2014 NBA Combine Thread (Measurements Are Posted)

[fitzhickey]

[dang], Vonleh's measurements have impressed me. If we miss out on the big 3 and Exum then we should nab this kid imo. Dude has a mad wingspan

[PhoSita]

Gordon is I think going to be the biggest flop of the top 8.  I think somebody is going to take him too high because of his physical gifts, but I think he has 'role player' written all over him.  He lacks an elite skill and the only real value I see for him in the league is as a defensive stopper (much like Shane Battier, but without the range).

Battier has "range" only as a spot up shooter.  Gordon has already proven an effective spot up shooter from the college three.  I think he'll be a decent spot up shooter from the corners, at least.

Battier has always been a role player, but in his prime he was still extremely valuable.  Very underrated for most of his career.  That's a good return for a pick in the 5-8 range.

But I'm starting to think I'd prefer Vonleh or Saric in that range, because they have more upside offensively and that's where the Celtics are lacking most.

[Sixth Man]

Payne is going to be a role role player at best. He unfortunately has small lungs for his body and you can see him after 5 mins, slouching trying to catch his breath.   At best he will give you maybe 10 good min in a game (min spread out) but don't expect much else.

Actually, he was playing with mono that went undiagnosed until after the season.

mono or not. He has small lungs.  he can't sustain a high level of performance for more than 5 min. 

If he didn't have lung issues, we be talking about him going in the top 5.

You say some dumb things sometimes.  Small lungs??  Have you seen his chest x-ray?  Do you even know how lung capacity is measured?  Have you ever had mono?  To me, it's ridiculous that he played as well as he did with it.

And no, he would not be top 5, because he's 23 years old and that's a big strike against him.  He's a good stretch four on offense, but is not outstanding in any facet of his game, and probably has limited upside from where he is.

Maybe he thought that Payne's lungs were measured at today's combine...!! 

[Rondo9]

I feel that Gordon can be a very special player, if he can develop a reliable jump shot. He is a good passer and a decent ballhandler and we all know he can finish around the rim. He screams all star to me.

[CFAN38]

Per jay king at masslive (5/15/14) players Cs interviewed or are going to interview at combine

"Along with Stevens, Celtics figures in attendance included president of basketball operations Danny Ainge, assistant general manager Mike Zarren, director of player personnel Austin Ainge, and director of scouting Dave Lewin. Together, they interviewed or are expected to interview the following prospects (based on various reports and/or word from the prospects):

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

The Celtics can interview five more players, as well, but their names have not been revealed."

Nothing earth shattering here. Interesting that Napier is the only guy interviewed unlikely to go in the lottery (Harris (post measurements, and Lavine are boarder line).

[saltlover]

Payne is going to be a role role player at best. He unfortunately has small lungs for his body and you can see him after 5 mins, slouching trying to catch his breath.   At best he will give you maybe 10 good min in a game (min spread out) but don't expect much else.

Actually, he was playing with mono that went undiagnosed until after the season.

mono or not. He has small lungs.  he can't sustain a high level of performance for more than 5 min. 

If he didn't have lung issues, we be talking about him going in the top 5.

You say some dumb things sometimes.  Small lungs??  Have you seen his chest x-ray?  Do you even know how lung capacity is measured?  Have you ever had mono?  To me, it's ridiculous that he played as well as he did with it.

And no, he would not be top 5, because he's 23 years old and that's a big strike against him.  He's a good stretch four on offense, but is not outstanding in any facet of his game, and probably has limited upside from where he is.

Sorry triboy.  My comment was a lot harsher than intended.  I'd like to blame the painkillers I'm on while recovering from surgery, but it was wrong to have said under any circumstances.  On top of that, you proved me wrong.

[kgfor3]

Alex Kennedy ‏@AlexKennedyNBA  21h
Russ Smith met with the Phoenix Suns, Boston Celtics and Portland Trail Blazers.

[Smitty77]

Per jay king at masslive (5/15/14) players Cs interviewed or are going to interview at combine

"Along with Stevens, Celtics figures in attendance included president of basketball operations Danny Ainge, assistant general manager Mike Zarren, director of player personnel Austin Ainge, and director of scouting Dave Lewin. Together, they interviewed or are expected to interview the following prospects (based on various reports and/or word from the prospects):

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

The Celtics can interview five more players, as well, but their names have not been revealed."

Nothing earth shattering here. Interesting that Napier is the only guy interviewed unlikely to go in the lottery (Harris (post measurements, and Lavine are boarder line).

I am a HUGE NC State fan and TJ Warren fan, but I did NOT know that he is LIKELY to go in the lottery:-))  I say he won't.

Smitty77

[Celtics18]

Per jay king at masslive (5/15/14) players Cs interviewed or are going to interview at combine

"Along with Stevens, Celtics figures in attendance included president of basketball operations Danny Ainge, assistant general manager Mike Zarren, director of player personnel Austin Ainge, and director of scouting Dave Lewin. Together, they interviewed or are expected to interview the following prospects (based on various reports and/or word from the prospects):

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

The Celtics can interview five more players, as well, but their names have not been revealed."

Nothing earth shattering here. Interesting that Napier is the only guy interviewed unlikely to go in the lottery (Harris (post measurements, and Lavine are boarder line).

I am a HUGE NC State fan and TJ Warren fan, but I did NOT know that he is LIKELY to go in the lottery:-))  I say he won't.

Smitty77

I would say that Anderson, Hood, Stauskas, and Hairston are all borderline as well.

[Tr1boy]

Payne is going to be a role role player at best. He unfortunately has small lungs for his body and you can see him after 5 mins, slouching trying to catch his breath.   At best he will give you maybe 10 good min in a game (min spread out) but don't expect much else.

Actually, he was playing with mono that went undiagnosed until after the season.

mono or not. He has small lungs.  he can't sustain a high level of performance for more than 5 min. 

If he didn't have lung issues, we be talking about him going in the top 5.

You say some dumb things sometimes.  Small lungs??  Have you seen his chest x-ray?  Do you even know how lung capacity is measured?  Have you ever had mono?  To me, it's ridiculous that he played as well as he did with it.

And no, he would not be top 5, because he's 23 years old and that's a big strike against him.  He's a good stretch four on offense, but is not outstanding in any facet of his game, and probably has limited upside from where he is.

Sorry triboy.  My comment was a lot harsher than intended.  I'd like to blame the painkillers I'm on while recovering from surgery, but it was wrong to have said under any circumstances.  On top of that, you proved me wrong.

Its all good. Goodluck on your recovery

[esel1000]

DA being interviewed at the combine seems to really like Smart when asked about him. Said he'd rather "calm down a player than try to light a fire under him" or something along those lines.

[playdream]

DA being interviewed at the combine seems to really like Smart when asked about him. Said he'd rather "calm down a player than try to light a fire under him" or something along those lines.

I think of Jeff green immediately

[Celtics18]

Nik Stauskas jumps higher than Dante Exum.

[saltlover]

Nik Stauskas jumps higher than Dante Exum.

And is about as agile (they finished 1-2 in their group).  10.79 agility drill is great for Stauskas, since agility was listed as a concern by some people.

[saltlover]

DA being interviewed at the combine seems to really like Smart when asked about him. Said he'd rather "calm down a player than try to light a fire under him" or something along those lines.

I think of Jeff green immediately

I actually thought of why Rondo doesn't drive him crazy.  But good point on Green.