Reply With Quote2001 Spurs NBA Draft Cheat Sheet
This year the Spurs have the 28th, 56th, and 58th picks in the draft and unlike most years, they could actually use a young player. This draft seems to be about 35 players deep so the Spurs are in pretty good shape. Of course there is always the possibility that Pop trades away the picks or trades up in the draft, but if there was ever a year he gambles on a late first round pick, this is probably the year.
* - Bad Pick
** - Average Pick
*** - Good Pick
**** - Great Pick
If the Spurs trade up in the draft, here are the prospects to look at:
Poind Guards
Tony Parker – A 6’2, 19 year old PG from Belgium playing pro ball in France. Is said to be a quick PG with great passing skills and court vision. Has an average jumper and his defense isn’t NBA ready yet. Most scouts now say he is the best PG in the draft. There are rumors floating around that the Spurs will try to trade up to get him. ***
Shooting Guards
Jason Richardson – The best athlete in the draft. Can be a superstar if he develops a consistent jumper. Has all the tools you could ask for. It would take a lot to trade up to get him so it would be a risk. ***1/2
Small Forwards
Eddie Griffin – Probably the most talented player in the draft. There are some questions about his character but has everything you’d need to be a great player. A more athletic Abdur-Rahim is a good description. ****
Rodney White – His stock keeps going up. He is a power forward with guard handles so he’ll probably play small forward to showcase his ability. Jerry West called him the best player in the draft. ****
Pau Gasol – Will be the first European taken in the draft. Is described as a more agile Dirk Nowitski. Would be an intriguing selection but there is always risks when taking Europeans who haven’t played against strong compe ion. ***1/2
Shane Battier – Every coaches dream. The ultimate team player and leader. Is athletic enough to get the job done. Some scouts still question if he’ll be a good NBA player despite his great college career.***1/2
Joe Johnson – A 6’9 player with the ballhandling skills of a point guard. Might be the sleeper of the mid-first round. If the Spurs could trade up and get him, that would be a steal.***1/2
Kedrick Brown – A player that has come out of nowhere and now looks like he will be selected either 10th or 11th. Has an NBA body to go with great athleticism and a good shot. ***
Vladimir Radmanovic – A European player whose stock exploded after individual workouts. A 6’10 player with quickness and ballhandling ability. Some scouts like him better than Gasol. ***
Power Forwards
Kwame Brown – Has a chance to be the first high schooler taken. Brown is an ultra-athletic power forward who has an NBA ready body. Scouts love his potential but question his work ethic. ****
Tyson Chandler - A graceful power forward straight out of high school. Is very fluid with the ball and makes scoring seem effortless. However heeds a lot of work before he can handle the rigors of the NBA. ***1/2
Troy Murphy – A hardworking player who doesn’t mind mixing it up in the middle. Has a nice midrange jumper to go with good post moves. Will need to bulk up to play power forward day in and day out. ***
Michael Bradley – A perimeter power forward who can also score down low. At 6’11, has great size for the position. Like a lot of these players, he’ll need to bulk up. ***
Zach Randolph – A big bodied power forward with natural abilities. He can score in low without great jumping ability. Plays with more smarts than sheer athleticism. ***
Centers
Eddy Curry – A monster in the pivot. Can overpower players with his massive body. Reminds a lot of scouts of a poor man’s Shaq but is further along in his development at this stage of his career. ****
DeSagana Diop – A big, raw athlete who can be very good but still needs a lot of work. Will probably go top ten even though he probably won’t contribute next year. ***1/2
Loren Woods – Had an up and down college career but seems to be on an upswing. Despite his skinny frame, he is a good rebounder and shot blocker. Has potential but will need to hit the weights. ***
Brendan Haywood – A college star who might drop with the mass amount of other power forwards and centers in the draft. Has a good touch around the basket but scouts question how bad he really wants to be a star in the NBA. Someone will select him and he’ll be a career backup center at worst. ***
Prospects for the 28th pick:
Point Guards
Omar Cook – A 6’1 point guard who is known for his defense and confidence. He struggles some with his jumper and isn’t a great floor general yet, but he has NBA ready defense and believes he can be a star in this league. I like what he brings to the table but I wouldn’t expect much from him in his first year. A nice piece for the future. ***
Jamaal Tinsley – Until a couple weeks ago, many scouts thought he was the best all-around PG in the draft. He can create shots for others and can score off of penetration. Also equipped with an above average jumper. No slouch on defense either. He is falling and might fall right into the Spurs’ lap. ***
Rashad Phillips – A scoring point guard who is beginning to show that he can be a floor general. He is probably the best scorer at the point guard position in the draft with range to the three point line. At 5’10 160 he is small but much like Speedy Claxton last year, his stock continues to rise. Would be a perfect backup point for the Spurs in a few seasons. ***
