1. You can't teach size; and
2. If you're going to make a mistake, make it big.
On June 24 in Vancouver, Canada, the Clippers made Pacific centre Michael Olowokandi the first overall pick in the 1998 NBA Draft. When I saw this, one word immediately popped into my mind apart from "huh?" It was "PROJECT." Why would a team like the Clippers who are in dire need of a point man take a virtually undeveloped centre? Bibby is already a star in college circles and has an extremely well developed and refined game that would suit the pros, whereas Olowokandi has only been playing for three years - yes that's right, three years. And while he had great stats and showed more than enough "potential," he is still relatively new to the game of basketball and could not be expected to provide the load that the Clippers need with a number one pick. Maybe in a couple of seasons when he has more experience under his belt, but to think he could do this now is unrealistic and puts undue pressure on the young man. The Clippers needed a number one pick that would impact now, not in two or three seasons. And knowing the Clippers' track record, by the time Olowokandi's potential kicks in, he will be long gone from the Clippers.
The big winner I think was Vancouver, being able to pick Arizona guard Mike Bibby at No. 2 and being able to get rid of Antonio Daniels for a great talent, Felipe Lopez from San Antonio. Sure, Daniels led the team in assists, but overall he was a great disappointment from a No. 4 pick.
I think the bargain pick of the draft, well, at least the bargain pick of the lottery, was Kansas guard Paul Pierce at No. 10 to the Boston Celtics. Paul is an athletic player and some are saying the best scorer in the draft. It's amazing that he lasted that long, considering that he was considered a top five pick. I think the reason that he dropped that far is that he was out of shape for the pre-draft workouts, but he had better be in shape for training camp, and Pitino's run-n-gun style, or he will soon find life in the NBA very hard.
The "Making the best with your choices" Award goes to Orlando's Chuck Daly. Needing a strong inside presence (any would have done), Orlando picked Utah's Michael Doleac (whom I think I saw Down Under in the Under 21's Championship - that we won by the way ) with the 12th pick, Keon Clark at No. 13, who is one of the best shot blockers in the draft, as well as Matt Harping who can play a number of positions of the bench, and finally Miles Simon with the 42nd pick of all picks. Simon is a Final Four MVP. He shouldn't have even lasted this long. Orlando has finally something to smile about, now all they need to do is fix this lockout situation.
