2011 NBA Draft

[MarkGrace]

ESPN's Chad Ford is reporting that Kyrie Irving, Derrick Williams, Brandon Knight, Kemba Walker, Tristan Thompson, Alec Burks and possibly Enes Kanter and Kawhi Leonard will skip the athletic portions of the Combine. Not exactly mind-blowing considering that's become the norm at these things, but it's unclear what exactly they'd be risking by going through simple drills they've been doing their entire basketball playing careers.

Geez. Anyone going to participate in this thing?

[MarkGrace]

CHICAGO -- The agent for Duke star point guard Kyrie Irving said the presumed No. 1 draft pick will get medical tests at the NBA combine but is skipping the on-court tests and drills.

Irving has been working out for two hours every day, said agent Jeffrey Wechsler.

Irving likely will be selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers, who won the draft lottery Tuesday and will pick first.

Wechsler said Irving has no injury issues, is focused on "getting in the best shape possible," and planning on visiting teams before the June 23 draft.

Irving played in just 11 games as a freshman with the Blue Devils. He was sidelined for most of the season with a toe injury before returning for the NCAA tournament.

[ame="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2011/news/story?id=6566218"]2011 NBA draft: Kyrie Irving of Duke Blue Devils skipping on-court drills at combine - ESPN[/ame]

Guess he's saving his energy for next year's lockout.

[BGRTHNUMEGO]

Geez. Anyone going to participate in this thing?

Tristan Thompson? Does he have some kind of assurance from a team already?

[Jacob]

Kanter workout out right now.

[MarkGrace]

Kanter workout out right now.

But they're doing skills right now, no?

Wish I could watch this thing.

[BGRTHNUMEGO]

But they're doing skills right now, no?

Wish I could watch this thing.

First thing with the centers was having them rebound a miss, outlet, sprint the court, get a pass at about the FT line and dunk. They had them do that at least 4 times. Next they'd board, outlet, sprint, and post up against a pad and then take a deep post entry and dunk (or try to dunk like Jordan Williams).

Kanter is who we thought he was...he can do enough athletically that his skill set will make him successful. I hope they leave the camera on him for more than 10 seconds at a time when he starts shooting.

[Donuthole]

As part of the new collective bargaining agreement, I wish the NBA would require that every player entering the draft participate in the pre-draft drills and measurements.

[Surfah]

Tweets sound like Jimmer is putting on a shooting clinic. 16-20 from NBA 3pt line with 9 in a row.

[cougjunkie]

Tweets sound like Jimmer is putting on a shooting clinic. 16-20 from NBA 3pt line with 9 in a row.

That was earlier, Jimmer worked out at the very beginning and did very well. Interestingly enough his shooting motion was different, he was not elevating as high nor was he flaring his elbow on his release, still very effective.

The only other PG that hit anything of note was Isiah Thomas he shot the ball well from what I saw. The problem is the cameras switch back and forth so much its hard to see what is going on.

[Blueintheface]

Tweets sound like Jimmer is putting on a shooting clinic. 16-20 from NBA 3pt line with 9 in a row.

Yeah, but can he do it with guys in his face or from even further out?

[MarkGrace]

That was earlier, Jimmer worked out at the very beginning and did very well. Interestingly enough his shooting motion was different, he was not elevating as high nor was he flaring his elbow on his release, still very effective.

I wonder if the elevation was just due to the fact that there was no defender. When he went through his warmups or was taking shots before games at BYU, did he get the same elevation he did during games?

[BGRTHNUMEGO]

I wonder if the elevation was just due to the fact that there was no defender. When he went through his warmups or was taking shots before games at BYU, did he get the same elevation he did during games?

No, he didn't. As he was going around the arc this morning it did just look like him going through the motions during warm-ups.

So I guess he'd shoot like this in the 3pt contest, unlike Ray Allen who still elevates a ton in that competition.

[MarkGrace]

The word is that the Timberwolves are shopping the No. 2 overall pick around. I already sort of covered this, but right now, David Kahn doesn't seem to have a lot of need for another young project player but is instead looking to acquire some veteran talent. So with that knowledge out there, teams are calling and talking.

One that's surfaced? The Pacers.

According to a tweet from Sam Amico of Fox Sports, the Pacers are "making a seriously play" for the No. 2 pick. By "serious," the word is that Danny Granger is part of a proposed deal along with Ricky Rubio and Michael Beasley.

http://eye-on-basketball.blogs.cbssp...48484/29424331

[Jacob]

http://eye-on-basketball.blogs.cbssp...48484/29424331

One that's surfaced? The Pacers.

According to a tweet from Sam Amico of Fox Sports, the Pacers are "making a seriously play" for the No. 2 pick. By "serious," the word is that Danny Granger is part of a proposed deal along with Ricky Rubio and Michael Beasley.

Wow. Indy really likes George, I suppose they are thinking that Granger is good, but they overpaid. That leaves an opening for Williams at the 3/4. They also need a starting offensive big..like Kanter, who'd seem to makes sense alongside Hibbert.
But if Minnesota is really giving up all that, they must not think they are getting Rubio to come over.

[Jacob]

Today I've convinced myself of the following:

1. Jimmer will likely be a starter in the NBA (at least a low level starter). Having made this conclusion, he'd be a steal at 12.
2. Nobody else at 12 is exciting.
3. Kanter is not going to contribute much right away and will probably suck at defense. He'll be 19 during the entire season, so if he turns out really well, he is several years away...like Favors. Most of his rookie deal would be wasted. (I'll change my mind if he's 6-11, but I think 6-10 is pushing it).
4. Irving and Williams are the only 2 ready to make real contributions immediately. So, unless Williams slips to 3, Jazz have to move up, or down. (I guess I'm just agreeing with MG here). So, a trade with Cleveland or Toronto for the 4 or 5 pick is a good possibility.
5. Assuming picking at 3 or lower, I'm higher today on someone who has at least one elite skill. That's Biyombo and his shot blocking and athleticism.

Finally, I'm down on Knight today, so even though I'm not high on Kanter, I'd prefer to see Kanter/Biyombo/Valanciunus/Vesley with the first pick and Jimmer with the second. But there's a decent chance Jimmer doesn't stick around till 12.

I'll probably change my mind tomorrow, but picking at 3 sucks right now.