PREVIEW: NBA FAST BECOMING IBA ON DRAFT DAY, SPOTLIGHT WILL SHINE UPON FOREIGN PLAYERS.Byline: Scott Magoloff Staff Writer Will this be the start of the Ming Dynasty Ming dynasty (1368–1644) Chinese dynasty that provided an interval of native rule between eras of Mongol and Manchu dominance. The Ming, one of the most stable but autocratic of dynasties, extended Chinese influence farther than did any other native rulers of China. , or will the rugged NBA NBA abbr. 1. National Basketball Association 2. National Boxing Association NBA (US) n abbr (= National Basketball Association) → Basketball-Dachverband (= shatter him like a priceless Ming vase? China's Yao Ming
Yao Ming (Chinese: 姚明; Pinyin: Yáo Míng and his athletic 7-foot-5 frame will join the Houston Rockets with the No. 1 selection in the NBA draft The NBA Draft is an annual North American event in which the National Basketball Association's (NBA) thirty teams (29 in the United States and one in Toronto, Canada) can select players who wish to join the league. today in New York Today in New York is WNBC-TV's pre-Today newscast, also post-Today on weekends, airing from 5 AM to 7 AM weekdays with the local news cut ins being branded as such. . This is a certainty. The only question surrounding Yao is the same one permeating throughout what will be the most foreign-oriented draft in what is becoming the International Basketball Association The International Basketball Association was an organization founded by AmeriSport International President Tom Anderson and based in Winnipeg, Manitoba that operated a minor league professional basketball league for a period of six seasons. : Can they handle the transition to the NBA? It is a question not easily answered, considering overseas scouting is not as sophisticated as in the college ranks. Or perhaps even high school. For instance, Nikoloz Tskitishvili Nikoloz Tskitishvili (Georgian: ნიკოლოზ ცქიტიშვილი; (born April 14 1983 in Tbilisi, Georgian SSR, Soviet Union) is a Georgian professional basketball player who currently of the former Soviet republic of Georgia, is expected to be a lottery pick and probably will go at No. 5 to the Denver Nuggets Nuggets can refer to several branches of interest:
Despite the uncertainty, the 7-foot Tskitishvili will be taken higher than Benetton Treviso's rising star, Bostjan Nachbar, whose play reportedly kept Tskitishvili on the bench. The Houston Rockets are said to be interested in the 6-foot-9 forward at No. 15, but the Washington Wizards might grab him with the 11th selection. Although a recent trend found college upperclassmen being pushed lower in the draft by high school players, this year they will be displaced more than ever by foreign-born talent. As many as seven to 10 first-round selections could be from overseas. Since 1996, the highest number of foreigners in the first round was four (2001, 2000, 1998, 1996), with none selected in the first round in '94 and '95. Also, Yao will be the first international player selected first overall, with NBA Rookie of the Year Rookie of the Year may refer to:
``This is a time of hope for teams,'' said Memphis Grizzlies This is an article about the National Basketball Association team; for the defunct World Football League team, see Memphis Southmen. The Memphis Grizzlies are a professional basketball team based in Memphis, Tennessee. president of basketball operations Jerry West
``You just don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. that until you see these kids play against better players.'' Another foreign-born player expected to be a lottery pick is Brazil's Maybyner Hilario, a 19-year old forward West considers the best athlete in the draft. This running, shot-blocking machine with a 7-foot-5 wingspan could shape the rest of the first round. Denver might shock the crowd at the Theater at Madison Square Garden Current arenas in the National Hockey League Western Conference Eastern Conference by taking him at No. 5. Hilario was asked through an interpreter how he developed his shot-blocking and defensive skills. ``(I believe) that your defense starts your offensive game,'' Hilaro said of the NBA game through the translator. ``If you get yourself up for a big block or a big rebound, then the offensive part of the game will come naturally.'' The Clippers could take Hilario with their eighth pick (they also have the 12th selection), considering they don't need a body next season and could let him develop in Brazil for a year without paying him. It also makes sense because they face the prospect of losing center Michael Olowokandi to free agency. But he probably will go to the Phoenix Suns at No. 9. Others whose selections will shape the rest of the first round include Memphis' Dajuan Wagner, and Qyntel Woods, the Northeast Mississippi CC product whose stock has been reported to be high, then low, then high again. With West working his first draft for Memphis and with what most consider the deepest draft in years, there could be almost as many trades today as there are selections. MOCK DRAFT 1. Houston Rockets Yao Ming (7-foot-5, 296 pounds), C, Shanghai Sharks (China) It can only help Chinese basketball if Yao makes it a top priority to immerse himself fully in NBA. 2. Chicago Bulls Jay Williams (6-2, 197), PG, Jr., Duke Experiment at PG over for Jamal Crawford, as No. 8 pick in 2000 probably will be traded or moved to shooting guard. 3. Golden State Warriors The Golden State Warriors are a professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. The team plays in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Franchise history Philadelphia Warriors Mike Dunleavy (6-9, 230), F, Jr., Duke This pick, seemingly set in stone, fuels speculation Dunleavy Sr. will take over as Warriors coach. 