http://www.nola.com/hornets/t-p/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1087977523244370.xml Hornets looking to cash in again at No. 18 West, Magloire mined from that area of draft Wednesday, June 23, 2004 By Jimmy Smith Staff writer In the three decades since expansion has forced growth of the NBA draft, never has one team picked in the 18th position in the first round in successive seasons. Until now. Barring a move in Thursday night's draft, the Hornets will become the first team to make back-to-back selections in the 18th spot. "Does that mean that we get a bonus pick?" Hornets general manager Allan Bristow wondered this week. Not likely. What it does mean, however, is that the Hornets could be attempting to hit the jackpot for the second consecutive year by picking a player such as last year's first-round pick David West. It isn't that easy, of course. Historically, when a team chooses that low in the first round of a two-round draft, landing a player who can make a lasting contribution is the exception rather than the rule. The Hornets have gotten lucky twice recently. In 2000, the team chose center Jamaal Magloire with the 19th pick of the draft. Magloire has blossomed into one of the NBA's elite centers, and made his All-Star debut this past season. In his rookie season, it was evident West is a keeper. He averaged 3.8 points and 4.2 rebounds per game in the regular season. In the playoffs, West averaged 5.9 points and 4.3 rebounds. "You look at what has happened in the past, and you've got to make sure you've done your homework," said Bristow. "Look at David West. We feel very fortunate to have drafted him at 18 last year. Then you look at Big Cat (Magloire), and we've had two really good players who we've drafted right there in that range." Not everyone who has drafted in the 18th spot, though, has been as fortunate. Or as well-prepared. The roster of those selected at 18 in the first round isn't exactly a list of the NBA's greatest players. In the past 20 NBA drafts, the player chosen in that spot who has made the greatest impact was Joe Dumars. Dumars was selected by the Detroit Pistons 18th in 1985 and enjoyed a 14-year NBA career in which he averaged 16 points and helped the Pistons to championships in 1989 and 1990 before moving into the front office. This season, he built Detroit into a champion again. Several other notable players in the past two decades have been chosen 18th: Chicago's B.J. Armstrong (1989), Mark Jackson (Knicks, 1987) and Theo Ratliff (Detroit, 1995), who has become of the NBA's best shot-blockers. Yet, for every one of those rare success stories, there are two or three others who were forgettable choices: Tracy Murray, Luther Wright, LaBradford Smith, Rick Berry, Mark Alarie. "You've got to have luck," Bristow said, "but you've got to do your preparation work, too. It's rare to have 18 or 19 players in a draft make an impact. So someone in front of you has to make a mistake. "Without mistakes in front of you, it's difficult to succeed at the 18th or 19th spot. And I'm talking about a player the caliber of a David West or a Jamaal Magloire. There are always guys who fall through the cracks. But as a rule, it's not a high percentage. So there's got to be some mistakes in front of you." Bristow said the Hornets have identified about seven players they might be interested in at the 18th spot. "We've got a half dozen or so scenarios," Bristow said, "and they range in all different shapes and sizes, all with different birthdays. "We've got two high-schoolers, two international players, an underclassman and a couple of seniors." And for the second consecutive year, one chance to succeed in the same spot. . . . . . . . Jimmy Smith can be reached at [email protected] or (504) 826-3814. --

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