KNICKS HIT BUMP
By MARC BERMAN
June 20, 2003 -- Pavel Podzokline, a 7-foot-5 Russian center, has vanished from the NBA Draft as quickly as he rose into lottery consideration.
Two days after being diagnosed with a pituitary-gland disorder and facing surgery, the 300-pound 18-year-old withdrew his name from Thursday's draft, saying he will return to his Italian team next season. Podzokline's decision shocked NBA GMs, went against his agent's wishes, and damaged the Knicks' draft status.
Before learning the news, Knicks GM Scott Layden said yesterday he had scheduled a second workout with the Russian battleship for next week. His withdrawal hurts the Knicks because not only won't they have a shot at him, but it's less likely Georgetown power forward Mike Sweetney or Central Michigan center Chris Kaman will drop to pick No. 9.
All three players were on Layden's wish list. Layden might have to trade up for a big man, revealing there was "a pick to be had" in the top 8, perhaps referring to No. 4 Toronto.
With the Knicks' priority for size, "Baby Shaq," Greece's 6-foot-9 Sofoklis Schortsianidis, who will work out Monday, and Nick Collison are back in the picture. The Knicks have yet to work out Kaman. His reps have been reluctant because they don't see the 7-footer dropping, but the Knicks received word yesterday he will work out for them Tuesday.
In an ESPN interview, Podzokline did not mention his medical issue, but he's been through a traumatic experience, dealing with a battery of tests.
"This is my decision; my agent wanted me to stay in the draft, but I think I will try again next year," he said.
Podzokline felt slighted by being called a project and was angered when his agent, Justin Zanik, could not get a guarantee from a team in the lottery, not surprising with the medical red flag. Zanik told The Post his client will be a top 3 pick next year, if not No. 1.
Layden said he never saw a player skyrocket like Podzokline in such a short span.
"After his Chicago workout, he went from 'who knows where he was going to be drafted' to right in the lottery," Layden said.
Yesterday, the Knicks worked out shooting guard Dwyane Wade, not a need position. In addition to the expected top 3 (LeBron James, Darko Milicic, Carmelo Anthony), Layden said he believes Chris Bosh and Wade won't drop either.
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The Knicks officially will announce hiring of Lon Kruger as their final assistant today.
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