1998 articles

[scooterj5]

Does anyone have any links or copies of reviews of the 1998 draft-- where we scored Nowitzki and Nash. It would be hilarious to read these in hindsight, and send an email to the writer.

[scooterj5]

Here's one...
http://www.unc.edu/~lbrooks2/19982.html

Top Ten Losers

Sacramento-once again they are draft losers, reaching way to high for Jason Williams when they coulda had Pierce or Hughes. Then in the second take Jerome James...peee-yew....Note:now I guess Jason don't look so bad.

Dallas-don't give up your unconditional #1 next year...when you're gonna end up with a top 3 pick after having such a bad year based on a bad draft when you come away with Dirk Nowitzki who won't sign with a bad team, Ansu Sesay Bruno Sundov, Greg Buckner and Steve Nash. Then giving up Tractor Traylor, Pat Garrity, Martin Muursepp and Bubba Wells...and that #1.

Nazr Mohammed-poor guy, drops about 20 spots.

Rashard Lewis-I even felt sorry for him.

Minnesota-they needed more than Nesterovic and Andrae Patterson.

Cleveland-c'mon don't walk away with only Ryan Stack!

Charlotte-way too high for Ricky Davis when they coulda got him in the second instead of Andrew Betts...yucky.

JR Henderson-he almost didn't get drafted!
Once again...all those underclassmen who didn't get drafted...or got drafted way too low....ie Nazr, the high schoolers and yes you....Winfred Walton and Randell Jackson.
Golden State-I bet they feel like the Raptors stole everything...including their shorts...when they took Vince Carter and money.



Yeah, we really did miss Martin Murrsepp

[MFFL]

Sorry - wrong year.

Here's the link

By Albert Lin, CNN/SI

Biggest loser (individual): Don Nelson, Dallas

Let's see, in the last couple years he's taken Chris Anstey, Dirk Nowitzki, Bruno Sundov, and now Wang Zhi-Zhi and Gordan Giricek. Don't they play ball in the States anymore? At least he traded Giricek to San Antonio -- but for Chicago high schooler Leon Smith. Anyone remember Rashard Griffith?

[MFFL]

Here's the link

by Dan Shanoff

Loser: Dallas GM Don Nelson

Nellie has revamped the Mavs' roster like an NBA equivalent to recently deposed Sunbeam exec "Chainsaw Al" Dunlap. After a bold draft-night trade with the Bucks, Nelson better pray he can sign Dirk Nowitzki, his enigmatic German acquisition.

[MFFL]

Here's another story

Whoa Nellie!
Mavs GM wheels and deals, finally gets his man Nowitzki

DALLAS (AP) -- Dallas Mavericks general manager Don Nelson got the player he coveted. Next comes the full-court press to persuade 6-foot-11 German forward Dirk Nowitzki to give up the riches of Europe to play for one of the NBA's worst teams.

The Mavericks' predictably unpredictable leader pulled off a three-way trade during the first round of Wednesday's draft that left Dallas with Nowitzki and second-year guard Steve Nash.

But the deal was costly for Dallas, which gave up forwards Bubba Wells and Martin Muursepp and -- most importantly -- its No. 1 draft pick in 1999 to Phoenix in the trade for Nash.

Nelson said his strategy was to build through this draft and through free agency next year.

"This move speeds that process up," he said. "Nash is a guy that we've liked, and we were able to get him a year early."

Nelson's gamble is that Nowitzki, who averaged 17.5 points and 10 rebounds for DJK Wurzburg last season, will want to play in Dallas this year.

The agent for Nowitzki, who is currently in the German army, told teams that his client may choose to play professionally in Europe for the next season or two. In addition to remaining closer to home, Nowitzki can earn more money in Europe. As an NBA rookie, his salary is set for three years.

Nelson said the Mavericks would fight hard to persuade the 20-year-old German.

"He's going to have some very fine offers over there," Nelson said. "We would hope to change his mind."

Nelson said he and his son, assistant coach Donnie Nelson, would leave for Germany on Thursday along with team owner Ross Perot Jr. Nash, whose family lives in England, also will join the recruiting committee.

