how important is the NBA combine?

by porterfan30 on Jun 13, 2007 10:22 AM PDT Comment 2 comments

There has been a lot of talk about the Combine results and Oden being a freak of nature (in a good way) and Durant not being able to put up 185lbs on the bench press. How much stock do you put into the numbers at the Combine and how well does that translate one the court? Some things to think about...
Durant is supposed to be an amazingly hard worker and yet can't put up what most high school athletes can their junior year in high school.
LMA beat Durant in every stat his yr at the Combine but most were very, very close... and yet most of us think LMA is too slow to play the SF position...will Durant be too slow for SF and too weak for PF?
Or is all this hype just that... hype. The player that shows they want it more and plays with passion will end up on top everytime.

Poll

How important is the Combine stats?

Huge! The most important.

0 votes

Important, the numbers don't lie.

5 votes

A good guide but that's it.

27 votes

Not at all.

5 votes

37 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 2 comments

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Comments

LMA - combine

Having been a HS / semi-pro coach for many
years, I can tell you I've seen the development
of 18-22 year old kids. Durant not being able
to bench 185 even once is of concern, but not
as important in basketball. It will make some
difference in the NBA, as most players are
stronger and more mature than a skinny kid
like Durant. LMA however benched 185 eight
times at last years combine. Big difference !
That said, LMA struggled at times finishing
at the hoop under pressure. He couldn't dunk
over people unless alone, which is the reason
for him working hard in the weight room. I expect
him to put on muscle and strength, as he has
a lean but muscular frame. Small forward ??
He never has been a small forward and will never
be, as SF requires very quick feet. LMA is very fast up and down the court, but his lateral
quickness is not there to guard quick SF's.
He's a PF/small center. I think eventually he
will develop into a PF who can knock down the 3,
as well as postup on anyone in the league.
He will be a good rebounder and an excellent
defender/shot blocker.
Is Durant a undersized PF. No way ! He'll get pushed around as a SF his first couple of years.

It's GO time !

by walkoff41 on Jun 13, 2007 11:23 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs