We come to the last pick in the first round. The pick originally
belonged to the Seattle Sonics. They traded the pick to the Clippers
in the Benoit Benjamin trade. The Clippers then sent the pick to
Orlando as part of the trade that brought Stanely Roberts to the
Clippers. The Magic are represented on the net by:
Tom McGuian
and he selects:
Bill Curley, PF, 6-9. Boston College.
==================================================================
Current Team Status
Center:
Shaq improved significantly this past season. His turnaround jumper
and baby hook have drawn the respect of his peers (and even some of
the r.s.bb.p commentators). His turnovers were down, and his passing
out of double-teams is much stronger. His free-throw percentage over
the last month of the season was about 70% (before he lapsed back into
his rookie year bad habits during the play-offs). With his commitment
to Dream Team II, he'll be devoting more time to basketball this
summer than last, not a cheery prospect for Orlando opponents.
Orlando has a dilemma to address at back-up center. The Magic drafted
Geert Hammink as their future back-up for O'Neal, but I don't think
that they were looking to have him join the team until after Greg
Kite's contract expired at the end of the upcoming season (thereby
getting a full cap exception for Kite's salary). Unfortunately,
because of a green-card dispute the team was forced to sign Hammink at
the end of this season to ensure that he would be able to remain in
the country and participate in the Magic's summer rookie/free-agent
camp. Because Hammink now becomes a restricted free-agent on July 1,
Orlando may not have the option of asking him to play in Europe for
another season. If any other team signs Geert to an offer sheet,
Orlando will be forced to choose between keeping Kite and keeping
Hammink. If that choice is forced on Orlando, IMO Kite will lose.
Tree Rollins only filled in because the team needed him, but he found
he still liked playing. He has a tough choice to make now. His agent
reports that there are a number of teams that have expressed interest
in signing Rollins to play full time. But Rollins also has reported
he ultimately wants to go into coaching and that he is afraid that if
he elects to play, his coaching spot with Orlando may not be there
when he gets back. IMO, Rollins will stay with coaching, but work-out
hard in case he is needed again.
Keith Tower is a big man who works hard for minimum pay, not an easy
commodity to find in pro-basketball. I wouldn't be surprised to see
him back next season, if not in Orlando, somewhere.
Power forward:
AAAAAUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Trying to look on the bright side, Jeff Turner is any coach's dream as
a back-up PF. He is one of the hardest workers on the team and does
the little things both well and conscientiously ( e.g. he may not get
many rebounds himself, but he almost always puts a hard body on his
man, rarely failing to box out). We keep trying to relegate him to a
back-up role, and every year he ends up earning the starting spot for
at least part of the season. The report on his ACL injury is that it
was minor, with no complications. He may be back as early as
November.
Avent showed some real flashes of ability. If he could only be
persuaded to play with intensity all the time (sigh). He may still
come around, so I expect the team to make a qualifying offer, but they
probably won't fight too hard if another team tries to lure Avent
away. BTW, I don't fault Orlando for making the trade for Avent.
Most people forget that when the trade was made, Orlando had only
three healthy big men - O'Neal, Turner, and Rollins. The team had to
make some kind of move, and Avent was the best option they were being
offered.
Larry Krystkowiak - too many injuries, too little time. The team can
buy out his contract and allow him to become a free-agent this summer.
The local sports media are reporting that the team will announce their
decision to let him go today (6/1).
Small Forward:
After four years in the NBA, Dennis Scott finally seems to appreciate
how much work it will take for him to be a star in the league. Even
better for Orlando, he seems to have decided that he is willing to
work hard if that's what it takes. He used to be the last to arrive
and the first to leave practices - not any more. He is working harder
on defense and taking the ball to the hoop more. In addition, with
Skiles relegated to back-up minutes, Dennis was the one who took it on
himself to rally the team on the floor and to keep players under
control when they looked like they were close to the edge. If he
doesn't let down over the summer, next season could be very good.
As Dennis Scott was learning to take the ball inside, Donald Royal
spent his summer developing a respectable outside jumper, which kept
defenses from sagging off him this season. The one problem with
Royal's play this season has been that he was asked to spend a lot of
time filling in at the 4 spot. He did his best, but took a lot of
punishment from the bigger and more physical players he was matched up
against. If he is allowed to concentrate on playing the 3 spot next
season, he could develop into one of the better sixth men in the
league.
Shooting Guard:
Although Nick Anderson began the season poorly, he finished well.
