July 6, 1999
By Mike Kahn
SportsLine Executive Editor
With five days to contemplate the 1999 NBA Draft, the one guy who could best illustrate what's happening is Clint Eastwood ... as the players are caught up in The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, while contemplating a Fistful of Dollars.
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Remember, this is the same team that drafted high school sensation Al Harrington last year.
"I've got two of them (teen-agers) now," Bird told reporters after the draft. "It's tough."
THE FACE OF THE LEAGUE KEEPS CHANGING, but the new Collective Bargaining Agreement allows for teams to automatically keep their draftees for at least five years. There is the built-in, three-year deal. In the fourth season, they will give them a pre-determined raise on a one-year contract, and in the fifth year, said team can match any free-agent offer. And that's presuming the player won't prefer to sign a long-term extension.
"It's a great way to develop players," former player and analyst Isiah Thomas said. "You just hope they work hard and take advantage of the opportunities."
Some things never change. There will always be players that do and others don't; it's not that different than the rest of society when you break it down. That's why Bird, Pacers president Donnie Walsh and many other teams are trying to have a cross-section of ages from which to build.
Bird was there first-hand when he, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish began to fall apart for the once-proud Celtics. Unfortunately, they also suffered the consequences of the unlikely deaths of both Len Bias and Reggie Lewis -- but the team did fall apart nonetheless.
Now that the draft is complete, there is a moratorium until Aug. 1, when the new salary cap is set. Until then, there will be lots of posturing and negotiating ... and it will ultimately pave the futures of a lot of teams and players.
Here's a brief synopsis of direction shown by each team:
Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks dealt Mookie Blaylock to Golden State so they could draft Jason Terry, then added big forward Cal Bowdler and gambled on the knee of young super-talent Dion Glover of Georgia Tech. They are dismantling this club, and it appears the aged knees of Steve Smith are on the next plane out of town. Injuries and an embarrassing second-round sweep by New York did this.Boston Celtics
The Celtics drafted swingman Kris Clack, but that is irrelevant. They got Vitaly Potanpenko from Cleveland for what turned out to be the eighth pick, and now there appears to be no doubt Ron Mercer is headed out of town. As for point guard Kenny Anderson, who knows? He has been overrated for all but one of his NBA seasons, and coach Rick Pitino knows that. After a fast start in 1997-98, the Celtics are a mess, and Pitino must stop falling in and out of love with players like a schoolgirl and start developing those he has.Charlotte Hornets
Now we'll see if the late run by the Hornets with coach Paul Silas was real or just a mirage. He'll get Anthony Mason back healthy, and he can only hope Derrick Coleman will play, because he got the young point guard of his dreams in Baron Davis, and Lee Nailon will be another big body off the bench. This team is one that appears to have some direction in the East and will be dangerous.Chicago Bulls
Jerry Krause took the safe route with Elton Brand as the No. 1 pick overall and Ron Artest at No. 16. They will be play hard and tough. But this team that featured Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen has about as much grace as the Monsters of the Midway. These guys, even second-round pick Michael "The Ruffian" Ruffin, are more from the mold of the old Bulls when Jerry Sloan was eating other NBA guards for breakfast. Aren't the new NBA rules going to promote athleticism?Cleveland Cavaliers
Rookie general manager Jim Paxson predictably took point guard Andre Miller with the eighth pick overall to protect the incredibly shrinking Brevin Knight. But when he took Trajan Langdon with No. 11, everyone was shocked he didn't go for a more athletic player like Corey Maggette, James Posey or Quincy Lewis. He also added forward A.J. Bramlett, who needs body work to compete inside in the NBA. And, by the way, as of Monday, they still haven't decided between Randy Wittman and Dave Cowens as coach. As for direction, they're obviously still trying to figure it out.Dallas Mavericks
