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Johnson No. 1 to Hornets, LaBradford Smith to Bullets

NEW YORK, JUNE 26 -- The Charlotte Hornets remained true to their word tonight, selecting Nevada-Las Vegas forward Larry Johnson with the first pick in the 1991 National Basketball Association draft. Then the New Jersey Nets decided that the boss was right, picking Georgia Tech point guard Kenny Anderson -- owner Joe Taub's choice -- over Syracuse forward Billy Owens and sending the crowd at Madison Square Garden into a frenzy over the standout from Queens.

Although the flip-flop of Anderson, a New York high school legend, and Owens was a bit surprising, the first six selections did follow form. The Sacramento Kings, who many believed craved Anderson, quickly snatched Owens at No. 3. Almost as quickly, the Denver Nuggets, who had the worst record in the NBA last season, selected former Georgetown star center Dikembe Mutombo.

Michigan State guard Steve Smith was picked by the Miami Heat at No. 5, with another Smith -- forward Doug from Missouri -- going to the Dallas Mavericks with the sixth choice.

With the seventh pick, the Minnesota Timberwolves took the first relatively uncertain quantity, New Mexico center Luc Longley, an Australian.

The Nuggets were back to pick again at No. 8, the selection they acquired in the Michael Adams deal with the Washington Bullets. Denver went for Temple guard Mark Macon. The Bullets wound up with the 19th pick, and opted for Louisville guard LaBradford Smith.

The Nuggets aren't exactly known for stopping opponents, but Mutombo, perhaps the most intimidating shot blocker in college, said: "I think I'm a great defensive player, I'll bring my defense with me. . . . I talked with the coaches and they said they need a rebounder, a shot blocker and someone to run the floor -- that's all they want."

The first move of the day was made by those lottery lifers, the Los Angeles Clippers, who sent the first of their two first round picks -- the ninth -- to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for veteran point guard Doc Rivers. The Hawks chose UNLV forward Stacey Augmon.

And when the New York Knicks tabbed Runnin' Rebels guard Greg Anthony at No. 12, it marked the first time three players from the same school had gone in the first dozen picks.

The Knicks thus laid the groundwork for some serious debates throughout the metropolitan area: Anderson or Anthony?

"I guess we'll be going at it a little bit," Anthony said. "But he's the number two pick -- he's supposed to come in and do it right away; I have to be a realist and play whatever role the Knicks want me to play -- even if it's only being a practice player."

The Kings' most glaring need is at point guard and if Nets Coach Bill Fitch and General Manager Willis Reed had had their way, Anderson would have undoubtedly been there at the third spot. However, Taub, casting an eye toward the sea of empty seats that predominated most New Jersey home games, overruled them. The crowd roared, bringing Anderson's mother, Joan, to tears.

"I feel kind of honored New Jersey picked me -- all the speculation was going toward Billy Owens; I know New Jersey had a tough choice," Anderson said. When asked if he could handle the pressure of playing in his home area, Anderson said: "That comes with the territory, the pressure of being in the spotlight. Coming up in New York you have to deal with it and I will deal with it."

Elsewhere in the first round, at No. 10 the Orlando Magic went for Arizona forward Brian Williams, the former Maryland Terrapin. The Golden State Warriors had three first-rounders, taking forward Chris Gatling of Old Dominion 16th, forward Victor Alexander of Iowa State 17th and Colorado forward Shaun Vandiver with the 25th pick.

The biggest fall in the first round belonged to former LSU center Stanley Roberts, who reportedly ballooned to over 300 pounds and plummeted from the lottery down to the Orlando Magic, who selected him 23rd. One of the biggest surprises came one pick earlier, the Clippers taking Syracuse center LeRon Ellis.

While Rivers was the biggest name dealt, the biggest rumor of the night wasn't much more stimulating. The Boston Celtics reportedly were interested in getting Southwestern Louisiana guard Kevin Brooks, taken by Milwaukee with the 18th pick, and offering guard Brian Shaw in return.

In a quirky announcement, the Bucks said they will be trading Brooks for an undisclosed player to an unnamed team. And Milwaukee also said it will part company with veteran center Jack Sikma.

Sikma, 35, a 14-year veteran, has played the last five seasons with the Bucks at a salary of $1.6 million per season.

The Bucks decided to buy out the option year on his contract, meaning they will have more than $1 million July 1 to spend on a newcomer in a trade. Salary caps do not expand until Aug. 1. Under a clause in Sikma's contract, Sikma immediately becomes a free agent.

Harris said Brooks has been informed he would be traded but wasn't told where.

"We don't tell him where he's going but we tell his agent he is going somewhere," Harris said.

The Warriors drafted guard Lamont Struthers from Division III Christopher Newport in the second round, then immediately traded his rights for the Portland Trail Blazers' 1995 and 1999 second-round picks.