CLIPPERS PICK FIRST IN DRAFT; BIBBY EXPECTED TO BE THEIR CHOICE.Byline: Scott Wolf Scott Richard Wolf (born June 4, 1968) is an American actor. Born in Boston, Massachusetts to Steven Wolf and Susan Enowitch, Wolf was raised in West Orange, New Jersey. He graduated in 1986 from West Orange High School. Daily News Staff Writer And the winner at the NBA draft lottery The NBA Draft Lottery is an annual event held by the National Basketball Association (NBA) to determine the order of the NBA Draft for that year. The teams that did not make the playoffs compete in a weighted lottery, in which teams with least amount of wins have a greater chance was . . . Arizona point guard Mike Bibby Michael (Mike) Bibby (born May 13, 1978 in Cherry Hill, New Jersey) is an American professional basketball point guard for the NBA's Sacramento Kings, and the son of former NBA and UCLA player and former USC basketball coach and current Philadelphia 76ers assistant coach Henry . Oh, the Clippers won, too, when they gained the NBA NBA abbr. 1. National Basketball Association 2. National Boxing Association NBA (US) n abbr (= National Basketball Association) → Basketball-Dachverband (= draft's top choice Sunday during a nationally televised ceremony from Secaucus, N.J. But Bibby might have earned more than the Clippers. Although team executive vice president Elgin Baylor Elgin Gay Baylor (born September 16, 1934 in Washington, D.C.) is a retired American basketball player who played 13 seasons as a forward for the NBA's Minneapolis Lakers/Los Angeles Lakers. Baylor was a gifted shooter, a strong rebounder, and an accomplished passer. refused to divulge which player the Clippers are interested in, it's been a poorly kept secret that they covet cov·et v. cov·et·ed, cov·et·ing, cov·ets v.tr. 1. To feel blameworthy desire for (that which is another's). See Synonyms at envy. 2. To wish for longingly. See Synonyms at desire. Bibby. ``It's pretty obvious where we need to improve our team,'' Baylor said. ``It's no secret we need to get stronger in the backcourt. Bibby is a player we like. The player that we would want, we know will be there.'' The Clippers didn't actually win the lottery but got the top pick by default. Vancouver's number came up first, but the expansion Grizzlies The name Grizzlies may refer to:
 The Toronto Raptors are a professional basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario. are not eligible to receive the No. 1 pick until 1999. Vancouver received the No. 2 pick. ``It's a shame that we weren't eligible for No. 1,'' Grizzlies coach Brian Hill said. As for the Clippers, they face a major decision between now and June 24, when the draft will be held in Vancouver. They can draft Bibby, or trade down and still have a shot at selecting him because it's not believed other teams hold him in such high regard. They could also trade the pick for a veteran player. ``We're willing to listen to other teams,'' Baylor said. ``It's not in stone we'll take the player . . . we would like to have.'' The No. 1 pick may not garner as much as in recent years because this draft is considered to lack a ``franchise player.'' Besides Bibby, the top six players include Vince Carter <noinclude></noinclude> Vincent Lamar "Vince" Carter (born January 26, 1977) is an American All-Star basketball player in the NBA. He currently is a starting shooting guard for the New Jersey Nets. He is considered one of the best scoring guards in the game today. of North Carolina North Carolina, state in the SE United States. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean (E), South Carolina and Georgia (S), Tennessee (W), and Virginia (N). Facts and Figures Area, 52,586 sq mi (136,198 sq km). Pop. and Paul Pierce of Kansas at the swing position; Antawn Jamison of North Carolina and Raef LaFrentz of Kansas at forward and Pacific's Michael Olowokandi at center. Any of these players could conceivably rise to the top pick, depending on the needs of the team with the selection. ``It's a possibility we could move down and get the player we would want,'' Baylor said. ``I don't think right now there's a dominant player like (last year's No. 1 selection) Tim Duncan. Maybe in two or three years they will be a dominant player.'' One possible draft-day dilemma for the Clippers involves free-agent center Isaac Austin. NBA teams may not negotiate with free agents until July 1, a week after the draft. If the Clippers believe Austin will sign elsewhere, they might consider drafting Olowokandi as insurance. Baylor, however, was optimistic the club can re-sign Austin. ``I believe we'll be able to sign Ike Austin,'' Baylor said. ``In talking to Ike Austin and his agent, how he felt about the team was very positive. From that I gather he would like to be here next year.'' Club history indicates otherwise. The point-guard position is also murky, because starter Darrick Martin also is a free agent. Forward Loy Vaught is the team's third free agent, and his value will probably be determined when the Clippers hire a new coach. Which brings us to the other major decision facing the franchise. They have no coach after firing Bill Fitch last month. Seattle coach George Karl and former Phoenix Suns coach Paul Westphal remain the front-runners, although the Clippers might make a run at Chicago Bulls coach Phil Jackson. Former San Antonio coach Bob Hills leads the second-tier list of candidates. Lakers assistant coach Kurt Rambis has also contacted the Clippers. ``We're not putting a deadline on when we hire a coach,'' Baylor said. ``If it's before the draft, then it would be great.'' In the meantime Adv. 1. in the meantime - during the intervening time; "meanwhile I will not think about the problem"; "meantime he was attentive to his other interests"; "in the meantime the police were notified" meantime, meanwhile , the Clippers can pencil Bibby into the lineup, barring a major trade. Something the Clippers might want to ask Bibby is how he feels playing in Los Angeles. He is not close to his father, USC An abbreviation for U.S. Code. coach Henry Bibby, and the pair would both be working at the Sports Arena next season. This is the second time the Clippers have won the lottery. They also won in 1988, when they drafted Danny Manning. DRAFT ORDER 1. Clippers 2. Vancouver 3. Denver 4. Toronto 5. Golden State 6. Dallas 7. Sacramento 8. Philadelphia 9. Milwaukee 10. Boston 11. Detroit 12. Orlando 13. Orlando CAPTION(S): Photo, Box PHOTO Clippers executive vice president Elgin Baylor, right, stands with NBA deputy commissioner Russ Granik. Jeff Zelevansky/Associated Press BOX: DRAFT ORDER (see text) |
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