As has continued to be the case, Don Nelson repeatedly works on trying to impress everyone with his knowledge of foreign players. This year, it was Chinese center Wang Zhi-Zhi and Croatian guard Gordon Giricek. You did manage to deal Giricek to the Spurs for Chicago high school star Leon Smith. We're impressed, Nellie. By the way, when was the last year you coached a playoff victory? (Try 1992.)Denver Nuggets
Adding athletic Xavier forward James Posey and controversial Fresno State guard Chris Herren proves the Nuggets are going to be more fun to watch. They'll probably even win more games, provided they figure out how to re-sign point guard Nick Van Exel and goad him into some semblance of consistency.Detroit Pistons
Drafting athletic Melvin Levett in the second round just proves they now have a guy who can jump over a car and dunk a basketball. Does he replace the retired Joe Dumars? Hardly. The bigger question is whether Dumars -- now in the front office -- can talk Grant Hill into sticking around after next season. Banking on Loy Vaught, Christian Laettner and Bison Dele as your power players is like walking into a used-car lot blind-folded for a cross-country trip. Good luck.Golden State Warriors
Give GM Garry St. Jean credit, he's not sitting still. Well, actually, he is ending up in the same spot, but moving backward and forward to get there. They traded for Blaylock and still can't figure out what to do with free-agent center Erick Dampier, forward Donyell Marshall and the young and out-of-position Antawn Jamison. They're not good enough to make the playoffs and not bad enough (or lucky enough) to get a great lottery pick. In other words, they're going nowhere.Houston Rockets
No, they didn't trade Hakeem Olajuwon, and the addition of Kenny Thomas in the first round won't help much. There is a chance for second-round picks Tyrone Washington and Venson Hamilton to make the team. Charles Barkley probably will play one more year, but the big question will be whether they trade Scottie Pippen to the Lakers for Glen Rice and Robert Horry.Indiana Pacers
Adding Bender and young forward Jeff Foster while dealing Davis doesn't answer many questions. Center Rik Smits might retire, and this team just isn't any more athletic than the one that petered out in the playoffs. Two high school kids in Bender and Al Harrington says this team is in transition ... not good enough to win the East, but not bad enough to be written off, either.Los Angeles Clippers
Getting Lamar Odom with the fourth pick overall was a steal considering he's the best talent in the draft. He's also the most immature and vulnerable, which makes this relationship a woeful mismatch. They must figure out what to do with free agent Lorenzen Wright, Lamond Murray and Tyrone Nesby.Los Angeles Lakers
As always, everyone goes ga-ga over an obscure Jerry West pick like Devean George from tiny Augsburg College. But the big move was signing Phil Jackson as coach. They also want to add free agent Charles Oakley to play next to Shaquille O'Neal and protect Kobe Bryant. Finally, they have a guy who will be there for a while and is prepared to handle the bellyaching that continuously undermines the team. And we'll also see whether it was Phil or Michael Jordan who actually kept the Bulls under control. Will they re-sign free agent point guard Derek Fisher? They have no choice.Miami Heat
Without a rookie on the roster Pat Riley tried desperately to move up for Odom. But he didn't want to part with P.J. Brown, and this team just doesn't have enough quality big men. Adding local product Tim James only guarantees they'll have a rookie unless he's traded. Will they re-sign Dan Majerle and keep him glued together? Is Terry Porter coming back? Did Tim Hardaway get a year younger? And will somebody please take Jamal Mashburn from them? They are very much like the Pacers, only with more developed talent that is younger (Alonzo Mourning, Hardaway and Brown) but less youth for the future overall.Milwaukee Bucks
Coach George Karl pulled in Galen Young, a couple of beers and four bratwurst on draft day. Their future is tied to Tractor Traylor in the middle, along with Ray Allen, Glenn Robinson and Sam Cassell. This is a team that will win 50 games and can dream of getting past the second round of the playoffs someday.Minnesota Timberwolves
