2011 NBA Draft and Offseason Blog

Written by Paul Banks of the Washington Times, and David Kay of the The Sports Bank.
Send Paul an e-mail here: paulb05 AT hotmail DOT com.
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2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Day 1 - May 20


The 2011 NBA Draft Combine rolls through Chicago this week, and the Second City has become (for a few days anyway) a professional and college basketball version of Beverly Hills - all the stars are out everywhere you turn.

Michigan Avenue's Westin Hotel, where the 2011 NBA Draft Combine's media activities were held, is located in the heart of the Magnificent Mile, across the street from the John Hancock Center. The most high-profile sector of the city drew basketball's heaviest hitters to town for the chance to evaluate the incoming class of talent.

Members of numerous NBA front offices reside in the hotel lobby, and Chicago Bulls legend Scottie Pippen must have walked past us at least 3-4 times on the way out. And on the way to the car we also saw ESPN's Fran Frischilla, BYU Coach Dave Rose, and former Iowa Hawkeyes and Bulls legend B.J. Armstrong, currently the agent to NBA MVP Derrick Rose.

The NBA Draft Combine may not be as publicized as the NFL version, but it is filled with people "ballin' like Spaulding," if I may use a phrase from Common, one of The Chicago's finest MCs.





During the actual interview sessions, a draft combine reporter gets up close and personal with almost every former college basketball star soon to be drafted on June 23.

Each player gets his own table in the conference room and journalists rotate like speed daters to obtain quality face time with everyone. Conversation is much more in-depth than post-game press conferences. It's about the big picture here, and most of us ask what teams each prospect as worked out and/or met with. And of course, which teams are scheduled.

One source told us the Charlotte Bobcats are really big on Alec Burks and he will not fall past them if he is available with their ninth pick.



On top of the media grilling, NBA prospects face tougher inquisitions from the teams themselves.

The NBA collects feedback from the league's scouts and personnel, and decides which 50-60 (54 were here this year) prospects gauge the most interest. The elite prospects are then invited to work out in front of team representatives (this part is closed to the media, but airs on ESPNU).

The players also take more measurements than a Playboy Playmate, such as wingspan, vertical reach, height and weight (with and without shoes). This male version of a beauty pageant can be stressful, but also fun for the players.



I did enjoy how love how Florida State Chris Singleton's showed us his printed list of meetings with teams; made our job easier, since we'll all ask that anyway. We became fans of Marshon Brooks. He's quite well spoken, and acknowledged that he was pretty much Providence's whole team. Reporters seem obsessed with how big Kawhi Leonard's hands are. He told us they were 11 inches from wrist to finger tip. There were five successive questions on the topic.

And don't get me started on the journalists obsession over Kansas' Morris twins, and all the physical traits they share. That's an 800-word story in itself.

We talked with pretty much every American-born first-round prospect that was made available (I say American-born because all of the foreign talent except Enes Kanter was absent.)

Be sure to check back with WalterFootball.com leading up to the 2011 NBA Draft for more in-depth features on each of the prospects.



Recent NBA Draft and Offseason Blog Entries:

2012 NBA Draft Outstanding Trades - 12/25
2011 NBA Offseason Winners - 12/23
2011 NBA Offseason Losers - 12/23
2011 NBA Free Agency Signings Analysis - 12/22
2011 NBA Free Agency Signings Analysis - 12/20
2011 NBA Free Agency Signings Analysis - 12/16
Chris Paul Trade Analysis - 12/15
2011 NBA Free Agency Signings Analysis - 12/14
2011 NBA Free Agency Signings Analysis - 12/10
2011 NBA Free Agency Signings Analysis - 12/9
Five Players Likely to Be Traded After NBA Lockout - 7/7
2011 NBA Free Agency: Allan Houston Rule - Southwest Division - 7/6
2011 NBA Free Agency: Allan Houston Rule - Northwest Division - 7/5
2011 NBA Free Agency: Allan Houston Rule - Pacific Division - 7/3
Cavaliers-Kings Trade Recap - 7/1
2011 NBA Free Agency: Allan Houston Rule - Atlantic Division - 6/30
2011 NBA Free Agency: Allan Houston Rule - Central Division - 6/30
2011 NBA Free Agency: Allan Houston Rule - Southeast Division - 6/29
2011 NBA Draft Trade Recaps - 6/25
2011 NBA Draft: Bobcats-Kings-Bucks Three-Way Trade - 6/24
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: How Kyrie Irving Compares to John Wall and Derrick Rose - 6/23
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Is Kyrie Irving Ready to be a Franchise Point Guard - 6/23
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Kemba Walker is the Most Undervalued Player in the Draft - 6/23
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Is Derrick Williams a Power Forward or Small Forward? - 6/22
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Wait, Kansas' Marcus and Markieff Morris are Twins??? - 6/21
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Jordan Hamilton Using Yoga to Help His NBA Draft Stock - 6/18
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Tristan Thompson Benefits from Weak Draft Class - 6/17
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Kawhi Leonard's Versatility is His Biggest Asset - 6/14
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Chris Singleton is a Lottery Sleeper - 6/13
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Where Does JaJuan Johnson Fit in the NBA? - 6/11
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Kentucky's DeAndre Liggins Made Right Decision in Entering NBA Draft - 6/10
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Should a Marijuana Arrest Affect NBA Draft Stock? - 6/9
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Nolan Smith Has Different Identity On and Off Court - 6/7
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: John Wall Mentoring Darius Morris - 6/5
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Brandon Knight Worth Third Overall Pick? - 6/2
Rumor: Cavs, T-Wolves, Pistons Discussing 3-Way Trade - 5/29
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Josh Selby Putting Kansas Behind Him - 5/28
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Marshon Brooks Rising Up Draft Boards - 5/26
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Alec Burks Connected to Bobcats - 5/24
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Combine Measurements - 5/21
Thunder Really Likes Kyle Singler? - 5/21
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Day 1 - 5/20
2011 NBA Draft Lottery Odds Breakdown - 5/16
2011 NBA Free Agents - 5/3
NBA Offseason and Draft Blog - Home

