20 • THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
SPORTS
WEDNESDAY,JUNE 25,2003
Draft
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19
Sports analysts consider Hinrich to be the second best point guard in the draft, behind former Texas guard T. J. Ford which makes him a very valuable pick.
"He's in a good spot because a lot of teams need point guards so he'll go high and be a good player, too," Collison said in the interview.
ESPN.com described Hinrich as a dying breed because he had fundamentally sound skills and played hard every time he stepped on the court.
"He figures to be a lottery pick due to his athleticism, shooting touch and court savvy," the report said.
NBA analysts said the one weakness Hinrich might have was his ability to play defense in the NBA, especially when guarding explosive point guards like Allen Iverson and Jason Kidd.
Scouting reports said Hinrich needed to get stronger to handle chaotic penetrating situations and defensive match-ups
According to ESPN.com, the first three picks of the draft are locked.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have the number one pick and have said they would pick LeBron James, the high school sensation from Akron. Ohio.
The Detroit Pistons said they were interested in Darko Milicid, an 18-yearold forward from Serbia. The Denver Nuggets said they would choose Carmelo Anthony, former Syracuse forward, as the number three pick.
ESPN.com predicted the Golden State Warriors would draft Collison as the 11th pick.
"Just another in a long line of goofy picks by the Warriors," ESPN.com said.
Norm Roberts, associate head basketball coach of the Kansas men's basketball team, said he thought the Seattle SuperSonics might draft Collison as the 12th pick.
Roberts said Collison was as good, or even better than, most of the players predicted to go in the lottery and it would not surprise him if he were drafted higher.
Miami has the fifth pick in the draft and it may select Kirk Hinrich because it needs a point a guard, Roberts said. He also said that Kirk Hinrich worked out for the Heat Monday.
Most mock drafts predicted Miami to pick T.J. Ford. Roberts said he thought Hinrich would be a better pick for the Heat because Hinrich was taller and shot the ball better than Ford.
The 2003 NBA Draft is tomorrow at 6 p.m. on ESPN.
— Edited by Annie Bernethy
NBADRAFT
The NBA Draft airs tomorrow at 6 p.m. on ESPN (Sunflower channel 48). Here are some expert opinions on which players the teams in the lottery will draft. For more, visit nbadraft.net, cnnsi.com or espn.com.
From NBADRAFT.NET
1. ) Cleveland Cavaliers — LeBron James, Akron, OH, High School Senior
2. ) Detroit Pistons — Darko Milicic, Serbia-Montenegro
3.) Denver Nuggets — Carmello Anthony, Syracuse
4.) Toronto Raptors — Chris Bosh, Georgia Tech
5.) Miami Heat — Dwayne Wade, Marquette
6.) L.A. Clippers — T.J. Ford, Texas
7.) Chicago Bulls — Mickael Pietrus, France
**8.) Milwaukee Bucks — Kirk Hinrich, Kansas**
9.) New York Knicks — Mike Sweetney,
Gerontown
10.) Washington Wizards — Nick Collison, Kansas
11.) Golden State Warriors — Maciej Lampe, Spain
12. ) Seattle SuperSonics — Chris Kaman, Central Michigan
13. ) Memphis Grizzlies — Jarvis Hayes, Georgia
From ESPN.com
1. ) Cleveland Cavaliers — LeBron James, Akron, OH, High School Senior
2. ) Detroit Pistons — Darko Milicic, Serbia-Montenegro
3.) Denver Nuggets — Carmello Anthony, Syracuse
4.) Toronto Raptors — Chris Bosh, Georgia Tech
5. ) Miami Heat — Maciej Lampe, Spain
6. ) L.A. Clippers — Dwayne Wade, Marquette
7. ) Chicago Bulls — Mickael Pietrus, France
8. ) Milwaukee Bucks — T.J. Ford, Texas
9. ) New York Knicks — Chris Kaman, Central Michigan
10.) Washington Wizards — Kirk Hinrich, Kansas
11.) Golden State Warriors — Nick Collison, Kansas
12. ) Seattle SuperSonics — Mike Sweetney, Georgetown
13.) Memphis Grizzlies — Aleksandar Pavlovic;
Serbia-Montenegro
From CNNNSI.com
1. ) Cleveland Cavaliers — LeBron James, Akron OH. High School Senior
2. ) Detroit Pistons — Darko Milicic, Serbia-Montenegro
3. ) Denver Nuggets — Carmello Anthony, Syracuse
4.) Toronto Raptors — Chris Bosh, Georgia Tech
5.) Miami Heat — Dwayne Wade, Marquette
6.) J.A. Clippers — T.J. Ford, Texas
7. ) Chicago Bulls — Mickael Pietrus, France
8.) Milwaukee Bucks — Kirk Hinrich, Kansas
9.) New York Knicks — Chris Kaman, Central Michigan
10.) Washington Wizards — Nick Collison, Kansas
11.) Golden State Warriors — Maciej Lampa,
Spain
12. ) Seattle SuperSonics — Mike Sweetney, Georgetown
13. ) Memphis Grizzlies — Jarvis Heyes, Georgia