Some Make Grade In Draft But Other Teams Don’T Receive Passing Marks
Many teams’ wheels are still spinning and the deals are only just beginning after the 1994 NBA Draft. So many teams pass on needs in favor of pure talent, then wonder why their chemistry is a mess. That will hold true in this draft as well.
It will be more difficult to get a read on where teams are going during this draft and trade season. A court order effective through at least Tuesday due to a suit between the NBA Players Association and the NBA prevents any contracts from being signed and will hamper trading. Nonetheless, this remains a crucial time for building teams and, without question, some teams are far better at it than others.
Give credit to the Sacramento Kings, so desperate for help up front they drafted three power forwards. The same goes for the Milwaukee Bucks, adding strength to a previously weak frontcourt. And then you have the Indiana Pacers, just seconds away from winning the Eastern Conference four weeks ago, pulling off a five-player deal that could put them over the top.
You’ve got to like what some teams did, scratch your head about other teams’ decisions. It’s time to contemplate the annual Draft Report Card:
ATLANTA HAWKS: Having lost their first-round pick in the deal that brought Danny Manning in exchange for Dominique Wilkins, it would only prove disastrous if the Hawks lose Manning to free agency. On the heels of acquiring Kenny Norman for injured Roy Hinson, the Hawks did add Oklahoma State point guard Gaylon Nickerson in the second round.
Grade: B.
BOSTON CELTICS: The best move was pushing Dave Gavitt out of the basketball operation and we’ll have to see about M.L. Carr. The Celtics went with Red Auerbach’s choice of huge center Eric Montross in the first round. He’s fundamentally sound and better than some people think. Then the Celtics added Blue Edwards and Derek Strong for Ed Pinckney. Great move. They also tied up Dee Brown in a long-term deal. They appear to be bouncing back.
Grade: B-plus.
CHARLOTTE HORNETS: They gave up their firstround pick to the Seattle SuperSonics in the Kendall Gill trade last year it ended up being a lottery pick - and Eddie Johnson won’t be back from the trade. Then the Hornets added small forward Darrin Hancock in the second round, who is the same size only not as good as their rookie last year Scott Burrell. Too much interference from upper management and ownership.
Grade: D-minus.
CHICAGO BULLS: The Bulls and Sonics were briefly involved in a much-publicized deal - Scottie Pippen for Shawn Kemp that was killed. But the Bulls did get power forward Dickey Simpkins with the first pick, who may ease some of the pain that will come with the loss of free agents Horace Grant and Scott Williams. Another forward, Chris Brutin, won’t help much. With an unhappy Pippen, plus losing Horace Grant and Scott Williams, the Bulls are struggling.
Grade: C-minus.
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS: The Cavs traded this pick to Golden State for Tyrone Hill, who helped inside and on the boards this year. They got a decent shooter in Tulsa’s Gary Collier in the second round. They’re still listening to deals for restricted free agent Terrell Brandon.
Grade: B.
DALLAS MAVERICKS: The Mavs fell in love with point guard Jason Kidd early and stuck to it despite a growing cluster of off-court problems for the Cal All-American. They also nabbed sweet-shooting Tony Dumas with the 19th pick and a decent power forward in Deon Thomas at 28. Roy Tarpley is expected to come back as well after rehabilitating from his substance abuse. They could be bouncing back.
Grade: B-plus.
DENVER NUGGETS: The Nuggets were the surprise of the NBA, upsetting the Sonics in the first round and taking the Utah Jazz to seven in the second. They have been lacking a ballhandler and floor leader, and first-round pick Jalen Rose serves that purpose. Rose is a valuable piece for a team heading toward the top.
Grade: B-plus.
DETROIT PISTONS: For a team that suffered a horrible slide, classy talent Grant Hill, the third pick of the draft, is a perfect addition. Secondround pick Jevon Crudup is a project, but these guys are about to make some noise. What they decide on restricted free agent Sean Elliott could be vital as they build for the future, and rumors have him going to Phoenix for Cedric Ceballos.
Grade: A-minus.
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS: The Warriors took Louisville forward Clifford Rozier, considered a behavior problem by most teams and the one firstround player who hasn’t an agent and could return to school in 30 days. Then they got a solid big guy in Michigan State’s Anthony Miller in the second round. The Warriors also have reportedly made a deal with the Sonics, acquiring Sonics pick Carlos Rogers and Ricky Pierce for Sarunas Marciulionis and Byron Houston.
Grade: C-plus.
HOUSTON ROCKETS: The Rockets gave up this pick two years ago via the Kenny Smith trade, and who’s to rip the point guard for the world champs? They drafted Texas forward Albert Burditt with the 53rd pick, and maybe he’ll make the team. And even though they’re shopping Smith, the deal worked.
Grade: B.
INDIANA PACERS: The Pacers came within an eyelash of making the finals, and are coming off a deal that very well could push them over the top. Dealing malcontent Pooh Richardson, little-used Malik Sealy and the rights to Eric Piatkowski to the Clippers for Mark Jackson and the rights to rookie Greg Minor is a big deal. They also added skinny Canadian forward William Njoku and thrilled the local folks by taking native son Damon Bailey. A fine team in Naptown.
