Celtics Projected To Take Dooling

[Way Of The Ray <wayray@ix.netcom.com>]

Dooling: I'm having Chauncey flashbacks - I think they may go for
the sporty foreign model: Oyedeji or Tsakalidis...


 http://www.nbadraftreport.com

Top slot now  2000 Mock Draft
By: John Thompson
Date: 04/25/2000
Kenyon Martin or Chris Mihm? Well at this moment officially only Martin
is the choice, but if Mihm or rather when Mihm declares, it will start a
huge debate on which player is likely the top pick of the draft. Number
three, well... 
 


Seniors and Current Declared Underclassmen
First Round
1. Los Angeles Clippers - Kenyon Martin, 6-10, Power Forward
With Martin, they shore up the fact that Taylor may leave and is likely
to go. Kenyon is also the frontrunner for the rookie of they year award
if he can come back from his injury. If Mihm comes out, He will end up
being the top pick, but the Clippers are not likely to pick here, as
they don't really need a point guard. If the lottery gives them the
pick, look for them to trade it, as Mihm is just too good of a center to
pass up at number one. He is better than Olowokandi, which means they
may even trade the Kandi man for a mid-to-late first round pick or good
starting caliber point guard. 

2. Chicago Bulls - Courtney Alexander, 6-6, Shooting Guard
They would like to get a top-notch center or point guard, but this draft
isn't real high on many of those type of players, yet. They will toss
and turn over the available shooting guards and for the most part, it is
a toss up. Every person you talk to is torn on whether to take
Alexander, Quentin Richardson, or DerMarr Johnson. Some even want to put
Morris Peterson in that group. Only Brand's power forward spot is safe
for the Bulls.

3. Orlando Magic - Jerome Moiso, 6-10, Power Forward
Orlando has good guards, even though Mercer is a free agent, so they
want to take care of the inside and Moiso is the best athlete among the
power forwards and would fit in well in the Magic system. They would
take Stromile Swift, if he came out. If Moiso indeed changes his mind
and stays in school, which isn't likely at this moment, they would be
happy with Marcus Fizer or picking up one of the shooting guards. They
are likely just to take the best available player no matter of position. 

4. Vancouver Grizzlies - Marcus Fizer, 6-8, Forward
Fizer is one of the better scorers in the draft, but he has a lot of
questions in regarding how may fit in the NBA style game. He is still
likely a great contributor wherever he plays or gets picked. They are
pretty much set on a nice starting lineup, but just the youngest team in
the league. A good six man will help a lot and Fizer could provide just
the spark they need. 

5. Atlanta Hawk - Mike Miller, 6-8, Small Forward
Miller can play either guard or small forward, but with so many top
notch shooting guards in the draft, he will looked more as a small
forward and thus the reasoning for the high draft status. After Miller,
the small forward spot is weak, but deep. With Isiah Rider gone, Miller
would be a perfect fit. 

6. Chicago Bulls - Joel Pryzbilla, 7-1, Center
Chicago's second pick is going to be one of the most interesting in the
draft. They need so much and in so many areas, they go draft anyone with
this pick. If they can't get Mihm, they are sure going to try to get
Pryzbilla or to relieve some pressure against Brand. They still hope for
Duncan, but will need a back up plan. This pick could go to Washington,
if they get the luck of the bounding ball and get into the top three. 

7. New Jersey Nets - Quentin Richardson, 6-6, Shooting Guard
New Jersey is a team with a chemistry problem and that is what they are
going to hope to cure first, but the best way is to just get the best
player they can and it is likely to be one of the left over shooting
guards, Johnson or Richardson. Kendall Gill is a free agent and with
this pick, they may be able to get a good enough center to start, so
they may have to go with Williams at center and Van Horn at power
forward still and just pick up Richardson or Johnson and play him at the
three, if they are even ready to play right away. Mike Miller would be a
good pick or even Pryzbilla. 

8. Cleveland Cavaliers - DerMarr Johnson, 6-9, Shooting Guard
Johnson is young and not ready to contribute right away, but his upside
is so great, he could go even higher than this. Cleveland may look to
get someone in to take the place of Zydrunas Ilgauskas, in case of
another foot problem. This team could also be in for a few trades along
the way as well. 

9. Houston Rockets - Jason Collier, 7-0, Power Forward
Collier is almost forgotten in the some draft talk. He is a good scorer
at seven foot tall and can also rebound. He isn't a great defender, but
can do it. He isn't really a center either, his best spot would be to
play the power forward position. Many teams will look at him to come in
and play the center spot though, similar to Raef LaFrentz. Houston needs
some youth inside and have a decent bunch in Kelvin Cato and Kenny
Thomas, but neither look like they are ready to start full-time yet.
Collier should provide a spark on any team he plays for as he provides a
lot to the table. 

10. Boston Celtics - Keyon Dooling, 6-3, Point Guard
Although the point guard spot isn't needed badly for Boston, but Kenny
Anderson may be on his way out. Just like the Nets, the Celtics are
having chemistry problems at times. Dooling isn't ready to start right
away, but playing a year behind Anderson or maybe getting in another vet
to play ahead of him for a year or two would be great for Dooling and he
could become a star in a few years. The Celts could also look to go
inside and shore up the center spot. 