This was, IMO, due to two things: First, Brian Hill realized that
moving Nick to SF was a mistake. His game is based on his being as
strong or stronger than the person against whom he is matched (he is
one of the best post-up guards in the NBA). As a SF, he could not
post-up most of the other three's in the league, and he doesn't have
the type of game to take advantage of his quickness edge over most of
them. With the move back to the SG position just before the All-Star
break, Nick was able to be very productive during the second half of
the season. Secondly, Nick stopped relying on his outside shot so
much. As he began to take the ball to the hole (and became better at
knowing when to dish off and to whom) he began to score more
effectively and create more openings for his teammates.
Anthony Bowie saw fewer minutes this past season than the season
before. Despite that, he continues to provide a strong energy boost
when he is inserted in the line-up. He is a strong defender with an
adequate offensive game. He needs to work harder on his outside shot.
Orlando is satisfied, if not ecstatic, about their back-up SG.
Point Guard:
Count me as one of those who believe that Hardaway can play the point.
His transition from 2 to 1 wasn't smooth, but by the end of the
season, he proved to me that he can run the team. He could always
create his own shot off the dribble; in the last month he showed that
he had learned a lot about how to create (and take advantage of) an
opening for the team off his dribble. The one glaring weakness for
Penny was turnovers, mostly errant passes. Passes that he used to be
able to get away with in college were intercepted by tougher pro
defenses. I expect Penny to spend a lot of time this summer learning
how far he can press the passing envelope. I also expect the team to
spend some time learning how much Penny can do as a passer, so there
should be fewer dropped balls.
Aside from the void at PF, the other significant issue Orlando faces
is what to do with Scott Skiles. Skiles is more than a point guard
for the team, he is a virtual third assistant coach. His skill as a
teacher is very important on this young club. But, as a back-up PG,
Skiles presents the team with two problems. First, Skiles gets better
the more he plays. As his time decreased so did his shooting, and he
was committing more turnovers per minute than last season. Trying to
find Skiles more minutes by playing Anderson at SF didn't work, and
the team won't trade Anderson (he is a base-year compensation player
so his salary slot for trade purposes is only $800K, making it very
difficult to receive fair market value in a trade). So there aren't
going to be any more minutes for Skiles. Second, he will earn $2.1M
next season, more than Orlando really wants to play a back-up. IMO,
Skiles will be traded over the summer.
Like Keith Tower, Litterial Green works hard at a tough position for
minimum pay. He is a fine athlete, and has used those talents to
withstand two challenges, from Chris Corchiani and Mike Iuzzolino, for
his roster spot. But, after two seasons, the coaches still are not
convinced that he has really learned how to play PG. Orlando is not
about to release Green, but I expect to see him have to fight for the
back-up spot again.
Summary:
Orlando's biggest need (still) is PF, and they (still) will be looking
for a back-up PG to replace Scott Skiles. But, IMO Orlando will not`
be relying on the draft to fill either void. Rather, the team will do
what it did last year: draft a player for future development.
To get the impact PF they need, the Magic will look to a trade or
free-agent acquisition.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Orlando's selection:
Bill Curley, PF, 6-9. Boston College. Curley was my #1 choice, and
I'm surprised that he slipped this far. He may not be the most gifted
athlete, but he has the work ethic of Scott Skiles. During his career
at BC (and more recently during the Phoenix desert Classic - where it
may have hurt him) he showed that he was the epitome of a team player.
He is exactly the type of role player the Magic need.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Others considered:
My short list (after NY drafted Karnishovas) also included Eddie Jones
and Monty Williams. It was a close decision, but given the difficulty
of finding quality big men late in the draft, the nod went to Curley.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Who the team will probably take:
I see one possible PF for the Magic to take at 27 : Bill Curley.
Jackie McMullen reported in the Boston Globe that Curley did not show
well in Phoenix, and may have slipped from a mid-first to late-first
round pick. If he were somehow to last until 27, Gabriel would jump
on him in a heartbeat. Lawrence Funderburke got a lot of attention in
the pre-season. He has the physical talent to excel, but his
consistency (attitude) has been questioned. Unless he plays very very
well in Europe and in Chicago, IMO there will a BPA.
When asked about PG's, Gabriel has mentioned Charlie Ward and Damon
Bailey in several recent interviews. I expect one of the two to be
selected as this year's competition for Litterial Green. However,
unless the Magic hear some serious rumbling, I would expect them to
wait and use the 30th pick (which they have the option of purchasing)
instead of the 27th to do this. Dallas (Jason Kidd) and Minnesota
(Williams) will be picking 28 and 29, so, barring a trade, any PG left
at 27 should still be around at 30.
