Poised to break through

Sporting News, The, Feb 14, 2000

Steve Francis, Elton Brand and Lamar Odom, only several months removed from campus life, already have cracked the NBA Top 50. But they are the exceptions. In most cases, the NBA learning trajectory is steeper than a 23-footer by Reggie Miller.

There are 10 young players, though, who reside just outside the league's elite circle and seem destined to climb inside before long. Given playing time, good health and a respectable supporting cast, these players promise to get the new millennium off to a high-flying, board-crashing, behind-the-back start:

BARON DAVIS point guard, Hornets

His game: The Hornets should be applauded for bringing him along slowly, but it's clear the former Baron of Westwood is top-rung material. His barrel-chested build doesn't stop him from whipping passes through the key from all angles. Davis is a rangy shooter, a good defender and, best of all, a charismatic court leader.

Obstacles: You'd like your point guard to hit some free throws and make good decisions.

Off the hardwood: While playing high school ball in California, Davis received kindly advice--and a pair of sneakers--from current teammate Eddie Jones.

DIRK NOWITZKI power forward, Mavericks

His game: it might be a generalization, but Nowitzki is a typical European player--a 6-11 guy who would rather lob rainbows than mix it up under the boards. Fortunately, he can shoot like a trained sniper despite his unconventional release.

Obstacles: Nowitzki doesn't seem familiar with the word "defense"; it's time for him to take a crash course. He's still a project.

Off the hardwood: His German club team was called the X-Rays, honoring the discovery made in 1895 by physicist Wilhelm Roentgen in Nowitzki's hometown of Wurzburg.

RON ARTEST small forward, Bulls

His game: Overshadowed by teammate Elton Brand, this rookie has been a delightful surprise for the deprived Bulls. Artest is a committed worker and a good inside passer, rarely spectacular but almost always effective.

Obstacles: A swingman at St. John's who played with his back to the basket, he needs to improve his jump shot.

Off the hardwood: Artest and Brand played AAU basketball together while in high school.

MICHAEL DICKERSON shooting guard, Grizzlies

His game: Reunited with former University of Arizona teammate Mike Bibby, Dickerson is a superior athlete who can run the floor all night. He has a deadly little pull-up jump shot while running to his right and decent 3-point range.

Obstacles: He needs to fill in his game with better rebounding and ball control, and he must shed his reputation for disappearing in big games.

Off the hardwood: Dickerson and Hornets guard David Wesley are cousins.

LARRY HUGHES shooting guard, 76ers

His game: It takes someone as explosive as Allen Iverson to obscure the gifted Hughes, who has 3-point skills and dribble-drive ability. Hughes' defense is improving, too. Like "The Answer," he is dangerous in isolation.

Obstacles: Hughes will never fit perfectly in an Iverson backcourt, so his glory days likely will come elsewhere. You can pressure him into mistakes--for now.

Off the hardwood: He was the first St. Louis University player selected in the first round of the NBA draft since Anthony Bonner (Sacramento) in 1990.

RAEF LaFRENTZ center, Nuggets

His game: LaFrentz seems to have overcome the knee injury that sidelined him for all but 12 games in 1998-99. He has been a revelation as a shot blocker (2.3 per game), and he can score inside and out. Plus, he's tough to guard on the high post.

Obstacles: LaFrentz is 6-11 but isn't strong enough to contain the NBA's more bullying centers.

Off the hardwood: Raef was named after the George Peppard character in the 1960 movie Home From the Hill.

MAURICE TAYLOR power forward, Clippers

His game: Taylor is an unusual commodity--a righthander who likes to go to his left, a player who scores more in the NBA than in college (Michigan) and an athlete who excels while playing for the Clippers. He moves well without the ball.

Obstacles: Taylor is a solid rebounder, but with his physique, he should be better. Opponents like him to put the ball on the floor.

Off the hardwood: Taylor was the fourth Michigan player (Gary Grant, Eric Riley, Loy Vaught) to play for the Clippers in the 1990s.

Others receiving consideration: Kelvin Cato, PF, Rockets; Richard Hamilton, SG, Wizards; Matt Harpring, SF, Magic; Felipe Lopez, SG, Grizzlies; Michael Olowokandi, C, Clippers; Ruben Patterson, SG, SuperSonics; Wally Szczerbiak, SF, Timberwolves; Bonzi Wells, SG, Trail Blazers. --P.B.

CUTTINO MOBLEY point guard, Rockets

His game: Mobley has been coming off the bench in 1999-2000, and when he does, he brings scoring punch (14.1 points) and tenacious defense. The lefthander can play the point or the 2 spot. When he's pumping from beyond the arc, he looks like the complete package.

Obstacles: Aggressiveness is good, but he still gets burned reaching for steals.

Off the hardwood: Broncos linebacker John Mobley is a cousin.

ROBERT TRAYLOR power forward, Bucks

His game: The Tractor is another wide body sometimes miscast as a center. He isn't making much noise in Milwaukee these clays, but few 290-pounders are this nimble in the open court. He has reliable hands, too,