[delfamParticipant]

They draft combine is currently going on(espn3.com), and this thread is for official discussion. Just starting watching it but will put my observations in later.

[sheltwon3Participant]

I am watching it and there is this kid from London that is going to be nice but he may leave and come out next year which is a weaker draft for power forwards. Craig Bractkins is looking good. Eric Bledsoe looks like he will move up to top 13. Dude from Radford looks like a late 2nd rounder. I missed a lot but I will watch it tomorrow. I did not know it was up until i stumbled across it. This draft is looking really really deep.

[The8thDeadlySinParticipant]

Is there a live blog or anything like that where they are posting results of the Vert and stuff? Or their impressions thus far?

[Aran SmithKeymaster]

We will post a recap of our thoughts from day 1 soon. We are reviewing it. Way too much talking and not nearly enough shots of players actually working out. Disappointing…

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

Is the dude from the UK. I did not see the combine, but I saw a video on ESPN about him being impressive. I remember hearing about him and seeing him when he was only 15, he practiced with the Nike Hoop Summit team and even got to play in the game, youngest player ever in the Hoop Summit. He is big and I hear he has a nice skill set, I wondered why he was not considered a more highly regarded prospect due to his skill and size combination. I could definitely see him pulling out and getting more buzz come next year, though it is a little dangerous, but I am glad that Richards has turned into a solid player after showing so much promise when he was a scrawny 15 year old from England.

[OldSkoolBasketballParticipant]

too bad espn doesn’t treat the nba combine like the nfl.

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

Become a media circus? I mean, it seems like a select few workout and show what they have to maybe more people they would in a private or team work out session, but I remember when Chicago was a place to boost your draft stock by playing rather than just measurements and testing. I think interviews are important, but I think the psychological questions that these players are asked should of course be confidential and not media fodder. I still think it is cool to know things like players actual heights and verticals, and the speed portion is somewhat cool too, but I do not know how much stock you can give it. I remember being surprised at how similar OJ Mayo and Derrick Rose were as far as athleticism went, but at the same time I always believed Rose was the much better athlete. Same goes for Russell Westbrook, who may be a better athlete than either of the previous two mentioned but jumped a much lower vert than either one. Than, with Tyreke Evans last year, I was surprised his max vert was below 36 (like 34.5) and I just do not think it matters whatsoever due to his strength and overall skill level.

I just wonder how much basis these tests have. It seems like guys used to rise and fall with them, but it is getting to the point where I think they begin to matter less and less. Besides, I think many a time players just work on these tests, only to stop working in preparation for them and probably losing some of that ability over the years. Or, if a player maybe does not do well during that one day (Because it is just one day), how are we too know they were not having an off day, or did not truly max out. How are we to know that player is going to get better as an athlete, or just knows how to use his speed to change tempo. By a lane agility test? I doubt it, but while I still think the combine is fun, and a way of trying to see what a player brings to the table, I would like to know how their vertical is after playing 40 minutes of a game that is within 3 points in that games final minute. To me, if a player has conditioning and true elite athleticism, than those are the superstars that shine in the clutch and that conditioning separates the best from the rest. Do we get to see that at the combine?

[JNixonParticipant]

Man I missed it? I guess I’ll watch it tonight

[chibulls88Participant]

I think the vert and other measureables are later in the combine. Today was just drills for the players.

[Mr. BasketballParticipant]

apparently paul george was VERY impressive and chad ford said he could end up going as high as #5.

[JNixonParticipant]

Paul George is the most slept on player in this draft. He can be a big-time scorer. He knows how to put the ball in the nets. And he’s athletic too.

[HROT88Participant]

Whats a good comparison for Paul George, Iggy? Rudy Gay?

[Mr. BasketballParticipant]

Danny Granger maybe. hes a very good shooter

[McWinningParticipant]

He reminds me a lot of Danny Granger. I hope Portland picks him up, he could be a nice backup, especially if Rudy leaves.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

I think #5 is too high for George, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the Kings picked him. They’ve been known for sort of making surprise picks. Nobody expected them to pick Jason Thompson… And people were shocked when they picked Evans over Rubio.

[OldSkoolBasketballParticipant]

yea thats what I said about Paul George. I want Portland to draft him and he has a Granger type of game but some Blazer fans thinks he’s selfish.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

Is there anymore room for another wing on Portland? There’s already a log jam right now.

I think Portland needs a young backup four or five. I like Cunningham, but he’s undersized. Pendergraph is tough, but I’m not sold on him.

[OldSkoolBasketballParticipant]

Well I’m not a fan of Rudy so if he gets traded I would draft George. The bigs that I’m seeing are good defensively but doesn’t have a legit post move. I don’t want another big that can’t score or only shoots outside jumpers.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

They need a backup big who’s the complete opposite of LaMarcus Aldridge lol. He must be a banger and be able to rebound and score a little with his back to the basket. If they get that… He might end up playing more than Aldridge.

I’ve heard that Rudy could be traded or return to Spain. IF that happens, I think George would be a good pick up. IF not though… They’d just be adding another player to a crowded wing position.

[sheltwon3Participant]

Portland has too many wings they do need a bk up power forward though peferably a banger. Paul George could knock Aminu down a lil. Danny Granger is not that athletic and from what I hear about George he is very athletic.

[OldSkoolBasketballParticipant]

yea I want the Blazers to have a Paul Millsap type of player.

[ItsVictorOladipoParticipant]

If George’s stock is really rising that high maybe he would be a good fit for the Clippers…

[marcusfizer21Participant]

PaulGeorge is a very interesting prospect to watch… He’s projected to be at the mid-lotto part but if he drops at 17 with the Bulls, I’ve got no problem with him teaming with Rose and Noah…LOL

[Mr. BasketballParticipant]

ItsDwightHoward: thats what i thought at first glance but we’ll see. they won’t take him unless he is very impressive in all workouts + aminu is gone. however, i could definitely see it happening. i’ve heard granger, mcgrady, ariza and others, should be fun to watch his stock.

[JNixonParticipant]

The Clippers have Travis Outlaw, who has all the same strengths and weaknesses as George. Maybe Outlaw doesn’t want to play for the Clippers though. That’d be the only way they should even consider him.

[Mr. BasketballParticipant]

outlaw is leaving because they want to use that money at better FA wing like rudy gay, LBJ, or JJ.

[Lodzio20Participant]

George shot like Granger but run and jump better than Rudy Gay!!

[JNixonParticipant]

The camera people for this are terrible.

ESPNU had the same terrible coverage one of the AAU events I watched last summer too. They talk too much and focus in on 1 guy too much when this combine is about at least 45 guys. I love Lance Stephenson as a prospect but they’ve had the camera glued to him the entire time basically.

[JNixonParticipant]

John Wall looks impressive as expected.

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