Kenny Satterfield – A New York basketball legend since he was 13 years old, he could be a steal in the draft. A good defender with great size who has great confidence in his game. His outside shot needs work but could develop into a very good player in the NBA. ***
Jeryl Sasser – At 6’7, he is a monster of a point guard. He needs work on his outside shooting but ballhandling 6’7 players do not come around very often. He would be a slightly risky pick but I would love to see it. ***
Jamison Brewer – Went from nowhere to a possible first round pick by playing well at the draft camps. Has great size at 6’4 but there are major question marks regarding his ability to run the point. **1/2
Raul Lopez – Now here is an interesting prospect. He is a 21 year old, 6 foot point guard from Spain who has 5 years remaining on his contract. Supposedly, he is stuck in Europe anywhere from 2 to 5 years. The Spurs could select him and then just wait to see if he’s worth the money. Could be a smart way to use the pick. **1/2
Shooting Guards
Trenton Hassell – A 6’5 shooting guard from Austin Peay. He is one of the more athletic players in the draft and also one of the better scorers. Has a nice outside shot with NBA three point range. The drawbacks on his game are he might be a little small for the two and isn’t a great ballhandler. If the Spurs were to select him, he would probably fight with Derrick Dial for a spot on the active roster. ***
Gilbert Arenas – One of the best perimeter players in the draft but his height could hurt him going into the NBA. At only 6’3, he might need to become a point guard to flourish in the league. He is a pure scorer, however, so he probably has a future in the league. Played and won at Arizona so knows what it takes. His size really worries me but the Spurs could always use someone to score. **1/2
Joseph Forte – Like Arenas, he is an undersized shooting guard. With him being 6’3, he will probably also need to develop into a point guard. Out of everyone in the draft, I believe Forte is the best scorer. At UNC he proved he was a big time scorer and also a clutch performer. I can envision him in a three guard rotation with the Spurs. ***
Jeff Trepagnier – An outstanding athlete, but he too only stands 6’3. Has shown a surprisingly good outside shot in the draft camps to go with his unparalleled athletic ability. Doesn’t have the natural scoring talents of Hassell, Arenas, or Forte but might have the most NBA ready ability. ***
Small Forwards
Terence Morris – Had a roller coaster college career. Played great at times and at other times played poorly. Everyone agrees he has the talent of a lottery pick but he sometimes plays without heart. Might be a good risk to take. ***
Gerald Wallace – One of the most athletically gifted players in the draft. Coming out of high school last season was considered one of the greatest high school players of the last decade. Struggled some in college and has shown that he doesn’t have a perimeter game. The upside is he is young and can grow as a player. I would like this pick. ***
Antonis Fotsis – A tall small forward from Greece who will need to get stronger to make it in the league. Great size and potential should get him selected around the end of the first round or the beginning of the second. **1/2
Power Forwards
Kirk Haskin - A 6’10 three point threat from Indiana. Has the perimeter game that could flourish with the new zone defense. Some think he is too soft to bang down low. Could serve as a good 5th bigman off the bench but that is probably it. **
Brian Scalabrine – According to an unnamed source we’ll call “Dusty” for the sake of conversation, the Spurs have liked him for a long time. He is a big, ballhandling power forward. If he developed an outside shot, he could be a steal. Reminds me of Anthony Mason. ***
Ousmane Cisse – A high school player who might drop to the Spurs. He is extremely raw but already has an NBA body. Is a bit undersized and has never played against good compe ion. Would be a risk. **1/2
Centers
Ruben Boumtje Boumtje – Another raw athlete who probably needs more seasoning before he is NBA ready. Has the potential to be a good rebounder and shot blocker but has no offensive game. His good size and athletic ability make him an exciting prospect. **
Jason Collins – Part of the famed Collins twins at Stanford. He has a solid outside shot and can put it on the court and drive. There are some questions regarding his health, but would be a good pick. ***
Samuel Dalembert – In the same mold of Boumtje Boumtje. Has good height and can jump. Could develop into a solid backup center. Don’t be surprised if the Spurs pick him up if he’s still on the board. **1/2
Steven Hunter – Played very well in the draft camps. Has come a long way since the end of the college season. His stock continues to go up due to his quality showing. I would like this pick. ***
Ken Johnson – Might be the top shot blocker in the draft. There are questions concerning his heart and how much he really loves the game. If he shows he’d put in the required work, he would be a good pick. **1/2
Alvin Jones – Another in a long line of defensive centers in this draft. Is a good shot blocker and rebounder but not an offensive threat. **
The Spurs are rumored to be looking to trade their first round pick for a couple second round picks to go along with the two they already have. Here is a look at who might be available in the second round.
