[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
Sam Smith And I Look At The Draft
(My comments appear in parentheses.)
Column
Martin's injury adds intrigue to NBA draft
By Sam Smith
Tribune Pro Basketball Writer
March 12, 2000
The season-ending injury to Cincinnati's
Kenyon Martin not only has confused the
NCAA tournament field, it has confused the
NBA.
"I'm not sure I'd want to make that decision
now," one NBA personnel director said when
asked about the No. 1 pick in June's college
draft. That's because Martin, a long-armed
6-foot-8-inch forward, had emerged as the
consensus No. 1 pick among the pro scouts,
especially after a superb performance in
leading Cincinnati back from a huge deficit
against DePaul.
(There's something about the Cincinnati program
that reeks of the hopelessness of Big Time College
Basketball. Maybe it's their non-existent
graduation rate or the the evil Pitino: Bob
Huggins.)
But Martin's devastating injury he broke his leg
and tore ankle ligaments raises questions and
concerns. Hall of Famer Bob Lanier suffered a
major knee injury at the end of his collegiate
career and still was the No. 1 pick in the draft.
But Lanier didn't rely on quick jumping and
athletic ability, as Martin does. One NBA
general manager said Martin had the potential
to lead the league in blocked shots next season.
(I can't believe he would beat out Mutumbo
or Shaq, and I just have negative vibes
about Martin. Call me out to lunch and
early for supper, but I think the McHale-ish
Troy Murphy will be the better all-around
player in the pros.)
Also, Martin might not be available, or might
be limited, for personal workouts before the
draft. And it's hard to sell season tickets when
your No. 1 draft pick comes up to shake hands
and accept his obligatory team baseball cap
from NBA Commissioner David Stern while in
a wheelchair or on crutches.
(Never fear the Clippers will be here to take him.)
Still the NCAA tournament goes on, and the
NBA executives are lining up their June draft.
Here's a pretournament look, based on
interviews with a half-dozen NBA executives,
at a possible first round:
1. Kenyon Martin, Cincinnati, Sr., 6-8, 230.
Have to go with the talent assuming team
doctors give him the OK, although some say
his rehabilitation could take a year.
(I think he's very overrated, but what do I know.)
2. Chris Mihm, Texas, Jr., 7-0, 245: Might
move up to No. 1, especially if Bulls get the
pick; they already have Elton Brand. Versatile
center reminds some of a bigger Alvan Adams
or Vlade Divac.
(Definitely like Vlade - Alvin Adams was a
pretty good player too.)
3. Loren Woods, Arizona, Jr., 7-1, 225. A little
on the skinny side for post play, but has long
arms and legs and is a good shot-blocker.
(Reminds me of Caldwell Jones, but when players
start having back problems even before they meet
the rough and tumble world of the NBA, you have
to raise a Rock-like eyebrow. He could drift,
and yes, I'd take a shot at him if he was
there when the C's picked.)
4. Darius Miles, East St. Louis High School,
6-9, 190. Considered a big Scottie Pippen. A
great athlete who can take the ball at one end
and finish at the other.
(Definitely someone the C's could select.
Scottie Pippen comparisons must intrigue Pitino,
although I hear he's into Magic Johnson these
days.)
5. Stromile Swift, LSU, Soph., 6-9, 235. Good
long-armed athlete who can block shots. Could
be like 76ers' Theo Ratliff.
(I raved about Swifty four months ago. Reminds me
of Antonio McDyess.)
6. Courtney Alexander, Fresno State, Sr., 6-5,
200. The next Isaiah Rider? He's had some
personal problems, but is an explosive,
big-time scorer.
(The next Isiah Rider: A very comforting
thought for his future employer. I hate
all Fresno State players except for Chris
Herren.)
7. Marcus Fizer, Iowa State, Jr., 6-8, 240. Size
could be a problem, but a proven scorer.
(For some reason I'm thinking Armon Gilliam.)
8. DerMarr Johnson, Cincinnati, Fr., 6-9, 200.
A little on the thin side, but could become a
great shooter. Some compare him to Glen
Rice.
(He would have been a first round pick out of
one of the myriad number of prep schools he
attended.)
9. Michael Miller, Florida, Soph., 6-8, 210. An
excellent shooter with good size who can make
plays.
(He's been compared to Bird.)
