The 2014 NBA Combine

The NBA Combine will begin this Wednesday in Chicago.  The following article talks about it, what to expect and not expect coming out of it.  Quite frankly, it isn't what it used to be and, if the biggest insight to be gained is from the interviews, then the Combine is mostly crap (Witness how Royce White downplayed, at the Combine 2 years ago, his fear of flying).  They'll all be coached by their agents as to what to say and how to say it, like lawyers prepping their clients for the witness stand.

Nevertheless, it is a legit NBA event, the last one before the lottery one week from Tuesday, on 5/20, and will provide us with final measurements on these still-growing underclassmen who are being sold as world-beaters.

This will be the consolidated thread for this event.


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http://bostonherald.com/sports/celtics_nba/boston_celtics/2014/05/celtics_dont_have_much_to_learn_with_limited_exposure


Sunday, May 11, 2014
By:  Mark Murphy



There used to be a fringe quality to the NBA’s draft combine in Chicago.

The actual on-court workouts featured 5-on-5 scrimmaging. Potential draftees could be measured against each other in team situations.

And the off-site workouts could be legendary. Who can forget when Pavel Podkolzin, a 7-foot-5 Siberian, performed a one-man workout for NBA scouts and general managers in 2003 and generated a miniature storm with athleticism befitting a player 10 inches shorter.

He withdrew from consideration because of a pituitary disorder, was drafted 21st by Utah in 2005 and immediately was traded to Dallas, where he played six games in two seasons. For all his physical gifts, the oversized center simply couldn’t play at the NBA level.

There still are side workouts in Chicago, virtually always featuring one player competing against air. But thanks to a tightening of the format by the NBA and the creeping vigilance of agents to protect their clients, this showcase at the Moody Bible Institute has lost a lot of its unpredictability.

The four-day event Danny Ainge and his Celtics personnel staff will scout starting on Wednesday no longer reveals anything new beyond actual player heights, wing spans and jumping ability. And 30-minute player interviews.

The Celtics, who currently have the fifth-best odds of landing the top pick in the June 26 draft, will have their most exclusive dance card since 2007 in that regard. The material they can gather this week simply is limited compared to what was available 10 years ago.

“It’s just not as informative as it used to be,” Ainge said. “You’re not going to see people playing 5-on-5 anymore. A lot of players aren’t going to work out at this, the way it goes right now.”

Players attend the combine on an invitation-only basis, and there always seems to be a handful who turn down the opportunity because of personal reasons.

Medical testing, drills, measurements, team interviews and media availability all are on the docket, and naturally team personnel bosses walk away wanting more.

Agents might never be more in charge than during the next five weeks leading up to the draft, and that iron grip starts in Chicago.

There always is an opponent out there who is a bad matchup, and the agent’s goal is to prevent this kind of head-to-head workout from happening.

The same protocol will exist once teams start scheduling individual workouts. Players who hope to climb the draft board typically will work out as much as possible.

But the Celtics are drafting in a different group this summer, with their worst-case scenario the eighth pick. Lottery targets, and especially those with a fear of sliding down the board, have a far greater reluctance to step on stage.

Players who expect to go in the top three — Joel Embiid, Jabari Parker and Andrew Wiggins — might refuse a workout request from the fourth team on the board. A top-five player might turn down a request to go head-to-head against a lower-rated player in the same positional group.

But those who show up to audition win points with a general manager like Ainge.

“Every year is a little different,” he said. “It almost seems like it’s become a status thing with the way it is right now. It’s like some players are saying, ‘I don’t have to work out there, so I won’t.’

“So you’re probably not going to be able to tell much more about the top players in Chicago, unless they show up completely out of shape. But I like the kids who show up and do the work. I just like the kids who have a love for the game and show up with a desire to show that to people.

“We’re dealing with a lot of young kids here, so there’s the potential to learn something new every time. In Chicago you don’t learn all that much, other than what they’ve been doing in their conditioning programs since the season ended.”

The NBA, still miles behind the NFL in terms of standardized procedures, is still more informal in the interview process.

“We haven’t gone to the Wonderlic test,” Ainge said. “We only get a half-hour with each guy, so you try to find out how they talk about themselves, how they look at their career. What could have gone better your last year in college? We’ll talk about a player’s injury history.”

