Nets The Usenet draft does not have an official second round.   What we do is let the teams that do not have a first round pick have a say in the draft.  The second of the "second round' goes to the Dallas Mavericks.  In the real draft, the Mavs have the 36th pick. Their GM is  David Colborne, who selects:

Scott Padgett, SF, 6'9", Kentucky

I : DRAFT HISTORY

1998

  • #6 Robert Traylor (1st round) (draft day trade to Milwaukee for the rights to #9 Dirk Nowitzki and the rights to #19 Pat Garrity - who was then traded to Phoenix along with Bubba Wells, Martin Muursepp, and Dallas' 1999 1st round pick for Steve Nash)
  • #30 Ansu Sesay (2nd round), #35 Bruno Sundov (2nd round), #53 Greg Buckner (2nd round)

1997

  • #15 Kelvin Cato (1st round) (draft day trade to Portland for the rights to #18 Chris Anstey and $500,000)
  • #35 Bubba Wells (2nd round)

1996

  • #9 Samaki Walker (1st round)
  • #34 Shawn Harvey (2nd round), #58 Darnell Robinson (2nd round)

1995

  • #12 Cherokee Parks (1st round)
  • #24 Loren Meyer (2nd round)

1994

  • #2 Jason Kidd (1st round), #19 Tony Dumas (1st round)
  • #28 Deon Thomas (2nd round)

There is not much that can be said about the Maverick recent draft history. Technically, the Mavericks only draft products last year were Samaki Walker and Bruno Sundov, who produced only 4.8% of the minutes and 5.1% of the points. That is a far cry from Jimmy, Jamal, and Jason. Even if you count Chris Anstey and Dirk Nowitski, who were draft day acquisitions, you are still only talking about 16.6% of the minutes and 16.4% of the points. Don Nelson is known for "drawing outside of the lines" when it comes to assembling his talent He's going to pull off something big with his second round picks since he dealt the first rounder this year for Steve Nash.

II. TEAM NEEDS

The Mavericks are not as bad as your typical lottery team. But they won't be in the NBA Finals real soon either. The front line is full of potential, with four former lottery picks (Bradley, Nowitski, Trent, & Walker). Gary Trent is now realizing the kind of dominance that earned him the nickname "the Shaq of the MAC". The biggest move for this off-season in Dallas is resigning Trent. Steve Nash has been appointed the heir apparent to John Stockton, and if he is anywhere as good, he was well worth all the bodies that the Mavericks gave up for him. That leaves the wing positions. Michael Finley and Cedric Ceballos are the life blood of this squad. Don Nelson should be able to resign Ceballos and build the offense around their slashing speed and outside shooting. The Mavs can slowly blend in the front line as the talented Nowitski develops.

What this team needs is more scoring. Michael Finley alone contributed 22% of the teams points. Add in Gary Trent's strong inside baskets and you're up to 37.7% of the points. The Mavericks need scorers to come off of the bench so that when Finley is not on the floor, the offense doesn't die. I am looking for the Mavericks to select a small forward or off-guard with scoring punch. With two picks, Nellie will get two shots at a prospect, and who know who he'll pull out of the woodwork.

III. CURRENT TEAM BY POSITION

CENTER

  • Chris Anstey, 3.3 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 7-0, 249 lbs, 1-1-75, 1997 Draft - Pick #18 (Portland)
  • Shawn Bradley, 8.0 RPG, 3.2 BPG, 7-6, 263 lbs, 3-22-72, 1993 Draft - Pick #2 (Philadelphia)
  • Bruno Sundov, 11 Total Minutes, 7-2, 220 lbs, 2-10-80, 1998 Draft - Pick #35 (Dallas)
  • John "HotRod" Williams, 3.3 RPG, 0.7 BPG, 6-11, 245 lbs, 8-9-62, 1985 Draft - Pick #45 (Cleveland)

When Shawn Bradley was picked up from New Jersey, Nellie spoke about rebuilding the J-less Mavericks around him. It is now obvious that Shawn Bradley can be part of the solution, but not the answer itself. Chris Anstey has show some athleticism and some spark off the bench, but the jury is still out as to how much he can contribute. "HotRod" Williams has put his best days behind him, but can still be counted on for a few minutes at 5 or 4. Sundov was signed late in the year and only played 11 total minutes.

POWER FORWARD

  • A.C. Green, 35 GS, 4.6 RPG, 6-9, 225 lbs, 10-4-63, 1985 Draft - Pick #23 (LA Lakers)
  • Dirk Nowitski, 8.2 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 7-0, 237 lbs, 6-19-78, 1998 Draft - Pick #9 (Milwaukee)
  • Gary Trent, 16.0 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 6-8, 250 lbs, 9-22-74, 1995 Draft - Pick #11 (Milwuakee)
  • Samaki Walker, 3.7 RPG, 46.3 FG%, 6-9, 258 lbs, 2-25-76, 1996 Draft - Pick #9 (Dallas)

Gary Trent, Gary Trent, Gary Trent. This guy really came into his own this season, finishing third in the Most Improved Player balloting. Nellie has shown how much he wants to keep him by enduring the wrath of the league officials after flying Trent and his family to Hawaii. Good, because his hard work up front set the tone for the team this season. Hard work and effort rub off on those around you. Dirk Nowitski showed more development as the season went on. Nellie may have found another gem. Expect more production this season. Smaki Walker turrned down a contract extension earlier this year and that may have been a mistake. I wouldn't give up on him, but for the contribution he gives you, the money may be better spent elsewhere. A.C. Green falls into the same category with Trent when it comes to hard work. He shows up every night and gives you full effort. However, the Mavs have more pressing free agent needs, and A.C. might be better served coming off the bench for a young contender somewhere else. It's been fun.

