NBA Draft

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1

No surprise, the no. 1 pick of the NBA Draft, LeBron James lands in Ohio! Darko Milicic to Detroit, Carmelo Anthony to Denver and Chris Bosh to Toronto. 21 players from overseas drafted in the NBA this year, which is a record!

Following is the full list of NBA Draft with names of players {In Bold Font} and the teams, which they’ll play for Season 2003-04!

[list=1]

[li]Cleveland Cavaliers, LeBron James, F, from St. Vincent-St. Mary’s HS
[/li]
[li] Detroit Pistons(from Memphis), Darko Milicic, F/C, from Serbia and Montenegro
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[li]Denver Nuggets, Carmelo Anthony, F, from Syracuse
[/li]
[li]Toronto Raptors, Chris Bosh, F, from Georgia Tech
[/li]
[li]Miami Heat, Dwyane Wade, G, from Marquette
[/li]
[li]Los Angeles Clippers, Chris Kaman, C, from Central Michigan
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[li]Chicago Bulls, Kirk Hinrich, G, from Kansas
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[li]Milwaukee Bucks (from Atlanta) T.J. Ford, G, Texas
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[li]New York Knicks, Mike Sweetney, F, from Georgetown
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[li]Washington Wizards, Jarvis Hayes, G/F, from Georgia
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[li]Golden State Warriors, Mickael Pietrus, G/F, from France
[/li]
[li]Seattle Sonics, Nick Collison, F, from Kansas
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[li]Memphis Grizzlies (from Houston), Marcus Banks, G, UNLV (traded to Boston)
[/li]
[li]Seattle Sonics (from Milwaukee), Luke Ridnour, G.
[/li]
[li]Orlando Magic, Reece Gaines, G, Louisville
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[li]Boston Celtics, Troy Bell, G, from Boston College
[/li](traded to Memphis)

[li]Phoenix Suns, Zarko Cabarkapa, F/C, from Serbia and Montenegro
[/li]
[li]New Orleans Hornets, David West, F, from Xavier
[/li]
[li]Utah Jazz, Aleksandar Pavlovic, F, from Serbia and Montenegro
[/li]
[li]Boston Celtics (from Philadelphia), Dahntay Jones, G/F, from Duke (traded to Memphis)
[/li]
[li]Atlanta Hawks (from Indiana), Boris Diaw-Riffiod, G/F, from France
[/li]
[li]New Jersey Nets, Zoran Planinic, G/F, from Croatia
[/li]
[li]Portland Trail Blazers, Travis Outlaw, F, from Starkville HS
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[li]Los Angeles Lakers, Brian Cook, F, from Illinois
[/li]
[li]Detroit Pistons, Carlos Delfino, G/F, from Italy
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[li]Minnesota Timberwolves, Ndudi Ebi, F, from Westbury Christian HS
[/li]
[li]Memphis Grizzlies (from Sacramento via Orlando), Kendrick Perkins, C, from Clifton J. Ozen HS(traded to Boston)
[/li]
[li]San Antonio Spurs, Leandrinho Barbosa, G, from Brazil
[/li](traded to Phoenix)

[li]Dallas Mavericks, Josh Howard, F, from Wake Forest
[/li]
[li]New York Knicks (from Denver), Maciej Lampe, F, from Spain
[/li]
[li]Cleveland Cavaliers, Jason Kapono, F, from UCLA
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[li]Los Angeles Lakers (from Toronto), Luke Walton, F, from Arizona
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[li]Miami Heat Jerome Beasley, F, from North Dakota
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[li]Los Angeles Clippers, Sofoklis Schortsanitis, F/C, from Greece
[/li]
[li]Milwaukee Bucks (from Memphis), Szymon Szewczyk, F, from Poland
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[li]Chicago Bulls, Mario Austin, F, from Mississippi State
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[li]Atlanta Hawks, Travis Hansen, G/F, Brigham Young
[/li]
[li]Washington Wizards, Steve Blake, G, from Maryland
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[li]New York Knicks, Slavko Vranes, C, from Serbia & Montenegro
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[li]Golden State Warriors, Derrick Zimmerman, G, from Mississippi State
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[li]Seattle Sonics, Willie Green, G, from Detroit, (traded to Philadelphia)
[/li]
[li]Orlando Magic, Zaur Pachulia, F/C, from Turkey
[/li]
[li]Milwaukee Bucks, Keith Bogans, G, from Kentucky
[/li](traded to Orlando)

