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Chad Ford
After a disastrous season for last year's lotto class,
Chad Ford says 14 members of the 2001 draft class are
projected to start as NBA sophomores. Its not surprising,
given the average age of the early 2001 picks.
Unless there is a strong Euro contingent to save the day,
next summer's draft looks as bad or worse than even 2000.
The Celtics have up to two picks in that draft.
Class of 2001
poised for major impact
by Chad Ford
Last week we took our swings at the pathetic draft class
of 2000. A week later, given several developments in
training camp, it's probably worth comparing 2000 with
the increasingly impressive class of 2001.
Everyone knew the class of 2001 was filled with upside,
but the operative word in 2001 was potential Four high
school players, two freshman, two international players
and one JUCO star were taken in the lottery. They were
all fine players, but certainly the five-year rule was
going to apply with this group.
Apparently not. The high school kids are finding their
groove, both international players have landed starting
jobs and the Celtics are counting on that JUCO to replace
former Sixthman of the Year Rodney Rogers. Want to put
things in perspective. As of today, only two players from
the class of 2000 b Kenyon Martin and Darius Miles b
have locked down starting positions on their teams. The
class of 2001? Fourteen players are projected to start
this season.
It's way too early to start labeling, but the class is
shaping up to challenge the class of 1994, 1996 and 1998
as the best of the past decade. Insider breaks down how
the impact that these super sophs may have in year two.
All-Stars in the Making
Pau Gasol, Memphis
Drafted No. 3
Gasol's 17.9 ppg and 8.9 rpg last season weren't a fluke.
He's bulked up even more for this season and the
Grizzlies are seriously thinking about giving him some
minutes at center. With the additions of Drew Gooden,
Michael Dickerson and Wesley Person to shoulder some of
the offensive load, look for Gasol to really explode this
year.
Richard Jefferson, Nets
Drafted No. 13
Jefferson was the best player at the Shaw's Summer Pro
League, where he averaged 22 ppg, 5.8 rpg and 6.5 apg on
50 percent shooting. His athleticism, court savvy and
improving outside shot were all on display at camp the
past few weeks and coach Byron Scott feels that Jefferson
has the potential to be the team's leading scorer. But
what has really impressed the team is Jefferson's ball
handling. Look for him to spell Jason Kidd at times this
year, and make a great run at the All-Star team.
Rock Solid
Tony Parker, Spurs
Drafted No. 28
His numbers were modest (9.2 ppg, 4.3 apg), but his
impact wasn't. Parker steps into year two with more
experience and he'll need it. Now that Terry Porter's
retired, there isn't a veteran to bail him out if things
get tough in the fourth. The word from Spurs camp is that
coach Gregg Popovitch isn't worried -- Parker looks
better than ever.
Jamaal Tinsley, Pacers
Drafted No. 27
Tinsley had an amazing run last season (9.4 ppg, 8.1 apg)
before running head first into the rookie wall. He spent
all summer in Florida working out and getting in top
shape. He still needs to work on that jump shot, but
Isiah Thomas and company are confident that Tinsley will
be able to push them deep into the playoffs this season.
Jason Richardson, Warriors
Drafted No. 5
It didn't take long for Richardson to steal away the
starting job from Larry Hughes. This season, Richardson
is aiming higher. With Antawn Jamison trying to prove he
can fit in, Richardson has the potential to become the
leading scorer in coach Eric Musselman's high-octane
offense. If he can just learn how to get to the line,
he'll be a handful.
Shane Battier, Grizzlies
Drafted No. 6
Battier was solid during his rookie season (14.4 ppg, 5.4
rpg, 2.8 apg). Will he ever be more than that? Newcomer
Gordan Giricek is pressing Battier for the starting small
forward position, but coach Sidney Lowe is reluctant to
send Battier to the bench. While the Grizzlies admit that
eventually, Battier will be their sixth man, his maturity
and defense are essential if their young starting unit
plans on succeeding.
Starting to heat up
Eddy Curry, Bulls
Drafted No. 4
Curry's offense is way ahead of his defense, but given
that he's 6-foot-11 and weighs 285, low-post offense will
do. Curry has looked unstoppable, at times, in the paint
this preseason. His rebounding and defense still need a
lot of work, but it's been a while since we've seen a
true center with this much offensive prowess.
Joe Johnson, Suns
Drafted No. 10
Johnson's game was a little too laid back for the
Celtics, but considering the tug-of-war between Stephon
Marbury, Shawn Marion and Penny Hardaway for touches,
Johnson's do-it-all game was a godsend. Coach Frank
Johnson has already anointed Johnson as the starting two
guard and has even experimented with him at point guard
in camp. He won't put up monster numbers, but if Johnson
can pick up the point, his value goes through the roof.
