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Reactions: 2000 NBA Draft Users tell which teams should be hot and which ones notPosted: Friday June 30, 2000 05:05 PM
CNNSI.com users were asked for their thoughts on the 2000 NBA Draft. Most feel that the Clippers emerged as a winner of this draft, with the Magic in position to get some other big-name talent. Who made the right moves and whose doings will be best forgotten by December? Here are some of the responses we received: Why didn't anyone pick up Ed Cota? He is probably one of the best point guards coming out of the draft. He stayed for his senior year, which means he's smarter and he knows the game a lot better than some of these underclassmen -- especially the high schoolers. He should have gone to Toronto -- him and Vince on the same floor again would look good. Plus they need a point guard.
At first I was worried by SI's Marty Burns' draft comments and grade (D) regarding the Trail Blazers. Then I read his unspectacular draft grades
from the 1998 and 1999 draft. Now I am more confident than ever that Erick Barkley will be a solid backup PG for the Blazers within three years. And with a team like the Blazers, a good role player is all that needs to be drafted.
I think that the Magic did a smart thing by trading Dooling and Alexander. Now they have $$ to go get a big time player like Tim Duncan or Grant Hill or Eddie Jones or somebody of that nature. I think that what they did made the most sense out of anybody in the draft. They haven't had this good of a draft since they drafted Shaq.
Morris Peterson went No. 21!!! HA!...My Raptors got the biggest steal in this draft with a talented senior out of Michigan State who can play 2 or 3.
This draft was full of surprises; but none as big as this. A good pick for Toronto, insurance, in case McGrady is gone. Peterson has a complete game that can bring a fresh new element to our mix now with new coach Lenny Wilkens.
The thing that pumps me up the most about the Jazz pick is that they were finally willing to take a chance on something, instead of always taking the safe pick. Stevenson could develop into a real contributor and will be a much-needed shot of athleticism and youth.
The Clippers are good. Dooling (PG), Richardson (SG), Miles (SF), Odom (PF), Olowokandi (C) and Maggette (6th man) ... I'm not a Clippers fan, but I recognize that if the Clippers hire a good coach (possibly the most crucial part of the plan), this team has incredible potential.
I think that the Mavs had an excellent draft first of all. Second of all how did Courtney Alexander slip all the way to 13? I thought Lon Kruger and the Hawks were really high on that guy. Kruger even said last week that Alexander was the only player that would be available at no. 6 that would be able to make an immediate impact. Lastly I think the Pistons draft sucked. Cleaves won't even be a starter next year so they should have either taken a big man or traded for a better point guard like Dooling of Crawford. Cleaves is a slow, poor defender that can't even make a 20 ft. jumper. Lindsey Hunter can do everything Cleaves can. Point guards in the NBA have to be able to make jumpers or they won't make it.
I think the Lakers deserve an A-, after waiving A.C. Green they had to get a power forward and got one of the toughest in the draft, not to mention he could have been a lottery pick last year. Then they got Cory Hightower who is being compared to Tracy McGrady. I would say that's a good pickup.
I think that the Bulls, Mavericks, and Clippers did really well in the draft. The teams that met their needs were my favorite teams: the Spurs and the Cavs. I don't know how they pulled it off but the Cavs got Chris Mihm!!! The disappointments of the draft were the Heat, Blazers, and the Minnesota Timberwolves!!!!!
Well the Clippers clearly made out best on draft night. The Clippers have a very strong but young team with some great players such as Lamar Odom and the pick of Darius Miles was the best choice they ever made. This kid has a very bright future in the NBA. I believe Darius Miles should have been chosen first in the draft. I think he has a better future than the injured Kenyon Martin. One more thing I was upset by was that Morris Peterson was taken so late in the draft. I believe he is a step ahead of Mateen Cleaves. Well, overall this draft was good. The teams who need the players got what they wanted.
I am an Orlando Magic fan and I think that they did very good in the draft. I think that John Gabriel knew what he was doing when he made that trade with the Clippers. He might know something that we don't about where Tim Duncan might play next year.
Clearly, there were many winners and losers on draft night. However, sometimes you become a winner through good luck. In my opinion, the Toronto Raptors emerged as a lucky winner. The interesting thing about this is that many Raptors fans and probably Raptors personnel aren't even aware of how, sometimes, things work out for the best. The Raptors are sitting at pick 21, probably hoping that one of their choice point guards slide down in the draft. Detroit picks Cleaves at 14 and Philly who sits at 20 with Eric Snow and Iverson are up next. Grunwald is probably ecstatic thinking that they got Claxton. Low and behold Philly takes him. All Raptors fans should be sad, right? Wrong. Mo Pete is no one's number 21. This guy has got heart. He is unselfish, mature and will quickly show Toronto fans that the Raptors made the right choice. In fact he will make a lot of other teams regret that they did not select him earlier. Like I said before, sometimes, the best decisions are the one's you don't plan on making. The Raptors fans are going to be the clear winners.
I don't understand why Chicago picked Fizer when they already have Brand. And drafting, then trading a much-needed big man, Mihm didn't make much sense either.
How could have Porter from Auburn gone so late? I thought Golden State was very fortunate in getting this quality player. He plays much bigger than 6'4"! If what people are saying about his size being a problem is true, then shouldn't have Sir Charles been playing two guard!?! Who knows how far Auburn goes if Porter is there at the end of the year.
I believe that the San Antonio Spurs were very fortunate to pick up Carrawell with the 41st pick. He is a proven winner and can shoot the ball. He is the athletic shooting guard they were looking for and should not have fallen so low. With their highest priority being re-signing Duncan, they should be ecstatic with such a great 41st selection. I also believe they should not have traded Hightower. He has a lot of potential and might end up being a decent player for the Lakers.
Biggest Steal: Iakovos Tsakalidis - Suns
In five years the trivia question will be: Who were the two stupid teams to pass up on Darius Miles?! What were New Jersey and Vancouver thinking??
Watch out for the Mavs next year. They got all the firepower they could ever want in Finley, Courtney Alexander, Nowitzki, and Trent; but also shored up rebounding and defense problems by grabbing Etan Thomas and Donnell Harvey. Najera was a steal in the second round, and getting John Wallace from the Knicks increases their athleticism. It's too bad they had to give up Strickland though, he was a key to their success last year.
Kenyon Martin was absolutely the best prospect in the draft (I'm not just saying that because I'm from Dallas). But there are several GM's that need their temperatures checked. They will pay the price for not drafting Morris Peterson, A.J. Guyton, and Chris Carawell when they had the opportunity. All of these guys are EASILY first rounders. Darius Miles is extremely talented, but he has no clue of what it takes to compete in the ACC or Big Ten for four years. If Kenyon Martin would not win ROTY (he will), one of these players will.
Ok, Michael, I know you are having a tough time rebuilding the Wizards, but I think you are going to have to put on a uniform to make this team better. Who is Mike Smith? I have never heard of this guy, and I feel you could have done better by picking someone more recognizable, who has played some real college ball. Lavar Postell, Chris Carrawell, (forget the Dukie thing, the boy can play, ACC player of the year), Eddie House,(Small, but he can score). Number 23 of your Washington Wizards, Michael Jordan....
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