More 2004 NBA Draft Coverage

NBA Draft Mailbag - May 4th

By Shawn Siegel

njhoopsnet@aol.com

Do you have a question about CHN's Mock Draft, Draft News, or a general question for CHN's NBA Draft Expert.  Email Shawn at njhoopsnet@aol.com , RE: Mailbag with your name, question & hometown.

Shawn,

Can you tell me how Alex Garcia is doing in San Antonio? And how is Cleiton Sebastiao developing?

From Jose Eduardo

Brazil

For those who don't know, Cleiton Sebastiao is a big 7'0", 280 pound center from Brazil.  Sebastio played at 3 different colleges in the US (none were D1) before heading back to Brazil to play professionally.  Despite being 25, he's still considered somewhat raw, and has never put up big numbers at any of his stops.  A good comparison I've heard is between Sebastiao and Jerome James. James didnt catch on with the Sonics until he was 26 and has a similar body frame as Sebastiao.  The difference is that Sebastiao is known to have a better work ethic and keeps himself in better shape than James.

Alex Garcia is a 6-3 guard on San Antonio, who signed a 2-year deal before this season.  He only suited up in 2 games, and is now injured.  The success of Jason Hart with the Spurs leaves Garcia's future in doubt, though he did have a very fine preseason where he shot 70% from the floor.

Shawn,

Where does it look like DIII Player of the Year Rich Melzer is going to end up?  He has been compared to Devean George of the Lakers, also a DIII standout?  What are scouts saying about Melzer's chances?

From Charles Sowa

Wisconsin

The comparisons between Melzer and George are obvious because they both come from Division Three.  The 6-8 native of Minnesota scored 26.9 ppg and 8.5 rpg this past season for the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. He participated in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, scoring 11 points in his first game before injuring his hip.  Melzer has a big 7'2" arm span, and appears to be more developed than George was at this time.  Even if Melzer does not get drafted, he will most certainly have be invited to many NBA training camps.

Shawn

From Kevin

Portland, Oregon

In the newest incarnation of CHN's Mock Draft, I have Portland taking Kosta Perovic at #13 and Sasha Vujacic at 23.  Perovic is a 7-2 center who plays for Partizan Belgrade.  There were times earlier in the year, where Perovic was considered by some to be a Top 5 pick.  With the emergence of players like Dwight Howard & Shaun Livingston, this is no longer the case but he's still a major prospect.  Perovic didn't put up major numbers for Partizan, but he's still only 19 years old.  Vujacic could be a major steal so low in the draft.  As a 6-7 point guard, he has a similar body to the New Jersey Nets' Zoran Planinic, a 2003 First Rounder.   Also like Planinic, he's not an awesome ball-handler, but he is a great passer.  At #23, the Blazers will also probably have a chance to take one of the lesser high school products like Al Jefferson, Dorrell Wright, or Robert Swift.

Shawn,

After the hellacious season the Raptor's have just endured what is their main need, point guard or center?  I believe that point guard would be their main need and I believe that Jameer Nelson would be their best choice as they can not afford to wait for Telfair or Livingston to mature.  Having said that Podkolzine would be hard to resist.
 

From Randy Chard

Georgetown, Ontario

Hellacious is definitely a good word to describe the Raptors of the past few seasons.  I definitely think they'd be smart to build around the point guard position.  Even though Lenny Wilkens liked Alvin Williams, I was never able to figure out why.  Jameer Nelson could be the best bet, as he has the toughness Toronto needs, and the ability to distribute the ball to Vince and Chris Bosh.  Despite saying this, I currently have the Raptors taking Podkolzine in the newest Mock Draft.  Another possible choice is Ben Gordon of UCONN.  With Williams, Milt Palacios and Rod Strickland last year, the Raptors used a variety of point guards who just are unable to score the ball consistently.  With Gordon getting into the lane, it could make things easier for Carter on the perimeter.

Shawn,

I have been reading a lot of scouting reports and a couple have likened the giant from Russia, Pavel Podkolzine to Gheorghe Muresan.  Why would you use your lottery pick on a second round talent?  And what is in Danny Ainge's vision for this draft?  Thanks!

From Kosta

Boston, Massachusetts

Podkolzine is 7-3, 300 pounds, and he was only born in 1985.  You can see why scouts are excited.  Being compared to Muresan isn't such a bad thing. In his best season, big Gheorghe averaged 14.5 ppg, 9.6 rpg, and 2.3 bpg.  Those would have been All-Star numbers if Muresan put them up this year.  Podkolzine is different though, because he's a more fluid athlete who can get around the court well for such a big man.  Especially for a team with multiple picks, or who can wait for a player to develop, Podkolzine would be a worthwhile risk.  In terms of Danny Ainge's vision..  who knows? I couldn't understand this past season's trades, and I'm really not sure of his direction. Recently signed head coach Doc Rivers has a clause in his contract, saying he has to approve of all personnel moves.  This should hold for the draft, so Doc will have a big say in this year's picks.

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