Los
Angeles drafts experience
By Oscar Gardner
Summer On-line Forty-Niner
The
Los Angeles Lakers draft experience by selecting
Brian Cook, 24th pick, and Luke Walton,
32nd, in a draft dominated by youth and
international players, while the Los Angeles
Clippers drafted size with their two picks
Chris Kaman, 6th pick and 18-year old Sofoklis
Schortsanitis, 34th pick, from Greece. Both
teams drafted on needs instead of the “best
player available” notion that teams find
themselves doing so often.
The
Lakers (50-32) finished second in the Pacific
Division of the Western Conference over
the 2002-03 season, and were eliminated
by the San Antonio Spurs in the second round
of the playoffs. Drafting power forward
Cook from the University of Illinois, the
Lakers are getting an established 6-10 player.
Averaging 20 points per game and nearly
8 rebounds per game, Cook was named Big
Ten Player of the Year and was named third
team All-American. Cook finished his career
as the Fighting Illini’s third leading scorer
with 1,748 points, fifth in rebounding at
815 and fourth in blocked shots with 136.
Walton
played power forward and small forward with
the University of Arizona, but will more
than likely be asked to play small forward
for the purple and gold. Walton averaged
10.8 points and five rebounds per game.
He finished his career as one of only three
other Pac-10 players to accumulate 1,000
points, 500 rebounds and 500 assists in
a career. Walton also was given honorable
mention as an All-American.
Michael
Olowokandi’s expected departure from the
Clippers forced them to spend their lottery
pick on the 7-foot Kaman, from Central Michigan.
Kaman’s frame is a concern at 255 pounds,
but he has exceptional footwork and soft
hands around the basket. The Mid Atlantic
Player of the Year averaged 22 points, 12
rebounds, and 3.2 blocks per game.
Schortantis
averaged 11 points and 6.2 rebounds per
game while shooting an exceptional 58% every
outing. NBA scouts are impressed by his
physique and athletic ability.
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