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Sleeper picks Every team hopes to land another StoudemirePosted: Wednesday June 25, 2003 7:54 PMUpdated: Wednesday July 02, 2003 5:04 PM
Sleeper isn’t just the name of a Woody Allen movie. It’s also a hot topic each year around NBA draft time. Every team it seems is hoping to land another "sleeper" like Amare Stoudemire, who was Rookie of the Year last season after falling all the way to No. 9 on the draft board. Who are some of this year’s sleepers? In honor of Woody’s beleaguered Knicks, who hold the ninth pick in Thursday’s draft, here are three candidates: Jarvis Hayes, 6-7, G/F: He’s one of the best pure shooters in the draft, and some have compared him to Glen Rice. Georgia’s first two-time consensus first-team All-SEC since Dominique Wilkins in 1981-82, he didn’t get a chance to play in this year’s NCAA tournament because of the Jim Harrick situation. He's a lottery pick who could end up being a top-five player. Brian Cook, 6-10, PF: The big man from Illinois can run the floor and shoot very well. He has a reputation for being a little soft, but his credentials are impressive. He was Big Ten player of the year and a former McDonald’s All-American. Some scouts say that in the right system, such as the Nets' or the Lakers', he could be an immediate contributor. He's a top-25 player who could be a top-10 talent. Luke Walton, 6-8, PF: OK, maybe this one’s a bit of a reach, but there is something about this son of NBA legend Bill Walton. He just knows how to play the game. Even Spurs guard Steve Kerr, who has played with him in pickup games, told NBA.com that he thinks the versatile fellow 'Zona alum will have a 10-year NBA career. He's a second-rounder who could provide first-round value. Now onto the 'bag:
Is Scott Layden serious about trading Latrell Sprewell to the Raptors for Jerome Williams and the fifth pick to get T.J. Ford? Is he nuts? Layden saw what happened to Mets GM Steve Phillips. He has to do something to try to instill some excitement in the Big Apple. But don’t count on this deal going down. Even Layden isn't desperate enough to stake his future on a 6-foot rookie point guard who can’t shoot.
Don't you think it's time that Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak earn some of his money and get a better, deeper supporting cast for Shaq and Kobe? Now that the Lakers are no longer champs, do you think there's a chance Jerry Buss will pay some luxury tax to get a player or two? What sort of free agent/trade scenarios do you see playing out in L.A. this offseason? Buss’ unwillingness to pay the luxury tax definitely has hampered Kupchak. Scottie Pippen is just one of several good players the Lakers could have acquired in recent years were it not for ownership’s unwillingness to take on bigger payroll. Still, the Lakers have not drafted well (albeit with late picks), and some of their signings have not worked out. The heat is on Kupchak this summer to get it right. The good news is there are several good big men available (Karl Malone, P.J. Brown, Juwan Howard and Alonzo Mourning). If Kupchak can convince the right one to play for the mid-level exception in return for a shot at an NBA ring, he could save his job and help return the Lakers to the top.
I have yet to read an article that references a clause in Jay Williams' contract that states he cannot ride a motorcycle. I know that in the case of some athletes, they are contractually obligated to avoid certain activities, like waterskiing, sky diving, riding motor cycles, etc. Losing a big-time player like Williams would hurt any team. Is it safe to assume that no such clause existed in this player's contract with the once mighty Bulls? According to the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement (www.nbpa.com/cba/exhibits/exhibitA.html), a player is barred from "endangering his health or safety" by participating in "professional boxing or wrestling, motorcycling, moped-riding, auto racing, sky diving and hang gliding, or any exhibition of basketball, football, baseball, hockey, lacrosse or other athletic sport." According to the bylaw, a player can be fined and/or suspended by his team and/or NBA commissioner David Stern. The Bulls haven’t said whether they gave Williams permission, but it is assumed they did not. Still, don’t look for the Bulls to make an issue of it. Right now they’re just glad he’s alive.
