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1:
Houston Rockets
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Yao Ming
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C
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China
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| Yao Ming: Yao-za! Yao-za! Yao-za! Will this be the start of a Ming Dynasty in Houston? Or an Enron-like disaster? Only time will tell. But the Rockets need a center, and this 7-foot-5 giant has all the tools. Just get him on a plane quick, before the Chinese government ties him up in more red tape.
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2:
Chicago Bulls
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Jason Williams
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PG
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Duke Blue Devils
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| Even GM Jerry Krause couldn’t mess with this choice. Williams is a good fit for the Bulls, who need a fiesty, aggressive point guard who can contribute immediately. The Dukie should have no trouble picking up the triangle offense and he’s versatile enough to play shooting guard if the Bulls opt to keep Jamal Crawford instead of trading him.
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3:
Golden St. Warriors
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Mike Dunleavy
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SF
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Duke Blue Devils
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| No surprise here either, unless coach-in-waiting Mike Dunleavy Sr. comes along too as part of a package deal. Golden St. should forget that nonsense, and let this versatile small forward prove himself on his own merits. Along with Jason Richardson and Antawn Jamison, the Warriors now have a promising nucleus.
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4:
Memphis Grizzlies
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Drew Gooden
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PF
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Kansas Jayhawks
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| Memphis GM Jerry West adds some Gooden Plenty to his White Chocolate (point guard Jason Williams). Gooden is an aggressive rebounder who should complement Pau Gasol and give the Grizzlies some much-needed frontcourt depth and bulk. He also gives West flexibility in case he decides to trade Stromile Swift.
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5:
Denver Nuggets
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Nikoloz Tskitishvili
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SF
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Republic of Georgia
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| GM Kiki Vandeweghe gets a possible replacement for Antonio McDyess, in case the trade with the Knicks goes through. Tskitishvili is a 7-footer who could develop into another Dirk Nowitzki-type, though he’s more of a power forward. He might not be as ready as Caron Butler, but who cares? Denver might get a better shot at LeBron James next year.
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6:
Cleveland Cavaliers
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Dajuan Wagner
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PG
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Memphis Tigers
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| Say "bye, bye" to Andre Miller. The selection of Wagner, an Allen Iverson-type combo guard, indicates the Cavs are leaning toward dealing Miller, possibly to the Clippers. Though only 6’2", Wagner is a big-time scorer who should thrive under the tutelage of coach John Lucas. Like the Nuggets, the Cavs might be looking ahead to LeBron James.
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7:
New York Knicks
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Maybyner Hilario
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PF
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Brazil
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| Probably headed to Denver as part of the McDyess trade. If not, the Knicks are taking a gamble that this athletic 19-year-old from Brazil can make the transition quickly. With long arms like a condor and fast feet, he’s expected to be a terrific shot-blocker. But he’s very raw, and has no offensive game. Another athlete for Denver’s rebuilding.
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8:
Los Angeles Clippers
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Chris Wilcox
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PF
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Maryland Terrapins
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| Maybe the most athletic big man on the board, but the Clippers already have a pretty good power forward in Elton Brand. Of course, Brand could be playing center soon if the Michael Olowakandi bolts via free agency. Also, L.A. might be taking him for another team, perhaps the Cavs if they make the Andre Miller trade.
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9:
Phoenix Suns
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Amare Stoudemire
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PF
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Cypress Creek (Fla.) HS
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| About time a high school kid got drafted! The Suns would have preferred Hilario or Wilcox, but they’ll have to settle for this Florida teen who takes the ball hard to the basket like a young Shawn Kemp. Unfortunately, that’s about all he does right now. One scout last fall termed his overall game "clueless."
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10:
Miami Heat
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Caron Butler
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SF
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Connecticut Huskies
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| Nice break for Pat Riley, who had a big hole at small forward with the expected free agent departures of Jim Jackson and Kendall Gill. Butler is the kind of young, athletic scorer that Miami needs. Some have even compared him to Paul Pierce, who coincidentally also slipped to No. 10 in ’98.
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11:
Washington Wizards
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Jared Jeffries
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SF
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Indiana Hoosiers
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| Move over Mike. There’s a new small forward in town. OK, so maybe Jeffries is more of a power forward, but he’s versatile enough to help at the 3 in case MJ hangs it up. Though slight of build, Jeffries added 15 pounds to his 6-10 frame and is now at around 230. Bottom line, he’s an athletic big man who can post up, something the Wizards need.
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12:
Los Angeles Clippers
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Melvin Ely
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PF
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Fresno St. Bulldogs
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| Could be another pick for the Cavs, as part of a future Andre Miller deal. Ely is an athletic power forward who can score, rebound, block shots and has a long wing span. But again, he’s not going to play over Brand. He fits much better in Cleveland, which needs big men.
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13:
Milwaukee Bucks
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Marcus Haislip
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PF
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Tennessee Volunteers
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| GM Ernie Grunfeld shows his Tennessee pride. Haislip wasn’t supposed to go quite this high, but Grunfeld apparently liked the 6-10 power forward from his alma mater over Sam Clancy and Carlos Boozer. Ironically, Grunfeld passed on 7-foot center Curtis Borchardt of Stanford, the school where Grunfeld’s son will play hoops next year.