Grade: A-minus.
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS: Adding Richardson and Sealy after drafting Lamond Murray with the seventh pick overall certainly adds talented bodies. But considering that all three players bring mental baggage in the move, the team still doesn’t have a coach and Dominique Wilkins and Ron Harper are unrestricted free agents, this remains a franchise headed nowhere but to Anaheim.
Grade: C-minus.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS: Everybody liked their first pick, Eddie Jones, a lot. But he’s a swingman, playing the same position as youngsters Doug Christie and Anthony Peeler and even last year’s rookie George Lynch. Word on the streets has the Lakers going hard after Danny Manning or Horace Grant. They’d better be doing something. Right now, they look just a little better than their friends from across the tracks.
Grade: C.
MIAMI HEAT: The Heat need solid help, probably of the veteran variety to change their path of mediocrity, but Khalid Reeves is a talented guard they’re adding. Big forward Jeff Webster in the second round was a good choice as well. But they need to make some trades to improve this team that has stagnated.
Grade: C-plus.
MILWAUKEE BUCKS: Getting the first pick of the draft with Glenn Robinson automatically makes it a great addition, and the Bucks also appeared to have been fortunate adding center Eric Mobley at 18, and Voshon Lenard in the second round. Trading Blue Edwards for Ed Pinckney was odd, considering Edwards’ ability, but there was a logjam at the 2-3 positions and Pinckney will help their rebounding woes.
Grade: A-minus.
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES: So big and smooth, Donyell Marshall brings some offense up front the Wolves haven’t had and second-round pick Howard Eisley should help at point guard. But they need a new coach and they need more leadership on the floor before they’ll seriously improve.
Grade: B-plus.
NEW JERSEY NETS: Another lug of a center in Yinka Dare now will join Benoit Benjamin. Willis Reed would be better off hobbling out and playing himself. They’ve got more moves to make for new coach Butch Beard, or they’ll struggle to retain their status as a team on the rise.
Grade: D-plus.
NEW YORK KNICKS: The Eastern Conference champs gambled on talented Notre Dame forward Monty Williams, despite his heart problem, and added Heisman Trophy-winner Charlie Ward. Two big names in the Big Apple, utilizing 24 and 26 in the first round. Both were worth the gamble.
Grade: B.
ORLANDO MAGIC: The Magic had made it clear it wanted a power forward, so of course it took shooting guard Brooks Thompson in the first round. Orlando added power player Rodney Dent in the second round, but he tore the ACL in his left knee in January. The Magic is trying to trade Scott Skiles to create a slot for Horace Grant. Good luck.
Grade: C.
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS: The Sixers hired John Lucas last month and added Sharone Wright, B.J. Tyler and Derrick Alston in the draft. For a team desperate for talent, they probably will hit on at least two of those three. Now if they can make a trade or two, they’ll be respectable again.
Grade: B.
PHOENIX SUNS: Many people think the Suns got a steal with Wesley Person at 23, another longrange gunner like his brother Chuck. Duke’s Antonio Lang and point guard Anthony Goldwire, the second-round picks, have a chance to make the team as well. Word has it they’re letting Oliver Miller go and trading Cedric Ceballos for Sean Elliott. They never sit still.
Grade: A-minus.
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS: Hiring coach P.J. Carlesimo was big news, then they stole Aaron McKie at 17, and maybe even got a keeper with 6-11 Shawnelle Scott in the second round. The Blazers probably are going to be in the trade market once they settle their general manager position.
Ex-Sonics GM Bob Whitsitt is the leading candidate in Portland. Whitsitt said Friday it will be at least through the weekend before he comes to an agreement with either Portland or the expansion francise in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Grade: B-plus.
SACRAMENTO KINGS: New general manager Geoff Petrie immediately zeroed in on their needs, adding power players Brian Grant, Michael Smith and Lawrence Funderburke in the draft. Even if two out of the three pan out, they’re significantly better. They’ll probably let Wayman Tisdale go to actively pursue free agents.
Grade: A-minus.
SAN ANTONIO SPURS: They still need a point guard, so what do they do? Draft slow forward Bill Curley from Boston College with their only draft pick. They are reportedly interested in free agent Avery Johnson, who they let go two years ago. But they’re still struggling.
Grade: D-plus.
SEATTLE SUPERSONICS: This team is a mess in the personnel department and even the talkedabout trade with Golden State (Rogers and Pierce for Marciulionis and Houston) only partially makes sense. They’re even shaky with second-round pick Dontonio Wingfield.
Grade: D-plus.
UTAH JAZZ: The Jazz got Jeff Hornacek with this pick and Jeff Malone, so it’s tough to rip them. They added another swing guy Jamie Watson, just like David Benoit and Bryon Russell in the second round. This could be a team in transition prime to make a trade.
Grade: C.
WASHINGTON BULLETS: Adding power forward Juwan Howard and center Jim McIlvaine is statement enough that the Bullets are going big to compete in the East. They still need a point guard badly, but Howard in particular is a quality addition. They’ve offered Tom Gugliotta and the rights to Howard for Scottie Pippen, so beware.
Grade: A-minus.