NBA "Combine" Today

by MPG on May 27, 2008 8:48 AM CDT

So today the NBA pre-draft camp begins: sure-fire stars will rise like Jamal Crawford, or demonstrate their crippling lack of strength like Kevin Durant, or their unstoppable length ala Saer Sene. Players will be "freakish" and "jaw-dropping," and NBA scouts will inevitably "drool," and all of us will be vaguely nauseated by the process of poking and prodding even as we read on. Scouts will be seen conspiring with GMs; promises will (supposedly) be made and broken. We know the deal.

Still, it's interesting this year, especially if you're a Bulls fan. Is Beasley undersized or not, and does his reach compensate? Can Derrick Rose actually touch the rim with his chin? Judging from the posts we think these things matter, so tune in to www.draftexpress.com to find the data on the standing reach, shuttle-run, and bench-press of hundreds of players who will never wear a Bulls uni. Or any uni.

There's other intrigue, too. Has Kevin Love shed the pounds and become the player we always sorta kinda wanted? Is Bill Walker "Sky-Walker" again? How do DeAndre Jordan's numbers stack up to the player he's so often and crazily compared to, Dwight Howard?

Personally, I think these numbers do matter in the sense that while there are plenty of phenomenal athletes who can't play a lick, it's rare to find dominant modern-era NBA player who isn't phenomenal athlete. Of course the "class ranks" are a joke (D.J. Strawberry is apparently more athletic than Oden, Durant, Yi, Conley, and Noah), but at least this will help us answer some specific questions. And questions that arose, hopefully, from actually watching the players play.

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The interview session

should be interesting, too. I’d like to get some Michael Beasley, In His Own Words.

Dum spiro spero! (While there is life, there’s hope!)--Leon Trotsky

by alec on May 27, 2008 10:47 AM CDT reply actions

I'm psyched for it,

just to have new information to argue about here. And of course, new stuff to read elsewhere. Apparently, I’m an addict.

Here's to the most exciting offseason in a VERY long time!

by wjb1492 on May 27, 2008 11:05 AM CDT reply actions

When will the so-called "measurables" become

publicly available?

LSU 38 OHIO STATE 24 - LSU IS THE NATIONAL CHAMPION AND I AM THE KING OF BOURBON STREET!!

by 1958ChiTown on May 27, 2008 11:38 AM CDT reply actions

I haven't seen a specific timetable.

The camp starts tomorrow and runs one week. My guess is the guys from draftexpress will want to get the numbers scoop out there as quickly as they can.

Dum spiro spero! (While there is life, there’s hope!)--Leon Trotsky

by alec on May 27, 2008 11:42 AM CDT up reply actions

Same here

they’ll post it as soon as they get it. It’s there bread and butter.

The poster formerly known as Freethefro.

by MPG on May 27, 2008 2:01 PM CDT up reply actions

Some workout updates are up:

and draftexpress has some interesting – and in my opinion telling – input on a few of the progress:

“Clearly the most impressive workout of any of the 15 players belonged to Derrick Rose. Not so much for what he showed, but mostly just for what he is. He got up and down the floor fluidly and smoothly, covering tons of ground with each and every stride, and looked excellent changing speeds and operating skillfully with both hands in the ball-handling drills. His athleticism is nothing short of stunning, starting with his phenomenal first step, his ability to change gears, and his incredible explosiveness finishing around the basket. He came out with a business-like approach, and left no doubt about just how unique his talent-level and physical tools are. A nice bonus was the way he shot the ball, hitting more than one NBA 3-pointer and looking solid from mid-range as well.”

Check out the full deal, including some weird/foolish behavior by Beasley, here:

www.draftexpress.com/article/NBA-Pre-Draft-Camp,-Day-Four-2905/

The poster formerly known as Freethefro.

by MPG on May 31, 2008 7:55 AM CDT reply actions

a few of the PLAYERS

The poster formerly known as Freethefro.

by MPG on May 31, 2008 7:56 AM CDT up reply actions

Are these guys watching the same workouts???

Read the draft express link by MPG. Then read the ESPN summary here: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2008/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&page=Orlandostockwatch080531

A few examples I found perplexing:
DraftExpress says Rose was clearly the most impressive. ESPN says he was only respectable.
DraftExpress says Beasley shot the ball “just decently” and acted like a fool. ESPN says he drained 3 after 3 after 3 and “shot as well as any prospect here”.
DraftExpress says Anthony Randolph was “completely unable” to hit a midrange or long range jumper, is “incredibly skinny”, and left a lukewarm impression. ESPN says he “shot the ball much better than expected”, looked like he had gained some weight, and was a top 5 prospect.

I’m sure there are other examples beyond these.

Is it possible for opinions to differ so dramatically? Really? To the point where one observer sees someone making jumpers and another sees the same player missing them? I feel like I could write my own draft summary without even being on site and have as much credibility. Are agent influences at work here? Or is this just another instance of covering the NBA while tripping?

John Paxson has been like family to me. I can no more disown him than I can disown my white grandmother, who also was unable to pull off any deals for superstar free agents or hire a top-notch coach.

by preverbal on May 31, 2008 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions

This threw me for a loop as well

at first I thought they were literally writing in response to different workouts. Very weird.

The poster formerly known as Freethefro.

by MPG on May 31, 2008 11:23 AM CDT up reply actions

lol - the differences are pretty interesting.

And then you add in all the comments about the workouts not even really counting for some teams, due to it not being in a competition setting.

Here's to the most exciting offseason in a VERY long time!

by wjb1492 on May 31, 2008 7:46 PM CDT up reply actions

Same here

it seemed like ESPN didn’t mind Beasley’s antics, found them playful and harmless. DraftExpress saw it as foolish and harmful to his prospects. And ESPN just loved his NBA 3-point shooting ability, which DraftExpress didn’t mention.

Also, Ford wasn’t a huge fan of Rose’s workout – saying his jumpshot was suspect.

Also I was surprised to see how well Kevin Love shot the ball – he was stroking it better than Joe Alexander. And Alexander’s always been at least a good midrange shooter. You can’t take too much from the shooting performances here, because of the lack of sample size. But it’s still interesting to see how Love performed: he’s shed weight, displayed his strength, and has a sweet J.

I’m no huge fan of Kevin Love, but you have to take note of this workout. There’s nothing wrong with having a big man who lacks athleticism, but can change the game in other ways. And there’s always a huge need for these players in the NBA.

by swede2287 on Jun 1, 2008 11:02 AM CDT up reply actions