[li]Houston Rockets, Malick Badiane, F/C, from Langen
[/li]
[li]Chicago Bulls (from Phoenix), Matt Bonner, F, from Florida
[/li](traded to Toronto)

[li]Denver Nuggets (from Boston), Sani Becirovic, G, Virtus Bologna
[/li]
[li]Utah Jazz, Maurice Williams, G, from Alabama
[/li]
[li]New Orleans Hornets, James Lang, C, Central Park Christian School
[/li]
[li]Indiana Pacers, James Jones, F, from Miami
[/li]
[li]Philadelphia 76ers, Paccelis Morlende, G, from France
[/li](traded to Seattle)

[li]New Jersey Nets, Kyle Korver, F, Creighton
[/li](traded to Philadelphia)

[li]Toronto Raptors (from L.A. Lakers), Remon Van de Hare, C, from Spain
[/li]
[li] Chicago Bulls (from Detroit via Miami), Tommy Smith, F, from Arizona State
[/li]
[li]Portland Trail Blazers, Nedzad Sinanovic, C, from Bosnia
[/li]
[li]Minnesota Timberwolves, Rick Rickert, F, Minnesota
[/li]
[li]Boston Celtics (from Sacramento), Brandon Hunter, F, from Ohio
[/li]
[li]Dallas Mavericks, Xue Yuyang, F, from China
[/li](traded to Denver)

[li]Detroit Pistons (from San Antonio), Andreas Gliniadakis, C, from Greece
[/li]
[/list=1]

2

Lots of change by BUCKS and TIMBERWOLVES for the next season. I believe SPURS will have a different and young squad next year as most of their players, with the exception of Parker, Duncan and Manu have said Goodbye to NBA>

NBA: Bucks, Wolves shake things up

The Minnesota Timberwolves took their first summer step toward finding a better mix of players to surround Kevin Garnett. The Milwaukee Bucks made a move that shows they are serious about re-signing Gary Payton.

On Friday, Minnesota acquired veterans Sam Cassell and Ervin Johnson from Milwaukee in exchange for disappointing forward Joe Smith and guard Anthony Peeler.

The trade, in the works for the past month, signified several things.

One, the Wolves are committed to creating a supporting cast good enough to finally get them past the first round of the playoffs and convince Garnett to sign a long-term extension before his mega-deal expires a year from now.

Two, the Bucks, who took Texas point guard T.J. Ford with the No. 8 pick in Thursday’s draft, will do everything they can to keep Payton around when the free-agent market opens July 16. “That’s been our intention all along,” general manager Ernie Grunfeld said.

Three, the Wolves plan to mimic, at least some of the time, the two-headed point-guard model that has worked well recently for Dallas and Sacramento and, after acquiring Payton in February, Milwaukee.

And finally, the Bucks believe Smith, a former No. 1 overall draft choice, can become a consistently productive player.

Though the Timberwolves lost in the opening round of the playoffs for an NBA-record seventh consecutive year, Troy Hudson had an impressive series at the point against the Lakers. With Rod Strickland not expected back, the Wolves indicated Cassell would play alongside – as well as spell – Hudson.

Two of the best teams in the Western Conference, the Kings (Mike Bibby and Bobby Jackson) and Mavericks (Steve Nash and Van Exel), have been successful with simultaneous use of two point guards.

