Glenn “Big Dog” Robinson? Yeah, No. 1 pick. Chris Webber? Certainly the top pick in the 1993 draft. Shaquille O’Neal? Without doubt in 1992. Larry Johnson, Derrick Coleman? Sure, in 1991 and 1990, respectively.
But for the first time since 1989, which was one of the worst drafts of all time in the NBA when Pervis Ellison was the No. 1 selection, it is unclear who will be–and deserves to be–the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft.
“History tells you the first two or three players will make a big impact,” says Orlando Magic personnel director John Gabriel. “The next 10 should make teams. And after that it’s a crapshoot. This year it starts with Bobby Sura. Anything after that is a question. And on top . . . ?”
No one is quite sure.
Joe Smith from Maryland?
The Golden State Warriors have given every indication they’ll select Smith first when the draft opens here Wednesday.
“His range was surprising,” said Warriors personnel director Dave Twardzik. “And when you get into his background, it’s really impeccable, a model citizen, a tremendous work ethic.”
But Golden State also believes neither the Los Angeles Clippers at No. 2 nor the Philadelphia 76ers at No. 3 wants Smith. So the Warriors may trade down and take him there and get a player thrown in, like the 76ers’ Clarence Weatherspoon.
Philadelphia thinks North Carolina’s Jerry Stackhouse is the best player and want him.
But the Clippers at No. 2 like Antonio McDyess of Alabama and could get Weatherspoon from Philadelphia to trade down, or Christian Laettner from Minnesota for an exchange of picks to No. 5. Then the Clippers probably would take Oklahoma State center Bryant Reeves to go along with Weatherspoon or Sharone Wright in a deal with the 76ers.
You get the idea. It’s wacky out there heading up to the NBA draft, with these developments already taking place or about to occur:
– The Detroit Pistons traded their No. 8 draft pick Tuesday to Portland for Nos. 18, 19 and 58. But hidden in there is a trade of Otis Thorpe to Detroit. That couldn’t be done yet for salary cap reasons, so the Pistons will make the 19th pick for Portland and ship that back to Portland for Thorpe later. The deal was made that way because Portland refused to take Bill Curley and Mark Macon.
– The Seattle SuperSonics traded Kendall Gill back to Charlotte for Hersey Hawkins and David Wingate. Gill was traded to Seattle, where he fought with coach George Karl over playing time and claimed of a depression-related illness last season, before the 1993-94 season in a deal in which Hawkins went to Charlotte. Gill had asked to be dealt. As the saying goes, you better watch what you ask for. You might get it. But now Charlotte coach Allan Bristow says Gill is relieved to return. “Kendall wants to come back,” said Bristow. “He wants to play the rest of his career here.”
– The Trail Blazers are trying to deal the No. 8 pick and Rod Strickland to Washington for the No. 4 pick so they can take Farragut High School star Kevin Garnett. Portland General Manager Bob Whitsitt drafted Shawn Kemp, who never played college basketball, when Whitsitt was in Seattle. The Blazers also want Calbert Cheaney, but the Bullets say they have to take Rex Chapman. The two teams said they’d talk again Wednesday.”
– The Bulls are out again talking about dealing Scottie Pippen. NBA insiders say the Phoenix Suns made what the team termed a “major” offer for Pippen, and there has been talk of a deal with the Bulls getting Laettner and the Timberwolves’ No. 5 pick if Minnesota cannot get Garnett. The Bulls probably would then select UCLA’s Ed O’Bannon.”
– The Toronto Raptors, still the team B.J. Armstrong calls his, also want a shot at Chicago’s Garnett and want to deal their pick and Armstrong to the Bullets, although the Bullets say if they can’t get Strickland, they’d want Dana Barros and then Armstrong. Charlotte also would like to trade its pick for Armstrong or another new Raptor, John Salley.”
– Portland also has been offering Cliff Robinson for the Milwaukee Bucks’ No. 1 draft pick, while the Bucks reportedly have been trying to put together a package to deal for Los Angeles Lakers center Vlade Divac.
And after the Bucks pick at No. 11, the talent level starts to fall. Florida State’s Sura and and Ohio’s Gary Trent top off what personnel directors believe is the last of the truly skilled players.
Somewhere after that, Arkansas’ Corliss Williamson should come in with a huge drop from his projected status of last year. Then teams begin to pick according to need and desire.
Most teams don’t rate UCLA center George Zidek higher than the end of the first round, but Detroit coach/GM Doug Collins, showing himself already to be a bold dealer, supposedly likes Zidek for his center-less team and might take him at No. 18.
One player who has made a big move is Oregon State’s Brent Barry, best of Hall-of-Famer Rick Barry’s four sons, and should go No. 19 with a trade to Portland later for Thorpe.
Because of the uncertainty among those middle picks and players like Zidek, Iowa State’s Loren Meyer and Barry becoming attractive to certain teams and teams uncertain usually opting for bigger players, it’s possible previously high-rated players like Michigan State’s Shawn Respert, Wisconsin’s Michael Finley and Wake Forest’s Randolph Childress could be available when the Bulls pick at No. 20. The Bulls also are very high on Alabama forward Jason Caffey.
“You tell me a guy I had at 24 you’re picking at 15 and I wouldn’t blink an eye,” said Orlando’s Gabriel.
And if you do, you could miss who’ll be the No. 1 pick.
