http://www.nba.com/hornets/news/lichtandv_040621.html

June 21, 2004
Bob Licht & Gerry V’s Draft Thoughts


With the 2004 NBA Draft rapidly approaching, we thought we
should add yet another perspective when it comes to who the
Hornets should select with the 18th pick of the First Round.

For their take, we caught up with the Hornets radio team of
Bob Licht and Gerry Vaillancourt and asked them to let us
know what they think the Hornets will do with the 18th pick.


Bob Licht
Let me preface my pick(s) by stating that I believe trades
will play a major role in this year’s draft and could
involve the Hornets. But provided New Orleans keeps its first
round pick, I believe one theme will play out with the 18th
selection: athleticism.

The two positions the Hornets will look closest at improving
with their first pick are shooting guard and small forward.
Nevada's 6-6, 220 pound guard Kirk Snyder, whose strengths
are shooting/scoring as well as spectacular athleticism,
appears to be a good fit along side Baron Davis in the
backcourt. He not only leaps tall buildings in a single bound,
his potential as a solid defender helps sell him as solid pick.
He was the WAC Player of the Year and led the Wolfpack to a
surprising NCAA Tournament berth after averaging nearly 19
points per game. The biggest question is whether or not he'll
be available at #18. My guess is he will because of the
ever-expanding availability of quality high school and
European prospects.

My second-favorite player at this spot is St. Benedict's (NJ)
High Schooler J.R. Smith. Although it’s not my preference for
the Hornets to select a high school player in the first round
I believe Smith's such an amazing athlete, with such confidence
in his game that he could develop very quickly next to Baron
Davis and in a locker room with so many veterans. Smith is
built along the lines of Vince Carter, about 6-5 210. Before
officially declaring for the draft, he was heading to the
University of North Carolina.

If BOTH of those choices are gone at 18, I would lean towards
a European star named Sergey Monya. He's 6-7 220 from the
Russian National Team with a nice all-around game. He has an
above the rim game and can shoot. He played in the 2003 European
Championships. In my opinion he's the least-likely of these
three players to be left when the Hornets turn to pick comes
around.

Also keep in mind the Hornets shrewd move to "steal" point
guard prospect Alex Garcia off waivers from the San Antonio
Spurs prior to the draft. Garcia is certainly better than any
second round draft pick the Hornets will select and is possibly
one of the answers the team is looking for in upgrading their
overall athleticism.


Gerry Vaillancourt
One would only have to review the playoff series versus Miami
to tell you what direction the Hornets would like to go in
this years draft. Defensive preparation is so refined in the
playoffs. It makes it a must that teams have the talent to
create their own shot and put the ball on the floor and get to
the rim. When the ball is taken out of Baron Davis's hands, ask
yourself 'who can catch it and score in "broken play" situations?'

Secondly, on the defensive side of things, length and quickness
are a must. Ask the Lakers about facing long players with
defensive quickness and the theory explains itself.

The Hornets need length and quickness on both ends of the floor.
These two qualities create luck in other areas of the court.

A longer "swing" player that can score and/or length and quickness
on the frontline. The perfect frontline type would be a quick
"rotating" defender type. Quickness on the backside of a defense
is valuable. The Horents will address on of these areas with an
established player.