Therefore, IMO Orlando will probably end up drafting a SG or SF with
the 27th pick, taking the BPA. This draft is fairly strong at both of
those positions and yet, according to Basketball Weekly, most teams
will be looking for help at C and PF. Chris Monter speculated that as
many as 5 centers and 10 PF's could be taken in the first round. If
Monter is right, then a couple of 2/3's who might have gone 15-20 had
team needs been different will be available at 27. Should this happen,
John Gabriel will draft for talent rather than need. Potential picks
include Eddie Jones, Eric Piatkowski, Aaron McKie, Kendrick Warren, or
Arturas Karnishovas.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Other possible moves:
As noted above, IMO Scott Skiles will be moved, either for a PF or, in
a Brian Williams-type trade, for fillers to open Skiles' $2.1M slot to
pursue a free-agent (Orlando has one open $650K slot, and can free up
two others by waiving Krystkowiak and Avent - getting three $650K
players for Skiles would be allowable under the cap, and leave his
slot open). Potential Western Conference trading partners include San
Antonio, and Denver. The Magic might consider a trade with Indiana,
but would rather see Skiles go West than stay in the East. In
addition, although Skiles will be the centerpiece, the Magic will not
hesitate to include anyone else (except Shaq, Penny, and Nick) for the
right trade.
Finally, if Dennis Scott shows signs of backsliding, Orlando will
probably begin seeking a trade for him again.
======================================================================
Draft Summary:
1. Milwaukee Bucks
GM: Bobby Davis
Pick: Glenn Robinson, PF, 6-8. Purdue University.
2. Dallas Mavericks
GM: Theo Wendt
Pick: Jason Kidd, PG, 6-4. Cal.
3. Detroit Pistons
GM: Eric Iverson
Pick: Grant Hill, SF, 6-8. Duke.
4. Minnesota Timberwolves
GM's: Kevin Hansen
Toni Morgan
Pick: Donyell Marshall, SF, 6-9. Connecticut
5. Washington Bullets
GM's: Jim Nagle
The Crossjammer
Pick: Juwan Howard, PF, 6-10. Michigan
6. Philadelphia 76ers
GM's: Brent Halliburton
Pick: Yinka Dare, C, 7-0. George Washington
7. Los Angeles Clippers
GM: Paul Osmond
Pick: Carlos Rogers, PF, 6-11. Tennessee State
8. Sacramento Kings
GM's: Don Hearth
Daniel W. Huang
Pick: Clifford Rozier, PF, 6-9. Louisville
9. Boston Celtics
GM: Ellie Cutler
Pick: Lamond Murray, SF, 6-7. Cal
10. Los Angeles Lakers
GM: Kosh
Pick: Jalen Rose, SG, 6-8. Michigan
11. Seattle Sonics
GM: Aaron Gill
Pick: Wesley Person, SG, 6-6. Auburn
12. Miami Heat
GM: Rob Clough
Pick: Sharone Wright, C, 6-11. Clemson
13. Denver Nuggets
GM's: Rick Grubin
John Exby
Pick: B.J. Tyler, PG, 6-1. Texas
14. New Jersey Nets
GM: Matthew Mitchell
Pick: Dontonio Wingfield, PF, 6-9. Cincinnati
15. Indiana Pacers
GM: Richard Burton
Pick: Charlie Ward, PG, 6-0. FSU
16. Golden State Warriors
GM: Mike Moore
Pick: Eric Montross, C, 7-0. UNC
17. Portland Trail Blazers
GM: Mike Northam
Pick: Jim McIlvane, C, 7-1. Marquette
18. Milwaukee Bucks
GM: Bobby Davis
Pick: Brian Grant, PF, 6-8. Xavier
19. Dallas Mavericks
GM: Theo Wendt
Pick: Kendrick Warren, SF, 6-8. Virginia Commonwealth
20. Philadelphia 76ers
GM: Brent Halliburton
Pick: Voshon Lenard, SG, 6-4. Minnesota
21. Chicago Bulls
GM: Andy Knipp
Pick: Eric Piatkowski, SG, 6-7. Nebraska
22. San Antonio Spurs
GM: Varun Singh
Pick: Khalid Reeves, PG, 6-1. Arizona
23. Phoenix Suns
GM: Curtis Hill
Pick: Aaron McKie, SG, 6-7. Temple
24. New York Knicks
GM: Alan Sepinwall
Pick: Arturas Karnishovas, SF, 6-10. Seton Hall.
25. Atlanta (or the Clippers)
GM: Mark Mitchell
Pick: Billy McCaffrey, SG, 6-4. Vanderbilt.
26. New York Knicks
GM: Alan Sepinwall
Pick: Gaylon Nickerson, SG, 6-3. NW Oklahoma St.
27. Orlando Magic
GM: Tom McGuian
Pick: Bill Curley, PF, 6-9. Boston College
Next up:
28. Charlotte
GM: Richard Shoffner
Craig Simpson - Usenet Draft Commissioner