They've lost Stephon Marbury and Tom Gugliotta, but they've gained Terrell Brandon, Wally Szczerbiak and William Avery. They also are developing young center Radoslav Nestorovic. They'll re-sign Brandon and Joe Smith. Their eighth-place finish in the West was no fluke, and they should be moving up.New Jersey Nets
They've added Marbury, elevated popular Don Casey to coach, and are hoping Jayson Williams is back to at least 85 percent from a badly broken leg. That's not to mention the development and mental approach of Keith Van Horn coming into his contract year, the health of Kerry Kittles and the always interesting center position. Last season, the expectations were way too high. Now, nobody is sure what to expect, which is the way it should be for the Nets.New York Knicks
Let's see, coach Jeff Van Gundy still hasn't had The Meeting with Madison Square Garden president Dave Checketts. Patrick Ewing has to battle back from Achilles tendon damage, and there's always the true story about Van Gundy's relationship with Latrell Sprewell and Marcus Camby. Ah yes, the Eastern Conference champs! Allan Houston must be regarded as one of the best jump shooters in the game - if not the best -- and Kurt Thomas nearly came all the way back and showed great promise at power forward after missing most of his young career with leg injuries. This team is brimming with everything, including uncertainty. Drafting Frederic Weis, coming off serious back problems? That's par for the course.Orlando Magic
Doc Rivers is their new coach, they dealt Horace Grant to Seattle for a lot of baggage to cut (Billy Owens, Dale Ellis and Don MacLean), plus raw rookie Corey Maggette for the energy boost. Maggette isn't ready, but chances are they'll sign and trade Penny Hardaway for some young veteran players who are ready, if not steady. See Portland or Phoenix.Philadelphia 76ers
Larry Brown stunned everyone by taking his team to the second round and challenging the Indiana Pacers valiantly in each game despite getting swept. Allen Iverson has transformed into a legitimate MVP candidate, and young Larry Hughes will develop to add suitable athleticism. Brown added another young talent when he traded a future first to the Hawks for Jumaine Jones, the leading scorer in the Southeastern Conference this season. They added Washington center Todd MacCulloch in the second round to their bevy of lumbering, unathletic big men. Expect another trade to come down for an explosive small forward.Phoenix Suns
Like the Heat, this group in the Valley of the Sun has turned more into a retirement community than a place to develop young talent. Drafting Shawn Marion with the ninth pick overall gives them exactly one player on their roster they've drafted. Will they deal him, along with Danny Manning and Pat Garrity for Penny Hardaway? With Jason Kidd they have the best point guard in the game, but nobody athletic enough to keep up with him at the moment. Do they re-sign Cliff Robinson? What does Rex Chapman have left in his injury-prone body? As for Luc Longley's contribution, next question? They're not done ... you can always count on the Suns to be pro-active.Portland Trail Blazers
Like the Suns, don't expect them to sit still. Bob Whitsitt wants this team to get to the next level for coach Mike Dunleavy, so some deals must be made. The Blazers unexpectedly got to the conference finals, then were swept by the Spurs ... who highlighted the Portland frailties. Damon Stoudamire still is a long way from being a playmaking point guard, and Isaiah Rider is as dependable as the weather in the Pacific Northwest. Brian Grant and Rasheed Wallace should be their forwards for the next five years or so, with Arvydas Sabonis still hanging on with those exceptional hands and instincts, despite legs they are virtually shot. They want to trade Rider and Kelvin Cato for Hardaway ... the Magic want Wallace instead of Cato. This is going to get interesting.Sacramento Kings
Coming off a seventh-place finish and all but knocking off the Utah Jazz in the first round, there is plenty of optimism surrounding this team that earned general manager Geoff Petrie executive of the year. They added Ryan Robertson from the draft for depth and shooting. But this team's success depends on the development of youngsters Jason Williams, Predrag Stojakovic and Tariq Abdul-Wahad, and the superstar potential of forward Chris Webber. Center Vlade Divac had a great year and set the tone for coach Rick Adelman, who truly has reason for optimism. | |
