June 1998: NBA Draft Special
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“Local name, national Perspective” $4.95 © Volume 4 Issue 8 1998 NBA Draft Special June 1998 BASKETBALL FOR THOUGHT by Kris Gardner, e-mail: [email protected] Garnett—$126 M; and so on. Whether I’m worth the money Lockout, Boycott, So What... or not, if someone offered me one of those contract salaries, ime is ticking by patrio- The I’d sign in a heart beat! (Right and July 1st is tism in owners Jim McIlvaine!) quickly ap- 1992 want a In order to compete with proaching. All when hard the rising costs, the owners signs point to the owners he salary cap raise the prices of the tickets. locking out the players wore with no Therefore, as long as people thereby delaying the start of the salary ex- buy the tickets, the prices will the free agent signing pe- Ameri- emptions continue to rise. Hell, real riod. As a result of the im- can similar to people can’t afford to attend pending lockout, the players flag the NFL’s games now; consequently, union has apparently de- draped salary cap corporations are buying the cided to have the 12 mem- over and the seats and filling the seats with bers selected to represent the his players suits. USA in this summer’s World Team © The players have wanted Championships in Greece ...the owners were rich when they entered the league and to get rid of the salary cap for boycott the games. Big deal there aren’t too many legal jobs where tall, athletic, and, in years and still maintain that and so what. some cases, uneducated men can make millions of dollars. hope. It’s not going to hap- A lockout in the summer pen. The players need to real- is mere semantics. The fans ize: the owners were rich don’t care: no games are af- USA warm up jersey in order won’t agree with that in any when they entered the league fected. Boycotting the to hide the company name of form or fashion. The owners and there aren’t too many le- Worlds eases the worries of one of Mr. Nike’s competi- need to ease up on this provi- gal jobs where tall, athletic, the owners of those 12 play- tors. sion since many of them and, in some cases, unedu- ers who would participate The labor problems played major roles in the cated men can make millions because the risk of injury in come down to millionaires escalating players’ salaries a of dollars. Greece would be eliminated. 100 times over (the owners) few years ago. Re: Larry Both sides are at fault. The players aren’t gain- fighting with millionaires 10 Johnson—$84 M; Juwan Both sides are greedy and ing any leverage by a boy- times over (the players) over Howard—$105 M; Alonzo both sides have been hypocrit- cott. Sure, they are correct money. Mourning—$110 M; Kevin ical. when Michael Jordan and The owners could impose others say the World Cham- Inside This Issue Page(s) a moratorium on contracts pionships is another chance Basketball For Thought 1 which wouldn’t allow new for the NBA to cash in on NBA State of the Team Address 2 - 3 contracts to be negotiated but global marketing. However, WNBA Opening Day Rosters 4 - 5 the players could participate the majority of fans who Team by team List of NBA Free Agents 6 in Greece. would watch their own coun- I propose David Stern try get bombed by the US Reviewing Recent NBA Trades, World Champ. 7, 10 and the reps for the owners team already has merchan- 1998 NBA Draft Order 8 along with the reps for the dise of the players in the Around the Rim: NCAA Hoop News 9 - 10 union hole themselves up in a players’ NBA team apparel. 1998 NBA Pre - Draft Camp Rosters 11 hotel and not exit without a In other words, the merchan- deal. I know both sides can dising hit would be minimal. 1998 NBA Eligible Draft List 12 - 19 afford the room rates. Besides, MJ cashed in on his ‘98 NBA Mock Draft 19 Roundball “Rim” Shots 20 The Houston Roundball Review P.O. Box 70516 Houston, TX 77270 - 0516 888-ROUNBAL houstonroundballrev.com Page 2 internet site—http://houstonroundballrev.com The Houston Roundball Review NBA State of the Team Address (as of June 17th) Atlanta Hawks : cleaned out his office. The der. They really need to improve Needs : Bulls are, reportedly, pre- Detroit Pistons : their rebounding. a scoring small forward pared to offer Pip a 2 yr. Needs : LA Clippers : b ball handler deal worth between $35 to a perimeter shooting Needs : c physical forward $40 M. No one is sure if or b low post defender a point guard Summary : The Hawks have when the drama will end. c another ball handler b