Exclusive: Possible 1st Round Foreign Players In The Draft - Part I

[Way Of The Ray <wayray@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Here's  Part I in a look at Foreign Players whom may be first round
picks in the
upcoming draft. Not all of those listed will be available, but if the
majority declare
(likely), it will be a freakishly deep futures draft, where even the two

Celtics picks, will have an enhanced value.....

Darko Milicic - 2nd pick in the draft. Nuff said.
 Projection: 2nd choice in draft.

Ha Seung-Jin - The Mystery Behometh from Korea: 7-3, 305
and still growing. Represented by high-powered SFX, and compared to
Yao Ming.

 Projection: Somewhere in the lottery.

Tiago Splitter - Brazilian Toni Kukoc like player. Seems to be a lottery
lock.
 Projection: Top 5 to Top 9.

Anderson Varejao - Another Brazilian likely to go in the lottery.
More driven than Splitter. Needs work on his outside shot.
 Projection: Top 8 pick.


Mickael Pietrus - Super athletic, fine defending, French 6-6 guard. More
high energy than
previous cheese eating surrender monkeys like Frederic Weiss.
 Projection: Anywhere from Lottery to Mid-First. Will depend on workouts
and
 outside shot, which isn't great.

Maciej Lempe - The Antoine Walker of Poland is the next great Polish
player.
Not sure who exactly was the first great Polish player.....
 Projection: Top 10 Lottery likely.

Eyinmisan Nikagbatse  - Pre-2003 Stephan Marbury of Europe. A shoot
first PG with
terrific athletic ability. C's high on him.
 Projection: Mid to Late First.

Pavel Podkolzin - The Siberian Bear currently eating a lot of spaghetti
with Pallacanestro Varese, of whom, he has a 10-year contract.
NBA teams are intrigued with his size and
bulk. Very raw, but a better prospect than Tsakilidis.
 Projection: Anywhere from High Lottery to Late First. Depends on
 his workouts and that contract or buyout from.

Carlos Delfino - Italian-Argentinian compared to Ginobelli. Likes to
play defense.
  Projection: Mid to Late First.

Malick Badiane - 6-10  Senegalesian leaping fool. Great athlete.
Projected to be a
better prospect than his countryman: Papa Steal, but has Moiso like
intensity.
 Projection: Mid to Late First, may go higher, as likely to be a workout
warrior.

Slavko Vranes - One word: 7-6, as in his height.
 Projection: Late First, and not a twiggy boy like Bradley.
Offensive skills are pretty spindly though.