A few notes from just a quick glance at the results: Cedric Simmons' results are pretty incredible for a big man; he's stride for stride with Rudy Gay, and at 223 with a 7'4" wingspan, getting in 14 reps is amazing. Your favorite and mine, Ronnie Brewer once again exceeds expectations; obviously the quickness is a concern, especially as he's going from a college environment where the handcheck is standard operating proceedure to the no perimeter contact world of the NBA. Redick is once again proving that he's a workaholic when it comes to getting in shape; faster and more agile than the paragon of athleticism in this draft, Rudy Gay. A bit disappointed in his strength; he's got short arms and 4 years of college weightlifting, so this shouldn't be too difficult for him. Big ups to Randy Foye, who I really hope slides to Philly; I'd love to see him for 3 more years in his adopted hometown, and ups to Mardy Collins as well; that lane agility is horrific, but the vertical is pretty impressive for a 6'6" PG. Shawne Williams: 32" One Step, and 31" Vertical Maximum? He must be a two footed power jumper, ala Jason Richardson and Dominique Wilkens. Still not much power in getting nearly matched by Morrison and beaten by Redick. Marcus Williams: Doesn't deserve a comment based on these results. Still would take him, though. Nothing too shocking, and I'd surmise that these results probably don't have a whole lot of impact on draft stock in the GMs' minds, otherwise we'd never see the top players risk exposing themselves like Marcus Williams, and get a lot more tight quads and stiff hammys.
I think scouts who use the combine results will rank the players based on positions. So players will be compared with the other ones in similar size. Like... "He (O'Bryant) tested as the 18th-best center at his position." "Marcus Williams tested dead last among all guards in the draft" "Texas' LaMarcus Aldridge is athletic but he pales in comparison to LSU's Tyrus Thomas in almost every category. Aldridge ended up being ranked 28th out of 33 power forwards in the draft." So they might say O'Bryant is disappointing because he had the worse vertical jump among the centers. But I don't think anyone would say O'Bryant sucks because the 6'7" Ronnie Brewer had a better vertical jump than him.
I don't know how much you can rely on the combined results to pick a player. If Yao Ming had attended the 2002 NBA combine, he would most likely have been ranked dead last in every category. But even the grandma of my buddy knows he was the legitimate No.1 pick in that year and the best player in that draft now.
This deal is looking better and better, we can only hope Toronto and other teams under the cap are lukewarm about signing MJ to a deal. Another thing I like about Brewer is his pedigree having an NBA dad that has been training him since he was a young boy, his basketball IQ must be pretty well developed with a background like that. I also liked his interview, seems like an intelligent, motivated young man that knows what it takes to succeed in the NBA. Lets hope he is there when we pick because I think Brewer goes to the Rox if he is. Redick tested pretty well and solidified his chances to be picked in the top 10. If Brewer isn't there I would pick JJ over Carney.
There's no necessary connection, but wasn't his dad's NBA career fairly disappointing. He was awesome in college and then p-f-f-f-t in the pros.
I was kind of hoping that we could trade down and get Brewer, but I don't think that will be the case anymore. Even though there isn't much room to move up (Top 6 picks are pretty much locks IMO) but Brewer maybe having the best workouts overall.
Yeah, I dont like the idea of the Rockets trading down HOPING that Brewer is there at #11 or #12. I think the Rockets should stand pat and select him at #8.
Yea, at this point, I wouldn't risk trading down. Brewer to the Rockets makes so much perfect sense that I'm starting to doubt it will even happen. It just makes too much sense and it usually never works out that way. My prediction is that they will take Carney in some form.
I agree that I am slightly scared that the Rockets will do something strange with their pick. Although I wouldnt be surprised if they dont pick Brewer that they end up taking someone like a Randy Foye. He fits the bill as a 3rd scorer and perhaps a poor man's Dwayne Wade. I am less and less excited about Carney as the days go by, especially as he relates to Ronnie Brewer. I am cautiously optimistic the Rockets will pick Brewer at #8. I would be very happy!
Especially if you consider that the only thing Carney had on Brewer was the athleticism and that the combine results proved Brewer to be the more athletic of the two. My skepticism stems from the fact that these things almost NEVER pan out the way the fans expect. Rashard Lewis was almost a no-brainer and they pulled Bryce Drew and Mirsad Turcan out of nowhere - different management but you get my point. What seems to make perfect sense to us is usually the opposite.
I think every Rocket fan is cautious about the draft after the whole Rashard Lewis fiasco. But hopefully this year will be different, JVG stated that he wants size and athleticism at SG, so I don't think he'd be too interested in a 6'3" Foye. Both Brewer and Carney would be a good fit, I like Brewer's versatility a lot.
If Roy and Brewer are available -- do we still go with Roy? He put up much better college numbers, particularly on offense. He also was a better rebounder, despite not having quite the same length/athleticism. And apparently Roy is a legit 6'6. And he's also capable of playing the 1, 2, or 3. But should we be concerned about the knee problems?
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=149788 "The 212-pound Wade bench-pressed 185 pounds nine times, one fewer than Hinrich, but bettered him in both the lane agility test (10.56 seconds to 10.98) and the three-quarter-court sprint (3.08 to 3.10). Wade also had a 35-inch vertical leap and a standing reach of 8-6." D Wade 185 pounds benched 9 times lane agility test 10.56 3/4 court sprint 3.08 35 inch vertical http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=113911&page=1&pp=20 JJ Redick 185 pounds benched 6 times lane agility test 10.94 3/4 court sprint 3.29 33 inch vertical Ok so we are going to draft Brewer over Redick? Redick is almost as athletic as Wade. He came in at 6-5 in shoes and he is a the deadly shooter the Rockets need. I have a problem seeing all the Redick is slow, unathletic, and one-dimensional logic. How do people explain the scores compared to Wade? Take Redick between his height, his scores, and his proven game. And he FITS the team the best. The Rockets better not listen to the same fans that wanted Swift and Boki and now want Brewer, they better use some sound logic and take Redick.
Yeah these combine tests can only be used to a certain extent. Then common sense has to step in. On the basketball court, Wade and Redick aren't in the same league athletically.
