FRANCHISE PLAYER?

He didn't go to college, but Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett
is the man to lead the NBA into the 21st century. At least
that's the answer we got when we asked one representative from
each of the league's 29 teams to name the player he would pick
if he were building a team for the year 2000. Garnett, the 6'11"
man-child who was drafted last year out of high school, received
10 votes to beat Pistons forward Grant Hill (seven) and Lakers
center Shaquille O'Neal (four), the only other players named on
more than one ballot.

In choosing Garnett over current MVP candidate Hill and O'Neal,
poll respondents pointed to his ability to defend big men inside
(at week's end he was the seventh-leading shot-blocker in the
league) yet run the floor like a small forward. Several also
mentioned his team-first attitude, and that at age 20 he may
just be scratching the surface of his potential. "In the next
three years his game is going to keep exploding," says Portland
assistant G.M. Jim Paxson. Adds veteran Hawks scout Gary
Wortman: "He can play three or four positions and not hurt his
team."

Other players mentioned included Magic guard Penny Hardaway,
Suns guard Jason Kidd, Bulls guard Michael Jordan (even though
he will be 37 by the 2000 Finals) and Wake Forest senior center
Tim Duncan.

--MARTY BURNS