11. Orlando Magic - Morris Peterson, 6-6, Shooting Guard
The Magic have so many picks that is hard to determine who they will
take with their picks, but they are likely to just take the best
available players. Peterson is a winner and provides many aspects that
the Magic could use. If a great center is available here, he will get
picked up as well. This pick may go to Denver still as the Magic owe
them a pick and it would be smart to get rid one of the man picks they
have in the lottery.

12. Dallas Mavericks - Erick Barkley, 6-0, Point Guard
Barkley will battle Dooling for the top point guard honors and is a
steady leader with great athleticism. He doesn't jump like Dooling, but
is more of a pure point guard. Dallas has Steve Nash and Robert Pack,
but neither has done the job and are not the caliber of the rest of the
league either. That is their biggest need, but with Don Nelson around,
he likes to go for inside players at all times. 

13. Orlando Magic - Ernest Brown, 7-0, Center
If the Magic are lucky they may be able to come away with a center that
can contribute in a few years. Brown is that player. He is a pure banger
that has great power and could be a great center in a few years. 
_______________________________________________________

14. Milwaukee Bucks - Etan Thomas, 6-9, Power Forward
There is not a secret that the Bucks need some inside help and Thomas
provides some help, even though it isn't exactly what they want. They
want an offensive minded center, but any insdie help is good. They are
also out looking around at shopping wither Glenn Robinson and/or Sam
Cassell to get a center, which also means they may draft one of the very
good point guards at this stage like Craig Claxton, Scoonie Penn, or
Mateen Cleaves. 

15. Detroit Pistons - Craig Claxton, 5-11, Point Guard
They need inside help, but they really need to sign Grant Hill.
Therefore, their minds may be elsewhere at draft time. They have always
had a problem with Lindsey Hunter at the point, as he plays more like a
two-guard and would be better as a six-man. They need a point guard that
can distribute and let Hill score more and even Jerry Stackhouse. Geiger
and Ratliff are good starters, but Geiger has had injury problems and
neither are offensive minded, thus they may go with the best available
inside player they can. 

16. Sacramento Kings - Cory Hightower, 6-8, Shooting Guard
Hightower is one of the most versatile players in the draft; he can play
either guard spot and even the small forward spot as well. He is looked
upon as a shooting guard by most though. He can do so much or any team
and is a good shooter. Kings need wing players and if Hightower is gone
by now, they may go with a young center if they can.

17. Los Angeles Clippers - Scoonie Penn, 5-10, Point Guard
The Clippers are likely to go with an inside player with their first
pick, thus the point guard is their next biggest need. Odom can play the
point or even the shooting guard spot, but is best utilized at small
forward, especially on defense. They need a point guard that can score,
yet distribute the ball when needed; this would be the best situation
for Penn. 

18. Seattle Supersonics - Soumaila Samake, 7-2, Center
Samake is playing in the IBL and doing very well, he is still learning
all of the ins and outs of the game, but is as athletic as they come for
7-2 and runs the floor well and is a very good shot blocker. He is also
learning some offensive moves that make him a good prospect. 

19. Charlotte Hornets - Pete Mickael, 6-6, Small Forward
Mickael is one of the better all around winners in the game and he plays
from beginning to end and works as hard as anyone does. The Hornets want
a winner and someone they would work well with the other teammates and
Mickael would be a great fit for them. 

20. Philadelphia 76ers - Chris Carrawell, 6-6, Shooting Guard
Carrawell played on a team with loads of talent, so he knows how to work
for his shot and get in good position, which he will really need playing
for Philly and Iverson. He would be a good fit for Allen to move to
point for a few minutes a game. 

21. New York Knicks - Mateen Cleaves, 6-2, Point Guard
The Knicks don't need a whole lot, but are getting a bit old at some
spots, especially at center with Ewing. He has only a few years left,
but is waiting on Fredrick Weis, even though he hasn't been playing well
enough to even think about coming to the NBA yet. If a really good
center doesn't fall to them, they are likely to grab the best available
point guard they can and especially one that can create his own shot and
play defense. Cleaves isn't the best scorer, but can drive the lane and
dish and that is what the Knicks really want with the likes of Spree,
Camby, Houston, and Johnson. 

22. Toronto Raptors - Khalid El-Amin, 5-10, Point Guard
Toronto is another team in desperate need for a point guard, probably
more than any other team in the league, next to the Clippers. They will
also probably take the best available point they can, they would like to
get Cleaves or Claxton, but they are likely to be taken by now. El-Amin
is probably the best next thing. He has many questions, but most
surround his weight and size. He may be passed over with less talented
players and players that don't have his leadership abilities, all
because of his size. 

23. Utah Jazz - Desmond Mason, 6-6, Shooting Guard
Mason has made some big strides in the draft, but it hasn't been because
he has played better than everyone else, it is because he is one of the
most athletic players in the draft and showed it in Phoenix. The Jazz
will need a shooting guard to replace Hornacek and even though Mason
hasn't really play the spot, he can move their in time, how long will
determine if the Jazz picks him or not. 

