more ESPN articles re: draft...

["Jaims" <jaims@philonline.com>]

Nets expected to pick between Mihm, Martin

  By Andy Katz
ESPN.com

Chicago and the Los Angeles Clippers were the two losers Sunday by not
winning the NBA draft lottery.

But the Bulls and Clippers' losses could end up being big gains for Texas
junior center Chris Mihm and Cincinnati senior forward Kenyon Martin.


Kenyon Martin could find himself living in Jersey soon.


New Jersey, which was the winner of Sunday's draft lottery, will likely go
for a big man with the first pick. Jayson Williams is still a question mark
at center, meaning the Nets will go for a big man.

A quick survey of scouts Sunday night concluded that Martin and Mihm would
be the top two choices for the Nets. The scouts also agreed with most of the
names ESPN.com had penciled in with the rest of the lottery.


Vancouver could end up trading the second pick, but if the Grizzlies don't
they'll go with a shot-blocker. Mihm, Martin, LSU sophomore Stromile Swift
or Iowa State junior Marcus Fizer fit the Grizzlies' needs at the second
pick.


The Clippers desperately need a point guard, but No. 3 is too high for that
position in this draft. Fresno State shooting guard Courtney Alexander could
be a possibility but, once again, the talent of Fizer and Swift, if either
is available, could be too tantalizing to pass up.

The wild card for the Clippers could be Darius Miles, the 6-foot-9
McDonald's All-American from East St. Louis, Ill.


Chicago needs a center, and if it can't get its hands on Mihm, Minnesota
sophomore Joel Przybilla is the next option. If the Bulls brass isn't sold
on Przybilla offensively, they may play it safe with Swift if he drops to
No. 4. Swift could play next to Elton Brand inside with Swift concentrating
more on the defensive end.


Orlando has to decide what it's going to do with free agency (Grant Hill,
Tim Duncan, Tracy McGrady). But the Magic won't let Swift go if he's
available at No. 5. If he's not, the Magic will likely look at Miles or
Michigan State guard Morris Peterson. The Magic don't feel the pressure of
needing to win with this draft and could take one or two of the high school
players with their three lottery picks.


Atlanta will take the best small forward or big guard available at No. 6,
with the likely order being Florida sophomore Mike Miller, Miles, Alexander
or Cincinnati freshman guard DerMarr Johnson.


If Chicago goes big at No. 4, it may have to grab a point at No. 7. If the
Bulls do, the first one up on the block is Michigan State senior Mateen
Cleaves. It may still be too high, which could allow the Bulls to trade down
a pick or two before taking Cleaves. If they stick with the pick, Johnson,
Alexander, Peterson and DePaul sophomore guard Quentin Richardson are
possibilities.


Cleveland needs a big man at No. 8, and Przybilla wouldn't slip past the
Cavs if he hasn't been selected by this pick. The other option could be
Greek center Iakovos Tsakalidis. If the Cavs don't have either choice or
aren't ready to commit to Tsakalidis this high, Peterson and Alexander
become options at the wing.


Houston will go with the next best three-man -- most likely Miller, Miles or
Peterson -- at No. 9. Alexander, if still available, could squeeze into this
spot, too.


Orlando has its eyes on Fresno guard DeShawn Stevenson (Washington Union
High) at No. 10. Richardson also becomes an option with this pick. But if
the Magic decide to go with a point here instead of at No. 13, Cleaves and
St. John's sophomore Erick Barkley are the top two choices.


Boston is in love with Tsakalidis if he's available, but the Celtics could
dance with the idea of taking Miles if he has slipped to No. 11. Grabbing a
backup point (Cleaves or Barkley) is an option, as is looking at a power
forward such as Syracuse senior Etan Thomas or UCLA junior Jerome Moiso.


Dallas could do just about anything with No. 12 (see Don Nelson's draft-day
trade for Leon Smith last year). They need a rebounder, which could mean
Thomas or Moiso, but some scouts could see Nelson going with a Dirk Nowitzki
clone in Utah senior Hanno Mottola. Nelson and Utah coach Rick Majerus are
close friends, which could help Mottola move into the lottery.


Orlando closes the lottery at No. 13 and will take a point guard if it
hasn't by now. Cleaves or Barkley wouldn't slip past this position. If they
took a point at No. 10, look for Stevenson to go at No. 13. Trading this
pick is also a possibility.