Pre-Draft Camp Notes
Michael Beasley's height is a hot topic in Orlando. The PF was listed as being 6-10 at K-State, but many people think he's closer to being 6-8 or so. If he does clock in closer to 6-7 or 6-8, the Heat could actually decide to pass on him and go with O.J. Mayo instead. We should know later this week of Beasley's official height.
Most of the premiere names in the draft won't be doing much in Orlando as many players see the risks easily outweighing the rewards this week. Dominate over mediocre competition and you've simply done the expected. Suck against mediocre competition and you can hurt your draft status. That said, I'm guessing that if a guy like O.J. Mayo or Jerryd Bayless were to buck the trend and actually get on the floor and scrimmage, it would do nothing but help their stock and impress the talent evaluators, even if they didn't dominate the floor.
SG Wayne Ellington, PG Ty Lawson and SF Davon Jefferson are three guys who figure to be first-round picks and will actually scrimmage this week.
Management and coaching stars are out in force in Orlando as well. Michael Jordan is there, and even granted a short interview with the Post's Marc Berman, although he refused to take the opportunity to rip Isiah Thomas when given the chance. Isiah is no where near Orlando, instead presumably still working his way through Europe on a "scouting trip" for Donnie Walsh. Man, that's funny. Meanwhile Patrick Ewing, Pat Riley, Larry Brown, Danny Ainge, Scott Skiles, Rick Carlisle and Mitch Kupchak are just a few more of the big names at camp. And while a bear was seen swimming in the Orlando Hard Rock Hotel pool early this morning, there is no truth to the rumors that Isiah had anything to do with it. But if the videotape shows that Larry Brown was taking an early-morning dip, a full investigation will be in order.
The Orlando camp is really not that big of a deal, but there will be some interesting stories develop this week and this year's Carl Landry and Daequan Cook are likely on the floor as I write this.
The big names will meet the media on Thursday and then undergo physicals, fitness/ strength tests and also perform drills for NBA executives on Friday.
Comments
Please tell me why the Bulls haven't traded Kirk to the Bucks for Villanueva. Does it just make too much sense for either team to actually pull the trigger?
Posted by: Matt, Aurora, IL | May 29, 2008 04:35 AM