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Tuesday, June 24, 1997

After Spurs get Duncan, then what?

By CHRIS SHERIDAN

Associated Press

Depending on who's talking, this week's NBA draft is either dreadfully weak or deceptively loaded.

At least one thing is certain: Tim Duncan will be chosen first overall.

The San Antonio Spurs own the No. 1 pick in Wednesday night's draft, which will be held at the Charlotte Coliseum. Barring an overwhelming trade offer, the Spurs will select Duncan and welcome aboard one of the most well-rounded players to enter the league in years.

After that, anything is possible.

The Nos. 2 through 7 picks belong to Philadelphia, Boston, Vancouver, Denver, Boston and New Jersey.

And that order may be different by the time commissioner David Stern makes his second or third trip to the podium.

The 76ers, Celtics, Nets and Grizzlies have been heavily involved in trade discussions.

"Everything's available after No. 1," one Eastern Conference general manager said. "Everything has been available for months because this draft is regarded as such a weak one."

Observers have long been saying this will be a weak draft, but such comments are heard almost every summer.

"They all say that because nobody wants to take a risk," said Marty Blake, the director of the league scouting service. "There are 20 to 30 guys who are going to be good players. It's a deep draft, but it's being called weak because there aren't any marquee players."

It has made the guessing game surrounding the second through 10th picks so much more intriguing this year.

The rumors surrounding the 76ers, who pick second, have changed almost daily in the past week. And the speculation was compounded when Utah senior Keith Van Horn refused to work out for them.

At first, Philadelphia was said to be favoring Texas Tech forward Tony Battie. Then it was Colorado point guard Chauncey Billups. Either may be available a couple of spots lower, so the 76ers may try to swing a deal to move down a few notches.

Boston, picking third and sixth, wanted to package the two picks and trade with San Antonio for the No. 1 selection. But the Spurs said no, and the Celtics are now sorting though separate offers for each of their picks.

Vancouver general manager Stu Jackson now seems to be happy keeping the fourth pick but Denver, picking fifth, has a history of draft-day trades.

New Jersey was said to be offering a package of Jayson Williams and the No. 7 pick in an effort to move up.

"There aren't many centers or power forwards, but the draft is loaded with small forwards and shooting guards," Blake said. "And there are a lot more point guards than we've had in recent years."

Among the players expected to be picked among the top 10 are high school forward Tracy McGrady of Mt. Zion (N.C.) Christian Academy, who signed a $10 million sneaker endorsement contract last week, and Kentucky sophomore Ron Mercer, whose stock has dropped considerably since mid-March when he was expected to be the second or third player chosen.

Antonio Daniels of Bowling Green and Billups are considered the top two point guards and Battie, Van Horn, Colgate junior Adonal Foyle, Villanova forward Tim Thomas and Iowa State's Kelvin Cato are in the top echelon of big men.

Among the lesser known players who should go in the middle-to-late first round are Austin Croshere of Providence, Danny Fortson of Cincinnati, Maurice Taylor of Michigan, Derek Anderson of Kentucky, Olivier St. Jean of San Jose State, James Cotton of Long Beach State, Bubba Wells of Austin Peay, Kebu Stewart of Cal State Bakersfield, James Collins of Florida State and John Taylor of Tennessee-Chattanooga.

Center Chris Antsey of Australia and forward Marko Milic of Slovenia are two foreigners who may be selected in the first round. Send a Letter to the Editor about This Story | Start or Join A Discussion about This Story
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