Point Guards
Carlos Arroyo – A score first point guard who was born in Puerto Rico and went to school at Florida International. *1/2
Cookie Belcher – A 6’4 point guard who has battled injuries but has played well when healthy. **
Charlie Bell – A good defender and has been a winner everywhere he goes, but will need to adjust to the point guard position after playing the two in college. **
SirValiant Brown – A great scoring point guard but doesn’t have the passing skills to be effective at this stage of his career. **
Donald Hand – A small PG who plays solid defense and can distribute the ball. *1/2
Tony Harris – A Memphis playground legend who has struggled the last two years after a good sop re year. *1/2
Horace Jenkins – I really like this player. He won the college slam dunk championship but that isn’t all he can do. He is a good scorer and a good distributor. He is also a tough compe or and can defend. Anytime you take a Div. III player (William Paterson) you are taking a risk, but I would like this pick. **1/2
Zach Marbury – Stephon’s younger brother. Plays like him and looks like him, but scouts don’t like his ballhandling or shot enough to be selected high. But who knows, he is Stephon’s brother. **
Dean Oliver – Is a solid all-around point guard but doesn’t do one thing well enough to impress scouts. *1/2
Will Solomon – A shooting guard in a point guard’s body. Needs to adjust to the position to make it in the league. *1/2
Earl Watson – A very sound point guard who could be a good backup down the line. **
Shooting Guards
Brandon Armstrong – An undersized scoring machine. Was one of the leaders in point at the Chicago camp. If he can makeup for his height, he can be a steal. **1/2
Joe Crispin – Might have the best outside shot in the draft but is tiny at 6’1. *
Maurice Evans – Has a great athletic frame and can play stellar defense, but his outside shot needs working on. **
Jerry Green – An undersized, scoring SG from UC Irvine who might need to play PG to be effective. *
Michael Hicks – Dusty’s man. Can score and has good size but there are still questions if he can be as effective against faster compe ion. **
Kyle Hill – The second leading scorer in the nation but he too is another one of those undersized shooting guards at 6’2. *1/2
Antonio Jackson – An unknown player until he played well at some draft camps. Is a bit small but has shown a good touch and the ability to play defense. *1/2
Nate James – Has good size at 6’6 but lacks speed and quickness for the next level. If he works on his conditioning, he might make a team. *1/2
Darren Kelly – A 6’3 SG who can score but might be too small for that position at the next level. *1/2
D.A. Lane – A tiny SG standing only 6 feet tall, but is extremely sure in himself and has proven he can score. *1/2
Terrell Lyday – Another undersized guard who doesn’t really have the scoring touch to play shooting guard. *
Monty Mack – A nice catch and shoot player but guess what? He is undersized as well. *1/2
Ronnie McCollum – Led the nation at almost 30 points per game at Centenary. Can obviously score but his defense isn’t up to par yet. **
Jamario Moon – At 6’8, he has great size for a shooting guard. Can score and rebound as well as handle the ball. **1/2
Bobby Simmons – He too has good height at 6’7. He can score but his shot has been off since his junior year. **
Greg Stevenson – A rugged 6’6 shooting guard who will need to make the transition from small forward. Has a good shot and can play defense. **
Quincy Wadley – A scoring shooting guard who has good three point range. Is a little small but can probably adjust. *1/2
Small Forward
Terry Black – An undersized small forward who can score and handle the ball. *1/2
Damone Brown – He has great size at 6’9 and has great athletic ability. Doesn’t have the outside shot you’d like, but makes up for it with the rest of his game. **1/2
Antonis Fotsis – A seven foot small forward from Greece who will need to get stronger to make it in the league. Great size and potential should get him selected. **
Kenny Gregory – A little small but has a good all around game. *1/2
Sean Lampley – Was a great scoring power forward in college but will need to move to small forward in the pros. Has enough game to warrant a look. **
Lee Scruggs – An enormous small forward who can shoot the lights out. Will need to show he can keep up with other small forwards to make it in the association. **
Mladen Sekularac – From Yugoslavia and has good size at 6’8. Can really shoot the ball. Might be a sleeper. **
