with the Clippers?

Pick No. 22. -- Clippers-- Brian Skinner-- Huh??? Another center? Oh, well, you never can have too many really tall guys. Olowokandi at 7-1", Keith Closs at 7'-3" and now Skinner at 6'-10". Maybe he can play some forward for the Clips. Or is this just more trade bait.

Pick No. 23. -- Denver-- Tyronne Lue-- Ok, anyone will help, right? Just what they need, another guard.

Post Draft Update: Biggest news of all-- traded to the Lakers along with Tony Battie for Nick "No. 37th pick in the draft out of Cincinnati" Van Excel. Lakers do really well on this one.

Pick No. 24. -- San Antonio-- Felipe Lopez-- Nice selection, but we would have gone with Corey Benjamin over Lopez. The Spurs already have one of the tallest lineups in the NBA. Now they have a guard. Post Draft Update-- Grizzlies trade point guard Antonio Daniels in exchange for forward Carl Herrera and Felipe Lopez.

Pick No. 25. -- Indiana-- Al Harrington-- Bird knows talent when he sees it.

Pick No. 26. -- Lakers-- Sam Jacobsen-- sensing that they won't be able to keep Rick Fox, and looking for a future replacement for Elden, this is a great choice for the Lakers. A solid pick.

Pick No. 27. -- Seattle-- Vladimir Stepania-- Who?

Pick No. 28. -- Chicago -- Corey Benjamin-- Wow. The next Michael Jordan. The Bulls are going to need help everywhere. Can't start that rebuilding too early. Nice move. Good choice. One of our favorite players.

Pick No. 29. -- Utah -- Nazr Mohammed-- Could this be the real true center that Malone has been hoping to play with. The Jazz are already a pretty complete team; now they just got a lot better. Post Draft Update-- Mohammed is traded to the Sixer's in exchange for a future draft pick.

Well, that's it for the first round. No UCLA guys gone in the round. Three Pac-10 guys in the first round. Lots of centers, and a bunch of foreign guys. Now you know why the NBA is sooooo exciting. More Post Draft Updates:

Lakers do really well. Get Sam Jacobsen, Ruben Patterson and Toby Bailey. They needed a couple of forwards and may just have gotten them. Local boy makes good. Also, Jelani McCoy goes to Seattle, J.R. Henderson is also drafted by Vancouver, and Tremaine Fowlkes goes to Denver.

Undrafted: Big surprises: Wojo goes unclaimed. We bet he'll make it though; also unsigned, Elijah Allen, Rashid Bey, Earl Boykins, Gerald Brown, Paul Culbertson, Allen Edwards, Tim Gill, Sarunas Jasikevicius (how many more Sarunases does the NBA need?), Kris Johnson, Jeremy Veal, Bennet Davison, Avondre Jones (big surprise. . . not), Randall Jackson, who gives up last year of eligibility for nothing.

And finally: Ellis Richardson was not drafted. And neither was Taj McDavid.