Collegehoopsnet - Draft Mailbag 6/21/04

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.

College seniors aren't given enough credit for staying in school through four years and the basketball IQ's they acquire for doing so. My question is... with what Chris Duhon showed his senior year shouldn't he be seen more as a viable point for a team such as Cleveland. I would think that with LBJ there and such a young team, Duhon would be a great young player to groom with that group. Although he doesn't have the size some teams may look for, he's a great defensive point who can penetrate, pass and shoot. In addition to that, you're getting a great person who thinks team first. Lastly, he's proven himself in wars that some of the other "potential" points may not see for years.

The Cavaliers need for a point guard is overrated. Jeff McInnis played great basketball with the Cavs once he was acquired for Darius Miles, and the team even went 17-8 in his first 25 games there. If the Cavs select a point guard, it will be purely in a backup role. The Cavs have the 10th pick in the draft, and selecting a career backup with the 10th pick is foolishness. If the Cavs had a second round pick, then Duhon would make a lot of sense.

The whole idea that college ball builds basketball IQ is often overrated though. Nothing builds NBA IQ better then being on an NBA roster. In fact, in recent years most experienced college point guards have failed in the NBA. Players such as Mateen Cleaves, Frank Williams, and Dan Dickau have all disappointed in their careers.

Who should the Sixers take in the draft? (top 3 choices) Also, what position or who do they need to get back to where they were in 1999 and 2000?

The Sixers select 9th in the draft, and will have basically two options. The first option is to select a point guard to play alongside of Allen Iverson. The second option is to select a small forward, mainly Josh Childress. In terms of a point guard, the Sixers are beginning to realize that Eric Snow does not cut it. If Ben Gordon somehow dropped to 9th (which will not happen) the Sixers would gobble him up in a second. It is more likely Devin Harris would drop.

More likely, the Sixers select one of either Josh Childress or Andre Iguodala at the 9th spot. This team really lacks athleticism at the 1,2, and 3 positions outside of Iverson. Iguodala could thrive alongside of AI, while Childress offers a more polished game.

Despite those 2 options, if available I'd have to select Andris Biederins. I feel Biedrins (a 7-0 power forward) is the best player available in the draft beyond Okafor, Howard, and Livingston. The Sixers feel they need more help at the point guard or small forward positions, but will look silly in the future if they pass on Biedrins. Basically, the thing the Sixers need most to get back into the Finals is Larry Brown.

Do you forsee the Orlando Magic selecting Okafor, or could you forsee them making a trade to pick up additional players. Could a trade of something like Kwame Brown and the #5 be enough for the Magic move down, and select Devin Harris? What about the possibility of them trading/ signing someone like Mehmet Okur from Detroit?

If they Magic were smart, they'd probably be best off taking Dwight Howard. As much as Howard is an unknown because of his lack of experience, Okafor is even more of an unknown because of his back. League doctors say that Okafor does have structural problems in his back that will not require surgery, but will lead to on and off pain. Coming off of the Grant Hill disaster, the Magic are probably very afraid off selecting another injury prone player. This is my guess of what the Magic will do: If McGrady is traded before the draft, they will select Howard. But if McGrady is still on the roster, they will go for Okafor.

In terms of Okur, this seems doubtful because Okur is more of an offensive player and the Magic need defensive help more than anything. The Magic trading down also seems highly unlikely, and there is probably a better chance they might package McGrady for another high pick.

Shawn,
I haven't been following a lot on the draft, But I have been reading a lot of your mailbag postings and I have also looked a few Mock Drafts. I was wondering what are the chances of the Celtics moving up in the draft? Also if they stay where they are who do you believe they will select with there picks? If Sebastian Telfair is on the board with the 24 or 25 pick do you think they will select him?

It is not out of the question that the Celtics move up, but there is no specific deal out there that is close to getting done. The C's need help at just about every position, so they might be best off keeping the picks and adding 3 guys to their roster. I don't think Telfair will last until the 24th pick. Despite the prevalent notion that his stock has been dropping, I dont believe he will last beyond the 17th pick. More likely high schoolers to end up on the Celtics include 7-0 big man Robert Swift and wing player Dorell Wright. Also of note, the Celtics are working out Kris Humphries this afternoon, who would be available at #15, and could potentially slip down to #24.

For those who might not know the name, Herve Lamizana is a 6-10 small forward out of Rutgers. Lamizana is a physical freak who underachieved during his years in New Jersey. Still, at 6-10 and with great leaping ability and enough quickness to guard small forwards, Lamizana will be an attractive pick in the middle of the 2nd round. Potential teams he could go to include Charlotte, Miami, and New Orleans.

What's the Nets draft looking like? Will wee need to wait until after the Expansion Draft to find out?

There's been rumors going around that New Jersey's new owner, Bruce Ratner, is looking to cut costs. This would force the hand of the Nets, who may be forced to trade the 22nd pick in the draft. One interesting rumor is that if Kittles is not selected by Charlotte in the expansion draft, he will packaged with the 22nd pick for Sharif Abdur Rahim. There is also a rumor going around that the Nets are somewhat interested in Gordon Giricek, formerly of the Jazz. Like you say, a lot will depend on whether the Bobcats select Kittles in the draft. If the Nets make no trades before the draft, I expect them to take an available power forward.