What do you think the Grizzlies will do in the draft, and do you see them picking up any free agents this summer? Memphis GM Jerry West no doubt wants to do something big. The Grizzlies have made no secret they’d like to trade up from their current No. 13 standing -- coach Hubie Brown even said so to Dwyane Wade and three other prospects while trying to motivate them during a recent workout -- but it’s not going to be easy. Memphis just doesn’t have many tradeable assets (Stromile Swift? Shane Battier?) to move up. As for the free-agent market, the Grizzlies are in the same boat as most other teams. They have no room under the salary cap to make a big splash, so they will have to use their mid-level exception wisely on a solid veteran-type who can help Pau Gasol and Mike Miller.
Would it be possible for the Warriors to do a sign-and-trade that would ship Gilbert Arenas to Denver for the third pick? Then, since they already would have Mike Dunleavy, Antawn Jamison and Carmelo Anthony, could they ship Jamison to Miami for the fifth pick and draft Ford? Then, with the 11th pick, wouldn't it be reasonable to draft a 4 or 5, i.e., Lampe, Kaman or Collison? Though the Warriors technically could do a sign-and-trade with Arenas, it’s extremely unlikely. Why would the Nuggets give up the No. 3 pick (and the chance to draft Anthony) when they can get Arenas on the open market? Remember, the Warriors can offer Arenas a deal starting only at the mid-level exception, around $4.7 million. Denver has room under the salary cap to sign him for a lot more money. As for trading Jamison, league rules would require the Warriors to take back roughly his salary ($12 million) in return. In your proposed deal, for example, the Heat would have to include Brian Grant or Eddie Jones to make it work.
From what I've read, Kevin O'Neill is an in-your-face, very demanding and sometimes foul-mouthed coach when he gets angry at players. And now there's a rumor that the Raptors might trade for Sprewell. If that trade goes through and Sprewell becomes a Raptor, how many games do you think it'll take for Sprewell to strangle O'Neill in a practice argument? I'll bet you a box of popcorn it will happen well before the All-Star break. Maybe. But O’Neill served as an assistant coach to Jeff Van Gundy with the Knicks in 2000-01. He survived that stint without incurring Spree’s wrath. Of course, it’s safe to say O’Neill will be under a wee bit more stress in this job.
Clearly Gregg Popovich's benching of Steve Smith helped the young players develop for the Spurs to win a championship. But do you think Smith still has something in the tank to help another team? When aggressive, he is still a very clever scorer. Based on how he played early in the season, we’re guessing Smith is finished. Popovich couldn’t even bear to use him when the Mavs and Nets were packing in the defense and daring the Spurs to beat them from outside. After 12 fine NBA seasons, Smith’s bad knees have caught up to him. He can still shoot, but he’s just too stiff-legged to guard his man.
Do you think the league should find a better way to put the two best teams in the NBA Finals? Instead of having Eastern and Western Conference finals, how about matching up the four final teams based on seedings (i.e. 1 vs. 4, 2 vs. 3), regardless of their conference? There has been a lot of talk lately about the NBA switching to a seeded playoff system. It doesn’t help TV ratings when the best teams meet in the Western Conference finals (or earlier), as has been the case the past few seasons. However, I personally like the tradition of East vs. West. These things tend to go cyclically anyway, and there’s a certain intrigue gained from two teams from opposite sides of the country meeting for the ultimate prize. One or two dud Finals doesn’t warrant scrapping the whole system.
Perhaps I just don't like to acknowledge their weaknesses, but having read your draft needs piece, I don't really understand why everyone is convinced the Suns need help at center. I really think Jake Tsakalidis is the real deal. Two seasons ago, he finished the season in fine fashion with some gems, including a matchup with Shaq, whom he matched point for point and rebound for rebound, if I remember correctly. Injuries set him back last season, but I think he's the genuine article and I'd rather see the Suns pick up a relief point guard or small forward. I agree that it’s too soon to give up on Tsakalidis completely. He’s got size and some decent moves in the post. He’s played only three years. He still could develop into a good big man if he could learn to catch the ball better and grab a few more rebounds. But the Suns can’t afford to wait much longer. The West is loaded with good big men, and Amare needs help down low. If a decent big-man prospect is available at No. 17, Phoenix has to consider adding help there over any other position. Marty Burns covers pro basketball for SI.com. Click here to send Marty a question or comment.
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