Michael Jordan's Washington Wizards initially were expected to take Roman Catholic High graduate Eddie Griffin of Seton Hall with the top pick, until others started saying Jordan had fallen in love with prep star Kwame Brown. The Los Angeles Clippers are said to prefer either player at No. 2, but they could change their minds and grab a different prep star, Tyson Chandler. The Chicago Bulls were slated to take Illinois prep star Eddy Curry Jr. but have become apprehensive because, apparently, a kid named DeSagana Diop from Oak Hill Academy in Virginia outplayed the Illinois native Saturday in a workout. And Diop, also known as Baby Shaq, is threatening to reshape the entire draft by himself.
Cleveland was labeled Diop's next team as of Monday afternoon as the 7-foot 18-year-old took part in one last workout in front of officials from Boston, Cleveland, Detroit, and New Jersey. Each of them heard about his strong workouts, recognized the upside his 315-pound body could deliver, and knew that he had a soft 15-foot jumper and a long wingspan to block shots.
The Nets will pick seventh, the Cavaliers eighth. If either snatches Diop, Joe Johnson (Arkansas) and Troy Murphy (Notre Dame) will move further down in the draft.
Then again, that all may be moot, since it has been reported that the Nets have talked to the Clippers about trading away Stephon Marbury for point guard Keyon Dooling and the No. 2 overall selection.
Meanwhile, Rodney White from the University of North Carolina Charlotte is termed arguably the best talent in the draft. Jamaal Tinsley is labeled the best point guard, despite several subpar workouts. Shane Battier is considered the one lock, scheduled to be picked at No. 3 by the Atlanta Hawks. And there is absolutely no indication what the 76ers will do, because they don't know themselves.