Even here, though, the benefit is limited. A good agent has coached his client on this process, as well. Memorable interviews are limited.

“To tell you the truth, I don’t remember all that much from our interviews with Jared (Sullinger) and Kelly (Olynyk),” Ainge said of his most significant rookies from the past two years. “The thing to remember is that all players are getting advice from their agents. A big thing this week will be us trying to schedule workouts.”

Even that part of the process, of course, doesn’t carry a guarantee.



bob



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http://sports.yahoo.com/news/joel-embiid--jabari-parker-planning-to-skip-nba-predraft-combine-183451625.html



Joel Embiid, Jabari Parker planning to skip NBA predraft combine
Adrian Wojnarowski By Adrian Wojnarowski
3 hours ago
Yahoo Sports





Kansas' Joel Embiid and Duke's Jabari Parker – two potential No. 1 overall picks in the NBA draft – will not attend next week's predraft combine in Chicago, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

Teams were furnished with a list in recent days of players planning to participate in the combine, and the absence of Embiid and Parker could further raise questions among front-office executives about the players' health and conditioning.

Ultimately, this is a way for elite players to control how many teams have information on their medical history. While most top prospects don't participate in the basketball elements of the combine, most make themselves available for physicals to be distributed to the 30 NBA teams.

"To be honest," one general manager told Yahoo Sports, "I'm surprised more guys don't do this. It's the only thing they can really control."

Embiid, Parker and Kansas forward Andrew Wiggins are DraftExpress.com's top three prospects and virtually every NBA executive expects them to go 1-2-3 in some combination in the draft.


If Embiid and Parker don't go to Chicago and take physicals to be distributed to teams, they can later selectively choose teams with which to take physicals once the draft lottery order is set – or hire doctors to conduct physicals and distribute them to teams.

Embiid and Parker are both represented by Arn Tellem and B.J. Armstrong of Wasserman Media Group.

"They may have to do multiple physicals now," one NBA general manager told Yahoo Sports. "It's more of a concern about Embiid than Parker, given [Embiid's] back issues."

Embiid, a 7-footer from Kansas, is still recovering from season-ending back surgery, and high-lottery teams will be anxious to have him examined by their own physicians. Embiid suffered a stress fracture in his lower back, but expectations have been that he's on his way to a full recovery.

Embiid hasn't been cleared for full-contact workouts, but has been on the court shooting in recent weeks, sources said. Ultimately, Tellem and Armstrong can simply be waiting for Embiid's back to further heal before exposing him to physicals. With Embiid a potential No. 1 overall pick, Tellem could simply allow the team with the overall top choice to examine him later – or perhaps let the Nos. 1 and 2 teams do it.

Parker, a 6-foot-8 forward, suffered a fractured foot in the summer of 2012, but his senior year of high school and All-American season at Duke have more than eased teams' concerns about his long-term fitness. Parker will be willing to take physicals for the top teams in the lottery later, a source briefed on his plans told Yahoo Sports.

The predraft combine begins on Wednesday.



bob



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Wiggins isn't showing up either.


bob


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Well, at least the Combine can provide a few tidbits to supplement the playoffs in keeping interest in the NBA alive.

Sam

Here is the list of players that will be attending the Combine and those who were not invited or are choosing to not attend.

http://www.draftexpress.com/article/2014-NBA-Combine-Participant-List-4509


2014 NBA Combine Participant List
by: DraftExpress
May 12, 2014
A list of the 60 players participating at the NBA Combine in Chicago May 14-18

