by Chuck Swirsky
-- raptors.com
May 21, 2003

In the United States, the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) has a program called Masterpiece Theatre. The presentation profiles up-and-coming stage actors along with veteran performers in dramatic and comedic plays.

On Thursday in New Jersey 13 NBA teams will enjoy their own Masterpiece Theater called the NBA Lottery, which determines the No. 1 pick in the draft.

Without any question, the consensus is high schooler LeBron James from Akron, Ohio will be the first player taken. I have spoken to numerous scouts, general managers and player personnel directors over the last year who rave about the kid. He'll earn between $5 -to- 10 million per year on a shoe contract alone.

His high school jersey is being sold on e-bay. He will be instant box office success. The team that gets the No. 1 pick had better have extra operators working Friday because fans will be clamouring for season tickets.

If I'm an owner, James is a cash cow, period. By the way, the guy can flat-out ball. He will come into the NBA as the most hyped player in the draft since Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.

Things will get interesting for the team that is slotted for the second pick. Do they go for Syracuse's Carmelo Anthony, who led the Orangemen to an NCAA title as a freshman or go with seven-footer Darko Milicic.

Chuck has a hunch that LeBron might go with the No. 1 overall pick. Getty Images

Milicic may be two years away so don't count on him being an impact player from the get-go. The team that takes him with either the second or third pick must show patience, and lots of it. Anthony is outstanding and I might be inclined to go with him as the second player on the board.

Then things will get interesting, very interesting. Poland's seven-footer Maciej Lampe is moving up the charts quickly as is Brazil's Anderson Varejao. The international flavour of last year's draft will pale to what is about to hit the NBA landscape this summer.

It will help the game for several reasons. If the talent level improves, regardless of country, the NBA will prosper. Better players mean better teams. Better teams mean the competition will get better. Owners and general managers will be challenged to do a better job scouting around the world. Remember, in hoops all it takes is one franchise talent and you can build your team around him for a 7-to-10 year period.

Georgia Tech's Chris Bosh, a slender 6-11 power forward who led the ACC in FG% is projected to go anywhere between four and six. The Raptors would have to take a long look at him. Again we're discussing a player that will need time and patience as he develops. Texas-dynamo point guard T. J. Ford is coming off a brilliant year for the Longhorns, winning NCAA Player of the Year honors.

The question is can he shoot? You love his athleticism, leadership and knowledge of the game.

A few things. First for the many people who ask me, "what happens if the Raps come away with a fourth to sixth pick ... can the team survive without James, Milicic or Anthony?"

The answer is yes. There are some quality, quality players in the top seven. Remember, on draft night twenty nine teams are raving about their pick. You could have the 25th pick in the draft and you'll hear the GM tell reporters," We didn't think he would be available ... we're shocked and overwhelmed!" The spin machine will be in full force on June 26th.

Now let's get to some observations about NBA headlines.

You got to love Raptors NBA TV. A ton of games, replays of games ... sounds like a shameless plug? You're right. The men and women at 307, the Raptors NBA TV headquarters, deserve some big time props! Meantime, my main man Jack Armstrong continues to deliver as a studio analyst on Sportsnet. Jack and Leo Rautins are two of the best in the biz.

Regardless what happens with the Pistons in their series against the Nets, it is a fact Detroit has overachieved for the second-straight year. Look at their talent compared to the Nets. There is no comparison. None. If the Pistons don't appreciate Rick Carlisle I can name a half dozen teams that will, believe me.

Assistant coach Kevin O'Neil, who reportedly is under consideration for the Raptors job, has done a magnificent job orchestrating the defensive scheme.

I caught a conversation on the Fan 590's Bob McCown Show discussing the theory that O'Neil is a screamer and would have a short shelf life as a coach. Wrong. I did some research on O'Neil. In his eleven years as a head coach in three major conferences in Division 1 NCAA ball, he collected a grand total of three, count 'em, three techs.

In three years as an assistant under Jeff Van Gundy and Carlisle he has yet to be teched up. Will he get after it? Yes. Will he make players better? No doubt. Will he get the job? I have no clue. Just doing my job getting the facts straight.

The Kings sent Keon Clark a pretty strong message as they elected to go with a different group on the floor during their series against the Mavs. In 12 playoff games Clark averaged only 4 points and 3 rebounds and averaged 14minutes a game.

I think the key in the Spurs-Mavs series is whether or not Dallas can make the big stops down the stretch. Throw a zone, do something. If the Mavs play any D at all, they can win this thing.

Things are completely up in the air in Washington. Last week a rumour was floating around that Paul Silas was angling for the complete package as head coach and GM. Last time I checked, Doug Collins was still listed as head coach of the Washington Wizards, thank you very much.

Is K.G. headed to the Bulls? That seems to be the juicy rumour of the week. It makes sense. He's a free agent at the end of the season. The T-Wolves have been eliminated from post season competition seven-straight years. They need to reload and the Bulls need a franchise talent. New Bulls GM John Paxson can make an instant splash with a blockbuster deal.

Portland is on hold until they determine who their next GM will be. Mo Cheeks isn't going anywhere. In fact, he'll be involved in the decision making process. This is a plum NBA gig. Great city, great fan support and an owner who is a multi-billionaire.

Not bad.

Jeff Van Gundy can more or less name his next place of employment. One day it's Clevealnd, the next Atlanta. The team that really needs Van Gundy is his old ballclub the Knicks. The Knicks are at the tail end of some bad contracts and need to once again over achieve this year. I was impressed with the job Don Chaney did this past season, but can he work miracles again? I like Van Gundy a lot, but I'm still troubled by the fact he quit on his team two years ago.

One other note ... reliable NBA sources have informed me that Buffy the Vampire Slayer who is currently unemployed and looking for work was bypassed for the head coaching duties with the Raptors. However, she is being considered for the Clippers position.

I can't wait for the lottery ----catch it on Raptors NBA TV LIVE on Thursday night at 8:00pm.

E-mail me with your comments at cswirsky@torontoraptors.com

Always a pleasure.

Chuck Swirsky