NBA
BASKETBALL: AROUND
THE EAST By JOHN
DOE
May 26, 2001
Atlantic
Division
The Celtics
have picks 10 and 21, and must decide by June 12th if they want to use
Denver's pick 11 (from the Ron Mercer trade). This team needs a point guard.
Rumor has it
that both Mitch Richmond and Patrick Ewing are possibly interested in signing
with the Miami Heat.
The New Jersey
Nets may take a big guy in the draft. This would allow Kenyon Martin to
focus on being a power forward and Keith Van Horn pretending he's a small
forward.
The New York
knicks are a slow (under Van Gundy's offense), small team.
In Orlando,
Grant Hill's ankle is almost completely healthy. He'll be on the court
and playing some ball in a matter of 10-20 days. With Hill, McGrady and
Mike Miller ready to roll, this team needs to find a big guy to do some
dirty work. A young Charles Oakley would be terrific. Find him.
No healthy
Iverson, no success for Philly.
If Jordan and
Barkley did come back and play for the Wizards, would they as a combination
be more effective than McGrady and Hill in Orlando? Doubtful.
Central
Division
With capable
little guys and big guys, the Hawks could use a small forward in this draft.
Eddie Griffin or Shane Battier would be terrific.
The Hornets
might want to consider trading Jamal Mashburn or Baron Davis while they're
hot.
Who should
the Bulls take in this draft? A center to go next to Elton Brand. If Jason
Williams (Duke) was coming out, he'd be their best choice (to give you
an idea of how bad their point guards are, the team assists leader last
season was Fred Hoiberg with 3.6 per game), but since he's not, and no
other point guards compare, going big would be best. But not another Marcus
Fizer. A center. They may be willing to take a chance on high school kid
DeSagna Diop.
The Cavaliers
stink. They could use any awesome player at any position other than point
guard. A good small forward would be nice.
The Pistons
new coach, Rick Carlisle, will be extremely effective at yapping stuff
at referees while opening his eyes so wide that they frighten babies. Build
around Jerry Stackhouse and Ben Wallace.
Will the Pacers
young kiddie players amount to anything?
Sam Cassell
can't discuss Bucks basketball without reminding everyone how important
he is to their success. We understand this, Sam.
The Toronto
Raptors could be in trouble. Alvin Williams, Jerome Williams and Antonio
Davis, three key players, are all unrestricted free agents this summer.
All three were big reasons why the team, along with the greatness of Vinsanity,
were one shot away from reaching the Eastern Conference Finals this year.
Vince has stated that he will do anything he can to get all three of them
to re-sign with Toronto. Lets see what happens.