Jordan Adams UCLA
Kyle Anderson UCLA
Thanasis Antetokounmpo Delaware (D-League)
Isaiah Austin Baylor
Jordan Bachynski Arizona State
Cameron Bairstow New Mexico
Khem Birch UNLV
Alec Brown Wisconsin Green Bay
Jabari Brown Missouri
Markel Brown Oklahoma State
Deonte Burton Nevada
Jahii Carson Arizona State
Semaj Christon Xavier
Jordan Clarkson Missouri
Aaron Craft Ohio State
DeAndre Daniels Connecticut
Spencer Dinwiddie Colorado
Cleanthony Early Wichita State
Melvin Ejim Iowa State
Tyler Ennis Syracuse
Dante Exum Australia
C.J. Fair Syracuse
Aaron Gordon Arizona
Jerami Grant Syracuse
P.J. Hairston Texas (D-League)/UNC
Gary Harris Michigan State
Joe Harris Virginia
Rodney Hood Duke
Cory Jefferson Baylor
Nick Johnson Arizona
DeAndre Kane Iowa State
Sean Kilpatrick Cincinnati
Alex Kirk New Mexico
Zach LaVine UCLA
Devyn Marble Iowa
James McAdoo North Carolina
K.J. McDaniels Clemson
Doug McDermott Creighton
Mitch McGary Michigan
Jordan McRae Tennessee
Shabazz Napier Connecticut
Johnny O'Bryant III LSU
Lamar Patterson Pittsburgh
Adreian Payne Michigan State
Elfrid Payton Louisiana-Lafayette
Dwight Powell Stanford
Julius Randle Kentucky
Glenn Robinson III Michigan
LaQuinton Ross Ohio State
Marcus Smart Oklahoma State
Russ Smith Louisville
Nik Stauskas Michigan
Jarnell Stokes Tennessee
Xavier Thames San Diego State
Noah Vonleh Indiana
T.J. Warren North Carolina State
Kendall Williams New Mexico
C.J. Wilcox Washington
James Young Kentucky
Patric Young Florida


Underclassmen/Int'l Early-Entrants Not Attending/Invited:

Andrew Wiggins Kansas
Joel Embiid Kansas
Jabari Parker Duke
Dario Saric Cibona
Jusuf Nurkic Cedevita
Clint Capela Chalon
Kristaps Porzingis Sevilla
Vasilije Micic Mega Vizura
Artem Klimenko Avtodor Saratov
Damien Inglis Roanne
Nikola Jokic Mega Vizura
Rasmus Larsen Manresa
Nedim Buza KK Spars
Adin Vrabac KK Spars
Marcus Eriksson Manresa
Mateusz Ponitka Oostende
Eric Moreland Oregon State
Sim Bhullar New Mexico State
Roscoe Smith UNLV
Chane Behanan Louisville
Jakarr Sampson St. John's


NCAA Seniors and Int'l Draft-Eligibles Not Attending/Invited:

Bogdan Bogdanovic Partizan
Walter Tavares Gran Canaria
Alessandro Gentile Milano
Viktor Gaddefors Virtus Bologna
Ondrej Balvin Sevilla
Cristiano Felicio Minas
Maximilian Kleber Wuerzburg
Keith Appling Michigan State
Juvonte Reddic VCU
Andre Dawkins Duke
Joe Jackson Memphis
Michael Dixon Memphis
Justin Jackson Cincinnati
Justin Cobbs California
Mike Moser Oregon
Josh Huestis Stanford
Cameron Clark Oklahoma
Troy Huff North Dakota
Javon McCrea Buffalo
Richard Solomon California
Tarik Black Kansas
Geron Johnson Memphis
Billy Baron Canisius
James Bell Villanova
Akil Mitchell Virginia
Aaric Murray Texas Southern
Kendrick Perry Youngstown State
Josh Davis San Diego State
Sam Dower Gonzaga
Trevor Releford Alabama
Markel Starks Georgetown
Talib Zanna Pittsburgh
Davion Berry Weber State
Taylor Braun N Dakota State
Davante Gardner Marquette
Ronald Roberts Saint Joseph's
Chad Posthumus Morehead State
Jeronne Maymon Tennessee
Jerrelle Benimon Towson
Jamil Wilson Marquette
Jake Odum Indiana State
Scottie Wilbekin Florida
Niels Giffey Connecticut
Fuquan Edwin Seton Hall
Bryce Cotton Providence
Casey Prather Florida
Shayne Whittington Western Michigan
Daniel Miller Georgia Tech


bob



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I don't suppose the telecast any of it?

Sam

ESPNU and ESPN2 will  televise 10 hours of live  2014 NBA Draft Combine coverage from Quest Multi-Sport Complex in Chicago, Ill. on Thursday, May 15, and Friday, May 16. Both days, ESPNU will televise three hours of coverage from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET, while ESPN2 will provide coverage from 1 to 3 p.m. The NBA Draft Combine will also be available via WatchESPN.

