Chad Ford: Combine Day 1

[PR07]

Point guards
• Nine point guards ranked in our Top 30 participated in the first workout of the day: Jrue Holiday, Jonny Flynn, Stephen Curry, Jeff Teague, Ty Lawson, Eric Maynor, Darren Collison, Patrick Mills and Toney Douglas. The workout was, by far, the highlight of the camp so far.


Holiday
"I think it was really important to see all of the top point guard prospects on the floor at the same time," one NBA GM told me. "You could measure up guys, compare speed, jump shots and athleticism. It's a small piece of the puzzle, but it helped our staff get a little separation on these guys. That's going to make our job easier."

Four players really seemed to catch the attention of the GMs I spoke with after the event, with UCLA's Jrue Holiday garnering the most attention. He was the biggest point guard of the top group and seemed to tower over several of the smaller guys on the floor.

During one 3-on-2 full-court drill, Holiday looked like a power forward running on the wing. And while his size was impressive, so was his game. He was hitting his jump shot, finishing with both hands and showing versatility and an excellent handle.

"I was skeptical when I read the report out of IMG about Holiday," one NBA executive said. "Now I get it. That's the kid we fell in love with in high school. He was really impressive."

• Curry put on a shooting show -- no surprise there -- but many GMs commented that he really looked like he belonged when he participated in a number of ballhandling and full-court drills. If Curry can prove to teams that he can play point guard, he'll go somewhere between No. 5 and 13. If he can't, he could slip out of the lottery. The results of the first day of camp had to be encouraging.

• Flynn continues to generate buzz with his combination of speed and power -- even if he was the shortest guy on the floor. Every GM I spoke with now sees him as a lottery pick, with many projecting him in the Top 10.

• Maynor also generated some significant buzz with his decision-making and shooting.

"He looked like he was totally in control out there. There's a smoothness to his game that I really like," an NBA head coach said.

• Not everyone impressed, however. Lawson continues to take a little bit of a beating. His small stature and so-so performance in the combine didn't help dispel a growing chorus of scouts who seem to feel that his game won't translate to the pros.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2009 ... our-090529

It also talks about how Austin Daye, DeJuan Blair's physique, and BJ Mullens impressed.

[Sparhawk]

Thanks for posting this. Really good stuff. I'd be happy with Jrue or Maynor. I really hope the Pacers can land Earl Clark though. Tyreke Evans and DeMar DeRozan would also be nice.

Wishful thinking on my part. The Pacers need a lot of help, but this year's draft isn't that good. Doubtful they could trade out of it and get a couple picks in next year's draft.

[Grang33r]

Good link. I did hear on espn radio them talking about Lawson struggles. I really like the recap on Maynor. I just hope that NBA coach isn't JOB... lol

Here's nbadraft.net day 1 write up- http://www.nbadraft.net/node/6101

[Kuq_e_Zi91]

Maynor sounds like such a good fit. Decision making is what we really struggled with from our point guards last season and if that's what he excels at then please bring him in. It also helps that he can shoot. He really sounds like a great fit.

Does anyone know about his personality (how he carries himself, etc.)?

[DWCP2]

I also read in recent days that Tyler Hansborough is possibly climbing up draft boards when his measurements came in BETTER then expected and is deemed in scouts eyes a mid first round pick.

To give you some idea, his measurements came just short of a legit 6'10" (officially 6'9.5") and a standing vertical leap that measured a full inch better then Blake Griffin, supposedly the top pick in this draft.

[Scoot McGroot]

As you all probably know, I like the idea of grabbing Tyler Hansbrough in this draft. His intensity and competitive fire will make him a player in this league for likely 7-12 years.

Now, do I want to pick him with the #13? No. Not at all. But if we could finagle a pick in the 23-30 range, would I seriously consider him there? Absolutely.

[xxSnEaKyPxx]

As you all probably know, I like the idea of grabbing Tyler Hansbrough in this draft. His intensity and competitive fire will make him a player in this league for likely 7-12 years.

Now, do I want to pick him with the #13? No. Not at all. But if we could finagle a pick in the 23-30 range, would I seriously consider him there? Absolutely.

I agree, he's kinda like Ike Diogu with Jeff Foster intensity and work ethic.