Damien Wilkins – Gerald’s son needs to go back to school. Has the skill to eventually become a first round pick, but isn’t ready yet. If he stays in the draft, might be a steal. **
Brandon Wolfram – Can score from all over but doesn’t have three point range. Has good size at 6’9. **
Power Forwards
Ognjen Askrabic – Kind of small for a power forward but can put up the points. From Yugoslavia. *1/2
Calvin Bowman – Has good height and is athletic enough to make it. He needs to increase his range to become a good player. *1/2
Casey Calvary – Can shoot, pass, is a good athlete, hustles but is undersized at 6’8. Still could develop into a solid role player. **
Anthony Evans – Undersized for the 4 spot but can rebound and use his wide frame to score. *1/2
Benjamin Eze – Has good height and athleticism but is extremely raw. *1/2
Alton Ford – Would have been a first round pick if he came out of high school last season, but went to Houston and his stock plummeted. Could be a steal. **
Marcus Griffin – A finesse power forward who’ll need to bulk up a little bit for the NBA.*1/2
Andre Hutson – A bit undersized at 6’8 but is a very tough player. Could fight his way onto an NBA team. **
Martin Rancik – A good prospect who has battled though injuries the last couple season. Can create his own shot and is strong enough to survive in the league. **
Damon Thornton – A small power forward who battles down low and is deceptively athletic. *1/2
Tarvis Williams – A player I liked all year. He is ultra-athletic and is a good shotblocker. He stands 6’9 but only weighs 200 pounds. If he gains around 30 pounds, he could be a steal. **
Michael Wright – He is undersized but battles down low. Played well at the different draft camps. **
Brent Wright – An undersized PF who is a good athlete. Probably doesn’t rebound enough to make it. *
Centers
Eric Chenowith – Good size and can score down low, but is extremely slow getting up and down the court. Might be worth a late pick based on his size. *1/2
Jarron Collins – The other end of the Collins twins. Has good size and can score, but doesn’t have the post moves of his brother. *1/2
Melvin Ely – Is trying to go back for another year at Fresno State. He might be in the draft even though he doesn’t want to be. Weird story. *1/2
Kimani Ffriend – Turned heads with his hustle at the Chicago draft camp. Has good size and can block shots. Could be a late 2nd round steal. **
Dimitri Jorssen – Has a great body for a center, but that’s about it. Has shown some scoring touch at the camps but would likely be a 12th man for a few years if he sticks in the league. *1/2
Tony Key – Good size but is the least regarded of the six high school players. There are some questions about his character that might push him out of the draft. His height alone might convince a team to select him. *1/2
Mike Mardesich – Big bodied but that’s where it ends. *
Karim Shabazz – A defensive specialist who will need to work on his offense to make the league. *1/2
Mock Draft
1. Wizards –Kwame Brown
2. Clippers – Tyson Chandler
3. Hawks – Pau Gasol
4. Bulls – Eddy Curry
5. Warriors – Eddie Griffin
6. Grizzlies –Shane Battier
7. Nets – Rodney White
8. Cavaliers – Jason Richardson
9. Pistons –Joe Johnson
10. Celtics –Troy Murphy
11. Celtics –Kedrick Brown
12. Sonics – DeSagana Diop
13. Rockets –Vladimir Radmanovic
14. Warriors –Tony Parker
15. Magic –Steven Hunter
16. Hornets –Richard Jefferson
17. Raptors –Michael Bradley
18. Rockets –Zach Randolph
19. Trailblazers – Brendan Haywood
20. Cavaliers –Jason Collins
21. Celtics – Joseph Forte
22. Magic –Jamaal Tinsley
23. Rockets –Loren Woods
24. Jazz –Gilbert Arenas
25. Kings – Omar Cook
26. 76ers –Samuel Dalembert
27. Grizzlies – Trenton Hassell
28. SPURS – GERALD WALLACE
30. Bulls – Raul Lopez
31. Warriors – Jeff Trepagnier
32. Magic – Kirk Haskin
33. Grizzlies –Terence Morris
34. Hawks – Kenny Satterfield
35. Nets – Ken Johnson
36. Cavaliers –Rashad Phillips
37. 76ers –Brain Scalabrine
38. Pistons –Antonis Fotsis
39. Knicks –Jeryl Sasser
40. Sonics - Ousmane Cisse
41. Pacers –Brandon Armstrong
42. Sonics – Ruben Boumtje Boumtje
43. Knicks –Jamison Brewer
44. Dallas – Michael Wright
45. Bulls – Lee Scruggs
46. Timberwolves – Ognjen Askrabic
47. Nuggets –Benjamin Eze
48. Grizzles –Maurice Evans
49. Heat –Damone Brown
50. Trailblazers –Alton Ford
51. Suns –Jamario Moon
52. Bucks – Martin Rancik
53. Jazz –Eric Chenowith
54. Mavs – Calvin Bowman
55. Kings – Earl Watson
56. SPURS – HORACE JENKINS
57. 76ers – Mehmet Okur
58. SPURS – TARVIS WILLIAMS