24. Chicago Bulls - Jason Hart, 6-3, Point Guard
Chicago will need a point guard out of this draft, B.J. has retired,
Randy Brown isn't a pure point and that is pretty much it for them. They
will never make the playoffs without a point guard that can play 35
minutes of the game. The Bulls would like to get Cleaves, Penn, or
Claxton if they fall, but are likely to settle with the second tier.
A.J. Guyton is another player that could be picked up by them here. 

25. Phoenix Suns - Jamal Magloire, 6-10, Power Forward
Magloire is a good inside player that can play center or power forward
and is athletic inside. He is a good defender and has some nice leaping
ability for an inside player. The Suns need another big body and
Magloire would fit in with that team, as they need defensive inside
players.

26. Utah Jazz - Todor Gecevski, 6-11, Center
The Jazz need to get younger inside with Ostertag about to retire and
Malone getting up in age, even though he doesn't look like he is going
to retire. Gecevski has an offensive game and can rebound well, but may
have to play another year in Europe, so that could be enough time for
him to gain a bit more experience. 

27. Golden State Warriors - Mamadou N'diaye, 7-0, Center
The Warriors need inside help more than anything else at the moment, but
will probably need a point guard to replace Blaylock soon. N'diaye is
not going to come in and start right away. He will need some time, but
has progressed well in his limited amount of time playing the game. He
has great footwork and a good defender as well. In a few years, he could
be a good player that could provide a nice defensive stopper in the
middle. Some think he may progress similar to Kelvin Cato. 

28. Portland Trailblazers - Hanno Mottola, 6-10, Small Forward
If Mottola wasn't injured during the year, he could be a top ten pick,
but with the injury questions and the fact that Mottola is around 250
pounds, yet he doesn't rebound or bang inside. He also is not a great
defender, but has a great offensive game outside. 

29. Los Angeles Lakers - Mark Madsen, 6-9, Power Forward
Madsen has moved up with his strong play in Phoenix and may be drafted
even higher. He is a good rebounder and has a bit of an offensive game
as well. This is what the Lakers want, but they are also interested is a
player that could possibly play center a bit as well, so they may go for
Jabari Smith. Brandon Kurtz is also a possibility. If the right player
is not available, they could go for a point guard and with this year so
deep at that spot, they could get a decent one at this pick and possibly
the best available player would be a point guard. 


Second Round
30. Los Angeles Clippers - Mark Karcher, 6-5, Shooting Guard
31. Dallas Mavericks - Jabari Smith, 6-10, Power Forward
32. Chicago Bulls - Chris Porter, 6-6, Small Forward
33. Vancouver Grizzlies - T.J. Lux, 6-9, Power Forward
34. Chicago Bulls - Eduardo Najera, 6-8, Power Forward
35. Washington Wizards - Ed Cota, 6-1, Point Guard 
36. New Jersey Nets - Brad Millard, 7-3, Center
37. Denver Nuggets - Jaron Rush, 6-6, Shooting Guard
38. Chicago Bulls - A.J. Guyton, 6-1, Point Guard
39. Boston Celtics - Kevin Freeman, 6-7, Small Forward
40. Atlanta Hawks - Malik Allen, 6-10, Power Forward
41. San Antonio Spurs - Mike Smith, 6-8, Shooting Guard
42. Orlando Magic - Eddie House, 6-1, Point Guard 
43. Milwaukee Bucks - Jake Voskuhl, 6-11, Center
44. Detroit Pistons - Doc Robinson, 6-1, Point Guard
45. Sacramento Kings - Dan Langhi, 6-11, Small Forward
46. Toronto Raptors - Terrance Roberson, 6-7, Small Forward 
47. Seattle Supersonics - Nate Johnson, 6-6, Small Forward
48. Milwaukee Bucks - Brandon Kurtz, 6-10, Power Forward 
49. Philadelphia 76ers - Jarrett Stephens, 6-6, Power Forward 
50. New York Knicks - DeeAndre Hulett, 6-8, Small Forward
51. Minnesota Timberwolves - Shea Cotton, 6-5, Shooting Guard
52. Miami Heat - Shaheen Holloway, 5-10, Point Guard
53. San Antonio Spurs - Lamont Barnes, 6-8, Power Forward 
54. Denver Nuggets - Josko Poljak, 6-11, Center 
55. Utah Jazz - Gabe Muoneke, 6-8, Small Forward
56. Indiana Pacers - Matt Santangelo, 6-1, Point Guard
57. Portland Trailblazers - Luther Clay, 6-9, Power Forward
58. Dallas Mavericks - Dan McClintock, 7-0, Center

The players that are likely to enter the draft:
Chris Mihm, 7-0, Center (1-2)
Darius Miles, 6-9, Small Forward (6-18)
Alvin Jones Jr, 6-11, Center (9-29)
Olumide Oyedeji, 6-10, Power Forward (10-30)
Iakovis Tsakalidis, 7-1, Center (10-30)
Michael Redd, 6-5, Shooting Guard (16-35)
Hidayet Turkoglu, 6-8, Shooting Guard (25-45)