Mark Cofman: If The Celtics Keep The Tenth Pick....

[witchcraft1998@hotmail.com (Witch)]

Here's what Mark Cofman said in today's Boston Herald:

"Assuming they keep the pick, the Celtics' draft-night decision will likely 
come down to a choice among UNLV forward/center Keon Clark, Notre Dame forward 
Pat Garrity, Houston high school forward Rashard Lewis, Georgia Tech forward 
Matt Harpring, German national team forward Dirk Nowitzki, and Kentucky center
Nazr Mohammed.

(WC: I would take Nowitzki if he's there.)

"Wallace figures the first eight picks, in no particular order, will include 
Arizona guard Michael Bibby, Pacific center Michael Olowokandi, North Carolina 
forwards Antawn Jamison and Vince Carter, Kansas forwards Paul Pierce and Raef 
LaFrentz, St. Louis guard Larry Hughes and Michigan forward Robert Traylor.

(WC: I think one of these guys may slide down to nine or ten.)

"'We figure these players will be gone by No. 10, but we'd be there with open 
arms if one from that group fell to us," said Wallace.  'That's (eight) guys 
right there, but the gap between them and us on draft night might seem like the
Grand Canyon.'

"Translated, Wallace and Pitino are aware of the considerable drop-off in 
talent at the lower end of the lottery.  Michael Doleac would be an attractive 
choice for the Celtics but the rumor mill has the 6-foot-11 Utah center bound 
for Milwaukee at No. 9.

(WC: With Nowitzki and Jason Williams available, the dropoff in talent isn't as 
severe as Cofman makes it out to be.  All indications from Wallace and Papile 
have Doleac as a half-court, non-pressing type of center; ill-fitted for 
Pitino's style.)


"In that event, Clark would probably be the most compelling talent left for the 
taking.  However, the 6-foot-11 shotblocker, who walked out on his UNLV team 
midway through last season, comes to the NBA with the baggage of a troubled 
past.  Pitino doesn't appear interested in reassuming the role of baby-sitter
in 1998-1999."


http://www.bostonherald.com/bostonherald/sport/22celt1.html