“We think Sammy can really bring some punch to our lineup,” vice president Kevin McHale said.

Cassell, who turns 34 in November, turned in his two highest-scoring seasons as a pro the past two years – averaging 19.7 points a game in each with the Bucks.

He came to Milwaukee in March 1999 from New Jersey in the three-team deal that, ironically, sent Terrell Brandon to Minnesota and Stephon Marbury to the Nets.

“We want players on the floor,” Wolves coach Flip Saunders said, “and that’s what Sammy is.”

Brandon hasn’t played since February 2002 because of a knee injury that likely has ended his career. McHale said Friday’s trade would be the first of several moves he hoped to make this offseason, and dealing Brandon probably will be next.

Even if he never plays again, Brandon is still valuable because the team that has him in February – marking two years of inactivity – will be eligible for salary-cap relief.

That’s what the Bucks were looking for in this deal, room to sign Payton.

Johnson, a shot-blocking, defensive-minded center who’s been in the league 10 years and with the Bucks for the past six, has two years and about $9.5 million left on his contract. The three-year, $17 million extension Cassell signed in February 2002 kicks in this season.

Smith has four seasons and more than $24 million remaining on his deal, but Peeler’s $3.7 million salary for 2003-04 is not guaranteed.

Smith, selected first in the 1995 draft by Golden State, joins his fifth team. He had two stints with Minnesota, which forfeited three first-round picks and $3.5 million for secretly signing him to an illegal contract in 2000.

“Joe did a lot of little stuff we really appreciated,” McHale said. “It just didn’t seem to be working out the way we wanted to.”

  • Adelman rewarded: Sacramento Kings coach Rick Adelman received a contract extension.

Adelman, who has led the Kings to the Pacific Division title the past two seasons, has spent five seasons with the team. Last season, he became the 18th coach in NBA history to win 600 games.

“This is where I want to be,” said Adelman, who has a career record of 603-384 in 13 years as a coach that includes stops at Golden State and Portland. “I love the team, the city and the fans.”

The Kings also announced Hall of Fame coach Pete Carril will resume his role as a full-time assistant after spending last season as special assistant to the president.

  • **Who watched: **ESPN reports that TV ratings for Thursday’s NBA Draft were the highest since 1997.

ESPN’s broadcast drew a 2.64 rating, a 27.5 percent increase from last year’s 2.07 rating on TNT. This was the first year ESPN broadcast the NBA draft.

About 2.3 million households tuned into the telecast, making it the most-watched NBA Draft since 1996. :biggthumb

3

I simply can't wait to see Lebron James, I can imagine Cleveland's season opener match being broadcasted to the national audience.

Big question is about Jason Kidd, first it was San Antonio but now it looks like Dallas is interested in him.

4

Really Umair? I thought Dallas was interested in Karl Malone! Anyway, I’d like to see Jason Kidd to be in NJ. In two years, NETS have grown alot. Kidd-Scott duo brought some life in the Eastern Conference.

Time for LAKERS News: Robert Horry becomes a free agent. So as Brian Shaw, Mark Madsen and Samaki Walker!

5Abi, Here comes Jr. Walton. :smiley:

Mr. Luke and Cook: Got something for LAKERS? :wink:

[thumb=C]LukeandCook.JPG[/thumb]

Luke Walton follows in Dad’s footsteps in LA

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) – Luke Walton is starting his NBA career close to home.

The San Diego native was drafted in the second round by the Los Angeles Lakers, who believe the son of Hall of Famer Bill Walton is more prepared than most rookies to contribute right away.

"He’s got a big body and he knows his way around the court,‘’ Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. **"He’s been a player that likes to pass, likes to play an unselfish game.‘’ **

Walton averaged 10.8 points as a fifth-year senior at Arizona, although he was limited in several games by a sore ankle. He was taken in the second round, 32nd overall, Thursday night.

Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak likes Walton’s ballhandling skills. If Walton plays well in training camp, he could see some time at small forward, especially since the Lakers don’t think Rick Fox will have recovered from foot surgery.

"Luke would help us in that regard,‘’ said Kupchak, who envisions the 6-foot-8 Walton playing small forward.

Fox tore a tendon in his left foot in the first round of the playoffs, had surgery and is rehabilitating. Although Fox is expected to be at training camp, which opens in October, he may not start the season on the active roster, :frowning: Jackson said.

Walton said he doesn’t have an ideal position to play.

"I just love being out on the floor, just reading what’s going on,‘’ he said. **"I’m going to have to prove myself.‘’ **

Walton and first-round pick Brian Cook of Illinois can probably plan on sitting more than playing in Jackson’s system that favors veterans over rookies.

"We have to assume that rookies are not going to help,‘’ Jackson said. **"The teams that count on rookies are teams that didn’t make the playoffs last year.‘’ **

Walton is spending the summer lifting weights, refining his shooting, running and doing drills to improve his quickness. He said he’s lost 12 pounds and weighs 232.

"I’m just going to keep working on everything,‘’ he said. "**That’s the good thing about basketball, you can never be perfect at anything. I’m going to keep training every part of my game.‘’ **

Walton’s father spent part of his NBA career with the Clippers, and has done commentary on their games. Luke Walton often drove up to Los Angeles to play basketball on the weekends, and he knows Laker players Mark Madsen and Kareem Rush.

"It’s special being home,‘’ he said.

But the younger Walton saw no symbolism in beginning his career in the same city where his father starred.

"I try to stay away from all that stuff that my dad did,‘’ he said. "**I’m living my own life.‘’ **

The younger Walton watched the draft at his family’s home in San Diego, and said his father walked around with a smile on his face after the Lakers selected him.

"LA is the best place I could possibly be at, with the best coach in the NBA, the best players out there,‘’ Luke Walton said. "I couldn’t ask for anything else.‘’

5

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by UMAIR316: *
I simply can't wait to see Lebron James, I can imagine Cleveland's season opener match being broadcasted to the national audience.

Big question is about Jason Kidd, first it was San Antonio but now it looks like Dallas is interested in him.
[/QUOTE]

Umair316...yaar tum ESPN main job kaar lo!

6

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Pakistani Tiger: *
Really Umair? I thought Dallas was interested in Karl Malone! Anyway, I'd like to see Jason Kidd to be in NJ. In two years, NETS have grown alot. Kidd-Scott duo brought some life in the Eastern Conference.

[/quote]

Malone has already signed with the Lakers, he is not going any where else.

7

I've been hearing {through media), about Lakers interested in Malone since the end of Three-Peat. I'm not sure he has signed up already with the Lakers. Do you have a source of that, Umair?

Mitch-Phil company are looking for Veterans. Besides Malone, another choice is Scottie Pippen.

8

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by UMAIR316: *

Malone has already signed with the Lakers, he is not going any where else.
[/QUOTE]

I wanna clear it for the record: Malone has NOT signed with the Lakers YET. Lakers are interested in signing him, and he has met Lakers General Manager. Lakers wanna offer him veterans minimun of $1.4 million and lure him with the hopes of a title ring. Lakers are reinforcing the team around their main weapons of mass destruction - Kobe and Shaq. Malone will have to fit in somewhere: he is interested in breaking the record held by the legendary Kareem Abdul Jabbar (for the msot points scored ever).

9

PT : Im hopeful that Luke Walton will follow his dad footsteps and prove himself with the Lakers. (Bill Walton, his dad is a Hall Of Famer and played at UCLA while in college). He and Cook have a long way to go, and the sooner they fit in the Lakers triangle offense the better they will be for the team. These guys will be training at the Lakers summer camp, coached by Kurt Rambis. At the summer camp, another interesting figure that will also be playing is Kareem Abdul Jabbar Jr. (Yes, Kareems son).

