Pre-Draft Combine

[footey]

This is what I find relevant in today's pre-draft combine:

1. How do the young big guys like Gordon, Vonleh, Cappella  measure?  Will their height measurements be increased? I especially would like to know Vonleh's current height.  If he measures more than 6'10" (in shoes), expect his draft slot to rise, because teams may look at him more as a center, rather than a power forward, prospect.

2. How tall is Gary Harris? If  he measures 6'5", I predict his stock will rise.  If he measures at 6'4", he will stay in the same slot (8-12).  If he measures at 6'3", his stock will dive, and we may be able to scoop him up at 17, which would very tempting.  I raise this about him because I see his height listing vary within this range.   I think he is going to be a solid pro, a long term starter on contending caliber team.

[Quetzalcoatl]

2. How tall is Gary Harris? If  he measures 6'5", I predict his stock will rise.  If he measures at 6'4", he will stay in the same slot (8-12).  If he measures at 6'3", his stock will dive, and we may be able to scoop him up at 17, which would very tempting.  I raise this about him because I see his height listing vary within this range.   I think he is going to be a solid pro, a long term starter on contending caliber team.

You would think that it would make sense to think that the player was still growing and that the range of heights was due to that.  However, I've found that players are about as honest about their height as most guys on dating sites are about being 6 feet. 

[colincb]

FWIW, Chris Ford on his Insider report at the combine says Staukas has looked very impressive with his ballhandling and that he and McDermott have been outrageously good from the 3FG line with  Adreian Payne also looking good from outside. 

Payne likely to be available with our second pick as a senior.  If Staukas was unlikely to be at 17 before, he's gone now.

[footey]

Thanks for the intel.  I think the players get measured tomorrow.

[BleedGreen1989]

Excited for some draft stuff. About time...

Gotta say, I think Gordon has firmly planted himself for me at the #5 spot behind Parker, Wiggins, Embiid, and Exum.

Here's an interview he did today for NBA TV...

http://www.nba.com/video/channels/draft/2014/05/14/20140514-gt-draft-combine-gordon.nba/index.html

[footey]

Thanks for posting the Gordon interview.  I really like him.  If we finish outside the top 4, I hope we grab him, definitely my first choice.  He is still 18, so will be interesting to see if he has grown since he last measured.

[BleedGreen1989]

Thanks for posting the Gordon interview.  I really like him.  If we finish outside the top 4, I hope we grab him, definitely my first choice.  He is still 18, so will be interesting to see if he has grown since he last measured.

Yeah, he won't be 19 until late September.

It took me awhile to come around on him but I finally have. I think he has a pretty enormous ceiling and if he could shoot, he'd likely be in conversation for the top-3.

[footey]

Yeah, in the clip you linked, he said he figured out his foul shooting problem.  Hope that's true.  I'll bet he is asked to shoot a lot of foul shots in his team workouts!

[esel1000]

Yeah, in the clip you linked, he said he figured out his foul shooting problem.  Hope that's true.  I'll bet he is asked to shoot a lot of foul shots in his team workouts!

Look if the guy can develop a decent jumper and foul shot and be an actual threat as a scorer from outside of the paint he's a steal at pick 5-8 and maybe the best player to come out of the draft because his defense is already elite. I wasn't big on him a few weeks ago but I am starting to warm up to the idea of him for a few reason. He's young, already has an elite skill, and seems coachable. Guys who want to be coached, who want to improve, seldom bust especially a guy like Gordon who already has an elite skill.

He'll only be 19 as a rookie. The upside is enormous. If we fall out of the top 3 and DA takes a flier on him I won't complain. If he can develop that jump shot you can play him offensively as a 3 stretch 4 and defensively in multiple positions.