Player Evaluations

[Steskiles@aol.com]

Yet another new ESPN column about the upcoming draftees:

Tim Duncan
COLLEGE
POS
HGT
WGT
Wake Forest
C
6-10
252
Bilas' comment: His offensive skills are outstanding for a guy his size. He's
got good
back-to-the-basket post moves, a good turnaround jump shot and the ability to
hit the
17-foot jumper. He also runs the court extremely well. His timing and
defensive skills are
impeccable. His upside is incredible.
Tony Battie
COLLEGE
POS
HGT
WGT
Texas Tech
F-C
6-11
225
Sundvold's Comment: Very mobile, very athletic. He's tall but needs to add
some weight.
He'll probably develop into a power forward down the road. He's a guy that
can run the
floor and can shoot the ball pretty well from the post.
Ron Mercer
COLLEGE
POS
HGT
WGT
Kentucky
F-G
6-7
210
Bonner's comment: Obviously a guy with all of the NBA tools. He is very good
in
transition. He's big and he's strong and he shoots the ball well. His ability
to run up and
down the floor fits the NBA game perfectly.
Keith Van Horn
COLLEGE
POS
HGT
WGT
Utah
SF
6-9
225
Dykes' comment: Offensively he's probably the most well-rounded guy coming
out of
college this year. Has a good NBA body and has that degree of toughness that
it takes to
be successful in the NBA.
Antonio Daniels
COLLEGE
POS
HGT
WGT
Bowling Green
PG
6-4
195
Bilas' comment: Although people didn't know him before this draft, he's going
to be a
household name in three or four years. He's got good size for a point guard
so he can see
over the top of most defenses. Offensively he's very far along. He's able to
shoot the ball
and he puts it on the floor very well.
Tim Thomas
COLLEGE
POS
HGT
WGT
Villanova
PF
6-9
235
Rautins' comment: Versatility is the key. Tim Thomas can play several
different positions. I
was impressed with his ability to let the game come to him and not force
things. The big
thing he has to work on is his shooting from the perimeter, especially if he
starts playing at
small forward.
Chauncey Billups
COLLEGE
POS
HGT
WGT
Colorado
PG
6-2
202
Sundvold's comment: He's outstanding off the dribble, a pretty good outside
shooter, but
can really create his own shot and opportunities for his teammates. He's one
of the best
guards off the dribble coming out of the draft.
Adonal Foyle
COLLEGE
POS
HGT
WGT
Colgate
PF
6-11
215
Dykes' comment: He is as good a shot-blocker as there is coming out in the
draft.
Defensively, he's probably the best big guy in the draft. His offensive
skills still need to be
developed. He's a guy who can run, jump, defend and block shots and should be
in the
league for 8-10 years.
Kelvin Cato
COLLEGE
POS
HGT
WGT
Iowa State
C-F
6-11
255
Sundvold's comment: He will have to improve on the offensive end, but I think
that will
come in time. Defensively, he's a great shot- blocker with great timing. He's
a good
weak-side defender but will have to work on his defense on the ball, because
guys will try
to take it to him aggressively.
Brevin Knight
COLLEGE
POS
HGT
WGT
Stanford
PG
5-10
173
Dykes' comment: Many people think he's the best point guard coming out of
college. He's
run that team at Stanford successfully for at least three years. He's got
good size and is a
point guard that can score.
Tracy McGrady
H.S.
POS
HGT
WGT
Mt. Zion Christian (NC)
F-G
6-8
195
Rautins' comment: He's a cross between Tim Thomas and Kevin Garnett. I don't
think he's
nearly as good as Garnett, but he's that type of player who will do a great
deal of
ballhandling. He runs the court very well, but it just remains to be seen how
he will handle
an incredibly difficult transition.