Shaquille O`Neal, the 7-foot-1-inch, 303-pound junior center from Louisiana State who will be the first pick in the National Basketball Association draft Wednesday by the Orlando Magic, is considered a certain
”impact” player.
The question is how big an impact O`Neal will have.
”They might turn Mickey Mouse into Shaquey Mouse,” said O`Neal during a recent visit to Orlando and Disney World.
Now, that big an impact no one could have, but O`Neal is quickly courting NBA stardom.
”He`s a monster,” says Magic Johnson, who played pickup games with O`Neal recently in Los Angeles. ”He`s going to get 20-plus points, double-figure rebounds and intimidate people.”
Which is why he`s the consensus No. 1 pick in the draft, perhaps the most sought-after No. 1 pick since Patrick Ewing, with whom O`Neal is most closely compared, in 1985.
And it`s why the Magic was talking with O`Neal about a 10-year deal but apparently will agree on a six-year deal worth about $36 million, almost double the annual salary of last year`s No. 1 pick, Charlotte`s Larry Johnson. ”I want to be an intimidator who dunks and scores,” says O`Neal. ”I would love to be in (Michael) Jordan`s shoes and be a champion someday, but there is only one Jordan. I just want to be known as a winner.”
And the Magic is trying to accommodate him, not only in salary but in competence. Magic officials say they`ll hold on to Nick Anderson and Dennis Scott, although there has been talk they might deal forward Brian Williams to Denver for the No. 13 pick in this draft to clear money to help sign O`Neal.
And that`s just one of the deals that was being discussed Tuesday as NBA general managers worked the phone lines in the hours leading to the draft.
The Lakers were said to be making the best pitch for Houston`s Hakeem Olajuwon (and Sleepy Floyd), offering Vlade Divac, James Worthy, Elden Campbell and cash. The Clippers also were in pursuit of Olajuwon.
The SuperSonics, who were once high on troubled Anthony Peeler with their No. 17 pick, are now reconsidering Dallas` offer of Derek Harper for Gary Payton and that first-round pick-if they don`t take Peeler.
The Bulls remained a player in that Harper chase, but Dallas is seeking more high draft picks. The Bulls were trying to get Atlanta`s No. 10 for B.J. Armstrong in order to make a run at Harper and Dallas forward Rodney McCray, as well as dealing Armstrong, Stacey King and their No. 1 pick for Harper and McCray.
With the Bulls over the salary cap, McCray could fit into Cliff Levingston`s slot, and then the Bulls could throw in King and move Harper into King`s slot with some financial maneuvering.
The Mavericks then could fill their point guard position with Mark Jackson, whom the Knicks-still thinking about taking Peeler-were trying to deal for Rolando Blackman. The Hornets also have been trolling for a point guard, which is why Armstrong has strong market value. The Hornets also were talking with Miami about a Brian Shaw-J.R. Reid swap.
And the Magic has been trying to deal former Bulls point guard Sam Vincent for a second-round pick.
The Spurs` interest in Dale Ellis for their No. 18 pick seems to have cooled, as has Denver`s interest in Jay Humphries, so Vincent was looking larger in both places.
But Denver and Milwaukee reportedly were still discussing a swap of draft picks (Nos. 5 and 8) that might again change the order of selection after the top four.
Georgetown`s Alonzo Mourning is expected to go to Charlotte with the No. 2 pick, giving the Hornets three potential stars-Johnson, Mourning and guard Kendall Gill-around whom they think they can build a contender.
”Defense is the foundation of my career,” says the 6-10 Mourning.
”Patrick (Ewing) has been my mentor, and I`ve tried to pattern my game after his with his hard work and tenacious defense. Coach (John) Thompson`s philosophy is, `Good players win games, and great players win championships.` I put myself in the category of winning championships.”
Minnesota is expected to select Duke`s Christian Laettner at No. 3. Despite questions about his game, he is what the Timberwolves need-a power forward who can score.
”I`m the perfect four-man (power forward),” says Laettner. ”I`m 6-11 and 250. I`m probably a little bigger and heavier than most 4s. I can also play a little center, but not against (David) Robinson, Ewing or Olajuwon. But then, who can?”
Dallas then will take Ohio State`s Jim Jackson No. 4.
But from there, the draft is continually shifting and uncertain.
If Milwaukee moves to No. 5, indications are the Bucks will take Notre Dame`s LaPhonso Ellis. Denver reportedly likes USC`s Harold Miner, and believes it`ll get him at No. 8, but if the Nuggets stay at No. 5 and don`t take him, Miner could fall at least to 11.
Troubled Todd Day of Arkansas is falling again, and should go to Miami now at No. 12.
Said one Eastern Conference GM who talked to Day: ”He looks you right in the eye and explains what happened (in his assault case and suspension for cheating), but then you realize he`s now up to the 12th thing he`s
explaining.”
The 76ers are now leaning to Southern Mississippi`s Clarence Weatherspoon, and Indiana is hoping Alabama`s Robert Horry slips to No. 14. Houston is eying Miner. Philadelphia also likes Malik Sealy of St. John`s and might opt for him if Weatherspoon is not available-even though Sealy is not projected by most until at least No. 14.
The Bullets are said to be unsure about Adam Keefe, because they need a rebounder, or Tom Gugliotta. But Sacramento would then go for Walt Williams, leaving Keefe perhaps to No. 10, which would probably kill any deal with the Bulls, because the Hawks like Keefe.
Peeler, it`s generally agreed, will stay somewhere in the first round since Minnesota reportedly is prepared to take him to lead off the second round if he`s still there.
There`s some talk that Golden State might forgo a big man and pick a backup point guard like Randy Woods, Brent Price or the slipping Lee Mayberry at No. 24. The Warriors then would deal for Felton Spencer with, perhaps, Sarunas Marciolionis. Phoenix will probably take a big man and might make a pitch for free agent Danny Ainge.
New Sun Charles Barkley said he`d forgo some salary for the team to sign Ainge, and Ainge, who is from Portland, has indicated he`d leave if he could start somewhere else. Phoenix would like to keep Dan Majerle as a sixth man.
Also, there has been growing interest in Marlon Maxey, from UTEP and Chicago`s Julian High School. He could go as high to Detroit at No. 19, and Boston also is interested at No. 21.
First-round surprises could be TCU center Reggie Smith and Steve Rogers, a big shooting guard from Alabama State. And some teams late in the first round, like Utah, are toying with taking Oklahoma State`s Byron Houston.
The Bulls, though talking, could end up with their No. 27 pick, which isn`t a hopeless pick: All-Stars Mark Price, Dennis Rodman, Jeff Hornacek, Kevin Duckworth, Michael Adams and Glenn Rivers all were picked after No. 24. Although it`s doubtful the Bulls will take a chance, Serbian Pedra Danilovic, a 6-6 shooting guard, could go in the second round as a future pick.
But the future, mostly, belongs to the top pick, O`Neal, the AP and UPI player of the year who averaged 24.1 points, 14 rebounds and 5.2 blocks last season.
And he says he`s looking forward to helping make Magic.
”I`m looking forward to going to Disney World,” said O`Neal, ”and chillin` with Mickey.”
