To know list: 6 lockdown efforts the old Glove would have loved

Sporting News, The, May 17, 2004

(1) I DECLARE

Sizing up the NBA's next batch of early entries

The passing of the declaration deadline Monday was only Step 1 of the NBA draft's early-entry process. Now those who have said they're in have to decide if they're in to stay, and teams must decide if these players are worth a pick. The final stage is the draft itself, June 24 at New York's Madison Square Garden. College basketball Insider Mike DeCourcy's take on eight of the most talked-about early entry prospects:

Emeka Okafor, 6-9 PF, Connecticut Thinks he's the next Ben Wallace

Is the next Kenyon Martin

He isn't done improving, so passing on him is a risk.

Dwight Howard, 6-10 PF, high school Thinks he's the next Amare Stoudemire

Is the next Jermaine O'Neal

Long, active and polished; it's not nuts to consider him over Okafor.

Luol Deng, 6-8 SF, Duke Thinks he's the next Carmelo Anthony

Is the next Donyell Marshall

Athletic and versatile, but he hasn't developed that singular, career-making asset.

Ben Gordon, 6-4 PG, Connecticut Thinks he's the next Ray Allen

Is the next Chauncey Billups

Like Dwyane Wade last year, he is well prepared to switch positions.

Devin Harris, 6-3 PG, Wisconsin Thinks he's the next Steve Nash

Is the next Steve Nash

So thin he'll need time to develop, but Harris can play.

Josh Smith, 6-9 SF, high school Thinks he's the next Tracy McGrady

Is the next Darius Miles

A gifted athlete, but he lacks the ballhandling and shooting ability to be a star.

Josh Childress, 6-8 SF Stanford Thinks he's the next Reggie Miller

Is the next Tayshaun Prince

He'd be better off in 2005, when the draft will be as lean as he is.

Sebastian Telfair, 5-11 PG, high school Thinks he's the next Stephon Marbury

Is the next Tyronn Lue

He's better equipped to endorse sneakers than run an NBA team.

(2) EURO SMASH

Rohan Davey, star in the making

If you watch only one NFL Europe player in action from now through World Bowl 12 (June 12 at noon ET on FOX), make sure it's Berlin Thunder quarterback Rohan Davey. He's big (6-2, 245), with an even bigger arm, and he's putting his raw skills together for a league-leading 108.2 passer rating.

When he returns to the States, Davey will battle former Texas Tech star Kliff Kingsbury for the Patriots' No. 2 job behind Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady. After honing his skills in Europe, Davey should have an edge.

Considering Davey's size, it's hard to miss him, but you will miss the potential next lake Delhomme unless you catch the Thunder sometime in its last four games: May 16 vs. the Rhein Fire, May 22 at the Frankfurt Galaxy, May 29 at the Scottish Claymores (all on NFL Network) and June 6 vs. Frankfurt (FOX).--Vinnie Iyer

(3) DIFFERENCE-MAKER

As a switch-hitting center fielder with power and speed, Carlos Beltran is one of baseball's great talents. The Royals expected to contend with him this season, then lose him as a free agent. But their early free fall practically ensures that Beltran will be going, going, gone before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. And take a wild guess which team likely will be first in line to make a play for him.

"I'm assuming the Yankees are going to get him," one general manager says. "I'm just wondering how."

Actually, it might not be that difficult to pull off, considering the Royals' leverage is significantly less than it was a year ago. But any team that acquires Beltran, who makes $9 million, would be assured of keeping him for only the rest of the season. Beltran's agent, Scott Boras, prefers his free agents to test the market.

The primary competition to the Yankees for Beltran might come from A.L. West teams. The Mariners are deep in young pitching and gained financial flexibility when closer Kaz Sasaki retired. The Angels, loaded with prospects, might need Beltran to plug a hole created by injury. The A's also are likely to want Beltran, as might the Rangers. The White Sox and Dodgers represent two other likely suitors.

The Mets and Orioles could get in the game but probably not before the offseason. The Red Sox would love to have Beltran but probably would prefer to keep their few top prospects rather than acquire a player who would cost $15 million per season to retain.

The Yankees operate under no such restrictions. They're paying center fielders Bernie Williams and Kenny Lofton a combined $15.3 million this season. They would need to acquire upper-level prospects to meet the Royals' price. But when does owner George Steinbrenner ever hit the pause button?--Ken Rosenthal

(4) BACK AGAIN

Rickey's for sale, too

Rickey Henderson, 45 years young, believes he still can play or else he wouldn't have returned last week to the independent Newark Bears--for the second year in a row. They helped him hook up with the Dodgers last season, but will there be any interest from big-league teams this time around?

At best, Henderson is a backup outfielder and pinch hitter. Assuming Rickey has enough left, there are a few contenders that could be a fit for him.

White Sox. Maybe he can teach Willie Harris how to be a table-setter before Harris finds a permanent seat on the bench.