Day 2 of the 2013 NBA Draft Combine is officially in the books as the numerous prospects did their best to convince all of the NBA GMs and executives in attendance that they should be their choice in the upcoming NBA Draft. I gave you some of the standouts and players who struggled in my Day 1 report, so let’s talk about what stood out to me from Day 2.
Standouts
Tim Hardaway Jr, SG Michigan – Probably the player who helped himself the most over these two days, Tim Hardaway Jr. put on quite the performance at the combine. Building on his stellar performance from Day 1, Hardaway Jr. continued to shoot the ball excellently today and cement his status as a late 1st round prospect.
Steven Adams, C Pittsburgh – Adams displayed great touch on his jumper, a rarity for big man of his 7’0″ stature. Adams also measured in with a 7’4.5″ wingspan during the measurements, a monstrous length. Adams might have just played himself into the lottery.
Kelly Olynyk, C Gonzaga – My questions surrounding Olynyk coming in centered on his ability to defend larger players, and he did a pretty good job on defense during 1 on 1 drills. But Olynyk shined during the shooting drills, hitting nearly everything he attempted. A high energy player with the ability to shoot, I believe some team will get a steal with Olynyk later in the draft.
Trey Burke, PG Michigan – Burke declined to workout during the two days, but his biggest plus were his measurements in the athletic testing. Burke checked in at 6’1.25 in the height measurement, and that should have some GMs breathing a sigh of relief when it came to the questions about his height. Burke also registered in with a 6’5.5″ wingspan. A very good number for a smaller guard who excelled in college at finishing around the rim. Should help him at the next level when he attacks the basket.
Reggie Bullock, SG North Carolina – Bullock shined during these past 2 days all because of one reason. He shot the lights out of the ball. Checking in at shooting 72% over the combine, some team will get a dead-eye outside shooter in the draft when they take Bullock. He is one of my sleepers and players to keep an eye on at the next level.
Players who Struggled
Nerlens Noel, C Kentucky – Noel is still in the midst of returning from a ACL injury so he obviously didn’t participate in the drills portion of the combine. The issue was his measurements. Noel checked in at just 206 pounds when weighed. A concerning number for a prospect who makes defense his calling card. You have to wonder how Noel will excel at protecting the rim at the next level, when there are point guards in the league who weigh more than him.
Archie Goodwin, SG Kentucky – I had my eye on Goodwin coming into the event, hoping that he had developed some sort of touch on his outside shot. After struggling much of Day 1 with his jumper, Goodwin again struggled to find the hoop when it was required of him to knock down a jumper. You have to wonder if Archie scared some teams away with his performance over the past 2 days.
Shabazz Muhammad, SF UCLA – For all of the reasons I put Shabazz on the standout list after Day 1 when other outlets said he struggled, Muhammad erased nearly everything I felt he accomplished on Day 1. He was in attendance but decided not to participate in drills today, after participating yesterday. Extremely disappointing when I gave him credit for being one of the few lottery prospects who actually worked out. Then Muhammad only checked in at 6’4.75” in socks during the height measurement. For a player who projects at the small forward position at the next level, that is concerning.
Peyton Siva, PG Louisville – Siva once again struggle with his jumper during Day 2 of the combine. Concerning after he didn’t really shoot that well during Day 1. On the plus side though Siva did great during the athletic testing of the day, checking in at 3.14 seconds when running 3 quarters court. A good showing a speed for a smaller player.
Myck Kabongo, PG Texas – Kabongo struggled mightily with his jumper over the two day combine, hitting just 5/25 three point attempts. As with all point guards, concerning when a player looked to not be able to knock down an outside shot.
Ultimately, I always believe actual game tape of players is a lot more significant than performances at a combine. Still, some players helped themselves mightily with their performance over these past two days. Naturally of course, some players hurt their stock with their performance.
We’ll ultimately have to see how this alters the upcoming NBA Draft, but I would tell GMs to be careful before you put too much stock into performances at a combine. Try as it might, actual game tape never lies.