NBA Draft 03

It's NBA Draft time again. In one night, late in June, a team's entire future can be changed.  All twenty-nine teams line up to select from the next generation of basketball superstars.  Teams select players based on skill, physical assets, potential, and even maturity.  The Knicks changed their franchise forever when they used the 1985 first round first pick to select Patrick Ewing.  The Bulls changed their entire franchise when they selected Michael Jordan with the third overall pick in the draft.  Those guys were obvious picks.  

What about the secrets of the draft?  Every year, there are a few players who slip down in the draft.  Guys like Kobe Bryant, Paul Pierce, Amare Stoudamire, and countless other players.  The Knicks will be in the position to draft one of those players this year.  With the ninth pick, there is no clear cut way to go.  However, the Knicks can improve a lot.  They can trade it with a player to move up in the draft, they can trade it with a player for a proven player, or they can draft with the ninth pick.  

With the ninth pick, you can expect a player like T.J Ford, Chris Kaman, Mike Sweetney, Sofoklis Schortsianides, or Pavel Podkolzin.  Those players can all solve some of the Knicks problems.  Kama and Podkolzin will give the Knicks size, Schortsianides will give the Knicks and athletic player, and Ford will give the Knicks a solid point guard.  Those are all viable picks, however, I would like to see Layden package the pick and possibly a player to get an established player.  I would like to see a power forward or point guard on the Knicks' roster next season.  A player who can work with Houston and Sprewell to get open shots.  When Eisley played well, Houston got open shots and scored.  

The bottom line is I have faith that Layden and the Knicks staff will come through with a good move.  The reality is you don't know what will happen until it happens.  The moves that are made are rarely announced before they are made.  So everyone sit tight and hope for the best on June 26, 2003.

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