It is the most desired and lacking skill in the NBA - the ability to shoot from the perimeter. One of the worst-shooting teams is the New Jersey Nets, who shot 37 percent in the NBA Finals against San Antonio.
The Nets took a player many labeled the best shooter in the draft in 6-foot-7 Kyle Korver of Creighton with the 51st pick in the second round and then traded his rights to the 76ers for an undisclosed amount of cash.
Nets general manager Rod Thorn issued a statement in response to questions about Korver and why a team that can't shoot would trade the best shooter in the draft to an Atlantic Division rival.
"He's a good player who can really shoot the ball, and we really didn't have any spots on our team and Philly made a good [move]," Thorn said.
Granted, Korver shot 48 percent from three-point range as a senior and 45.3 percent for his career, but doing it against Missouri Valley Conference teams and duplicating that in the NBA are two different things. Still, it's curious that the Nets didn't have room for a proven college shooter.
One thing is for sure: Korver has shown that he can hit an open jump shot, which should be a welcome sight to the Sixers or any NBA team.
"In Kyle Korver we got the best shooter in the draft, somebody who could spread the floor, and if he's open, he will knock it down," said Tony DiLeo, the Sixers' director of player personnel.
Creighton coach Dana Altman, who coached former NBA all-star Mitch Richmond at Moberly Junior College in Missouri and also was an assistant at Kansas State, said Korver is the best shooter he has ever coached.
"For this stage of his career, Kyle is a better shooter than Mitch," Altman said yesterday. "The last two years especially, Kyle had defenses geared to stop him, and he was still able to shoot well and score."
Whether Korver becomes a perimeter threat, a bit player, or doesn't even make the roster, one thing's clear - the Sixers had a plan going into the draft and they stuck to it.
Seldom has an organization seemed so happy to come away with two second-round picks.
"Sometimes you target players and lose them, and this year we were able to get them, and it was rewarding," said Billy King, Sixers president and general manager.
The team wanted shooting and experience and got both in Korver and Willie Green, who was selected with the 41st pick by Seattle but then was traded by the SuperSonics for the rights to the Sixers' pick at No. 50, Paccelis Morlende of France, and an undisclosed amount of cash.
Like Korver, the 6-4 Green is known to hit more than an occasional jump shot. He shot 35.6 percent from three-point range for his career at Detroit Mercy, which maybe isn't in Korver's area code but still is more than respectable.
For the second straight year, the Sixers' first two picks were fourth-year seniors, a vanishing breed in the NBA draft.
Last season the Sixers traded for John Salmons, who was selected 26th in the first round by San Antonio. The Sixers' second-round pick was Sam Clancy of the University of Southern California. Salmons, who attended Plymouth Whitemarsh High, scored 1,287 points in four years at Miami. Clancy, who missed his rookie season with a left knee injury, scored 1,657 points in four years at Southern Cal.
"We always like the four-year player, just like with John Salmons last year," DiLeo said. "Just because you have a track record. You can see how they mature and develop and how coachable they are."
That's not always the case with younger players.
"A lot of high school kids, and even one-year college players, it's hard to predict because you don't know their attitude and practice habits," DiLeo said. "Four-year players, you know what they are and what they will be in the NBA."
While the Sixers are happy to get the type of players they targeted, Green and Korver dropped to the second round for a reason. There will be a question as to whether Korver will be able to get his shot off against bigger and quicker defenders.
"I think I'm a very intelligent player. I pass the ball well and I am a team player," Korver said. "Shooting is my biggest strength, but I can do a lot of other things, too."
As for Green, who is projected as a combination guard, one reason he wasn't a first-round pick was that he was considered a decent point- or shooting-guard prospect, but not exceptional at either position.
"I can guard multiple positions and can play the one [point guard] or two [shooting guard], and I am a hard worker who will do what is best for the team," Green said in a telephone interview on draft night.
As happy as he was with the choices, DiLeo was realistic about the two second-round picks.
"We hope they adjust, but again, they are rookies and it's not like they are going to come in and make a major impact," DiLeo said. "But for the future, we have two players who can be good, solid NBA players."
Contact staff writer Marc Narducci at 856-779-3225 or mnarducci@phillynews.com.
