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Following the 2002 NBA Draft, we have a few burning questions, and we're sure you do, too. SI's Marty Burns takes a look at three of them ...
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New York traded Marcus Camby, Mark Jackson and the rights to Nene Hilario to Denver for Antonio McDyess, the rights to Frank Williams and a 2003 second-round pick. Was this a good deal for New York?
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 Will the Knicks miss
Marcus Camby more than they think?
Jesse Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images |
Knicks general manager Scott Layden might not want to get too comfy yet.
Sure, he wiggled off the hook temporarily by acquiring All-Star-caliber power forward McDyess from the Nuggets. But McDyess missed all of last season with a knee injury, and there is fear he might never regain his old explosiveness.
Meanwhile, the loss of Camby leaves New York without a true center. Kurt
Thomas might be able to hold down the middle some nights, but the smallish Knicks are going to miss Camby’s defense and shot-blocking. Layden’s move has to be considered a positive step, but it’s far from the answer.
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What are the Clippers thinking? |
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Andre Miller doesn't know if he's coming or going.David Liam Kyle/NBAE/Getty Images |
Cleveland point guard Andre Miller must be puzzled.
The Cavs' decision to draft combo guard Dajuan Wagner instead of small forward Caron Butler or power forward Chris Wilcox seemed to be a sign there was substance to those rumors of a trade to Miller's hometown Clippers.
Just when he was packing his bags, however, the Cavs cleared playing time for Wagner by dealing shooting guard Wesley Person to Memphis. Maybe Miller should have known better. After all, the Cavs have been saying all along they intend to keep him. Besides, does anyone really believe the low-budget Clippers are ready to turn over a new leaf and pay maximum money, even for a talent like Miller?
Then again, how else does one explain the Clippers’ selections of Wilcox (No. 8) and Melvin Ely (No. 12), two burly power forwards. Doesn’t L.A. already have an All-Star power forward in Elton Brand? Don't unpack those bags just
yet, Andre.
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Can lightning strike twice at No. 10? |
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Caron Butler could be just what the doctor ordered for the Heat's woes.
Ray Amati/NBAE/Getty Images |
Heat president/head coach Pat Riley should thank his lucky stars.
Caron Butler was supposed to be long gone by the time Miami got around to picking at No. 10. Thanks largely to all the trade mechanations ahead of the Heat, however, Butler somehow slid down right into Riley’s lap.
Butler is the type of athletic wing scorer the offensively challenged Heat
desperately need. He should fit in well alongside Eddie Jones and provide
insurance in case Jim Jackson and/or Kendall Gill depart via free agency.
Moreover, Butler is a fiery competitor who will use his draft slide as motivation -- much the same way Paul Pierce did during his rookie season after being snubbed in 1998.
Rest assured, Riley will remind him of it on a daily basis.
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