"Hopefully we can all meet in Germany and convince him this is the place to be," Nelson said.

The Mavericks called Nowitzki as soon as they wrapped up the deal to say they were on their way.

"We just said, 'We're coming. Make sure you don't sign a contract before we talk to you.' And they're not. They're going to wait and show us that respect," Nelson said. "That's about all we can expect at this point."

Nowitzki went to the Nike Hoop Summit in San Antonio in late March and was the best player on the court, scoring 33 points with 14 rebounds before going back to Germany and the army.

Scouts say Nowitzki has uncommon skills for a big man and is more advanced than Seattle forward Detlef Schrempf was at the same age.

The Mavericks need all the help they can find, here or abroad. Dallas finished 20-62 last season and missed the playoffs for the eighth consecutive year, highest in the NBA.

Nelson started Wednesday with the sixth overall pick, along with the 30th, 35th and 53rd picks.

He picked Michigan forward Robert "Tractor" Traylor with the No. 6 pick and sent him to Milwaukee for the ninth and 19th picks.

Dallas had the Bucks use No. 9 to draft Nowitzki for the Mavericks and then use No. 19 to draft Notre Dame guard Pat Garrity for the Suns. For Nash, the Suns got Garrity, Wells, Muursepp and Dallas' first-round pick in 1999.

With the 30th pick, the first selection of the second round, Dallas took Mississippi forward Ansu Sesay, who averaged 18.6 points last season and was Southeastern Conference player of the year. Sesay played high school basketball at Sugar Land, Texas.

Nelson went international again with the sixth pick of the second round, the 35th pick overall, taking 7-2 Croatian center Bruno Sundov. The 18-year-old averaged 13 points and 10 rebounds in high school last season.

Greg Buckner, a 6-4 guard who averaged 14.4 points during four years at Clemson, was taken by Dallas with the 53rd overall pick.

Nash, 24, was the 15th overall pick in last year's draft by Phoenix. The 6-3, 195-pound guard averaged 9.1 points and 3.4 assists in 21.9 minutes last season.

"He's going to be our point guard," Nelson said. "He'll be terrific in our system."

Nelson, who is never dull on Draft Day, picked Iowa State center Kelvin Cato for Portland with the 15th pick last year and then had the Blazers take 7-foot Australian Chris Anstey 18th. They then swapped players, with Portland throwing in an some cash.

This week, Nelson told reporters he was focusing on North Carolina teammates Antawn Jamison and guard Vince Carter, along with Kansas forward Raef LaFrentz and Saint Louis guard Larry Hughes.

He also told reporters not to believe a word he said. Which, as it turned out, was the only thing he said that was true.

[scooterj5]

http://members.tripod.com/~Hoop_LA/1998/draftrecap.html

Dallas drafted Robert Traylor, which I thought was a nice pickbut NO, Don Nelson couldn't stay still. He had to meddle. He trades Traylor and his NBA sized body to Milwaukee for German center Dirk Nowitzki, who will play in Germany for two years and Pat Garrity (a mediocre play from Notre Dame). What's with Nelson and "athletic" centres. And when I say "athletic" I mean white and "athletic". See Shawn Bradley, Chris Antsley and now Nowitski. Then Nellie trades Martin Muursepp (who has never played any meaningful minutes, another Euro-chump), Pat Garrity (aforementioned useless guy) and Bubba Wells (another chump) and a 1st round pick for Steve Nash from Phoenix. Ok, here's the skinny. Three useless players to clear up some salary cap are traded away from Dallas. Good for Nellie. He gets Steve Nash, probably the most sought after point guard in the trading market. Also good for Nellie. He gives up a 1st round pick, which most likely will be a top 5 pick again. Bad for Nellie. Steve Nash is a free agent next year and who knows where he'll go. He will most likely walk from Dallas. Bad for Nellie. Vancouver and Toronto want to bring him back to Canada. New York wants a real point guard. Houston wants any type of point guard. Sorry Nellie, you've made a bad move again. All of this posturing and what does he get, a German center who won't play for the Mavericks until 2000 and a point guard who won't be there after 2000. Ansu Sesay is supposed to be good. Never heard of Sundov, but I bet Nellie has. Greg Buckner. Big deal.