10. Joel Przybilla, Minnesota, Soph.,7-0, 250.
Left school after a dispute with his coach over
attending classes. Scouts like him better than
fellow big men Jason Collier, Brendan
Haywood and Eric Chenowith because he's a
better shot-blocker and a good passer.
(This is a guy the C's should move up in the
draft to select. He's the Anti-Vitaly.
Best big man to come out of Minnesota since
McHale.)
11. Eddie Griffin, Philadelphia Roman Catholic
High School, 6-9, 200. A great athlete.
(No he's not related to Adrian.)
12. Morris Peterson, Michigan State, Sr., 6-6,
210. Able to play small forward or big guard
and coming off a big year.
13. Terence Morris, Maryland, Jr., 6-8, 195.
Sometimes indifferent and likened to Derrick
McKey. A good athlete with skills.
(Robert Horry-like.)
14. Etan Thomas, Syracuse, Sr., 6-9, 255. Not
a scorer like Fizer, but a better rebounder and
a terrific shot-blocker.
(Beware of Syracuse players - Lots of talented,
underachieving head cases. But it would not shock
me to see the C's take him.)
15. Troy Murphy, Notre Dame, Soph., 6-10,
230. A good scorer and rebounder who could
play some small forward.
(Bound for glory. An absolute steal if he's 15.)
16. Carlos Boozer, Duke, Fr.,6-9, 260. Not a
Brand name, but the kind of big body the pros
like. Not as good as Elton Brand, but
improving.
(For every Elton Brand that Duke produces,
there's a Trajan Langdon, and Boozy is more the
latter.)
17. Gerald Wallace, Childersburg (Ala.) High
School, 6-7, 205. Most athletic of the high
school prospects, but a little high-strung.
18. Quentin Richardson, DePaul, Soph., 6-5,
215. Has size and range, but must learn to
create his own shot.
(I really enjoyed Q when he was on Star Trek.
He really taught Picard and the other TNGers
a lesson, when he introduced their haughty
Federation asses to the Borg. They were really
taken with themselves until they met that
Borg cube.
Q has two great NBA skills: He can rebound and score.
Thus he shall become a very good player. A Shooting
Touch however, has yet to be assimilated.)
19. Shane Battier, Duke, Jr., 6-8, 220. Great
defender and tough player.
(He's more in the Grant Hill than Trajan Langdon
mode, but still a bit of a finesse/perimeter player.)
20. Hanno Mottola, Utah, Sr., 6-9, 240.
All-around skills and a mature person, but he
has started to break down physically.
(He's the Tom Green of the draft. You ahve to watch him
a few times to get his genius.)
21. Keyon Dooling, Missouri, Soph., 6-3, 180.
Pros like him better than the big-name point
guards (Khalid El-Amin, Scoonie Penn,
Mateen Cleeves), who are too small.
(When you coming home, Kenyon Dooley...)
22. Desmond Mason, Oklahoma State, Sr.,
6-8, 205. Not great shooter, but has decent
range and is a good athlete.
23. Erick Barkley, St. John's, Soph., 6-1, 185.
A scoring point guard who can shoot. He's in
the mold of B.J. Armstrong.
(Erick Iran Barkley packs quite a jump shot and a punch.
A shoot first/pass second NY point guard. One of them
is enough for me.)
24. Jabari Smith, LSU, Sr., 6-11, 250. Not a
great athlete, but a good shot-blocker and
rebounder with a good feel for the game.
(I mentioned him last year. Probably good solid backup.)
25. Jamaal Magloire, Kentucky, Sr., 6-9, 260.
Not big enough to be a true center, but an
excellent shot-blocker with a mean streak.
(Could be a bad tweener.)
26. Steven Hunter, DePaul, Fr., 7-0, 210. A
project, but one team executive says in 10
years he'll be the best-known player off this
DePaul team.
(Steak tartar raw.)
27. Casey Jacobsen, Stanford, Fr., 6-8, 195. A
scorer. Best player on veteran team.
28. A.J. Guyton, Indiana, Sr., 6-1, 175.
Excellent shooter who must be able to play
point guard.
(Beware of Bobby's kids and I'm not talking about
the Kennedy's or Shriver's.)
29. Chris Porter, Auburn, Sr., 6-7, 220. Great
athlete, but between positions for the pros.
(Give him a few years and he'll be fine and can pay back
his agent.)
Ray