NBA Draft Combine Analysis
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by user KDuffy15
Oh man, did you see the 40 time Ted Ginn ran? How about Brady Quinn’s bench, what a freak! Maybe he’s too muscle-bound to be a quarterback. He'll probably drop to the Cowboys at #22 but they will trade him to the Browns for a future-first round pick. That’s just my prediction, anything could happen. That opening paragraph was indeed an excerpt from my NFL Draft preview a few months ago. It was one of many evalutions of the NFL Draft combine that could be found across the internet. The results of the NFL combine have a dramatic effect on player’s draft stock and garner a great deal of attention in the media. The NBA Draft combine, however, is somewhat of an afterthought. While basketball is not nearly as physical a sport as football, the combine results should not be ignored. Drills such as vertical leap, ¾ court sprint, and bench press all are very important in measuring a basketball player’s physical readiness for the NBA. Here is the list of the top prospects with #1 being the most impressive workout and #14 being the worst from last weekends combine. Note: F Yi Jianlian did not participate in the combine.
1. Mike Conley Jr. What he did well: Conley was the fastest player there as expected (3.09 in the ¾ court sprint), but I don’t think anyone anticipated him to turn in such a high vertical leap and bench press. Conley the second highest no-step vertical at 35.5’’ (USC G Nick Young was 1st with a mind-blowing 39.5’’) and tied for second in max vertical leap with 39.5’’. Conley also benched the standard 185 lbs an impressive 13 times. What he struggled with: Not much. I guess his height might be an issue at the next level, but there isn’t much he can do about that.
2. Jason Smith What he did well: Smith is known for his skills as a big man, but flashed good athleticism at the combine. Smith ran the best lane agility time at 10.96 seconds, had a vertical of 37.5’’ and completed 15 bench reps. What he struggled with: Smith aced all of the drills, but came in a little shorter than expected at 6’11.5’’ with a very short wingspan of 6’10.75’’. Nonetheless, Smith’s performance only helped his status for June 28th.
3. Thaddeus Young What he did well: Young flashed a 37’’ vertical with a 6’11’’ wingspan while benching a solid 13 reps. His sprint time of 3.19 seconds and his 11.06 second lane agility drill were near the top of the combine. His body is clearly ready for the NBA, but there is question about his maturity. What he struggled with: This is really nitpicking, but at 210 lbs Young could stand to put on ten more pounds of muscle because most NBA SG’s and SF’s are going to be a little bigger than 210.
4. Nick Young What he did well: The latter of the two Young’s exploded in the no-step vertical, jumping 39.5’’, which was tops by 4’’ over second place Mike Conley. Everyone knew he was a long 6’7’’, but I don’t think anyone expected him to have a 7’0’’ wingspan. Young’s length and athleticism will give him a chance to be a special defender in the NBA. What he struggled with: Young weighed in relatively light at 206 lbs and only did 6 bench reps. Clearly strength is going to be an issue at the next level.
5. Al Thornton What he did well: Thornton turned in a combine-best 41.5’’ vertical leap and displayed a freakish 7’1’’ wingspan while standing just 6’7’’. Thornton also weighed in at 221 lbs, showing he had gained weight since the end of the season. The added weight certainly didn’t slow him down, as Thornton ran a blistering 3.16 second sprint. What he struggled with: Given how muscular and athletic Thornton is, it is surprising that he did only 9 bench reps. I would have expected him to come more in the 15 range.
6. Al Horford What he did well: As expected, Horford was by far the strongest player at the combine, benching 185 lbs a staggering 20 times. He stood close to 6’10’’ and weighed a rock-solid 244 lbs. Horford also possessed a 35’’ vertical and a wingspan of over 7’0’’. What he struggled with: His sprint time of 3.37 was average at best and his second to last lane agility of 12.15 raises some eyebrows. Despite those slow times, this workout showcased his strength, length, and athleticism and should only help his draft stock.
7. Jeff Green What he did well: Green arguably has the most NBA-ready body of all potential draftees. He came in taller than expected at 6’9.5’’ and weighed a solid 228 lbs. Green man-handled the bench press, pushing out 17 reps. His 38’’ vertical was also near the top of the list. What he struggled with: Green ran a solid 3.34 second sprint, but really struggled in the lane agility drill with a time of 12 seconds, the third worst score in camp. While he has the strength and leaping ability to excel in the NBA, Green may not have the speed to keep up with some SF’s.