Leave a comment Name Comment Verification: click on image to refresh it   Da Gong Show 05-20-2013 11:28 am xxx.xxx.xxx.193 (total posts: 1) 0     0 The Minnewaukee Timberbucks? 03-10-2013 02:20 am xxx.xxx.xxx9.43 (total posts: 5) 8     8 03-10-2013 02:20 am xxx.xxx.xxx9.43 (total posts: 5) 7     8 03-10-2013 02:20 am xxx.xxx.xxx9.43 (total posts: 5) 7     8 03-10-2013 02:19 am xxx.xxx.xxx9.43 (total posts: 5) 8     7 v1iibv6dj jle78ha9a 03-10-2013 02:19 am xxx.xxx.xxx9.43 (total posts: 5) 8     8 03-10-2013 02:19 am xxx.xxx.xxx9.40 (total posts: 1) 8     8 drose is a cap killer 02-14-2013 11:09 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.117 (total posts: 1) 7     9 post draft winners/losers should be switched Reno 10-09-2012 06:21 pm xxx.xxx.xxx2.12 (total posts: 2) 11     17 Reading this makes my decisions easier than tkanig candy from a baby. Ralph 09-10-2012 02:48 am xxx.xxx.xxx.154 (total posts: 1) 13     19 Awsome submit and sthagirt to the level. I really do not know if this is certainly essentially the most beneficial put to question but do you men have any ideea in which to employ some specialized writers? Thanks Ronnie 09-10-2012 02:08 am xxx.xxx.xxx.138 (total posts: 1) 16     15 Come on, get it done!I have not watched the NBA since they left Vancouver. If they would be back, I would be back too.Miss going to the games a lot. NBA games were a lot more fan frieldny then the Canucks games but I would support both(and the Lions in summer/fall). Claudia 09-10-2012 01:32 am xxx.xxx.xxx.235 (total posts: 1) 14     13 Above and Beyond! My only regret is not kninowg you at Jacksons birth. Its been an incredible journey for my son's first year and I cant thank you enough for all of our photo sessions, all of your mom to mom advice, our girlfriend to girlfriend chats, play dates with the babies and just the love and positive energy you give off. Thank you Stace for being YOU! <3And many thanks to my girl Dany had it not been for her we wouldnt be viewing or reading any of this Mustafa 09-08-2012 05:32 am xxx.xxx.xxx4.81 (total posts: 1) 13     16 I have watched a few Hoya games the last few years, and have seen Summers play a bit. When wahcnitg him, he looked like he was on an NBA level. He is a poised defender and has a great post up game. I have also seen him get a lot of praise from announcers about his NBA readiness. He should go now, so there is no chance he can ruin it, for example if he got injured next year if he stayed, he would get drafted a lot later. Lisa 09-07-2012 07:13 pm xxx.xxx.xxx2.12 (total posts: 2) 13     13 Why does this have to be the ONLY rleialbe source? Oh well, gj! Ebru 09-07-2012 05:19 pm xxx.xxx.xxx1.28 (total posts: 1) 11     12 I think that this is how it should be done. If you rellay believe you are a great player out of high school then go to the NBA, but if you go to college you have to stay for at least two years. Colleges spend tons of money on recruiting and then there players are one and done. Pages: 12 3 4 ...6 7

2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 3

2014 NBA Mock Draft - April 25

2013 NBA Draft Prospect Rankings: C | PF | COMBO-F | SF | COMBO-G | SG | PG

2011 NBA Mock Draft - June 23

2011 NBA Mock Draft - Walt's (June 21)

2011 NBA Mock Re-Draft

2010 NBA Mock Re-Draft

2009 NBA Mock Re-Draft

2011 NBA Draft Scouting Reports

2010-11 NBA Season Previews

2009 NBA Draft Grades





2013 Fantasy Football Rankings - May 20


Charlie's 2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 20


2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 15


2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 3


NFL Picks - Feb. 3