Ryen Russillo (ESPN Radio’s SVP & Russillo) will host NBA Draft Combine coverage with ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Williams, ESPN NBA analyst Tom Penn, ESPN college basketball analyst and International basketball expert Fran Fraschilla, ESPN NBA Insider Chad Ford and ESPN college basketball reporter Andy Katz. In addition, ESPN.com’s Chris Forsberg and David Thorpe will be reporting on site.

NBA Draft Combine coverage will include interviews with players, coaches, scouts and team executives. NBA Draft Combine viewers will also get an inside look at how the expected top draft picks fare in several skills challenges, including Vertical Leap, Lane Agility Drill and ¾ Court Sprint as well as shooting and shuttle drills.

Additional features include a Bottom Line scroll of statistical measurements, virtual graphics, on-court demonstrations and flashbacks to notable performers at past combines. Highlights will also be included in various SportsCenter segments.


bob


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http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4712833/combine-another-piece-of-scouting-puzzle


Combine limited in how it helps C's
Ainge focuses on player chats and his own measuring tools as NBA draft nears
Updated: May 14, 2014, 6:17 PM ET
By Chris Forsberg | ESPNBoston.com




The NBA's annual draft combine has flown under the radar in these parts in recent years. The league's biggest pre-draft soiree has typically been overshadowed by the Boston Celtics' postseason forays and the fact that the Green have often been picking at the back end of the first round because of that on-court success.

A 57-loss transition season leaves Boston with a 10.3 percent chance of landing the top overall selection in June's draft, and there's a lot more interest in this year's event, which tips off Wednesday (with ESPN devoting a total of 10 hours of TV coverage when media access is open Thursday and Friday).

Alas, those in the know downplay the overall significance of the Chicago combine. As Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge is quick to point out, it's simply the next step in evaluating prospects whom his staff have been tracking through months -- or years -- of college and overseas scouting.


Kelly Olynyk, who Boston traded up three spots to draft at No. 13, was among the slowest players in timed drills at last year's combine.
The fact that the draft's top three prospects -- Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker and Joel Embiid -- are all sitting out this year's event only strips another layer of shine from the event.

The biggest buzz from the combine typically comes when results from the athletic testing are revealed. Armchair general managers will rhapsodize about hand size and no-step vertical leap, while others will counter by recalling Kevin Durant's inability to complete a single bench press rep of 185 pounds at the 2007 combine as proof that little should be gauged from the anthropometric portion of the event.

Ainge doesn't put much stock in those numbers. The Celtics run their own sets of athletic testing when they bring prospects in for workouts, and they find those much more reliable. As Ainge stresses, "We really trust our numbers."

If you're wondering how much stock the Celtics put in the public numbers from events like the combine, you need only look at last year's event. The team's two selections -- Kelly Olynyk and Colton Iverson -- graded out as two of the most unathletic players in the field. Olynyk, who Boston traded up three spots to snag at No. 13, was among the slowest players in timed drills and finished in the bottom five of nearly all of those events (save for lane agility).

The draft gurus at DraftExpress created a composite ranking of all the players tested at last year's event and, out of a field of 52 ranked players, Olynyk finished 48th, and Iverson owned the spot in front of him.

Ainge subscribes to the notion of "utilized athleticism," or the way a player uses his given abilities in the context of his game.

"If a guy jumps 44 inches, but only averages 2 rebounds per game -- well, I think you see what I'm getting at," Ainge said.

At last year's combine, Phil Pressey tested off the charts -- as guards often do -- and Boston was quick to phone after the speedy, pint-sized point guard went undrafted. But it's fair to assume that Boston put a lot more stock in Pressey's pre-draft visit (when he was competing with other guard prospects) and having watched his basketball development up close (Pressey's father, Paul, had been an assistant on Doc Rivers' coaching staff).


Despite being red-flagged for his back issues and also posting the slowest ¾-court sprint time among first-round picks since 2000, Jared Sullinger was picked by the Celtics at No. 21 overall in 2012.

This simply isn't the NFL draft combine, which receives wall-to-wall coverage because players' times in events such as the 40-yard dash can often make or break their draft status. For the NBA combine, it's what you won't see on ESPN's broadcasts that will be of primary importance for talent evaluators.