8. Greg Oden What he did well: Oden’s workout won’t affect his status either way, as he’s pretty much locked into the #1 spot. Oden didn’t have a great showing but he did impress scouts by running a 3.27 second sprint, the best time of the post players. He also exhibited an unreal 9’4’’ standing reach. What he struggled with: Oden was listed at 280 lbs during the season, but weighed in at just 257. His vertical leap was an average 34.5’’. He didn’t perform the bench press due to concerns about his lingering wrist injury.
9. Corey Brewer What he did well: Despite being malnourished in his three seasons at Florida, the 6’8’’ 185 lb Brewer pulled off a surprising 11 reps on the bench. His other scores, including a 36.5’’ vertical and 3.22 ¾ court sprint, were average. What he struggled with: Bench is a good measure of strength, but when you weigh a feathery 185 lbs as Brewer does, you can bench all you want and you are still going to get pushed around by players who weight 50 lbs more than you.
10. Javaris Crittenton What he did well: Crittenton had a solid all-around showing, highlighted by a 38’’ vertical leap. He also showed good upper body strength by completing 11 bench reps while measuring close to 6’5’’ and weighing a solid 194 lbs. What he struggled with: The Georgia Tech freshman’s ¾ court sprint of 3.32 was fairly slow compared to the other point guards, and out of all the physical assets a PG needs, speed is probably the most important. He also didn’t sport the long arms that several other players did, as Crittenton had an average 6’5.5’’ wingspan.
11. Rodney Stuckey What he did well: The Eastern Washington sophomore is clearly ready for the league from a physical standpoint. He was second only to Mike Conley in the sprint with a time of 3.11 seconds and also managed 14 bench reps while coming in a little taller than expected at 6’4.5’’. What he struggled with: Stuckey could stand to add weight to his 207-lb frame, and not that his vertical leap of 35’’ was bad, but it was unspectacular in comparison to some other guards.
12. Acie Law IV What he did well: Law ran extremely well at the combine, clocking in at 3.22 seconds in the sprint and 11 seconds in the lane agility drill, second best to Jason Smith. Law stood 6’3.5’’ but had a wingspan of 6’6.’’. What he struggled with: Similar to Marcus Williams last year, Law is a very talented PG prospect but has never been confused for an Olympic athlete. He turned in a fairly average bench press (8 reps) and vertical leap (34’’).
13. Joakim Noah What he did well: Noah stood an even 7 feet tall and considering he only weighs 223 lbs, did very well by performing 12 bench reps. He also had a very impressive 37.5’’ vertical leap. What he struggled with: Noah ran slow times of 3.47 seconds in the sprint and 11.79 in the lane agility. He also was very thin for a seven-footer. He’s not known for his offensive skills, and this workout suggests he may not be physical enough to get the garbage points he did in college.
14. Daequan Cook What he did well: Cook was lights-out in the scrimmages during camp which featured players that were projected to go in the second round. In the combine, he didn’t have as much success. He did, however, show good speed and change of direction, as he clocked in at 3.22 in the sprint and 11.12 in the lane agility. What he struggled with: Cook’s vertical of 34.5’’ was average and his 4 bench reps were very disappointing for someone who weighs over 200 lbs.
15. Kevin Durant What he did well: Showing off his long arms (7’5’’ wingspan and 9’2’’ standing reach) was about the only positive Kevin Durant can take from this combine. What he struggled with: Durant couldn’t muster ONE rep of 185 lbs. Despite being known for his athleticism, his vertical leap of 33’’ ousted only Josh McRoberts and Spencer Hawes. His speed and agility also were put into question when he turned in the fourth-worst sprint time (3.45) and the last place lane drill time (12.33). Lucky for Durant, basketball is played on the court, not in the weight room. As poor as he performed, it shouldn’t affect his draft status as the second overall pick.
16. Josh McRoberts What he did well: McRoberts stood 6’10’’ 240 lbs with a 7’1’’ wingspan. He also completed 12 bench reps, about average for his size and position. What he struggled with: The Duke product was known for his athleticism coming out of high school and during his college days, but a 31.5’’ vertical is hardly athletic. He didn’t run particularly well either, turning in a 3.47 second mark in the sprint. Overall, this workout probably hurt his stock more than it helped.
