NEW YORK -- When it comes to the 2000 rookie class, you can't say the NBA didn't warn you.

	So far, Mike Miller is the biggest name to get moved by the deadline.

It's been as bad as advertised.

Back in June, the NBA's director of scouting, Marty Blake, issued a buyer-beware on the incoming class: "It's a developmental draft, what I would call a 'Stars of the Future' draft. Patience is the key now. More than ever, our teams will have to be willing to teach and develop these players and be willing to bring them along slowly."

Needless to say, it's been a very sloooooow go.

You've heard how rookies always hit the wall? This group isn't even good enough to get within the next county of the wall.

"Maybe the worst class in years," said one Eastern Conference VP. "They should cancel the Rookie All-Star Game."

If the players were picked for that exhibition game solely on merit, it couldn't be played. Somehow, we have the feeling that the league will still put on its "Rookie Challenge" in Washington next month. The challenge will be finding deserving participants.

Back in 1984, when Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley and John Stockton entered the league, that wouldn't have been a problem. Nor would it have been difficult the next year, when Patrick Ewing, Karl Malone, Joe Dumars and Chris Mullin came into the NBA.

Well gang, we're in an entirely different age now.

"Stars of the Future" sounded like a major stretch last summer. Now, it looks totally ridiculous.

Rookies can't shoot, don't know how to play and are fundamentally challenged. Otherwise, they're fine.

Have you checked the work of some of the leading rookies lately? We're already a quarter of the way into the season and Kenyon Martin, the No. 1 pick, is the heavy favorite to win the Rookie of the Year Award.

By default.

The only other rookie putting up decent numbers is Marc Jackson, the Warriors' 25-year-old power forward who couldn't even make Miami's team off his play in the summer. Jackson is playing 24 minutes a night, getting 10 points and five rebounds and shooting 52 percent from the field.

Martin has started every game for the Nets -- the only first-round pick to start night in and night out -- and is averaging 10.5 points, 7.1 rebounds and two blocks in 33 minutes per game. One scout's recent report on the Cincinnati product read: "Very average. Too small to be a power forward. Few low post skills. Byron Scott throws him a bone now and then. Has to get his points out of transition or when (Stephon) Marbury is in the mood to pass."

Seeing the Nets dying before his eyes again, Marbury isn't in the mood these days to do anything, except, perhaps, go off.

It could be worse for Marbury. He could have one of the other 28 first-round picks on his team. The second player taken was Stromile Swift, who, somehow, hasn't managed to crack that Hall of Fame lineup in Vancouver. In 28 games, Swift is averaging about 12 minutes, while putting up four points and two rebounds a night. Wow.

The third selection was Darius Miles, the East St. Louis, Ill., prep star. Miles is averaging 21.5 minutes and also putting up woeful numbers (7.6 ppg, 5.4 rebounds). He couldn't shoot a lick when he tried out for several teams before the draft, but he's shooting 49.7 percent. That's because every shot he's made has been just about a dunk. And his free throw shooting is worse.

You think the Bulls are happy now that they took Marcus Fizer, thereby blocking the Magic's bid to get Miles in a draft-day trade with the Clips? Fizer is playing only 21 minutes a game, putting up seven points and four rebounds a night and can't shoot (35 percent).

Mike Miller (Orlando) had his flashes, but they all came in preseason. Jamal Crawford (Chicago) can't even beat out a second-rounder, Khalid El-Amin. After a strong start, Desmond Mason (Seattle) has returned to earth (5.2 points on 40 percent shooting and 18 minutes per game). The Cavs aren't holding their breath to see how Chris Mihm (12 minutes per game, 5.1 points and 2.5 rebounds) fills the void left by Zydrunas Ilgauskas.

"That's the problem with these rookies," said Milwaukee's George Karl. "They're all ... well, I'm sure you can think of a word."

OK. How about, awful?

	Hill

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