Each team is allowed a maximum of 18 player interviews, each lasting up to a half-hour, at the combine. It's the first chance for teams to really get inside the head of a prospect. Clubs have reportedly peppered potential draftees with all sorts of exams, from IQ tests to film breakdown to personality checks.

It's what teams learn in those sessions, along with the medical evaluations, that will stick with personnel staffs longer than max vertical reach or body fat measurements.

Dial it back to 2012, and Jared Sullinger not only got red-flagged for his back issues in medical exams, but he posted the slowest ¾-court sprint time among first-round picks since 2000 at 3.81 seconds, according to ESPN Stats & Info. None of that was enough to deter the Celtics, who swooped in to grab Sullinger when he fell into their laps at No. 21.

Has a draft player ever drastically swayed Ainge's opinion -- positively or negatively -- during a combine interview?

"Yes, but nobody I drafted," Ainge said, suggesting it's gone both ways, but mostly with guys who were out of Boston's reach.

Ainge acknowledged a desire to chat with as many players as possible, even guys whom Boston might not be in position to select, because the Chicago combine might be the only time they get to chat with them, particularly if the team can't line up a visit to its facility in Waltham.


And that's a big part of what Ainge and his staff will use the combine to accomplish. With players and their agents all gathered together under one roof, the Celtics will attempt to line up the individual and group workouts that will help make the final determinations on who gets selected in June.

Will the absence of this year's Draft Big Three matter to Boston? We'll know better on May 20 when the pingpong balls determine the team's top draft position. If the Celtics vault to a top 3 spot, then maybe they'll lament not getting the chance to get that up-close glimpse in Chicago.

Which makes you wonder if it's actually Boston's other first-round pick (No. 17 overall via the Brooklyn Nets) that will benefit most from this Chicago excursion. The middle of the first round is when things get a little more murky, and what Boston learns at the combine might help separate the pack of players it's eyeing with that pick.

A trip down Boston's starting lineup last season reveals success drafting in that mid-to-late-round spot, whether it was Rajon Rondo (21st), Avery Bradley (19th) or Sullinger.

Just remember that no player's draft stock changes all that much in a day or two. The combine is just a tiny piece of the evaluation puzzle.



bob



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http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/nba-combine-week-glance



NBA Combine: The week at a glance
May 14, 2014, 12:15 pm







NBA combine: Players to watch

Yes, some big names are skipping these two days in Chicago. But there are players to keep an eye on.


Some of the top prospects gather in Chicago for the NBA Draft Combine, where teams talk to the players, watch them work out, and try to figure if they're an on- and off-court fit.

CHICAGO -- Here's a look at this upcoming week at the NBA combine:

WEDNESDAY: Team-player interviews.

THURSDAY: Team-player interviews scheduled; player workouts with drills testing their speed, agility, strength and athleticism; various medical testing (i.e. measuring their height, weight, body fat); media sessions with draft prospects.

FRIDAY: Team-player interviews; player workouts; medical testing; media sessions with draft prospects.

NOTABLE ABSENCES: Kansas' Joel Embiid; Duke's Jabari Parker; Michigan State's Adreian Payne (mononucleosis); Michigan's Mitch McGary.

LOCAL CONNECTIONS: UConn's Shabazz Napier (Roxbury); UConn's DeAndre Daniels; Indiana's Noah Vonleh (Haverhill; New Hampton, N.H., Prep School).



bob



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Dante Exum has been measured as 6'6" and with a 6'9 3/4" wingspan. That's really good for a point guard.


bob



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Teams are allowed up to 18 interviews at the combine.  One can presume, I think, that if a team interviews a player who is there they are interested and if they don't they're not.  The Celtics have two first round picks, so they will be interviewing players up and down the draft but here's the list of their scheduled interviews at the Combine. Looks pretty guard-heavy to me.