For the time being, Lakes are actively pursuing guard Gary Peyton. The deal with Malone seems to be in the final stages. Lakers also have their eyes on Juwan Howard and PJ Brown along with Scottie Pippen and Tyrone Lue.

San Antonio Spurs have the most money under the salary cap ($14 million) and they will possibly offer it to Jason Kidd. Jason has shown keen interest for Spurs and Mavericks. But, Mavs dont have that kinda money to offer him. So he would most likely choose the Spurs.

PS: Free agents can not be signed before July 16 according to NBA rules.

10

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by 5Abi: *
Jason has shown keen interest for Spurs and Mavericks. But, Mavs dont have that kinda money to offer him. So he would most likely choose the Spurs.
[/QUOTE]

I think there could be a trade between the Mavs and Nets, Steve Nash for Jason Kidd.

11

**Lakers are reinforcing the team around their main weapons of mass destruction - Kobe and Shaq. **

Good choice of words, 5Abi. :smiley:

Yeah, I knew about FAs can’t be signed up by any Basketball Club that quick. I’m sure Luke will follow his dad’s footstep. I don’t follow NCAA at all but his figures are around 10 PPG, which is good for any NBA starters. Same case is with Brain Cook. All LAKERS need to do is fill the gap around Shaquille and Bryant. Shaq has hired a Marine as his personal body-builder, recently. :smiley: Shaq, Mah man, is shaping up. Watch out, fellas!

Interesting thing about LAKERS this time is that, Mitch management is trying to make the ‘Off Bench Support’ as helpful as possible, so, whenever, Shaq and Kobe catch up the breathe next season at the closing end of 1st, 2nd and 3rd qtr, there will be players out there, who can make couple of buckets. And I’m expecting a very tough Rival match of LAKERS during the Season 2003-04 and possibly in the Playoffs with the KINGS.

Bill Walton, along with Ahmad Rashid, are the two guys, who I follow their interviews, comments regarding players of NBA almost all the time. Their views ain’t biased and they don’t take personal sides like most of the ESPN clowns do.

Okay, how far Karl Malone is from breaking Kareem-Abdul-Jabbar’s record? I reckon, he is 1,000 pts away. Is that correct? Personally, yeah I’d want him to be with LAKERS; so he can have a chance for the ring. Juwan Howard, PJ Brown and Tyrone Lue, they are all good with best PPG. Scottie Pippen is definitely looking for his 7th Ring with Phil Jackson Company :smokin2: so that he could say NBA Goodbye next year with dignity and pride. Personally, I don’t think, next year, Pippen will be as tough physically and good player as he used once 'cause he’s having alot of pain in his right leg. If my memory serves me right, Pippen had sour right leg throughout Season 2002-03. It’s all on Mitch whether he hired Pippen or not.

Re: Jason Kidd. Well, he’s a FA now. He could go anywhere as he’s first hot choice as a PG for any Basketball Club at the moment. But I don’t think it will work out for him. He has faced the same situation before. IMO, Kidd is trying to escape the defeat than to face like a Man. Let’s not forget how he was traded from Phoenix to Dallas, Dallas to NJ and now possibly, as you said, back to Dallas from NJ. I know, nobody wants to be defeated but sometimes, you need to figure out the ways to reach the top. Jason should learn lesson from David Robinson, who devoted his career and himself to SPURS, and got two rings in result. I admit, NETS don’t have enough power, but you gotta admit that they have shown some progress this year; and were alot better this year. What Jason Kidd should have done? He should have build relationship with the GM, President of the NETS Basketball Club so they could understand the situation and hired best players for the best chances all the way to NBA Championship. That is how things work out, problem gets solved; and players get rings.

Btw, what’s the name of Jr. Kareem-Abdul-Jabbar?

12

Plot thickens among Malone, Payton and Lakers

Karl Malone plans to wait and see what happens with talks between fellow free agent Gary Payton and the Los Angeles Lakers.