I'm not sold on him being much more than a backup, but I think he will be a good spark off the bench and one of the best locker room guys in the NBA.

[DWCP2]

I think the Pacers can take Hansborough at #13 and be content with it.

Keep last year's draft in mind. The Kings, then with the 12th pick selected Jason Thompson out of Rider University and he ended up being well worth the pick. Why do I bring it up? It's because every mock draft the entire month up to the draft didn't have him higher then #23, late in round one.

Same with Hedo Turkoglu when he was also drafted by the Kings. They took him at #22 or #23 and he was deemed a mid 2nd round pick on the majority of mock drafts.

Kings take chances and they paid off, not once but twice and both ended up solid pros in the NBA.

[xxSnEaKyPxx]

I think the Pacers can take Hansborough at #13 and be content with it.

Keep last year's draft in mind. The Kings, then with the 12th pick selected Jason Thompson out of Rider University and he ended up being well worth the pick. Why do I bring it up? It's because every mock draft the entire month up to the draft didn't have him higher then #23, late in round one.

Same with Hedo Turkoglu when he was also drafted by the Kings. They took him at #22 or #23 and he was deemed a mid 2nd round pick on the majority of mock drafts.

Kings take chances and they paid off, not once but twice and both ended up solid pros in the NBA.

I love Hansbrough as a player, but he is not worth the #13 pick. Thompson had a much better NBA body than Hansbrough does.

Hansbrough won't be a starter in the NBA, he will be a great bench player and locker room guy, but not a starter.

[Dunthreevy]

I think the Pacers can take Hansborough at #13 and be content with it.

Keep last year's draft in mind. The Kings, then with the 12th pick selected Jason Thompson out of Rider University and he ended up being well worth the pick. Why do I bring it up? It's because every mock draft the entire month up to the draft didn't have him higher then #23, late in round one.

Same with Hedo Turkoglu when he was also drafted by the Kings. They took him at #22 or #23 and he was deemed a mid 2nd round pick on the majority of mock drafts.

Kings take chances and they paid off, not once but twice and both ended up solid pros in the NBA.

I love Hansbrough as a player, but he is not worth the #13 pick. Thompson had a much better NBA body than Hansbrough does.

Hansbrough won't be a starter in the NBA, he will be a great bench player and locker room guy, but not a starter.

Isn't that pretty much the same argument about Kevin Love last year?

[PR07]

I think he could be Feisty's heir, except with more offense and less rebounding/defense. A nice player mid-late first round.

[Dunthreevy]

Honestly I wouldn't be too upset with the Pacers picking up Hansbrough. BUT I think there will be a better player on the board at #13. I really think we should try anything we can to pick up a pick somewhere in the 20's, via a trade.

[Scoot McGroot]

Yeah, I think Hansbrough might slide up the draft boards (not shoot up, but move up slowly) with his better than expected measurements. I think David Lee being picked #30 does actually foreshadow Hansbrough a bit as well. Lee wasn't a national player of the year candidate, but was one of those 4 year, tough, pisses you off if your an opposing fan type player.

[DWCP2]

Looks like the Pacers are already eyeing a trade down anyway. They did work out Budinger and Young on the Thursday before the draft combine in Chicago. Both of those players, depending on what mock draft you read are slated for the late teens -- early 20's in round one.

[Gremz]

Looks like the Pacers are already eyeing a trade down anyway. They did work out Budinger and Young on the Thursday before the draft combine in Chicago. Both of those players, depending on what mock draft you read are slated for the late teens -- early 20's in round one.

They're just covering all bases I suspect. A perfect example is Jason Thompson going to Sacramento last year. If I recall correctly, he was around the #22 spot when they took him at #12

I get the idea they wouldn't want to leave a quality player on the board. They'll just want to make sure that they examine all the talent and get the best player they can.

[cdash]

Let's not get carried away here. As much as I like that Hansbrough measured out much better than anticipated, it doesn't mean he is worth a lottery pick. In the 20-30 range, he would be a great pick. I agree with DGrangeRx on this one, I think he will be a solid bench player and a locker room guy, but not a starter, and not worth the 13th pick. He sure wouldn't do much to help our lack of athleticism/shot blocking on the front line.