1. Steve Francis, 6-3, junior, Maryland
Strengths: Best athlete of the point guards; a complete player, sensational in the open court. Can hit the deep 3-pointer or explode from the free-throw line extended for a jam, and has been consistent at the
line.
Weaknesses: Not sure which position is his, point or shooting guard. Questions over whether or not he can make the transition from being an open-floor point guard to settling in the halfcourt.
Quote: "We all will have to see how his game translates into halfcourt play, especially as a point." -- R.C. Buford, San Antonio Spurs director of scouting.
2. Baron Davis, 6-2, sophomore, UCLA
Strengths: He's a superior leader, with as much poise as anyone in the
draft. The most vocal of the point guards, he'll instantly command
respect. Davis, who has consistently made big shots in his career, rebounded
quicker than expected from his knee injury. He's also the best defender of
the group.
Weaknesses: Questions over the strength of his torn anterior cruciate ligament will follow him wherever he is picked. Davis may get a few knocks for being unable to keep UCLA focused during the season, and while he's a strong one-on-one defender, he's not known to be as good a team defender.
Quote: "How much room does he have to improve? He has to work on his decision making, too." -- Eric Musselman, Orlando Magic assistant and scout.
3. Andre Miller, 6-2, senior, Utah
Strengths: The best system point guard in the group. Rick Majerus schooled him in a style, and Miller stuck with it for four years. If a team picks him and is committed to a system, Miller's the man. He's the best
post-up point guard of the bunch, getting to the backboard and rebounding better than any of them. He maybe the best free-throw shooter. He's being compared to Indiana's Mark Jackson.
Weaknesses: Struggles on 3-pointers, and his overall, mid-range jumper game is a question. He can push the ball, but his strength lies in the halfcourt, not the full-court, game. His individual quickness, especially defensively, will be called into question.
Quote: "He is what you see. He's a solid point
guard and he doesn't need to be surrounded by good players. He's not dominant, but he competes." -- Musselman.
4. Jason Terry, 6-2, senior, Arizona
Strengths: The quickest of the point guards, Terry flourishes in the open court. His speed gets him to the spot for jumpers and 3-pointers. He's a better-than-average defender on the ball and has made big-time shots.
Weaknesses: He's more of a transition point guard, and it's
questionable whether he could handle being a playmaker, where patience is key. The problem is, the NBA is really only a halfcourt game. Terry who struggled when he wasn't in the lead role in his first two years, may have to adjust to a secondary job when he starts out in the NBA.
Quote: "His ability to get down the floor makes him a viable high pick. He can shoot it well and has the best speed." -- Larry Harris, Milwaukee Bucks director of player personnel.
5. William Avery, 6-2, sophomore, Duke
Strengths: Proved he could bury the deep 3-pointer and hit the pull-up, mid-range shot during Duke's run to the title game. His leadership at the point was praised once he was given the ball this season. He may have the most potential of the group, outside of Francis. Avery has always been an
aggressive scorer, especially in the halfcourt.
Weaknesses: Avery's the least known, which makes drafting him a gamble. He would be fifth in preparation for the NBA, after playing the point only one season at Duke. His shot selection is still an uncertainty, and that will have to change in the NBA. Handing over a team to Avery may not be the answer just yet.
Quote: "The one thing he can do is shoot the ball. He's the best shooter in this group, and he could end up playing some
shooting guard." -- Harris.