Clippers Align With Global View in Seeking Talent

Clipper Coach Mike Dunleavy returned Friday from another European adventure that wasn’t a vacation.

He completed his second intercontinental trip in six weeks to evaluate foreign players before the June 28 draft in New York, doing his part for the organization’s efforts in Europe. The Clippers have the 12th and 32nd overall picks, so Dunleavy was busy working while overseas.

Today’s long scouting trip could help provide the difference for tomorrow’s NBA champion, so the Clippers participate in the global talent search.

“I also came over last year and the objective is the same: Keep following up on all these young players to see how they progress,” Dunleavy said. “You keep an eye on them to see if anybody kind of pops up and shows that they’re viable players who could potentially come in and help us. It’s always an interesting process.”

Dunleavy was among NBA player-personnel officials at the Reebok Euro Camp in Treviso, Italy. He attended the Euroleague Final Four in Moscow in May, and has also evaluated players in Croatia.

Although Dunleavy analyzes tapes and studies scouting reports, nothing duplicates observing players in person.

“The world has shrunk,” Dunleavy said. “It used to be a situation where some teams put the resources in [foreign scouting], and then they were the ones ahead of the curve. They were able to go out and find players, and they’re the ones who have been helped a great deal.

“Now, all the teams are scouring the leagues trying to find that guy who’s the right fit for them. San Antonio is the perfect example

Call it, “Keeping up with the Popoviches.”

Gregg Popovich, Spur president and coach, selected star point guard Tony Parker from France at No. 28, the last pick of the first round in 2001. Star guard Manu Ginobili, from Argentina, joined San Antonio in 2003 after being chosen 57th in 1999.

“You look at Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili,” Dunleavy said. “Those guys, in particular, have really helped put them where they’re at right now.”

Finding star-caliber talent in Europe isn’t easy, though, and Dunleavy said some European teams have further complicated the process by “hiding kids. They don’t play them big minutes, sometimes they won’t play them at all, particularly if they see an NBA team in there watching.

“In some cases it really does make it tough. You have to be in the right place at the right time to see somebody. If you’re fortunate enough to do that then maybe you can gain an edge on everybody else. It’s an interesting game of hide-and-seek.”

The Clippers drafted guard Marko Jaric, from Serbia and Montenegro, with a second-round pick (No. 30) in the 2002 draft. Jaric’s scoring, rebounding, assists and steals averages have increased each season.

This season, he averaged 9.9 points, 6.1 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 1.68 steals.

“We’ve made a commitment and we have a presence,” Dunleavy said. “The organization has a terrific full-time scout [in Europe] who sees games all year long, and other people come over to see them too.

“This is an opportunity for me to follow up with them. They all kind of tear it down for me, and I come in and take a look and see if we think any of these guys make sense for us.”

Clipper starting forwards Elton Brand and Corey Maggette are each under contract for four more seasons. Center Chris Kaman, who started 50 of his 63 games this season, had his contract extended Thursday through the 2006-07 season.

Forward Bobby Simmons, the NBA’s most improved player this season, and guard Kerry Kittles are due to become unrestricted free agents July 1.

“Come the 12th pick in the draft, we can take the best player that we feel is there for us and fill other needs via free agency,” Dunleavy said. “We also think that we have a chance to fill a need at 32, and every team now goes wherever it believes it can find the right players.

“You’re continually looking everywhere and hoping that you find something that becomes a fit. But the main thing is to gain that knowledge and to be prepared, so that if somebody is there that you like, you’re able to pull the trigger on them.”

*

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)

NBA Draft

The Milwaukee Bucks, who had a 6.3% chance of obtaining the first selection, will have the first overall pick in the NBA draft, which will be held in New York at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on June 28. The order:

*--* No. Team No. Team 1. Milwaukee 31. Atlanta 2. Atlanta 32. Clippers-g 3. Portland 33. New Orleans 4. New Orleans 34. Utah 5. Charlotte 35. Portland 6. Utah 36. Milwaukee 7. Toronto 37. Lakers-h 8. New York 38. Toronto 9. Golden State 39. Lakers 10. Lakers 40. Golden State 11. Orlando 41. Orlando 12. Clippers 42. Clippers 13. Charlotte-a 43. New Jersey 14. Minnesota 44. Orlando-i 15. New Jersey 45. Philadelphia 16. Toronto-b 46. Indiana 17. Indiana 47. Minnesota 18. Boston 48. Seattle-j 19. Memphis 49. Washington 20. Denver-c 50. Boston 21. Phoenix-d 51. Utah-k 22. Denver 52. Denver 23. Sacramento 53. Boston-l 24. Houston 54. New York-m 25. Seattle 55. Seattle 26. Detroit 56. Detroit 27. Utah-e 57. Phoenix-n 28. San Antonio 58. Toronto-o 29. Miami 59. Atlanta-p 30. New York-f 60. Utah-q

*--*

* KEY--a-from Cleveland; b-from Philadelphia through Denver and New Jersey; c-from Washington through Orlando; d-from Chicago; e-from Dallas; f-from Phoenix through San Antonio; g-from Charlotte; h-from New York through Atlanta and Charlotte; i-from Cleveland; j-from Memphis; k-from Chicago through Houston; l-from Sacramento; m-from Houston; n-from Dallas through New Orleans; o-from Miami; p-from San Antonio; q-from Phoenix.