It`s a few days after the National Basketball Association draft. Now is usually the time of second-guessing, surprise and wonder. As in wondering what that pick was all about.
The death of Len Bias, No. 1 choice of the Boston Celtics, has changed this. Wondering what happened to the talented 22-year-old Maryland star is dominating discussions of the draft.
Still, an assessment of the 1986 draft should not be ignored. Here is a report card on this year`s proceedings, starting with the Bulls and then going in order of grade (the Celtics, whose draft basically hinged on Bias, will not be included):
Bulls–They passed up the people`s choice, Duke guard Johnny Dawkins, in favor of Ohio State 7-footer Brad Sellers. Initial response was highly unfavorable, but the choice could wind up being the right one. ”They had to go big,” Portland coach Mike Schuler said. ”The Eastern Conference keeps getting bigger and bigger up front, and the Bulls had to keep up.” Trading for Trail Blazers` point guard Steve Colter could ease the Dawkins snub and third-rounder Ricky Wilson could make it in the backcourt.
Grade: B.
Cleveland–The Cavaliers are at the head of the class. No less than four draftees have a shot at making this team and turning around a struggling franchise. Trading Roy Hinson to Philadelphia brought the draft`s No. 1 pick, Brad Daugherty of North Carolina. Guard Ron Harper from Miami of Ohio is touted as a poor man`s Michael Jordan. Richmond`s Johnny Newman is another talented big guard-small forward. Mark Price of Georgia Tech and Kevin Henderson of Fullerton State will battle for the back-up point guard spot behind John Bagley.
Grade: A.
Washington–Some shrewd maneuvering brought the Bullets an entire unit in center Moses Malone, power forward Terry Catledge, small forward John Williams (LSU), off guard Anthony Jones (Nevada-Las Vegas) and point guard Steve Mitchell (Alabama-Birmingham). Right there with Cleveland at the top of the class.
Grade: A.
Atlanta–Trading Louisville`s Billy Thompson and Kansas` Ron Kellogg to the Los Angeles Lakers for Mike McGee and Notre Dame`s Ken Barlow was an excellent move. The Hawks gained some needed outside shooting in McGee and have another big man in the 6-10 Barlow to join an already young and talented front line. Second-round pick Cedric Henderson could be the sleeper of the draft.
Grade: B.
Denver–St. Joseph guard Maurice Martin and Duke forward Mark Alarie are solid picks and should make this ballclub. Jacksonville`s Otis Smith and LSU`s Don Redden are interesting question marks in the backcourt.
Grade: B.
Golden State–North Carolina State`s Chris Washburn and Bradley`s brawny Mike Williams will add extensive muscle to the Warriors` front line.
Grade: B.
Indiana–The Pacers couldn`t go wrong with Auburn`s Chuck Person, which means Wayman Tisdale could be used in a trade for desperately needed backcourt help. Second-round choice Greg Dreiling from Kansas is a career back-up center.
Grade: B.
Philadelphia–By trading away their first-round picks plus Moses Malone and Terry Catledge, the 76ers brought in Jeff Ruland, Hinson and Cliff Robinson to join Charles Barkley in an impressive front line. Ruland must remain healthy.
Grade: B.
Phoenix–Memphis State center William Bedford was a great catch, and Syracuse`s Rafael Addison, Georgia`s Joe Ward and Old Dominion`s Kenny Gattison have a shot at making the team.
Grade: B.
San Antonio–Dawkins will team up with Alvin Robertson in one of the most formidable backcourts in the league. Center Kevin Duckworth from Eastern Illinois and Thornridge High School is an intriguing project at 6-11, 290 pounds.
Grade: B.
Detroit–The Pistons went right to work filling their biggest need, power forward. Georgia Tech 7-footer John Salley could also play some center and Southeastern Oklahoma State`s Dennis Rodman is an unpolished banger.
Grade: C.
Milwaukee–Selecting late doesn`t leave much to pick from, but the Bucks may wind up with a prize in Michigan State guard Scott Skiles. Second-round choice Keith Smith of Loyola-Marymount suffered a foot injury late in the college season, but previously was a top-rated guard.
Grade: C.
New Jersey–The Nets filled the Micheal Ray Richardson void with stylish Dwayne ”Pearl” Washington of Syracuse, but that was about it.
Grade: C.
New York–Kentucky`s Kenny Walker is the insurance policy for Bernard King, who is rehabilitating from a knee injury. Michael Jackson of Georgetown has an outside chance of sticking.
Grade: C.
Portland–The pro game could be very conducive to St. John`s Walter Berry and the Trail Blazers took a shot at drafting Soviet Union center Arvidas Sabonis, rated one of the four most talented pivotmen in the world. Although it`s unlikely the USSR will allow Sabonis to play in the NBA, the Blazers retain his rights for five years–or three years past the 1988 Olympics.
Grade: C.
Sacramento–Villanova`s Harold Pressley could help at forward, but the biggest catch could be Illinois guard Bruce Douglas. The Kings need defensive help in the backcourt badly, and that is Douglas` forte. He must regain a jumper that has been AWOL for two seasons.
Grade: C.
Utah–Virginia Tech guard Dell Curry is just what the Jazz needed, a big scoring guard. Minnesota center John Shasky is a project.
Grade: C.
Dallas–Michigan`s Roy Tarpley was a bit of a gamble because his stock fell throughout the season. Louisville`s Milt Wagner could be a back-up to Rolando Blackman.
Grade: D.
Houston–The Rockets may regret passing up Skiles, especially since outside shooting and the backcourt are their biggest weaknesses. Alabama`s Buck Johnson is talented, but he`ll sit behind Rodney McCray, unless McCray is used in a trade for a guard.
Grade: D.
Los Angeles Lakers–The addition of Billy Thompson could mean James Worthy will be traded for help at power forward and center. Nobody else figures to make this team.
Grade: D.
Los Angeles Clippers–No first-round picks and no help for a franchise destined to be in the 1987 draft lottery.
Grade: F.
Seattle–Without a first-round pick, the Sonics came up with only longshots. The best they could do was North Carolina State guard Nate McMillan.
Grade: F.
