96-13: ZYDRUNAS ILGAUSKAS (drafted 20th overall by Cleveland)- This tall, fundamentally sound, 7'3" center from Lithuania spent the 96-97 season on the disabled list, so didnt really see his first action until the following year. When you think of tall guys like that, you think of long, lanky players like Rik Smits and Mark Eaton. However, Big Z is a stronger, more filled out center with the ability to get to the basket andget to the foul line. He is not the quickest center around, but dont kid yourself, he will get by defenders. He finished the '00-'01 season averaging 11.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.54 blocks per game.
03-13: NICK COLLISON (drafted 12th overall by Seattle)- This quiet 6'10" center plays his role over in Seattle and goes largely unnoticed. His numbers wont blow you away, averaging maybe ten points to go along with 9 rebounds a game, but make no mistakes, this kid has a great knowledge for the game and is a big part of a solid young core being put together in Seattle right now.
Edge: ZYDRUNAS ILGAUSKAS. With a big height advantage on most centers, and a good strength advantage on other players his height, Ilgauskas is a weapon. When healthy, the Cavs are not afraid to use his advantages.
96-14: LORENZEN WRIGHT (drafted seventh overall by Los Angeles)- This tough 6'10" center-forward combined with Lamond Murray and Loy Vaught to give the Clippers a very muscular frontcourt. Wright was more of a defensive minded player than offensive minded, but he still chipped in 12.4 points per game to go along with 7.5 rebounds per game. Wright, however, never managed to become the winning type, playing for a perennial sub-.500 team.
03-14: DARKO MILICIC (drafted second overall by Detroit)- Detroit did not really need a pick as high as second to get what they wanted. Of course the Pistons were aware that there were many other valuable players on the board, but they were a good team developing into a great team and did not need a costly player like Carmelo or D-Wade. They got 7'0" forward Darko Milicic from Serbia & Montenegro, and kept him on the bench mostly. Milicic did not get a chance to show what he can do until he was signed by Orlando. Darko still has not shown that he can be an all-star, but he has some upside to him. This past season he had 6.1 rebounds and 1.63 blocks per game.
Edge: LORENZEN WRIGHT. This is a tough call because neither player was spectacular, but both did do some good stuff. I would give the edge to Wright because he played more like a center-forward. Darko is now a center-forward also, but has not shown that he can play it like it is a natural position.
96-15: ERICK DAMPIER (drafted tenth overall by Indiana)- An aggressive 6'11" center, Dampier is best known for his defensive presence he brings. He helps clog the middle with his shot blacking and rebounding abilities. His statistics aren't going to win him any awards, but what you see on the court from him looks a lot more than the 7.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.35 blocks per game he averaged in '00-'01.
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