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SIZE
MATTERS
ROBERT TRAYLOR
6'8", 300,
Michigan
Why he's The Man:
Despite his ample frame, Traylor—a.k.a. "The
Tractor"—showed throughout his Michigan career
that sweet hands and near-perfect footwork can exist
independently of an expanding waistline. A center in
college, Traylor will have to make the transition to
power forward in the NBA, where he'll not only set one of the
widest picks in the game but also shock opponents with his
deceptive speed, touch and leaping ability. There are
whispers that Traylor has shed weight furiously, reportedly dropping down to 284 pounds—the lightest he's been since his early teens.
Hope not, because
it would be great to see his husky frame pirouetting
through the
paint.
At best, he's the next:
Charles
Barkley
And if I'm wrong, he's:
Take your pick of two ex-players with girth and nicknames:
John "Hot Plate" Williams or "Dinner
Bell" Mel
Turpin.
—D.S.
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THE ENIGMA
DIRK NOWITZKI
6'11", 237, Würzburg, Germany
Why he's The Man: This virtually unknown European exploded onto the scene at the Nike Hoop Summit during Final Four weekend in San Antonio. He dominated the game with 33 points (6-12 FG, 2-3 3-pt. FG, 19-23 FT) and 14 rebounds in a 104-99 International Select Team victory. Initially was thought headed to college (he visited Cal and Kentucky), but instead entered the draft; wavered the last few of weeks but did not withdraw his name. Nowitzki has an extremely aggressive, versatile offensive game. He can score inside or step out and hit the three. A good ballhandler, he can take it to the hole (as evidenced by free throw total at Hoop Summit). Very polished in all facets. Will have teams ruing the day they bypassed him. Fellow German Detlef Schrempf was called the best import since the Volkswagen; Nowitzki's coach says, "Here comes the Porsche."
At best, he's the next: Keith Van Horn.
And if I'm wrong, he's: Cherokee Parks.
—A.L.
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