Vladimir Radmanovic, Sonics
Drafted No. 12
With Vin Baker gone, and the international invasion
already completed, Radmanovic will get ample opportunity
to ply his wares in Seattle this season. Is he really a
power forward? He won't grab 10 boards a night, but he's
strong, a good athlete and will draw big men away from
the basket with his perimeter game. He looks destined to
become a star.
Troy Murphy, Warriors
Drafted No. 14
Murphy took advantage of a coaching change and an obvious
rift between management and Danny Fortson to slip in the
back door and grab the starting power forward slot. And
why not. He's bulked up considerably over the summer, has
a big size advantage over Fortson and Jamison, and he
possess a terrific inside-outside game. He also won't
camp out in the paint every possession, giving Jamison
opportunities to work down low as well. He's got the
potential to be an 18 and 8 guy this year.
Brendan Haywood, Wizards
Drafted No. 20
He may be the starting center by default, but that's not
all bad. With Jahidi White out, the Wizards don't have a
lot of other choices, but Haywood seems to be progressing
just fine. He's already a force on the defensive end, a
smart shot blocker and his offensive game is emerging.
Gilbert Arenas, Warriors
Drafted No. 31
Arenas is caught in a camp battle with Bobby Sura, but
his stellar play in the preseason seems to be winning
over coach Musselman. That's amazing when you consider
that before last season, Arenas never played a minute of
point guard.
Jarron Collins, Jazz
Drafted No. 53
He was supposed to be the ugly step-sister to twin Jason.
Instead it's Jarron, not Jason, with a starting job. Of
course, when you look at the Jazz's depth chart, there
isn't much competition. Greg Ostertag just donated a
kidney, Curtis Borchardt is out with a broken foot and
John Amaechi was a huge bust. Still, you can't knock a
guy for taking advantage of a situation.
Kenny Satterfield, Nuggets
Drafted No. 54
Another starter by default, Satterfield has one year to
prove he has what it takes to be an NBA point guard. The
Nuggets' only other option is rookie Junior Harrington.
Kiki Vandeweghe is a big Satterfield fan, but he'll have
to resist the temptation to shoot every time he touches
the ball.
Headed in the right direction
Eddie Griffin, Rockets
Drafted No. 7
It's only a matter of time before Griffin laps Mo Taylor
and Kenny Thomas and claims the starting power forward
position. He's still young, raw and impressionable, but
he and Yao Ming would give the Rockets one of the best
shot-blocking tandems in the league. The Rockets
absolutely refused to part with him when the Sonics
called about a sign-and-trade for Rashard Lewis. In
another year or two the lineup of Steve Francis, Cuttino
Mobley, Bostjan Nachbar, Griffin and Yao will be one of
the toughest in the league.
Kwame Brown, Wizards
Drafted No. 1
Last season was a disaster. This summer was a disaster.
But judging by the first four Wizards preseason games,
Kwame is finally finding his groove. He's averaging 18
ppg on 58 percent shooting from the field and 8.3 rpg in
29 mpg. More important, he's shown aggressiveness at both
ends of the court. If Kwame keeps it up, he'll be the
team's starting power forward on opening night.
Tyson Chandler, Bulls
Drafted No. 2
He's had an up-and-down offseason that was punctuated
Wednesday by a concussion and a broken tooth. Chandler
has put in a lot of work, is aggressive on the defensive
end and still has loads of talent. But, his offensive
game is progressing much slower. Can the Bulls afford to
start Chandler and Curry? For now, Donyell Marshall or
Marcus Fizer may be the better call.
Kedrick Brown, Celtics
Drafted No. 11
He's progressed faster than even the Celtics thought he
would. GM Chris Wallace already calls him the Celtics'
best-on-the-ball defender. He's strong, athletic and
could eventually be the missing piece to the puzzle for
the Celtics. However, a severely sprained ankle has
slowed his progress. Expect him to get regular minutes in
Jim O'Brien's rotation when he's healthy.
Michael Bradley, Raptors
Drafted No. 17
With Keon Clark and Hakeem Olajuwon gone, Bradley is
finally seeing the light of day after a frustrating
rookie season. He had a big 8-point, 16-rebound game
versus the Bulls in the Raptors' second preseason game,
but he still has a little ways to go. He should have the
opportunity to log between 15 and 20 minutes a game this
season.
Jason Collins, Nets
Drafted No. 18
Dikembe Mutombo may eat away at some of Collins' minutes
this season, but the Nets believe that ultimately he has
the skills to be their center of the future.
