If it's a real draft, these are the picks

OK, the WNBA won't let us know how the draft will actually go -- cynics would say that's just to assure that Ticha Penicheiro winds up where exactly she wants, but as I write this, Ticha is not a member of the WNBA. Nor is Chasity Melvin. And of course Kristin Folkl and Nykesha Sales have not signed, but they can't play this summer anyway.

Still, it's always fun to speculate about who will pick who, and that's exactly what we'll do. And we'll also assume no shenanigans are allowed, and the teams can pick who they want. Of course, Ticha's presence changes everything, so we'll do two mock drafts of the first round: The first with her, and the second without her.

1. Utah Starzz: Some say the Starzz will opt for 7-2 Malgorzata Dydek, who dazzled scouts at the WNBA pre-draft camp, but with Ticha on the board -- and that dismal Utah backcourt -- it says here Utah picks Penicheiro right now.
   Later: The Starzz pick a center, and a good one should be available on the first pick of the second round. After that, Utah could use just about everything.

2. Sacramento Monarchs: The Monarchs are praying that Utah goes big and lets Ticha fall one spot -- because she'll then be in Sacramento faster than you can say `guaranteed contract.' But since the Starzz will rule against the Monarchs, the Californians will settle for the Polish Dydek to replace the departed Pam McGee in the middle.
   Later:Christy Smith? Alli Bills? Rita Williams? Nadine Domond? Anyone who can replace Chantel Tremitiere at point is welcome.

3. Washington Mystics: Yes, Ticha is a perfect fit. No, she won't be available (if she is, then this `draft' is as legitimate as a 5-5 center). So what do the Mystics, who have no one who even approximates a ballhandler, do? They pick Allisone Feaster, that's what they do. She's not a point, but gives them a backcourt presence immediately, plus some East Coast publicity. Feaster's the real deal, and she's someone to build around.
   Later: The point guards left after Sacramento picks one will have to do for this year. And the Mystics need everything else too.

4. Detroit Shock:The Shock has Rhonda Blades to run the show, and a promising center in Tajama Abraham, so Muriel Page is a very nice fit here.
   Later: Abraham could be a good center, but another promising youngster (Tangela Smith? Pollyanna Johns?) wouldn't hurt. Nor would someone who can shoot, like Julie Krommenhoek or Cindy Blodgett.

5. L.A. Sparks: The Sparks, despite their disappointing season, have all of the pieces, in place to be a good team this season. So why not pick Olympia Scott, who went to high school in L.A. and has a very high ceiling?
   Later: Can anybody here make an 18-footer? Penny Toler will shoot them, and Tamecka Dixon will hit some, but it's tough for the point guard to be a team's main outside threat. Australian Sandy Brondello might work well, as would Krommenhoek or Blodgett.

6. Cleveland Rockers: The Rockers could really use a Cynthia Cooper type to bomb away and open up the inside for Eva Nemcova and Isabelle Fijalkowski -- but Allison Feaster is gone. So Cleveland will opt for Tracy Reid, who's not a shooter, but is a great athlete with tons of potential.
   Later: Another team that will looking for a shooter. (For all you young girls out there, work on a quick-release three-pointer and your future is assured.)

7. Charlotte Sting: Another team that needs a point will be just another team that hopes to find a gem in the second round. Right here, right now, they'll jump on Australian Rachel Sporn (who just went seven of ten against the U.S. National team) to fill the void at forward.
   Later: A point guard is a necessity, no doubt, and our guess is that Cleveland winds up with Rita Williams.

8. Phoenix Mercury: Michele Timms will be denied a chance to reunite with countrywoman Sporn, so the Mercury will take a chance on Alicia Thompson. She doesn't really have a position in the pros, but she's got a lot of tools and might be able to find a home swinging between the three and the four.
   Later: Here's a shock -- Phoenix too needs a shooter. Bridget Pettis made just 33% of her shots last season, and that won't get it done. The temptation to pick Arizona's Adia Barnes in the second round will be great as well, though Barnes has the same problems Thompson does.

9. New York Liberty: The Liberty is a very good team, but one weakness was that Kym Hampton couldn't play enough minutes to keep the inside option a reality. Add Nyree Roberts, and that weakness disappears.
   Later: The Liberty will be looking for a shooter in round two, and would love to have Blodgett -- but she'll be long gone. Korie Hlede will still be on the board, though.

10. Houston Comets: Cynthia Cooper can't carry the load forever, so why not pick Texas native Katrina Price as her heir apparent? Consider it done.
    Later: The Comets are in a position to gamble on someone like 6-4 Gergana Branzova out of Florida International, or any of a host of other potential stars.

1. Utah Starzz: The Starzz definitely go with Dydek now, setting up a 7-2, 6-5 (Elena Baranova) and 6-2 (Wendy Palmer) front line. If only there were a guard to run the show.
   Later: Alli Bills is a pure point guard and a homestate girl.

2. Sacramento Monarchs: With no Dydek available, Muriel Page moves up a notch and into the Monarchs' frontcourt.
   Later: No change here -- Sacramento desperately needs a point guard.

3. Washington Mystics: Allison Feaster is still the best pick.
   Later: Anything will help.

4. Detroit Shock: Rather than bet on the potential of Scott, Detroit opts for the relatively sure thing of Rachel Sporn.
   Later: Whoever can play.

5. L.A. Sparks: Scott's still there, and the Sparks still take her.
   Later: No change.

6. Cleveland Rockers: Reid's still there, and the Rockers still take her.
   Later: No change.

7. Charlotte Sting: Charlotte's got a solid club, so the gamble on Alicia Thompson isn't all that risky -- and she might just be a perfect fit for the Sting style.
   Later: Thompson may be versatile, but she can't play point. The hunt will continue.

8. Phoenix Mercury: Katrina Price isn't a classic shooter, but she will push Pettis. She also fits the athletic Mercury game.
   Later: Picking Price might make Phoenix look for some post depth earlier than if the Mercury had gotten Thompson.

9. New York Liberty: Nyree Roberts still makes sense.
   Later: No change.

10. Houston Comets: Time to gamble. How about 6-8 Russian Maria Stepanova? She's young, reasonably talented and she'll always be 6-8.
    Later: A two guard will move up on the priority list, but not much will be available by the time the Comets pick again.

4/27/98

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