We come to the first expansion team. Since the NBA will not hold their coin flip until just before the real draft, we held our own. The Grizzlies won the flip and elected to pick first in the expansion draft. That gave the 6th pick to the Raptors and their GM: Rania R. Melhemwho picks: Kevin Garnett, PF, 6-11. Farragut High School Note: we held a Usenet expansion draft. The team analysis is based on that fictional draft. ================================================================= The Toronto Raptors with the 6th pick of the NBA draft select: Kevin Garnett, PF/C, 6'11" 220 lbs Farragut HS, Chicago Team Report: the Toronto Raptors as everyone knows are a new expansion franchise. We have just gone through the expansion draft, and we have in our opinion selected a mix of old and young players who should help us have a decent (maybe I should say not too disastrous) a rookie season in the NBA Center: At center we have 2 pure centers: Will Perdue and Tim Perry. Will Perdue has played his entire career (to this point) for Chicago Bulls and has 3 rings form them, he will bring a winning attitude to the franchise, Tim Perry is very talented but inconsistent, maybe a fresh start with a brand new team will help him mature and be more consistent. Power Forward: At Power Forward we have : Scott Haskins , Stacy King, Terry Davis, : all of them fairly young and hopefully they will grow with the team. Jeff Turner has played this position and could be the leader here. Small Forward: Again I took a veteran SF (Xavier McDaniel) and a host of young one in their second or third years (95/96 season): Tracy Murray, Bryon Russell, Jeff Turner could also play that position if needed. Shooting Guard: Harold Minor is the only player we have who plays shooting guard exclusively, and the playing time he gets will make up for the relative lack of playing time he got in Miami. Tony Bennett could also play shooting guard, because of his shooting ability. Point Guard: At PG we have Sedale Threatt and Randy Brown. Threatt is a good PG and will be another leader for this team. Randy Brown is excellent defensively and should learn the PG position from Sedale Threatt. Draft Selection: I drafted Kevin Garnett with the 6th pick because of his excellent skills and physical ability. I know that he is young and still needs to mature both physically and mentally. But this is a young franchise that can afford the wait. Others Considered: Rashard Griffith: Too many ? and too much weight. Corliss Williamson: Only in passing, not seriously. I really wanted McDyess, but Minnesota grab him just ahead of me. Conclusion: This is by no means a final roster, I hope to sign several free-agents at all 5 positions including a veteran center to help Garnett. I think this is a fairly safe pick, since Isiah Thomas has already stated publicly that if Garnett came out he would take him with the 6th pick in the draft. ==================================================================