I have been so focused on the NBA and the playoffs this year that I have not done the kind of due diligence on potential NBA draftees that I usually do. In the last few years, by now I would have already been focusing on the draft for at least a month, would have read all of the draft sites and previews, would have watched all available clips of play, and would have been eagerly awaiting the NBA pre-draft measurements and combine results to really solidify a draft order. This year, instead I'm watching my favorite player get to his first NBA Finals…which is admittedly much more enjoyable. Even still, the draft is a big deal and now that the measurements/combine is over it is time to start paying attention.
The measurements and combine results were released yesterday, and here is a link to the overall results on the DraftExpress website.
Here are some of my initial impressions about a few of the lottery prospects this year that could make some noise in fantasy basketball drafts this fall.
1) Derrick Rose and Michael Beasley. They are this year's consensus 1-2, in some order, the way that Greg Oden and Kevin Durant were last year. Rose was helped immeasurably by the success of Chris Paul this season, as now everyone wants to find the next franchise point guard. Beasley provides the kind of inside/outside scoring threat in the frontcourt that is always in demand. Each measured out a bit shorter than expected, though, which probably hurts Beasley a bit more than Rose. At 6'2 Rose still has decent size for a PG, but at 6'8 Beasley is slightly undersized for a PF. Rose had excellent combine scores, though his lane agility is a bit slower than expected. Beasley also tested well, and his long 7-foot wingspan should help him overcome any height disadvantage he might have. Both seem to be good bets to be productive as rookies.
2) OJ Mayo. Being from the Midwest, I have a unique perspective. LeBron James and Greg Oden, two generation-level players, have come through the area in the last handful of years. But before I ever heard anything about Oden I was hearing about this guy OJ Mayo, who was going to make everyone forget about LeBron when he got older. Mayo was the consensus #1 prospect for years, but then he had a freshman season that was great but not otherwordly and he was passed in public perception by Derrick Rose and Michael Beasley. I say that Mayo's game is more-suited to the NBA than college (Excellent 1-on-1 player, strong defender, long-range jump shot) and that in five years he may be looked upon as the best player from this class. He tested out as one of the best athletes at the combine, and his height compares favorably with Dwyane Wade which suggests he should be fine playing shooting guard. Mayo is my early call to challenge Greg Oden for Rookie of the Year.
3) Brook Lopez. He's this year's 7-foot center that some see as a great NBA big man in waiting that others see as the next bust. His poor athletic performance at the combine (Absolutely LAST in lane agility and ¾ court sprint) doesn't help the stiff worries, but he did measure out at a legit 7'0 with a ridiculous 9'5" standing reach. Combine that with good post moves, a good jumper and good fundamentals and maybe he can reach some of the Chris Kaman/Andrew Bogut comps he's received. While those guys aren't franchise players, both have shown signs of dominance and could settle into 20/10 guys. If Lopez even sniffs that, he's worthy of a lottery pick.
4) Eric Gordon and Jerryd Bayless. Both are explosive undersized shooting guards that appear destined for the Ben Gordon mold. Each tested out similarly athletically, but Bayless has short arms while Gordon measured out with a huge wingspan to give him a bit of an edge on paper.
5) Joe Alexander. His size and athleticism look ideal to play small forward, and with his outstanding combine numbers (great bench press, vertical leap and sprint numbers) he is one of the better small forward prospects in the draft.