17. Spencer Hawes What he did well: Hawes measured a hair away from 7’1’’ and 244 lbs. That’ about it. What he struggled with: You know you hurt your stock when the assistant coaches running the combine have a higher vertical than you do. Hawes’ 29’’ vertical did not compare to the big men he was competing against. So even though he can’t jump, he’s really strong, right? Not quite. Hawes performed a disappointing 9 bench reps and compounded it by running the slowest sprint time (3.51) and one of the most pedestrian lane drills (11.88).
18. The Wright Brothers (Brandan and Julian) What they did well: Both Brandan and Julian Wright have phenomenal length. Brandan had a 7’4’’ wingspan, while Julian’s measured at 7’2’’. Both players exhibited pretty good speed, as Brandan ran a 3.31 second sprint, closely followed by a 3.36 performance from Julian. What they struggled with: Brandan, Julian…this is a weightroom. Here, you put weights on bars and lift it up and down until you can’t do it anymore. After you are done doing that, you go back to the cafeteria and you eat this group of food called protein. It will help you, trust me. Both Wright’s performed a disgraceful 2 reps on the bench. Brandan (6’10’’ 200 lbs) and Julian (6’8.5’’ 211 lbs) won’t be able to get to the rim as easily as they did in college, and neither player has a reliable enough jumpshot to consistently score from outside the paint. As athletic as they are hyped up to be, their vertical leaps (Brandan 35.5, Julian 33.5) were less than impressive. Their lack of strength and bulk might hurt their draft status, especially if Yi Jianlian proves to be stronger and more athletic. As far as I’m concerned, both players fell behind Al Horford in the race for the 3rd pick.
Kevin Durant bombed the Pre-Draft Combine, statistically finishing dead last out of 78 players. But for Durant, it hardly matters. He is almost certainly going to be drafted by Seattle second overall. Washington’s Spencer Hawes also disappointed at the combine, but he is still a virtual lock for the lottery. Most players who worked out last weekend were not so lucky. The bulk of the combine participants are in a dogfight for draft position. Some are trying to move themselves into the late first-round, while others would be thankful to be drafted in the late second round. After a weekend of jumping, lifting, and running, here is how they stand.
Likely Moved Into 1st Round Reyshawn Terry 6’7.5’’ 222 North Carolina SF Terry powered out 18 reps on the bench and flashed a vertical leap of 37.5’’. He ran the ¾ court sprint in 3.26 seconds. Scouts knew he was a heady player and a good defender, but Terry showed that he has the athleticism to be a legitimate NBA player. San Antonio at #28 would be an ideal fit for the former Tar Heel.
Demetris Nichols 6’7’’ 211 Syracuse G/F Nichols still may be considered an early second round pick by most, but he has a good chance to find a spot in the bottom of the first round after his impressive combine. While he didn’t jump well, the sweet-shooting Nichols exhibited strength (16 bench reps), long arms (7’0.25’’ wingspan), and superior quickness (the best lane agility time in the combine at 10.39 seconds) that can make him more than just a three-point specialist at the next level. Most teams at the end of the first round will be looking for the best available player, and Nichols very well could be at the top of their boards by the time they pick.
Aaron Brooks 6’0’’ 161 Oregon PG Oregon’s little speed demon tested extremely well in the speed drills as expected, running a 3.20 sprint and a 10.57 lane agility. His 39.5’’ vertical and 6’4’’ wingspan raised some eyebrows as well. With small, quick guards such as Steve Nash and Tony Parker having such success in the NBA recently, a team in the late first round may be willing to take a flier on Brooks.
Likely Moved Out Of 1st Round Jamareo Davidson 6’11’’ 230 Alabama PF Going into the combine, Davidson had a chance to get himself into the first round if he showed athleticism to compliment his versatile offensive game. Unfortunately, he didn’t. Davidson jumped just 30’’, performed only 7 bench reps, and ran slow times of 3.53 in the sprint and 12.63 in the lane agility en route to finishing second to last overall to only Kevin Durant. As it stands now, Davidson has taken a tumble to the middle of the second round.
Helped Their Chances Of Being Drafted Russell Carter 6’4.5’’ 221 Notre Dame SG Carter was the big winner of last weekend’s combine. He came in a little taller than expected and displayed his NBA-level athleticism by jumping 38.5’’ and running a 3.29 sprint. Carter’s most impressive feat, however, was his combine-best 25 bench reps. We all know that Carter can score from the outside, but he obviously possesses the strength and athleticism to get to the rim and draw fouls. He did not put his physical tools to use last year with Notre Dame, as he attempted 213 3-pointers and just 112 free throws, but if he improves his ballhandling and shows a desire to drive to the hoop, Carter could be a big-time scorer in the NBA similar to Corey Maggette. He has far too much potential to go undrafted.
Carl Landry 6’8.5’’ 248 Purdue PF Once considered a late second round to undrafted prospect, Landry now sits in the middle of the second round. He weighed in about 15 lbs heavier than he was listed at Purdue, but proved the added weight was muscle, as he turned in 21 bench reps and registered just 7.5% body fat. He also showed solid athleticism by jumping 36.5’’ and running a 3.29 sprint. Landry has a good post game a body that is ready to compete with NBA forwards. He could end up being a second round steal similar to Carlos Boozer in 2002.
Ron Lewis 6’4.5’’ 194 Ohio State SG Lewis played for a Ohio State squad with three first round draft picks, but more often than not, Lewis was the Buckeyes’ best scorer. To add to his accolades on the court, Lewis had a spectacular workout at the combine. He completed 16 bench reps, jumped 38’’, and ran a 3.22 sprint. He should come in and compete for a back-up job in the NBA right away.
Ekene Ibekwe 6’9’’ 208 Maryland PF Ibekwe is a bit raw offensively, but after sporting a combine-best 7’6’’ wingspan to go with a 39’’ vertical, he should find a spot in the second round as shot-blocker.
Chris Richard 6’8.75’’ 252 Florida PF Richard was overshadowed by Florida’s starting five, but may have been the best 6th man in the country last year. Richard’s vertical leap of 30.5’’ was disappointing, but his strength (15 bench reps), length (7’4.5’’ wingspan), and surprising quickness (3.29 sprint and 11.39 lane agility) might be enough to get Richard drafted. If not, he will almost certainly get a tryout with a summer league team.
Coby Karl 6’4.75’’ 204 Boise State SG Coby, (the son of Denver Nuggets Head Coach George Karl), didn’t blow anyone off the charts with his numbers, but his lanky wingspan (6’11’’) and respectable vertical (34.5’’) combined with his deadly long-range jumpshot are enough to make him a late second round pick. If not, Karl will resort to Plan B, where he legally changes his last name to “Bryant” in hopes that someone will sign him to the max contract.
Note: Maryland G DJ Stawberry statistically had the best performance with a 35’’ vertical, 3.14 sprint, 10.87 lane agility, and a shocking 21 bench reps. Although he may have been the best athlete there, Strawberry is a tweener who doesn’t have a polished offensive game. He could get a look as a late second rounder, but he is more likely to get a chance as an undrafted free agent.
Hurt Their Chances Of Being Drafted
Jared Jordan 6’1.75’’ 183 Marist PG Jordan, the two-time NCAA assist champion, was once thought to be a mid-second round pick because of his incredible playmaking ability. No one is questioning his basketball skills. After the combine, however, Jordan's physical skills have become a concern. His standing vertical leap was an embarrassing 14.5’’ and he could muster only 6 bench reps. While raw body strength and vertical leap are not necessary to be a great PG, Jordan will have a tought time going up against bigger, faster players with the same skill set.
Marcelus Kemp 6’5’’ 218 Nevada G/F Kemp is just a junior and would be wise to exercise his option to pull out of the draft and return to school. His 29.5’’ vertical, 9 bench reps, and 3.49 sprint time will not cut it for an undersized guard whose game is predicated on driving to the basket.
Mario Boggan 6’7’’ 240 Oklahoma State PF Boggan is a poor man’s version of Marcus Fizer. He was a tremendous scorer at the college level, but his lack of athleticism will keep him out of the NBA. Boggan’s 26.5’’ vertical leap will prevent him from shooting over taller NBA power forwards, and his slow sprint (3.45) and agility (12.18) times will keep him from getting to the basket against quicker defenders.
Sammy Mejia 6’7’’ 218 DePaul SG Mejia’s vertical leap (31.5’’) and bench (7 reps) were very average, and his sprint time of 3.49 and agility time of 11.87 raise some serious questions. Mejia won’t be able to create the shots he did in college against NBA defenders, and his lack of foot-speed will make him a defensive liability.