Kyle Anderson, PG/F, UCLA
Dante Exum, G, Australia
P.J. Hairston, G, D-League
Gary Harris, SG, Michigan State
Rodney Hood, F, Duke
Zach LaVine, G, UCLA
Doug McDermott, F, Creighton
Shabazz Napier, PG, UConn
Julius Randle, PF, Kentucky
Marcus Smart, G, Oklahoma State
Nik Stauskas, SG, Michigan
Noah Vonleh, PF, Indiana
T.J. Warren, F, N.C. State



bob



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http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/extras/celtics_blog/2014/05/julius_randle_says_hell_interview_with_the_celtics_aaron_gor.html



Julius Randle, Kyle Anderson To Interview With Celtics; Aaron Gordon the Next Blake Griffin?
Gary Dzen
@GaryDzen
Boston.com Staff
MAY 15, 2014 2:54 PM
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Gary Dzen has covered one Celtics championship run and one 18-game losing streak. He was there for Belichick's 4th-and-2. He really, really likes IPAs.







Update, 4:33 p.m. Here's the latest on who the Celtics are talking to:

Mark Murphy @Murf56
Follow
Celtics have upcoming interviews with Dante Exum, Noah Vonleh, Julius Randle and Rodney Hood.
1:33 PM - 15 May 2014


Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker, and Joel Embiid are all absent from this week's NBA Draft Combine in Chicago, but that doesn't mean the event has lacked excitement so far, at least as far as the Celtics are concerned.


The Globe's Gary Washburn reports that the Celtics will interview Kentucky power forward Julius Randle and UCLA forward Kyle Anderson. Australian guard Dante Exum has already interviewed with the Celtics, and Arizona forward Aaron Gordon said he is interested in coming to Boston.

gary washburn @GwashburnGlobe
Follow
Aaron Gordon said he's interested in the #celtics, eyes lit up when asked about playing NBA small forward, says he can defend small forwards
11:28 AM - 15 May 2014


Gordon is an intriguing prospect in part because of who he's being compared to. The 6-foot-8-inch Gordon reminds Clippers star Blake Griffin of himself.

“A little bit,” Griffin told SNY.tv “He’s very athletic, he’s got a pretty good motor."

Gordon has been compared to Griffin since high school. Last year, Gordon told the Sporting News of the comparison, "I think I can play point guard and he can't."

Interesting, indeed.


gary washburn @GwashburnGlobe
Follow
RT @tim_altig: @GwashburnGlobe Are these Blake Griffin comparisons accurate? (Don't want to be that tag on him, but athletically, yes)
11:41 AM - 15 May 2014



bob
MY NOTE:  A video with snippets of Randle, Smart, Vonleh, Ennis, Stauskas and Napier interviews available on the website link.


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http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/sidebar/draft-combine-notebook-day-1


Draft Combine Notebook: Day 1

Posted: May 15, 2014

By Marc D'Amico |  @Marc_DAmico
Celtics.com
May 15, 2014
The opinions expressed in this column do not represent those of the Boston Celtics front office personnel.

CHICAGO – The Quest Multisport facility in Chicago is playing host to this year’s NBA Draft Combine. Believe me when I tell you, there is a lot taking place on that premises.

About sixty players and a countless number of NBA executives cycled through the facility on Thursday for Day 1 of the Combine. Today’s events featured a series of group workouts by position, physical tests and media interviews over the course of five-plus hours. Players will rotate through a similar day of events on Friday, all while mixing in individual team interviews outside of the 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. time frame.

Many of the projected lottery picks did not participate in the workouts, but there were still some pretty darn good players out on the floor. Below are some of the notes I took throughout the day on the general process and each crop of players who took the court.


Some Combine Notables


Nearly every player who is projected to be drafted in the lottery does not work out at the Combine, but almost all Draft entrants are here to participate in interviews with both the media and team representatives.

Three players who are expected to compete for the top overall pick in the Draft, Joel Embiid, Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker, are not in town to participate in the Combine.

Whistles don’t get blown here. Every now and then a coach who is running a drill will yell “foul,” but for the most part, whistles are swallowed.

This thing is a big deal. The bleachers, which span from baseline to baseline and go about 15-20 rows deep, are pretty much full all day, and then there’s additional floor seating that’s filled all around the court. Every team’s executives are here and hundreds of media outlets are here.
ESPN broadcasted the entire day live with at least seven personalities being on air.

Players whose positions are debatable are thrown into one group or another. Their grouping here does not necessarily mean they will play a specific position in the pros.