big guard the 20th pick in the first Cleveland Cavaliers : . Summary : The Pistons c center round and should select a Needs : aren’t trading Grant Hill; d head coach front court scorer. They are a front court scorer however, F / C Brian Summary : The Clips may be beginning to entertain no- b small forward Williams is on the trading wavering or posturing about tions to trade C Dikembe c time together block. Though he may not not selecting Mike Bibby. Mutombo. d perimeter shooting have a great perimeter Reportedly, they now like Boston Celtics : Summary : The Cavs don’t game, Jerry Stackhouse will Michael Olowokandi. Needs : have a first round pick; so, be re-signed by the club. George Karl is still tops on a physical center GM Wayne Embry will Golden St. Warriors : their head coaching wish b veteran leadership look to find another player Needs : list. c sign or trade F Antoine like Cedric Henderson this a point guard LA Lakers : Walker year in the second round. b getting rid of Latrell Needs : Summary : Head coach Rick Signing C Zydrunas Il- c re-signing Jason Caffey a perimeter shooting Pitino has stated he believes gauskas to a contract ex- Summary : The Warriors b experience the Cs will have to trade tension is important. have the 5th pick and c veteran leadership Antoine since owner Paul Dallas Mavericks : should select a guard. Jim Summary : Del Harris will Gaston has stated he will Needs : Jackson’s agent has said JJ remain head coach. Nick not pay Walker a $100 M a point guard would like to re-sign be- Van Exel will be traded. contract. Who for when, b physical front court cause the club’s offense is Shaq wants the club to sign and where are questions player similar to the offense JJ his buddy Dennis Scott to which are presently un- c health played at Dallas. Spre will solve the outside shooting known. d scoring small forward be traded soon. problems. Getting swept by Charlotte Hornets : Summary : Head coach and Houston Rockets : Utah was an embarrass- Needs : GM Don Nelson has de- Needs : ment. a re-sign Vlade Divac nied reports he is willing to a youth & athleticism Miami Heat : b trade Anthony Mason trade C Shawn Bradley for b big guard Needs : c back up for Glen Rice Anthony Mason; however, c point guard a back up center d point guard Nellie has stretched the d small forward b consistent 3rd scorer Summary : C Matt Geiger is truth before. They need Summary : Trading F Kevin c maturity not going to re-sign with the someone who can run the Willis for the 16th and 18th d mental toughness club; so, keeping Divac is offense very badly. picks in the Draft was a Summary : Acquiring Glen important. Mason and coach Denver Nuggets : good move. Signing Kevin Rice is an option; however, Cowens have worn on each Needs : Johnson may be a possibility the Heat may re-sign G other for the last time. Trad- a center if Charles has any say. Sign- Brent Barry and trade him ing Glen Rice is still an op- b veteran leadership ing Scottie Pippen is no and Voshon Lenard to the tion; however, it seems less c health longer a priority—too much Warriors for Sprewell. Ob- and less likely. d scoring big guard money. taining a back up for Zo is Chicago Bulls : Summary : Apparently, the Indiana Pacers : vital for the club. Needs : Nuggets are content with Needs : Milwaukee Bucks : a resolution to the drama staying with the 3rd pick in a re-sign Rik Smits Needs : b front court help the Draft. Selecting C b rebounder a scoring center c health Michael Olowokandi c point guard b scoring off the bench Summary : Six titles in 8 would be ideal for them. d athleticism c resolving the Terrell years is extremely impres- All signs still point to GM Summary : The Pacers Brandon situation sive. MJ stepped up, once Dan Issel naming himself choked in game 7 against d front court depth again, down the stretch and head coach. The club wants the Bulls. They stopped at- Summary : The Bucks aren’t defeated the Jazz. Phil has to re-sign G Corey Alexan- tacking and it cost them. (Continued on page 3) The Hoop Fans’ Friend internet site—http://houstonroundballrev.com BW Page 3 NBA State of the Team Address (as of June 17th) (Continued from page 2) b center about head coach Mike good defensive team to no de- looking to trade starting G c point guard Dunleavy being fired seem fense in just one season. Terrell Brandon. Head d youth to be far fetched. GM Bob Toronto Raptor s : coach Chris Ford may be Summary : Orlando has 3 first Whitsitt wants Dunleavy to Needs : fired or he may stay.