14.Kevin Durant 6-10 215 SF Texas Fr.

What he did well: Showing off his long arms (7’5’’ wingspan and 9’2’’ standing reach) was about the only positive Kevin Durant can take from this combine.

What he struggled with: Durant couldn’t muster ONE rep of 185 lbs. Despite being known for his athleticism, his vertical leap of 33’’ ousted only Josh McRoberts and Spencer Hawes. His speed and agility also were put into question when he turned in the fourth-worst sprint time (3.45) and the last place lane drill time (12.33). Lucky for Durant, basketball is played on the court, not in the weight room. As poor as he performed, it shouldn’t affect his draft status as the second overall pick.

Everyone with two good eyes can see that Kevin Durant is a special basketball player. So whereas these negative results may enter into the minds of someone who haven't seen "player B" on the court, they do not, and will not interfere with everyone's thinking when it comes to Kevin Durant.

Right? DO we still pick him second overall or have your thoughts towards him swayed?


Feedback, please.

Posted by bigpimpin:

14.Kevin Durant 6-10 215 SF Texas Fr.

What he did well: Showing off his long arms (7’5’’ wingspan and 9’2’’ standing reach) was about the only positive Kevin Durant can take from this combine.

What he struggled with: Durant couldn’t muster ONE rep of 185 lbs. Despite being known for his athleticism, his vertical leap of 33’’ ousted only Josh McRoberts and Spencer Hawes. His speed and agility also were put into question when he turned in the fourth-worst sprint time (3.45) and the last place lane drill time (12.33). Lucky for Durant, basketball is played on the court, not in the weight room. As poor as he performed, it shouldn’t affect his draft status as the second overall pick.

Everyone with two good eyes can see that Kevin Durant is a special basketball player. So whereas these negative results may enter into the minds of someone who haven't seen "player B" on the court, they do not, and will not interfere with everyone's thinking when it comes to Kevin Durant.

Right? DO we still pick him second overall or have your thoughts towards him swayed?


Feedback, please.

I once saw Aaron pryor fail to lift 100 pounds over his head in the battle of the superstars. But the bottom line is--he could likely kick everyone's arse he was going against right?

Posted by BRIGGS:

Posted by bigpimpin:

14.Kevin Durant 6-10 215 SF Texas Fr.

What he did well: Showing off his long arms (7’5’’ wingspan and 9’2’’ standing reach) was about the only positive Kevin Durant can take from this combine.

What he struggled with: Durant couldn’t muster ONE rep of 185 lbs. Despite being known for his athleticism, his vertical leap of 33’’ ousted only Josh McRoberts and Spencer Hawes. His speed and agility also were put into question when he turned in the fourth-worst sprint time (3.45) and the last place lane drill time (12.33). Lucky for Durant, basketball is played on the court, not in the weight room. As poor as he performed, it shouldn’t affect his draft status as the second overall pick.

Everyone with two good eyes can see that Kevin Durant is a special basketball player. So whereas these negative results may enter into the minds of someone who haven't seen "player B" on the court, they do not, and will not interfere with everyone's thinking when it comes to Kevin Durant.

Right? DO we still pick him second overall or have your thoughts towards him swayed?


Feedback, please.

I once saw Aaron pryor fail to lift 100 pounds over his head in the battle of the superstars. But the bottom line is--he could likely kick everyone's arse he was going against right?

I think it does say that his life in the NBA is well suited on the perimeter. But yeah those combines are useless.

yea pimp, this info can be useless, usually, long and tall guys are not that good at benchpressing, I remember kevin willis being a great bench press guy, but willis has short arms for a big man. All that matters to me is that the basketball doesn't weigh 185 pounds, and durant can fill the hole with the basketball, end of story...

The only thing I would take from it though I wouldn't put hardly any stock into it. I would want to see if he at least tried to compete during the running drills. Durant already knows that he is going #2. So none of these drills mean anything to him. I would say it would be a boost to him if he still showed a competitive spirit even though he knows he is going to be #2. But I would understand and would hardly care if he didn't.

He tried lifting the 185, it sapped him of all his strength so he had no vert or speed the rest of the day. Thass prolly whappened.

Nate could lift a house but can't sit still to finish the comics page in the paper.

Nate likely shown what an athletic freak he was and it does help a lot of players who are on the fence regarding who goes where. All things being equal, perhaps the nod goes to the kid who is stronger.

But we all know that fatigue does strange things to a body and the mind and there must be some measurement facters to look at.

On the other side, perhaps we need to look at fundamentals a bit more also. The freaks can do lots of things but having a handle, a shot, and some passing skills is what its about. Freaks can fly, but we need geeks!

Pistol Pete looked like he could not lift 100lbs with his rail thin stature and gangly body.

I wonder if Shaq busted his ass at the combine.
You gotta figure if you're a legit top 1-2 pick, that this is just a dog and pony show. No reason to excel in this arena unless you're uber competetive and he probably was told by someone to low-key it.

Posted by tomverve:

It doesn't prove that the combine results are useless. All it does is emphasize that the combine results are only a relatively small part of what goes into evaluating a player.

Agreed. The combine's probably worth something, but not very much.