Embiid and Parker to skip nba draft combine

[MSceltic]

It's being repoted that both will not attend the nba draft combine this week in Chicago. I know that doesn't mean a lot for Parker, but for Embiid it could be a major red flag his back is still not on track. Celtics really need to check him out carefully if he comes in for a visit. We already got lucky once with a back (sully) will lightning strike twice?

[freshinthehouse]

That is weird.  Is it unprecedented for two players that are potential top 3 picks to skip the combine?  If memory serves me, it seems like all legit prospects go to the combine (at least prospects that played college in the US).

[CeltsAcumen]

Both are top 3 picks, there draft status can only go down.

Embiid does not want to re-injury his back until he is drafted.

[MSceltic]

Being only 21 myself I can't say whether it's unprecedented or not but from my memory the majority of players atleast do the measurements and medical evaluations. Some sit out the drill portion of the combine for fear of more weaknesses getting exposed. Now only individual teams can evaluate these two players health instead of a plethora of nba doctors.

[CeltsAcumen]

NBA draft combine is not the premier talent evaluation for NBA prospects.  Las Vegas, Phoenix, Chicago, and Norfolk are the big bball events.  I really have no idea why and NBA prospect would waste their time at a combine. 

No way to really gauge shooting ability or defensive skills in terms of shot blocking by measuring how high you jump or how fast you run.  Its just not the same as with the NFL.

[PhoSita]

Nothing to gain for them by going.  They'll go top 3 regardless of what the combines say.

[hpantazo]

I think it is a legit red flag for Embiid. Skipping the medical evaluation is a clear sign that he is not confident about his back injury. Hopefully it nudges his draft slot just enough for us to grab him.

[Celtics4ever]

Skipping the medical evaluation is a clear sign that he is not confident about his back injury. Hopefully it nudges his draft slot just enough for us to grab him.

Teams will inspect him when he comes to them.   There is no way no one gets a look at the back.  If he skips team workouts and the combine then I would not touch him.

[Tr1boy]

Sources told Wojnarowski that Embiid has begun shooting around but hasn't been cleared for full-contact workouts, while Parker wants to avoid physicals with lottery teams until later in the pre-draft process.

Still isn't cleared for full contact??  I guess his back problems is worse than i thought

If he still isn't cleared for full contact by the time we get to work him out, Danny should pass on him (unless the Celts doctors can fix him up with surgery like they did with Sully).  We can't mess up this draft

[Tr1boy]

And whats up with Parker??   instead of hiding, why not show off how good you are. How much you have worked on your body the past 2 months .   

Seriously not a fan of this kid, skilled or not. He comes to workout for the celts  and if his body/defense has not improved , i can't see either Danny nor Stevens or both wanting him on the team.

[saltlover]

NBA draft combine is not the premier talent evaluation for NBA prospects.  Las Vegas, Phoenix, Chicago, and Norfolk are the big bball events.  I really have no idea why and NBA prospect would waste their time at a combine. 

No way to really gauge shooting ability or defensive skills in terms of shot blocking by measuring how high you jump or how fast you run.  Its just not the same as with the NFL.

This isn't really true.  Norfolk, for instance, is only for college seniors, and most of the kids who show up are trying to show for a summer league invite.  The combine is the premier place for measurements, physicals, and meeting with team officials.

It's not unprecedented for top prospects to participate marginally, but it's unusual for them to not show up and say hello.  They're represented by the same agent, and it's a bit of a power play in my opinion.  I don't think it will hurt Parker at all, and it might not hurt Embiid if he'll look better in four weeks than he does now.  That said, I think Embiid is playing with fire -- the expectation is he won't go to a physical for more than the top 2 teams.  If they don't take him, does whomever pick 3rd think that teams 1 and 2 just like Parker and Wiggins more (possible), or that there is something to avoid in his medical reports?  It could definitely cause him to fall if a few teams don't want to take a risk on something that they haven't seen, but that the teams who have seen it have passed on.

[pearljammer10]

Add Wiggins to that list as well...

http://espn.go.com/nba/draft2014/story/_/id/10918949/2014-nba-draft-andrew-wiggins-joel-embiid-jabari-parker-skip-combine

[footey]

Skipping the medical evaluation is a clear sign that he is not confident about his back injury. Hopefully it nudges his draft slot just enough for us to grab him.

Teams will inspect him when he comes to them.   There is no way no one gets a look at the back.  If he skips team workouts and the combine then I would not touch him.

I would draft him anyway unless he refused to take a medical exam.

[footey]

I thought the purpose of the combine was to measure the players, run certain jumping tests, etc.  Why not show up for that?

Will Exum be there?

[saltlover]

I thought the purpose of the combine was to measure the players, run certain jumping tests, etc.  Why not show up for that?

Will Exum be there?

Right now they're the top 3 kids in the draft, largely based on potential, which includes running and jumping.  If they run and jump below expectations, they'll only fall.  They have nowhere to go but down.  The best they can hope is to stay where they are.  I understand it.

There is risk, of course, that someone shows up and looks amazing and passes one of them (likely Vonleh over Embiid), but the risk is relatively low.