Here's a round-up of coverage from the Portland Trail Blazers' Tuesday pre-Draft workout group which included UNC center Tyler Zeller and Illinois center Meyers Leonard.
Matt Calkins of The Columbian writes...
"I was missing a lot of shots that I usually make," said a grinning Zeller, admitting that it wasn't his best workout. "I gotta get settled in. Toward the end I was able to finish."
Zeller added that he thinks he needs to add about 15 pounds in order to pull his weight in the post in the NBA, but feels that he's very adept at running the court.
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"They (Leonard and Zeller) are both very talented and will get a lot of consideration," Blazers acting general manager Chad Buchanan said. "It's hard to find centers."
Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com writes...
"I followed them (Trail Blazers) a little bit," Zeller said. "I know Raymond Felton...North Carolina guy. I love watching them play. They get up and down the court."
He later added, "My speed is something that everyone knows about, but I think I can prove that I can shoot the ball better than most people think."
Leonard - who is forgoing his junior year - is your prototypical big man who will protect the paint and is surprisingly athletic for his size.
"I've been working on my skill set really hard over the offseason and extending my range, working my back-to-the-basket, just working on everything...But mainly the ability to change the game with my athleticism."
Jason Quick of The Oregonian writes on Twitter...
No shocker, but UNC C Tyler Zeller looked better than Illinois C Meyers Leonard at Blazers' draft workout. Both expected 1st rounders.
Anne Peterson of the Associated Press writes...
The Blazers don't have the best reputation when it comes to high-profile big men. Greg Oden, the No. 1 pick in the 2007 NBA draft, was finally waived this season after four major knee surgeries. Before that, there was often-injured center Sam Bowie, whom the Blazers took with the second pick in the 1984 draft, passing on Michael Jordan.
Both prospects shrugged when asked if they thought Portland was jinxed.
''I don't think anybody's that superstitious about it,'' said Zeller. ''It happens.''
Leonard added: ''You've just got to go out and play and do what you can do. The jinx isn't something I can worry about.''
Joe Freeman of The Oregonian writes...
"It was good to see two big guys out there battling each other," [Blazers Acting GM Chad] Buchanan said. "Both of those guys had terrific seasons. Tyler is a little more experienced than (Leonard), but I think both of those guys will be very good NBA centers. It's good to see that out on our court for once."
Sean Meagher of OregonLive.com has video of Blazers Acting GM Chad Buchanan's comments.
Sorry for no on-scene coverage from the workout. I'm in Miami and Boston this week. This post will update as additional reports come in.
-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter