http://www.nola.com/hornets/t-p/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1087802755237790.xml NBA draft loaded with some intrigue International players pique the interest of GMs, scouts Monday, June 21, 2004 By Benjamin Hochman Staff writer Latvia, the Eastern European country the size of West Virginia, has developed Andris Biedrins, and with his youthful exuberance and versatile post game, one NBA general manager Thursday could be spotted exclaiming, "Paldies!" ("Thank you" in Latvian.) So who is this Latvian LeBron James that many NBA personnel managers say will be a lottery pick in the NBA draft? The NBA measured Biedrins at 7 feet, accompanied with a 7 foot 1 ½ wingspan. This will complement the fact that he is a big man that actually wants to play where big men traditionally play, in the paint. This has a lot to do with, according to NBA scouting, the 19-year-old being more advanced defensively than offensively. With an uncanny leaping ability, and the aforementioned wingspan, he has the tools to develop into a fantastic post presence, and more specifically a shot blocker. But, just like so many young European players, his uniform number might as well read "?". His offensive prowess is suspect. And, in the era of sharp-shooting big men, he's hardly a long-range threat. "A couple of people have said, 'He doesn't shoot well from the 3-point line,' and I say, 'Why do you want a 7-footer out there shooting anyway?' " said Ryan Blake, the NBA's assistant director of scouting. "He's a power forward. Here's another guy on upside. I like lefties. He's a kid that is carrying a load of confidence right now because he's playing at a high level. I think if he gets on a team and gets an opportunity to play, he needs to carry that over. When you have young kids, international kids, you worry about that confidence level, because not only do you have the change of the level of play, but also the change of culture." The draft is splattered with numerous players that have "upside," a scout's code word for: "will probably spend two years sitting on the bench until he evolves into an NBA-ready player." International players are often given this label because so many are young and playing against a competition level that is not as rigorous as the NBA, or even the NCAA. But numerous international players have come out of the draft and developed into stars, and teams are excited to roll the dice -- just look at last year's draft when eight international players went in the first round. And so, here from across the water, is this year's crop. Along with Biedrins is Russia's Pavel Podkolzine, a 7-5 giant with an athletic body, also a probable lottery pick. Next up are two Russians and two Slovenians that are expected to find their way into guaranteed first-round money. Starring for Moscow's CSKA team are 6-8 Sergey Monya and 6-9 Viktor Khryapa, with Monya being the more polished. He is projected to go to in the mid-teens, and he reportedly is close with Utah All-Star Andrei Kirilenko. "He's a small forward that can play two positions, more of a slashing small forward," Blake said. "And he shot the ball extremely well from deep. He's a big-time player, young kid. I think the rumors have him going to Utah at No. 14." "He is a very athletic player, he runs the floor and shoots the ball well," Hornets general manager Allan Bristow said. "He's definitely positioned himself in the draft where he can go in the lottery, or all the way to 20." Khryapa, a skinny small forward who has dabbled with shooting guard, will be in town this week to work out for the Hornets. Slovenian Sasha Vujacic is an accurate shooter and is a combo guard who draws comparisons to Brent Barry. The Hornets already have worked him out. Countryman Beno Udrih is a pass-happy 6-4 point guard who increased his draft status by leading all players in assists at the NBA pre-draft camp. He is flirting with the bottom of the first round. Also, keep an eye on Puerto Rican 7-3 center Peter John Ramos and Brazilian 6-10 forward Anderson Varejao -- both will likely hear their names called late in the first round. . . . . . . . Benjamin Hochman can be reached at [email protected] or (504) 826-3405. --

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