A draw of pingpong balls Sunday enhanced Allen Iverson’s chances of becoming the first point guard since Magic Johnson to be the No. 1 selection in the NBA draft.
The NBA’s 12th lottery handed the top pick in the June 26 draft to the Philadelphia 76ers, a franchise that needs a point guard and center. With no dominant center available – Massachusetts’ Marcus Camby is projected as a forward – the Sixers may be inclined to select a point guard.
Iverson, a Georgetown sophomore, and Georgia Tech freshman Stephon Marbury are the consensus choices as the top prospects at that position. Johnson was drafted No. 1 out of Michigan State in 1979, but he is 6-foot-9. The last conventional point guard chosen No. 1 was Maryland’s John Lucas, by the Houston Rockets in 1976.
Philadelphia is a franchise in transition. Under new ownership, the Sixers recently hired Brad Greenberg as their general manager and fired Lucas as their coach.
Philadelphia was 18-64 this season and became the first franchise in NBA history to post progressively worse records in six consecutive years. Vernon Maxwell was the team’s starter at the point for most of the season, but he is a free agent and is not expected to re-sign with the team.
The Sixers traded center Shawn Bradley and forward Sharone Wright during the season and obtained forward Derrick Coleman. Iverson’s backcourt mate in Philadelphia would be former North Carolina star Jerry Stackhouse, a friend of Iverson’s.
Iverson already has received one endorsement. Columnist Bill Lyon of the Philadelphia Inquirer said last week that the Sixers should draft Iverson.
”It has been a long time since the Sixers have had such a leader, had someone to put some carbonation in their water,” Lyon wrote. ”It has been a long time since the Sixers had someone to bring the people up out of their seats. Actually, it has been a long, long time since the Sixers have had somebody to put people `in’ the seats.
”Iverson already is a scorer; he can be taught to be a creator as well. What cannot be taught is the intangible he already possesses, which is a self-confidence bordering on arrogance.”
A second, more significant endorsement came Sunday night from Greenberg, who spoke glowingly of Iverson to an Associated Press reporter.
“I think anytime you talk about a player like Allen Iverson, you can’t help but see how electrifying he is,” said Greenberg, who was attending his son’s 10th birthday party and had to listen to the lottery on his car radio. “You’re impressed by how tremendously aggressive he is at both ends of the floor.
“He’s an explosive player who can dominate. I think Iverson has real good court vision and has good touch on his passes. I think if you surround him with good players I don’t have any doubt Allen Iverson can lead a team.”
If the Sixers, who are moving into a new arena next season, do not trade the No. 1 pick but pass on Iverson, he will likely drop to at least the third pick. The Toronto Raptors, who choose second, have Rookie of the Year Damon Stoudamire at the point.
The expansion Vancouver Grizzlies pick third, followed by the Milwaukee Bucks and Minnesota Timberwolves. None has a standout point guard. Vancouver starts Greg Anthony, Milwaukee has Sherman Douglas, and Minnesota starts Terry Porter.
Iverson, a Hampton native, would be the second consecutive No. 1 pick from the area. Joe Smith of Norfolk was selected No. 1 last year by the Golden State Warriors.
The NBA’s rookie salary cap mandates that this year’s No. 1 draft pick receive a three-year package worth between $7.8 million and $9.4 million. The No. 5 pick is entitled to a three-year deal worth between $5.1 million and $6.2 million.
”With the new rookie wage scale that limits the amount of money players can earn, it’s really not that critical whether he goes one or three or five,” said David Falk, Iverson’s agent. ”It’s more important he gets with a team that can use his unique skills.”