ESPN’s David Aldridge confirmed that Malone would be interested in the Lakers if Payton signs with them.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Payton chose not to go Los Angeles this weekend as Lakers coach Phil Jackson and owner Jerry Buss are out of town. Payton has been in contact with Shaquille O’Neal and Magic Johnson in the meantime, the Times reports.

Payton made $12.6 million last season while playing for the Seattle SuperSonics and Milwaukee Bucks.

Aldridge also reports that Malone has narrowed his list down to four teams, two of which are the Lakers and current NBA champion San Antonio Spurs.

The Deseret News in Utah reported that according to KSL-TV on Friday, Boston Celtics executive Danny Ainge met with Malone at his home in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, the first day teams can speak with free agents but cannot sign them until July 16.

But Saturday, the Deseret News reported that Malone’s agent, Dwight Manley, confirmed the Celtics were no longer being considered.

**The scenario would go like this: Malone signs for the veteran minimum of $1.5 million for next season, which would help the Lakers attract Payton.

If Los Angeles reels in Payton and Malone to join All-Stars O’Neal and Kobe Bryant, the Lakers would be formidable contenders for next season’s NBA title. **

Malone, 39, has spent his entire 18-year NBA career with the Utah Jazz, who lost in back-to-back NBA Finals to the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls in 1997 and '98. Malone made $19.25 million last season with the Jazz.

13

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by UMAIR316: *

I think there could be a trade between the Mavs and Nets, Steve Nash for Jason Kidd.
[/QUOTE]

would be odd to see if that happens though.

Nash running the floor with a much slower group of guys who aren't used to letting go off the ball that frequently. And Kidd making calculated plays across the court only for those butter-fingered shooters to slip the ball outta their hands the second they're handed it.

14

The Glove and Mailman have committed to the Lakers.
Gary Peyton and Karl Malone have made it official that they are joining the Lakers come July 16th.
[thumb=C]dreamteam.JPG[/thumb]

Lakers will steal the free-agency show when they sign both Karl and Gary for $6.4 million combined. Both will pass up millions of dollars that teams like Utah, Kings, Spurs and Mavs would have offered them. Their ultimate goal at this time in their lives = win a championship and join the future hall of famers - Kobe and Shaq.

Magic Johnson agreed to let Karl wear his retiured jersey number 32. This is what he had to say bout the latest developlemt in Lakerville "we're going to get easier baskets, because we're going to run. I see a little bit of Showtime again, because Gary will push that ball, Karl will fill that lane. And Kobe in the other lane? Ooooh, man!"

If the rest of the Western Conference is not concerned yet, they will be for sure, come next June.

PT: Karl Malone is 2nd all-time behind Kareem Abdul Jabbar in field goals made. Karl has 13,335 points and Kareem had 15, 837. Karl will over come Kareem if he averages 12 points a game in 2 seasons with Lakers. Also, Kareem's son's name is Kareem Abdul Jabbar Jr. (Notice the Jr. at the end).

15

I think the idea of Laker having a star studded lineup will only backfire on them, too much star power is not good for a team sometimes.

16

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by UMAIR316: *
I think the idea of Laker having a star studded lineup will only backfire on them, too much star power is not good for a team sometimes.
[/QUOTE]

i dont think so..phil jackson knows how to coach a team...malone and payton know what their roles will be..plus they are getting old and they dont care about money and points at this time..they just want to get the ring...at any cost

17

Just heard Jason Kidd stays with the Nets for 6 years and Alonzo Mourning joins from NY Knicks. :k: :k:

18

malone :eek:
payton :eek:
bryant :eek:
shaq :eek:
jackson :eek:

Lakers:eek:..ya-Allah…baaqi teams ko to harap karlayngay yeh sab :bummer:…

but like umair316 said…it might backfire too..but that really is some powerful team…

19

:hula::hula:

i hope that rumour about him and scott is false :nook:

20

What rumor?