The question of who the Chicago Bulls are going to pick first overall continues to hover over the NBA draft like Jerry Krause over a jelly donut.

With Lamar Odom falling out of everyone's favor due to his draft two-step the past few weeks, the spotlight has turned to Maryland's Steve Francis and Duke's Elton Brand.

Francis' stock has never been in question. His combination of explosive scoring ability, amazing ball-handling and knack for the spectacular play make him a measuring stick against the other point guards in the draft.

Brand has a measuring stick of his own to thank for his rise back up the charts -- a ruler. Many had speculated that he was closer to 6-foot-6 instead of the 6-8 he was listed as at Duke, which would have been a criticism the reigning college player of the year couldn't have escaped. Instead, Brand measured out at 6-8 without shoes or socks. With his 260-plus pound frame and a 9-foot-2 wingspan (roughly the same as a 7-footer), he should have ample size to play the power game in the NBA.

Francis has the chance to become the third Maryland player taken first overall (after John Lucas in 1976 and Joe Smith in 1995). Brand would be the first Duke player ever taken at No. 1. But that pressure may pale in comparison to what they'll face at Chicago in the post-Jordan era.

"If they pick me, I'll definitely be grateful and happy, but I'm not going to put all my eggs in one basket hoping a team selects me," Francis said. But the former ACC star said he isn't looking to become the next Jordan.

"I'm not following in his footsteps, I'll just be playing in the same place as he played," Francis said. "It would be nice for me, if I was there, to follow my idol."

A slight not sent
All indications out of Charlotte are that the Hornets will select UCLA point guard Baron Davis at No. 3, even though Davis hasn't worked out with the club.

That's not something to be worried about, Davis said. The workout with Charlotte just didn't fit into his schedule -- he wanted some time between his meetings with teams (Davis worked out for the Clippers, Lakers, Raptors, Timberwolves and Bulls), and by the time he figured out when he could go to Charlotte, it was too late.

Earlier, Davis had admitted that he wanted to play for his hometown Clippers (who have the No. 4 pick). Combined with his perceived brush-off of the Hornets, that added up to a perception that Davis didn't want anything to do with Charlotte.

"It was nothing against Charlotte," Davis said. "I would just prefer to play on the West Coast. My game is more suited to the (open-court style of the) Western Conference, and you get to go home more."

Davis, who played two years at UCLA, also went to high school in Southern California (Santa Monica's Crossroads High School.).