Basketball from a fans perspective
Draft Combine
As mentioned previously the NBA Draft Combine will be held Thursday May 11 and Friday May 12. 67 College players will be analyzed regarding a number of physical issues. Something that can never be measured by a tap measure is a players defensive potential. On second thought it might be their desire to play defense, and example might be Magic Johnson. Magic was never a great defensive stopper however he played excellent team defense. As for measurable qualities they include:
Physical Testing
Height w/o shoes
Height with shoes
Weigh
Wingspan
Athletic Testing
No step vertical jump
Max vertical jump
Bench press
¾ Court sprint
Lane agility (lateral movement, stop-start acceleration, etc.
Above represents the major events of the combine, one question I continue to ponder why in the world are players height measured with and without shoes.
An exchange
College teams lose players every year some to graduation others to the NBA. Sometimes they decide to leave and occasionally they are asked to leave, that would be the case with Carlton Bragg former Kansas Jayhawk. Bragg was so busy with off his off the court drama we are not sure it might have affected his play on the court. Records indicate Bragg was suspended twice during the 2016-17 season, perhaps he can resurrect what’s left of his college career at Arizona State.
Who you got?
Magic Johnson says he wants “A superstar for the Lakers.” Much earlier I indicated I wanted no part of Carmelo Anthony more an age issue than anything. Who does Larry Laker see or maybe desire in Purple and Gold? Paul George fits on several levels, L.A. area guy, age a non-factor. The only negative might be the frustration he’s publicly expressed regarding his Pacer teammates. Do the Lakers allow Blake Griffin to switch lockers at Staples Center?
Griffin fits with his age and talent as well, the chief concern his annual injury bug which takes him out of the lineup. Chris Paul could become the point guard the Lakers should have acquired in 2011 (thanks David Stern). Gordon Hayward is not a superstar but is inches from the top, age a real plus in addition he’s talented. A number of free-agents are available who could help the Lakers however I wouldn’t consider them superstar quality.
UCLA in the NBA
I’d forgotten Kevin Love and Russell Westbrook were college teammates. I checked the 2007-08 UCLA roster and also discovered Darren Collison, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute were on the team too. I don’t remember if the latter two were starters but that’s quite interesting, four players off the roster are now in the NBA.