4. Memphis Grizzlies Drew Gooden (6-10, 227), F, Jr., Kansas In first draft with Memphis, Jerry West could trade pick and stock up in talent-rich pool. No matter what happens, bet it will be right move. 5. Denver Nuggets Nikoloz Tskitishvili (7-0, 225), F, Benetton Treviso (Italy) Caron Butler can help immediately. But if rebuilding plans remain same, 19-year-old Tskitishvili - compared to Dirk Nowitzki - way to go. 6. Cleveland Cavaliers Caron Butler (6-6, 222), SF, So., Connecticut Along with PG Andre Miller, team could have versatile run-and-gun duo for next decade. Might swing trade with Clippers. 7. New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of Knicks Chris Wilcox (6-10, 218), PF, So., Maryland No secret: Team needs help inside. Although they'd like to bolster C position, win-now Knicks won't gamble on Curtis Borchardt this high. Also like Indiana's Jared Jeffries. 8. Clippers Dajuan Wagner (6-2, 193), G, Fr., Memphis If incumbent PG Jeff McInnis, a free agent, leaves, Wagner is there and fits team's current mold of young, athletic players. Pick wouldn't hurt even if McInnis stays. 9. Phoenix Suns Maybyner Hilario (6-10, 253), F, Vasco da Gama Vasco da Gama: see Gama, Vasco da. (Brazil) Could go with Jared Jeffries here, but upside for super shot-blocker too much to pass up. West calls him best athlete in draft. 10. Miami Heat Jared Jeffries (6-11, 230), F, So., Indiana Fans reportedly pressuring Pat Riley to take Qyntel Woods, but Riley won't let himself rely on a JC product. 11. Washington Wizards Qyntel Woods (6-8, 213), SF, So., Northeast Mississippi CC There is huge upside to this explosive slasher slash·er n. One that slashes. adj. Characterized by gory violence: slasher movies. slasher Noun Austral & NZ who has 3-point range and can defend, but he's only done it at JC level. 12. Clippers Curtis Borchardt (7-0, 238), C, Jr., Stanford A safe pick here, considering Michael Olowokandi might not re-sign. But seems Clippers are determined to make trade involving at least one of two first-round picks. 13. Milwaukee Bucks Melvin Ely (6-10, 240), PF, Sr., Fresno State George Karl makes Ely first senior taken in draft solely because he doesn't want to develop high schooler Amare Stoudemire. 14. Indiana Pacers Kareem Rush (6-6, 199), SG, Jr., Missouri Polished swingman swing·man n. Basketball A team member who can play effectively in two different positions, especially forward and guard. immediately softens blow of losing Jalen Rose in trade last season and is perfect replacement for aging Reggie Miller, who can teach him a few things. 15. Houston Rockets Bostjan Nachbar (6-8, 221), SF, Benetton Treviso (Italy) With Yao in hand, team turns to most glaring need, a SF. Kentucky's Tayshaun Prince also possible here. 16. Philadelphia 76ers Amare Stoudemire (6-10, 245), PF, Cypress Creek HS (Orlando, Fla.) Defense, toughness, strength appeal to Larry Brown. Top high schooler slides in draft because injury forced canceled workouts. 17. Washington Wizards Jiri Welsch (6-7, 208), G, Olimpia Ljubljana (Slovenia) Size and ability to play PG or SG attractive. Fills needs better than Courtney Alexander, whom they traded for this pick. 18. Orlando Magic Frank Williams (6-3, 212), PG, Jr., Illinois Might not be able to turn down Tennessee's Marcus Haislip, but Williams makes sense after drafting Jeryl Sasser as a PG failed last year. 19. Utah Jazz Marcus Haislip (6-10, 221), PF, Jr., Tennessee Raw talent and athleticism make him one to replace Karl Malone - eventually. Haislip only a starter for one year in college. 20. Toronto Raptors Dan Dickau (6-0, 190), PG, Sr., Gonzaga Anyone who saw the dismal Raptors last season knows an infusion of attitude like Dickau's will do wonders. 21. Portland Trail Blazers The Portland Trail Blazers are a professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The franchise, based in Portland throughout its existence, entered the league in 1970 and has won the NBA Championship once, in 1977. Dan Gadzuric (6-11, 240), C, Sr., UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX Most athletic C in draft would help in quest to win West, but team feverishly trying to trade up for Stoudemire. 22. Phoenix Suns John Salmons (6-7, 207), G, Sr., Miami With Penny Hardaway the team's top SG, wouldn't you pick a versatile scorer who can play his position plus two others? 23. Detroit Pistons Casey Jacobsen (6-6, 215), G, Jr., Stanford Word is team gladly will hand pick over to Atlanta as compensation for Jerry Stackhouse trade and drop out of first round. But Jacobsen is on Joe Dumars' short list. 24. New Jersey Nets Juan Dixon (6-3, 164), G, Sr., Maryland Although tempting to trade out of first round, don't you think Nets could have used Dixon's savvy in NBA Finals? 25. Denver Nuggets Frederick Jones (6-4, 210), SG, Sr., Oregon Team needs athletic G more than anything and likes Jones despite nagging shoulder injury that's hindered workouts. 26. San Antonio Spurs The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They play in the National Basketball Association (NBA), and are the current NBA Champions after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2007 NBA Finals. Nenad Krstic (6-11, 210), C, Partizan (Yugoslavia) Krstic, who plays on the team Vlade Divac owns, won't flop after he adds muscle to 18-year-old frame. Will stay in Europe and develop into David Robinson's replacement. 27. Lakers Tayshaun Prince (6-9, 215), F, Sr., Kentucky Long-armed, versatile scorer out of Dominguez High in Compton will come home. But look out for USC's Sam Clancy, who could be stashed on injured list for a year. 28. Sacramento Kings Luis Scola (6-9, 230), PF, Tau Ceramica (Spain) This pick won't make Kings roster next season, and might never. Team rather would save money than pay for player it doesn't need. - Scott Magoloff CAPTION(S): box Box: MOCK DRAFT (see text) |
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