It was easy to get a full look at the first group of players, but time was limited watching the final three groups due to interviews coinciding with the workouts.


The Point Guards

This group included some pretty big names despite missing some of the lottery-bound players. Star players such as Russ Smith (Louisville), Aaron Craft (Ohio State) and Zach LaVine (UCLA) participated in the workouts.

Of those players, Smith, who helped Louisville win a title in 2013, stood out. He’s exactly what you’d expect him to be: an undersized yet swaggeriffic guard who can make some plays. Smith shot the ball very well, making 13 of 25 3s, 12 of his 18 midrange shots off the dribble, and 25 of his 36 attempts in the “on the move fifteen” drill (players attempt as many shots as possible within 35 seconds while shooting on the move from 15 feet).

Zach LaVine’s length is quite impressive for a potential point guard. Think Michael Carter-Williams. He has a high release but needs to become more consistent with his jumper. His high release, combined with his already-elite size and length, could become deadly if he improves that jumper. LaVine also tended to foul quite a bit during live drills.

DeAndre Kane, who averaged 17.1 PPG, 6.8 RPG and 5.9 APG for Iowa State last season, doesn’t have much lift on his shot. Reminded me a little bit of Dwyane Wade’s jumper… on a bad night. Kane improved his shooting numbers dramatically this past season compared to his first three collegiate years, but that stroke may need some tweaking at the next level.

Craft, who was Jared Sullinger’s former teammate at Ohio State, showed that he can be a sound decision maker but still lacks a reliable jumper. His release is quite slow. That being said, he can run an offense and is a great defender, which are two huge pluses.

Jahii Carson stood out to me, and quickly. The 5-foot-10 guard out of Arizona State possesses great explosiveness and I really liked his base on his jumper. He easily blew past Craft, a great defender, on a couple of plays. Now it doesn’t surprise me that Carson averaged 18.6 PPG and shot 39.1 percent from long range this past season.


The Shooting Guards

The shooting guards looked like the shooting guards. They were much more consistent with their shot than the point guards were.

One guy who shot the ball extremely well was Nick Johnson out of Arizona. He made 12 of his 25 NBA 3s and 19 of his 25 college 3s. The only true negative for Johnson was that he struggled to create his own shot against other guards during live drills.

Jordan McRae averaged 18.7 PPG for Tennessee last season but what stood out to me on Thursday was his defense. His wingspan is an absolute weapon. He’s only 6-foot-3 and change but possesses a wingspan that officially measured in at an incredible 7’0.50”. That, my friends, is on par with most of the power forwards and centers at the Combine. McRae showed some tenacity on defense and looked like he really cared about that side of the ball. I loved the way he fought through screens.


The Small Forwards

Rodney Hood (Duke) is a heck of a shooter. A confident, smooth jumper rolls off of his fingertips every time he releases a shot. He was lights-out on spot-up 3s, making 15 of his 25 attempts. He also made 14 of his 18 midrange shots off the dribble. The kid can shoot. End of story.

Cleanthony Early has a solid NBA small forward body. His body make-up reminds me a lot of a young Joe Johnson. Strong build with potential to bang with the big boys at his position.


The Power Forwards and Centers

This was a very skilled group of big men. Several bigs showed off strong shooting mechanics that could lead to a reliable outside jumper, including Cory Jefferson (Baylor) and Alex Kirk (New Mexico).

Alec Brown (Green Bay) already has that consistency. This little-known 7-footer can really shoot the rock… and that includes from long range. He shot an incredible 18-of-25 on spot-up NBA 3s.



bob


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This link has an interview with Emily Austen and Stevens, where he talks about how they are going about business.  There are also interviews with TJ Warren, who talks about his interview with Boston and why he'd like to play for Brad Stevens. Said "he'd like to fill the Paul Pierce void for them". Confidence doesn't seem to be a problem, huh? Other interviews too, like Rodney Hood.


http://www.nba.com/celtics/brad-stevens-one-one



bob


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Here's an instagram pic of Andrew Wiggins doing a vertical leap test earlier this week (NOT at the Combine)


http://instagram.com/p/oB7I4MqvSb



bob



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http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaab-the-dagger/some-winners-and-losers-from-the-nba-draft-combine-051904339.html