I found that one pretty funny

[MFFL]

Here's a pre-draft positional analysis

THE ENIGMA

DIRK NOWITZKI
6'11", 237, Würzburg, Germany

Why he's The Man: This virtually unknown European exploded onto the scene at the Nike Hoop Summit during Final Four weekend in San Antonio. He dominated the game with 33 points (6-12 FG, 2-3 3-pt. FG, 19-23 FT) and 14 rebounds in a 104-99 International Select Team victory. Initially was thought headed to college (he visited Cal and Kentucky), but instead entered the draft; wavered the last few of weeks but did not withdraw his name. Nowitzki has an extremely aggressive, versatile offensive game. He can score inside or step out and hit the three. A good ballhandler, he can take it to the hole (as evidenced by free throw total at Hoop Summit). Very polished in all facets. Will have teams ruing the day they bypassed him. Fellow German Detlef Schrempf was called the best import since the Volkswagen; Nowitzki's coach says, "Here comes the Porsche."

At best, he's the next: Keith Van Horn.

And if I'm wrong, he's: Cherokee Parks.

[MFFL]

Here's an >interesting< pic of Dirk.

[MFFL]

CNN/Si gave the Mavs an "A"

Dallas Mavericks (Grade: A)

Draft-Night Acquisitions: SF Ansu Sesay, Mississippi; C Bruno Sundov, Croatia; G Greg Buckner, Clemson; PF Dirk Nowitzki, Germany (trade); PG Steve Nash (trade)

The Skinny: Don Nelson's moves since taking control of the club have been questionable, but he had a great night—provided the Mavs can convince Nowitzki to come to Dallas right away. Nelson may have given up too much for Nash (especially if the Mavs miss the playoffs next season), but he's a proven NBA point guard. Sesay should be able to help right away as well.

[MFFL]

I had forgotten that Dirk was basically a high schooler when he was drafted

Dirk Nowitzki
Germany
Ht: 6-11
Wt: 237

Early entry candidate for draft. Averaged 17.5 points and 9.9 rebounds in 20 games with DJK Wurzburg in Germany. Turned down Kentucky and California to turn pro. Scored 33 points in the Nike Hoop Summit against American high school players. 19-year-old player who has all-around skills. Reminds many of countryman Detlef Schrempf. Projected to be a high pick, but does have some questions about how he will play against NBA competition.

[MFFL]

USA Today called the Mavs draft a "winner"

WINNERS

Dallas: Wheeling and dealing paid off handsomely, landing promising point guard Steve Nash from Phoenix and mobile big man Dirk Nowitzki from Milwaukee.

[Drbio]

That article listed Dirk at 6'11". Did he grow since we got him? Isn't he over 7 feet now? Also, that pic of Dirk shows an ear-ring. I wasn't aware that he wore one.

Great articles MFFL...you too scooter. Great idea for a post.

[Bayliss]

<< Scouts say Nowitzki has uncommon skills for a big man and is more advanced than Seattle forward Detlef Schrempf was at the same age. >>



Yep uncommon is right.

And right now (Dirk hasn't even reached his full potential) he's better than Detlef in his prime.

And I like that pic too.... but I want to know what game that one pic is from where it shows Dirk pissed at the ref. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

[Bayliss]

In Slam magazine (I know I know it's too of a &quot;hip-hop&quot; mag to be respectable) however they did a story on Dirk and Charles Barkley saw Dirk play and told Dirk that he'd pay his way if he went to Auburn. Dirk turned him down.

(As much crap as Barkley takes you have to give him props for telling a high schooler &quot;I'd pay your way through college&quot; if ya want to go.)

[Drbio]

A rare side of Barkley...seen by few.

[Kat]

Great thread! I remember reading somewhere that Dirk was hesitant because he didn't think he had the talent to play in the NBA. I wonder what his thougts on the NBA vs. Euro ball are now.