Like the previous pick (L.A. Clippers), the Nets are *always* a
lottery team.  This year they are represented by:

  Ryan Cole

and he selects:

  Kerry Kittles, SG, 6-5, Villanova

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I. Team Needs/History
The New Jersey Nets are coming of a dismal season establishing a record of
only 30-52! This season could have been caused by many things including the
loss of their heart and sole, Kenny Anderson. The trade that took place
between Charlotte and the Nets came up short when Kendall Gill became
injured and couldn't play. Also, the loss of Derrick Coleman wasn't very
good. Even though he wasn't reliable he had been a part of this team for
almost 7 years.

This upcoming season will be a rebuilding year for the Nets. Recently
aquired Shawn bradley and rising stars Ed O'bannon and Khalid Reeves along
with always sound Armon Gilliam should definately help the Nets. Also after
firing their head coach they successfully signed ex-UMass coach John
Callipai. This along with their draft choice should hopefully mold the Nets
into a team that could possibly be on top in the next couple of years!


        A. Center
              Newly aquired Shawn Bradley could be one of the best things
that has happened to the Nets in a while. After being traded from
Philedlphia, it seems that he has gained new life. While his offensive game
keeps immproving and will probably improve a great deal over the summer and
next few seasons thanks to new head coach John Callipari, his deffensive
game is still lacking the intensity need to put Bradley in "Superstar"
classification. If he can lift weights and gain about thirty or fourty
pounds, then maybee he will become one of the elite centers in the game.
        Coming off the bench for New Jersey will be Yinka Dare who continues
to improve each season. Coming out early could have hurt Dare but with
Callipari's help Dare could soon become a worthy back up to Bradley. Another
back up, Robert Werdan is not well known. Standing only 6-11, he is in a
disadvantge to others ranging in heights from 7 feet to 7-7! He is not a
very reliable back up and probably never will be. 
        Right now the Nets can settle for Dare at back up, but looking ahead
to the futre, it might be wise to sign a center from over seas or try to get
a decent center with their second round pick. This year's draft is lacking
big men so they should take what they can get or go elsewhere!

        B. Power Foward
                Armon Gilliam is one of the most sound players in the NBA
today. After coming up with a phenomanal(spelled right?) month in Febuary
and being named player of the week twice, Gilliam hasn't looked back. He is
a solid rebounder, passer and post man. One thing that may be hurting his
game is that he doesn't have much of a team around him and when he did the
Nets went and traded them all. If Gilliam gets help down low from Bradley
and the Nets can get a solid shooting gaurd that draws attension then
Gilliam may be able to step his game up another notch.
        There isn't much in the way of back up for Gilliam except at times
Jayson Williams. Riding the bench for New Jersey that could fill this
position are P.J. Brown, Rick Mahorn, and Jayson Williams. As you can see it
isn't much but they take what they can get. As long as all of these players
can keep improving their game over the summer, they should be fine in the
position of Power Foward, but it never hurts to get another one to either
back up Gilliam or take his place.

        C. Small Foward
                The New Jersey Nets may have lucked out in this spot. In
last years draft they chose Ed O'bannon, but when he joined this club he
quickly became injured and wasn't much help to them at all. After having
knee surgery, O'bannon might be ready to step up and become a prime time
player. He is an all around athlete who can play anywhere but since he
missed most of his rookie season, he might be a little uneasy about filling
that starting position. If the season starts and he doesn't show signs of
being a rookie than look out because the Nets might have hit a goldmine!
        Basically, there are no other fowards to back him up! Tim Perry who
as of this moment is on the injured list is no where near what the Nets
need! If worst comes to worst then the Nets might have to move Gilliam to
small foward and Williams to power foward and just have O'bannon back him
up! This is not the ideal situation and if the Nets can some how aquire
another small fowrd it would definatly improve the situation!

        D. Shooting Gaurd
                Right now the nets don't have a pure shooting guard. They
signed Vern Fleming after Indiana released him and he has been filling in
ever since. The eith pick in the draft should and probably will be used to
get a pure shooting gaurd. There are many coming up this year and from the
looks of it New Jersey could get one of the best ones in the draft.
        A worthy starter, when in full health would be Kendall Gill. As of
late Gill has not been playing because of a recent injury. If he fully
recovers than if necessary he could start, although he would make a very
nice back up shooting guard. Another guard, Chris Childs might be one of the
most underrated players in the NBA. he has excellent quickness and agillity
but at times can get out of control. He could be played at the two guard,
but would probably be more efficient at point.
        What I am trying to say is that this is the biggest area where they
need help! With no one to start or even come off the bench, the Nets have
shown that without a true shooter thay can post a record of 32-50. This
might make all of the difference to the Nets, but it might not. This is a
gamble every team makes when choosing a new player, Will he fit in?????

        E. Point Guard
                An up and coming point guard in the NBA is Khalid Reeves.
Coming out of Arizona in 1994, Reeves went late in the second round. He
might have been a steal though. As it turns out Reeves has improved his
game, maybee more than anyone in the NBA in the past year or two! He has
established a name for himself for many reasons. He is explosive of the
dribble and draws lots of attension when penetrating which leads to anothe
area of his game, his passing. Once he is double or tripple teamed there
will always be some one open for him to get the ball to. Finally, Reeves is
an excellent spot up shooter. He can drain the three if he is left open or
can pull up for the jumper. With Reeves starting at point the Nets will have
a strong leader to guide them.
        As I said before Chris Childs is a great player but very
underratted. He can play back up to Reeves and doesn't mind doing so. He has
many the same qualities as Reeves but uses the fact that other players under
estimate him to his advantage. 
        The Nets are srong in this area but could always use room to
improve. This draft is full of talented guards and if all of the big men are
taken by the second round then they might look to go small, but I can't tell
you for sure.


         ***********************************************************

Overall the Nets were dismal, but things are looking up. With many new
additions including an excellent head coah and a high draft pick the Nets
could be in contention in a couple of years. Look down the road far enough
and you will find success for the Nets, I gauruntee it!

II. Your selection (and explain)

       My selection with the eigth pick in the draft is Kerry Kittles from
Villanova. I decided on him because he is an all around player with superb
talent! This young man has matured throughout college and will make an
immediate immpact on the Nets and on the NBA. Right now the Nets need to
fill the 2 slot and Kittles can do that.

III. Others considered (and why)

        I considered many other players including John Wallace, Lorenzen
Wright and Marcus Camby, and besides the fact that they have all already
been taken, Kittles looks like the best fit for New Jersey.
        If Wallace was still around I probably would have gone with him
because he is also an all around player, except he is bigger. Also he
learned to play under pressure while playing in the NCAA Championship game.
Also he learned to be patient and learned how to make good decisons by
staying in school and dropping out of the 1995 draft. This shows good
judgement and character in him as a person and a player.
        Lorenzen Wright is not as talented as Kittles and Wallace but he is
a hard worker and will fight for loose boards and position under the basket.
He is one of few players who takes more pride in his defense than in his
offense. Players today are lacking defensive skills and are becoming lazy
and only wanting to play offense. This is not the case with Wright.

IV. Who the team will select.

        I'm damned if I know! New Jersey is in need in almost every position
and will probably take the best available player at the time. It might be
Kittles or Wallace or even Wright. No one knows and they will probably make
a last minute decesion.