Link to the combine measurements and testing.

http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-pre-draft-measurements/?year=2014&sort2=DESC&draft=0&pos=0&source=NBA Draft Combine&sort=2

http://www.masslive.com/celtics/index.ssf/2014/05/nba_draft_rumors_2014_danny_ai.html



NBA Draft rumors 2014: Danny Ainge of Boston Celtics likes Marcus Smart's fire




Marcus Smart
Marcus Smart from Oklahoma State talks to reporters at the 2014 NBA basketball Draft Combine Thursday, May 15, 2014, in Chicago. Smart did not participate in his scheduled workout Thursday. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Print Jay King | mjking@masslive.com By Jay King | mjking@masslive.com
on May 16, 2014 at 7:15 PM





During an ESPN interview Friday at the NBA Draft combine, Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said he likes Marcus Smart's "fire" and believes the former Oklahoma State guard will have a nice NBA career.

Ainge did not sound concerned by Smart's confrontation with a fan earlier this season, saying: "I don’t know all the details of that, haven't researched that yet, but we will look into that. But (it won't affect his draft stock) much. I think he’s a great kid, a great player and I think he’ll have a bright future."

Smart said he had an interview with the Celtics scheduled for Friday after his media session.

"I'm finding out from a lot of teams, they're looking for somebody to come in and bring toughness back to their team, that competitive nature to their team," he said. "And that's exactly who I am and exactly what I'm looking for, a team that's willing to be able to let me be me."

Theoretically, Smart could play alongside Rajon Rondo. The 6-foot-4, 220-pounder has primarily spent time at point guard, which he sees as his best position, but owns the size to move over to the other backcourt spot if a team requires the switch. If the Celtics land outside the coveted top three, the 20-year-old could potentially be an option with their lottery pick. He's currently projected as the No. 6 pick in DraftExpress' mock draft.

"I want passion," said Ainge, as transcribed by ESPN Boston. "I got myself in trouble a few times on the court. I don’t worry too much. I’d much rather try to calm a player down than try to light a fire under somebody. I’m a big fan of passionate players."



bob
MY NOTE: If Danny drafts Smart, then Bradley is gone. Smart plays point, which Bradley cannot do, he plays crazy aggressive defense like Bradley and, at 6'4" 220#, is built more to play 2 than Bradley.


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kdp59 wrote:Link to the combine measurements and testing.

http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-pre-draft-measurements/?year=2014&sort2=DESC&draft=0&pos=0&source=NBA Draft Combine&sort=2

kdp,


This link is to the PRE-Combine measurements. If you look at the options for "Source" you'll see that "NBA Combine" is not one of those offered.

I'll bet that in a couple of days, after the Combine is over and the stats have been assembled/organized, it will be added.



bob


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hmmm..maybe I got the link mixed up there.

I got the link form the yahoo story that Steve posted (and I didn't see first).

it says its form the combine numbers ..but maybe not.

anyway...I am liking Vonleh more and more, 247# at 19YO, second longest wingspan at the combine (helps when your 6-93/4, but He has time to grow some) and his other numbers were not far off of the supposed "workout warrior" Gordon.

if we are in for a long term rebuild and end up with the 4-6 pick.....Vonleh should be given strong consideration.

Noah Vonleh has the 2nd biggest hands ever recorded at the NBA Combine (which first started measuring them in 2010):

Noah Vonleh’s hands are huge. Put it this way: Only one player (Greg Smith, 2011) has had wider hands than Vonleh (11 3/4″) since hand width was first recorded at the NBA draft combine in 2010. That being the case, it’s easy to see why the Big Ten Freshman of the Year received so much attention Friday in Chicago. See pictures of Vonleh’s hands in this post.





Emily Austen @emilyausten_
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Noah Vonleh's hands are the 2nd largest recorded at the #NBACombine. L: 9.75in W: 11.75in (Basically, they're huge.)
12:15 PM - 16 May 2014







Amanda Busick @AmandaBusick
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#NBACombine: @ESPNAndyKatz compares hand-size to Big Ten Freshman of the Year @Noah_Vonleh ..is there a comparison?!
12:01 PM - 16 May 2014


Noah Vonleh matching hand sizes with Wayne Embry






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