| Tim Duncan has given David Robinson and the Spurs new life.(AP) |
San Antonio Spurs
What else needs to be said about the new champs? Tim Duncan appears to be the best player in the game and he gave new life to the aging body of center David Robinson. Avery Johnson has developed into a good point guard. But long range, they'll need to work around Duncan because of age problems elsewhere. How much longer will Mario Elie and Sean Elliott be effective? They have no choice but to re-sign Jaren Jackson. So GM/coach Gregg Popovich decided to become the patsy for his former boss Nellie and take Giricek off his hands, then take Italian guard Emmanuel Ginobili. Pop must have been celebrating the NBA championship too much and forgotten about future personnel decisions.Seattle SuperSonics
Let's see, they added Horace Grant by subtracting Corey Maggette, Dale Ellis, Don MacLean and Billy Owens. So now they're only slightly slower around Gary Payton. Hersey Hawkins has decided to hang around, if he isn't traded, and Detlef Schrempf, with his 37th birthday in January, isn't sure he wants to hang around. Said one insider who saw 28-year-old free agent Vin Baker at Schrempf's charity golf tournament, "Vinny in shape? He looked like Fred Sanford. You looked at Det and then at him, and couldn't believe the one who was nine years older. He's pathetic." Nonetheless, they still have to re-sign Baker. The big question is whether they consider trading him afterward, considering he was the key disaster of last season, when the Sonics were out of the playoffs for the first time since 1990. They're also looking at stealing free agent Gary Trent from Dallas but counting on three rookies from last year -- Vladimir Stepania, Jelani McCoy and Rashard Lewis -- to develop into factors.Toronto Raptors
They're leaving some people very confused by their approach, but by getting Antonio Davis for the rights to Jonathan Bender, they got a veteran power player to help them in the event they lose Oakley to free agency. Adding center Aleksandar Radojevic continues the youth movement along with Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady. But coach Butch Carter has to find a point guard to run this team at a different level than Alvin Williams has if they're serious about reaching the playoffs. Shooting guard Doug Christie isn't quite a point guard. The other components are all pointed in the right direction.Utah Jazz
The Jazz looked so old against the Kings and Spurs, you could almost hear them creaking. John Stockton, MVP Karl Malone and Jeff Hornacek are middle-aged free agents who will be back. More important, they must re-sign Shandon Anderson and decide if they want to keep Bryon Russell in their long-range plans. Their center situation is awful, with Greg Ostertag and Greg Foster, and there are no takers for either one, much to the dismay of coach Jerry Sloan. But general manager Scott Laydendid the draft right, as usual. He stole Big Ten scoring champ Quincy Lewis at No. 19, and a draft pick for the future in superb young Russian small forward Andrei Kirilenko. Expect Kentucky power forward Scott Padgett to make the team.Vancouver Grizzlies
For a team that desperately needed veteran input up front, they drafted spectacular guard Steve Francis, who at 6-2 and change, an undersized shooting guard to play next to Mike Bibby. So they still don't have anyone to take the heat on the boards off gifted scoring small forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim. Center Bryant Reeves blew up like a balloon during the lockout season and was ineffectual, so he needs to bounce back. They're hoping to get some relief up front from Francis' teammate from Maryland, Obinna Ekezie. This is a gamble staying small, but it also could mean some trades in the offing.Washington Wizards
Will mediocrity prevail again? Now that Gar Heard is the new coach, the fans and management can presume change. But will there be? Mitch Richmond would like to stay, but at 34, is he worth the money for where they're going? They'll probably deal him and develop top draft choice Richard Hamilton, the star of NCAA champion Connecticut. They're also figuring on Penn State forward/center Calvin Booth making the team. The only question is if this franchise is serious about shaking 20 years of going nowhere. Most people don't believe it.