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14:
Indiana Pacers
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Frederick Jones
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SG
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Oregon Ducks
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| Another surprise pick. Jones was rated behind bigger names like Juan Dixon and Kareem Rush, but the Pacers like his combination of size (6-4) and shooting ability. With Reggie Miller slowing down, the Pacers needed a young shooting guard.
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15:
Houston Rockets
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Bostjan Nachbar
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SF
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Slovenia
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| Got to love the Rockets. No fooling around. They said they wanted this raw 6’9" small forward from Slovenia with solid all-around skills, and they took him. With Glen Rice injury-prone, he could get a chance to contribute right away.
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16:
Philadelphia 76ers
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Jiri Welsch
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PG
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Czech Republic
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| Odd pick for a team with two reserve swing guards in Aaron McKie and Matt Harpring. Or is he headed to Golden State as part of a future Derrick Coleman trade? Either way, Welsch is a great prospect who shot 65% from the floor for his Slovenian team last season and has the size (6-7) and skills to play both guard slots.
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17:
Washington Wizards
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Juan Dixon
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SG
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Maryland Terrapins
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| GM Jordan makes the popular local pick. Dixon helped lead Maryland to the NCAA title last season, and is the kind of hard-nosed competitor MJ loves. A bit frail at 6’3" 165, but his big heart gives him a chance.
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18:
Orlando Magic
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Curtis Borchardt
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C
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Stanford Cardinal
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| Orlando’s search for a Shaq replacement continues. Borchardt is a legit 7-footer who averaged a double-double last year at Stanford, but his college progress was slowed by foot injuries. With Patrick Ewing in the middle, the Magic need help.
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19:
Utah Jazz
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Ryan Humphrey
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SF
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Notre Dame Fighting Irish
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| A no-nonsense player for a no-nonsense team. Humphrey is a banger who can rebound and block shots, but he doesn’t shoot well. He’s also insurance in case Donyell Marshall leaves via free agency. But how could Utah pass on point guard Dan Dickau, the John Stockton wannabe from Gonzaga?
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20:
Toronto Raptors
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Kareem Rush
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SG
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Missouri Tigers
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| A surprise pick, considering Toronto already has a pretty fair shooting guard in Vince Carter and was said to be leaning toward selecting a point guard like Dickau or Frank Williams. Still, Rush is a physical athletic scorer who was expected to go higher. He can add punch off the bench.
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21:
Portland Trail Blazers
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Qyntel Woods
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SG
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NE Mississippi CC
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| They really wanted Stoudamire, but the Suns beat them to him. So they’ll have to settle for Woods, the JUCO prospect some have called the "next Tracy McGrady". Expected to be picked in the top 10, now he’ll be known as the guy who slipped the furthest on draft night.
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22:
Phoenix Suns
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Casey Jacobsen
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SG
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Stanford Cardinal
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| Bummer for the Lakers. This tall, heady guard from Stanford with the sweet outside stroke would have been a great fit in the L.A. system. This alone makes it a good pick for the Suns. More important, he should help create floor spacing for Stephon Marbury while sharing duties with Penny Hardaway and Joe Johnson.
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23:
Detroit Pistons
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Tayshaun Prince
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SF
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Kentucky Wildcats
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| This versatile, baby-faced swingman is a good prospect, but he’s going to have a hard time finding time behind Jerry Stackhouse and Cliff Robinson. The Pistons could have gone for a point guard like Williams or Dickau, but apparently Prince’s outside shooting dimension was considered more valuable.
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24:
New Jersey Nets
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Nenad Krstic
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PF
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Yugoslavia
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| Not as easy as that pick in '84, eh Rod Thorn? OK, so maybe this guy isn’t the next Michael Jordan but Krstic played for the same Yugo team as Vlade Divac, and that’s enough for the Nets, still reeling from that Shaq experience.
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25:
Denver Nuggets
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Frank Williams
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PG
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Illinois Fighting Illini
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| Headed to New York as part of the McDyess trade. Williams has talent, but some question his attitude. The Knicks are hoping he becomes this year’s Jamaal Tinsley, who slid all the way to No. 27 last year.
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26:
San Antonio Spurs
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John Salmons
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SF
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Miami (FL) Hurricanes
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| Wasn’t rated this high, but many consider him a sleeper. The Spurs need help on the perimeter, and Salmons is an open-floor greyhound who can play all three perimeter positions. With Steve Smith and Terry Porter slowing down, he might add some much-needed ahtleticism.
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27:
Los Angeles Lakers
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Chris Jefferies
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SF
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Fresno St. Bulldogs
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| It’s a little suprising they didn’t go for a power forward like Boozer or Clancy, but the Lakers opt for the best player available. Jeffries is a big small forward who can run and score, and maybe give L.A. a little Scottie Pippen-like dimension on defense.
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28:
Sacramento Kings
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Dan Dickau
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PG
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Gonzaga Bulldogs
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| Don't worry Kings fans. Mike Bibby isn't going anywhere. But Dickau is -- he's headed to Atlanta in return for a future first-round pick. Dickau, who has great range with his jumper, will compete for the Hawks' starting point guard spot with Emanual Davis and Jacque Vaughn. Dickau should get immediate playing time even if he doesn't start. The Kings, meanwhile, will wait a couple years to see how this trade works out.
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