Zach Randolph, Portland
Drafted No. 19
Right now he's a summer league rock star, but GM Bob
Whitsitt is starting to clear the deck a little so
Randolph can get some minutes in the regular season. He
has soft hands, devastating low-post moves and an NBA
body. If he can keep his weight down and his head on
straight he has a bright, bright future.
Gerald Wallace, Kings
Drafted No. 25
He's the 10th man on a loaded Kings roster, but Wallace's
athleticism and defense will get him more minutes this
year. Everyone in Sacramento agrees that he was a steal
at pick No. 25.
Mehmet Okur, Pistons
Drafted No. 38
Okur actually begins his rookie season this year, but
after playing professionally in Turkey the past few
years, he doesn't act like a rookie. The Pistons plan on
Okur giving them big minutes right away. Like most
European big men, he has a coveted inside-outside game.
Unlike most European big men, he has a toughness in the
paint that should allow him to thrive in the NBA.
Loren Woods, T-Wolves
Drafted No. 46
He fell from a possible lottery slot into the second
round on draft night after teams questioned the health of
his back and his head. But Woods stayed healthy, was on
his best behavior last season and he's being rewarded
this year. With Joe Smith hurting, the Wolves have played
him some at power forward Woods responded with a nice 14-
point (on 7 of 8 shooting), 7-rebound game versus the
Heat. Expect him to play a much larger role in their
rotation this season.
Stuck in Neutral
DeSagana Diop, Cavs
Drafted No. 8
Once again, Cavs GM Jim Paxson was the laughingstock of
the NBA when he passed up Joe Johnson, Richard Jefferson
and Vladimir Radmanovic for Diop. Will he be Trajan
Langdon revisited? Is Diop Yinka Dare's twin? Diop's done
little this preseason but the Cavs knew he'd be a
project. Check back in another year or two.
Rodney White, Nuggets
Drafted No. 9
White caught a huge break when the Pistons traded him to
the Nuggets this summer. Conventional wisdom said that
White has the talent to be the Nuggets' starting small
forward. He's very raw, but the Nuggets know they're
going to lose. Why not get him as much playing time as
they can this year. White, however, has hit another speed
bump. He hasn't been particularly impressive in camp and
Jeff Bzdelik, a stickler for defense, hasn't been giving
him the minutes everyone expected. That may change, but
right now White's future doesn't look as hot as it did a
few weeks ago.
Steven Hunter, Magic
Drafted No. 15
A torn ACL has derailed Hunter's attempt to rebound from
a miserable rookie year. The Magic, in desperate need of
some frontcourt help, would've given Hunter every
opportunity to earn a starting position. As it stands
now, Hunter isn't expected back until February.
Raul Lopez, Wizards
Drafted No. 24
Lopez suffered a partial tear of his ACL while preparing
for the World Championships and is expected to miss the
entire season. This is the second ACL injury Lopez has
suffered in the past two season. The Jazz, however, still
believe he is the heir apparent to John Stockton.
Samuel Dalembert, Sixers
Drafted No. 26
Dalembert suffered a knee injury in the preseason, but
has vowed to play through the pain. The Sixers could sure
use him. With Derrick Coleman out and only Todd
MacCulloch to anchor the frontline, Dalembert could see a
major increase in minutes this season.
One Foot out the Door
Kirk Haston, Hornets
Drafted No. 16
A so-so summer league and a deep Hornets roster hasn't
bode well for Haston. He's seen sporadic minutes in the
summer league, but the 2-for-13 performance like the one
he dropped on the Wizards Thursday night aren't helping
things.
Joe Forte, Sonics
Drafted No. 21
The Celtics tried to turn him into a point guard, but all
Forte turned into last season was a locker room problem
(he actually showed up in the Celtics' locker room
wearing a Laker jersey). He's got a new chance on life in
Seattle, but with Brent Barry and Desmond Mason running
the two, expect him to see a lot of time on the IL.
Jeryl Sasser, Magic
Drafted No. 22
The Magic drafted Sasser ahead of Parker and Tinsley and
have lived to regret it every day. With Darrell Armstrong
slowing down, Sasser has been an absolute bust. This
summer the Magic gave up on the Sasser-at-point-guard
experiment and tried to give him some time at the two and
three. He played better, but given the Magics' depth at
that position, expect Sasser to disappear in another
year.
Brandon Armstrong, Nets
Drafted No. 23
Another monumental reach, the Nets fell in love with
Armstrong at the Chicago pre-draft camp. He shot the ball
well there, but hasn't been able to find his stroke
since. Second-round pick Tamar Slay has outplayed him in
the preseason leading to speculation that the Nets may
eat the final two years of Armstrong's guaranteed
contract.
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