SMALL FORWARD

  • Cedric Ceballos, 12.5 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 6-7, 220 lbs, 8-2-69, 1990 Draft - Pick #48 (Phoenix)
  • Ansu Sesay, 0 Minutes, 6-9, 225 lbs, 7-29-76, 1998 Draft - Pick #30 (Dallas)

Ceballos was a good pick-up by the Mavs going into this year, but only played 13 games before going down for the season. The one-two punch of Ceballos and Finley, as mentioned before, can be the focal point of the offense and Dallas would be well served to re-sign Cedric. Sesay spent the year on IR and it is unclear whether he will be retained for next year.

SHOOTING GUARD

  • Hubert Davis, 9.1 PPG, 45.1 3P%, 6-5, 183 lbs, 5-17-70, 1992 Draft - Pick #20 (New York)
  • Michael Finley, 20.2 PPG, 50G/50GS, 6-7, 215, 3-6-73, 1995 Draft - Pick #21 (Phoenix)

Michael Finley is the primary offensive weapon for the Mavs last year. He is their only All-Star game threat unless Trent development goes further than it already has. He is locked in for a couple of more years and Nellie should build around before he looks for greener pastures. Admittedly, I have never been a Hubert Davis fan. He is slight of build and would be hard pressed to guard me. However, he is one of the deadliest shooter in the league and if the offense, and specifically Steve Nash, can get him open looks, he will consistently come through.

POINT GUARD

  • Steve Nash, 31.7 MPG, 5.5 APG, 6-3, 195 lbs, 2-7-74, 1996 Draft - Pick #15 (Phoenix)
  • Robert Pack, 8.9 PPG, 3.2 APG, 6-2, 190 lbs, 2-3-69, Undrafted out of So. Cal., 1991
  • Erick Strickland, 7.5 PPG, 1.2 SPG, 6-3, 210, 11-25-73, Undrafted out of Nebraska, 1996

Steve Nash is the floor leader of the future of the Mavericks. He is not as good on a team where his options are limited, but as the Mavericks amass talent, his ability to get folks the ball where they need it will be key. Robert Pack was injured for most of the year, but his energy and explosiveness on the floor are unique assets for a player of his size. Don Nelson loves Erick Strickland, but on a talent level, he will always be a backup.

FREE AGENTS

  • Cedric Ceballos - Resign
  • A.C. Green - Let Go
  • Ansu Sesay - Who cares
  • Gary Trent - MUST Resign
  • Samaki Walker - Resign, but don't let him hold out for big bucks

MY SELECTION

My selection is Scott Padgett, 6-9 forward from the University of Kentucky. He has the ability to play some 4 but will mostly play the 3. He is sort of a poor man's Matt Harpring. With Gary Trent playing more like a power forward in a small forward's body, Padgett can come off of the bench to provide a new look, as he has the ability to pop out for the three and provide more outside shooting up front. I didn't expect him to be available at this point, and it's hard to pass up a character guy like Scott who can sit bench for a while, learn a few things, and wait his turn.

OTHER PLAYERS CONSIDERED

When you get to this point in the draft, all player rankings go out the window , and teams tend to pick those players that they've had in for a visit and like what they saw. It is much more of an individual choice and a guess as to who the GM's think may have a chance of either contributing in practice, or someone the team can send to Europe for a little seasoning and bring back across the pond down the road. That said, here are the other players I considered:

Kris Clack, Texas - Man, I was counting on him still being available at this point and I think Nellie would love to have him if he is still here. Good PR, bringing in the kid out of UT, and he's athletic enough to provide a little spark off of the bench.

Rodney Buford, Creighton - I, like most of the country, didn't know much about this kid until Creighton made a run in the tournament. A good athletic wing player with the ability to get his own shot and score. I was set to pick him when Clack went, but just can't be sure how he will fare on the next level.

Jamel Thomas, Providence - I figure if he can score in the Big East, he must have some scoring ability. But from what I've heard, he has not looked good in workouts, and if Padgett is still available, Thomas won't go ahead of him.

Melvin Levett, Cincinnati - This year's Darvin Ham. An incredible athlete with hops that won't quit, hence the nickname "The Helicopter". His game is limited, as his ball handling and jump shot are very spotty, but he'll be picked just because he is so physically gifted. A good pick-up for a team that can afford to pick someone who will just look good, but not have to contribute much.

Keith Carter, Mississippi - Do I ever love to watch this kid play!! Much like Levett, he is as exciting as they come but is missing come of the necessary skills to make it on the next level. He'll be a great player on the next level, as long as the next level is the CBA.

Vonteego Cummngs, Pittsburgh - I considered adding a new backup point guard, with Pack coming off injury and Strickland limited talent-wise. Cummings has good size for a point guard and a lot of potential, but both of the Mavs' point guards under contract for few more years, so no can do.

Devean George, Augsburg (D-III) - A lot of folks are talking about his guy, and he can really score (27.5 PPG last year). But a Division III player is more of a chance than I want to take. (Watch for Nellie be willing to take that chance)

WHAT THE MAVERICKS WILL DO

Who know what goes on in Nellie's mind? He probably has a foreign player that no one has ever heard of. I think if Clack is available, he pick him up. But word on the street is that whoever they pick will go to Europe for a while since Nellie is looking at Nowitski & Sundov as the prospects that he wants to work on. In the draft, Dallas will take the best available player who is not a center. In other moves, look for the Mavericks to resign Gary Trent at whatever cost, probably resign Ceballos and Walker, and if some other free agent is available, possilby take a run at him. But I think that there isn't really anyone out there that interests them, so they will bide their time until next year's free agent crop.
Craig Simpson - Usenet Draft Commissioner


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