Draft pool has quality but is short on big guys

Sporting News, The, June 28, 1999 by Dave D'Alessandro

This is not an exact science, but it is as simple as 1-2-3. In other words, if you're looking for a point guard, a two-guard or a small forward, this is your draft. If you' re looking for anything bigger, you might as well trade down and wait until next year. It's unique in a lot of ways. The top five point guards should go by the 15th pick, and the small forward depth is extraordinary.

Here's a look at the top three prospects at each position for Wednesday's draft:

Point guard

Rating: Excellent

Steve Francis, Maryland. You've heard the Allen Iverson comparisons, and those seem right: great crossover, incredible hops. On sheer athleticism, he's the best guy among the point guards. Some say a lot of his 50 percent accuracy last year came from dunks, we say that's OK: Dunks count.

Baron Davis, UCLA. There are lingering concerns about his rebuilt ACL and his weight early this year. But he loves to play--he just doesn't love rehab. He has charisma, is capable of taking a defense off the dribble and seems capable of getting a whistle whenever he wants. Top-five pick.

Andre Miller, Utah. Your typical pass-first point, which is something you always say about a guy whose shot is suspect. Just a hunch: He's more NBA ready than most of the point guards available and probably will be able to start right away. Few at his position can create as well, and few understand the game as well. Just don't expect him to score much.

Shooting guard

Rating: Fair

Richard Hamilton, UConn. His body type evokes comparisons with Kerry Kitties and Reggie Miller, and he can score with anybody. That one-dribble pull-up is what makes NBA teams swoon, and he's as smooth as they come. Just a polished offensive player, and he's a shooter and scorer. Figure he'll go top eight.

Trajan Langdon, Duke. He's the next best pure shooter available at the 2-spot, but folks wonder if he'll ever regain his quickness or ability to stay with people because of the knee injury he suffered after his freshman season. The guys below are bigger, more physical and more athletic, but he should find his niche. We're just not sure whether it will be as Dell Curry or Trent Tucker. Denver likes him, though.

Laron Profit, Maryland. A defensive pest who is long enough and athletic enough to cause problems for 1's, 2's and undersized 3's. He won't be a great offensive player. But if he takes 1,000 jumpers a day for the rest of his life, he'll get by. He could go anywhere between 15 and 30.

Small forward

Rating: Good

Lamar Odom, Rhode Island.

He's about as smooth and selfless as it gets on the court, and just loopy enough to scare teams with his behavior off the court. Amazing versatility, and the best handle in a 6-9 guy since Magic--his future could be at the point, some believe. But when was the last time you met a kid who was guaranteed to be a top-three pick who had second thoughts about coming out? Weird.

Wally Szczerbiak, Miami (Ohio). If you want a sure thing from Day 1, you choose Miller for your backcourt or Wally for your front line. He's not a mistake player, has worked on his body and has polish. He's not just a shooter, and he personally promotes comparisons with Glen Rice. Not the top pick, but two through five seems certain.

Ron Artest, St. John's. Doesn't seem to have a signature shot, which gives some people concern. We say he's more of a slasher anyway, and he has been known to hit big shots. Pretty well developed body for a 19-year-old. If you want points, pick Hamilton. But Artest is a top-14 pick.

Power forward

Rating: Poor

Elton Brand, Duke. He's a legit 6-8 and, regardless, can inhale the ball as long as he gets one finger on it--enormous, soft hands. Probably going to be a better offensive player than most think, because he didn't have to show it at Duke. Good face-up jumper from 15 feet, pretty refined post game. General managers say this: Goes up strong, puts it up soft. Top-three choice, regardless of who's doing the picking.

Kenny Thomas, New Mexico. You know about his penchant for disappearing in big games and his weight fluctuations, but he has a ton of talent and great hands. When he wants to play, he can be a handful. Great body, too. But nobody expects him to be chosen earlier than 18th.

Scott Padgett, Kentucky. He can really shoot, but can he do anything else well enough to justify a top-25 selection? He's not an athlete and he doesn't pass particularly well. He looks like he wants to work at it, though.

Center

Rating: Fair

Aleksandar Radojevic, Barton CC (Kan.). He's 73, 240, with room to grow. Good hands, nice finesse game--he can pass, has a hook shot and a face-up bank shot. Oh, and he can't defend. Right, a typical Eurocenter. Some see Zydrunas II-gauskas potential, noting that the Cavaliers made him eat for the entire season he sat out to bulk him up to 260. Radojevic won't be that kind of rebounder, but he can be an offensive force down the line. Patience, please.

Evan Eschmeyer, Northwestern. He put up some amazing numbers and is a hard-nosed kid, but at the end of the day, he'll be no better than a backup center. What you see is probably what you get. But remember, we thought the same thing about Michael Doleac.