Lampe leaves lasting impression
- chad

ESPN NBA Insider Chad Ford got exclusive access into the pre-draft workouts of Dwyane Wade, Maciej Lampe and Chris Kaman on Monday. Here's his report from Hoops Gym.

CHICAGO -- How do three potential lottery picks prepare for the NBA draft? Think lots of shooting, protein shakes, shuttle drills, suicide runs, weight lifting, some one-on-one with a 7-foot-5 foam dummy and a lot of instruction from Michael Jordan's personal trainer, Tim Grover.

9 a.m. Marquette's Dwyane Wade hits the court to begin the first workouts of the day. He's joined by Ball State's Theron Smith, North Dakota's Jerome Beasley and Marquette's Robert Jackson.

After a light warm-up, trainer Grover pulls out a pair of 7-foot-5 foam dummies and asks Wade and Smith to start shooting over the dummies.

Wade and Smith follow each other, putting the ball on the floor, swinging around one dummy and shooting high arching shots over the next.

Wade and Smith work on their shots for 15 minutes before Grover comes over and runs them through the next drill.

This time both players are told to stand in the free-throw circle in the key. Each is given a ball and told to keep dribbling while trying to steal the basketball from the other player.

The drill makes both players look a little bit like a dog chasing his tail. Wade manages to get a couple of pokes in on Smith's ball, but he isn't able to keep dribbling and poking at the same time.

Grover then runs both players through some shuttle drills. Both Wade and Smith have excellent lateral quickness.

Soon Grover has them back shooting. Both Wade and Smith are facing similar issues in the draft. They're too short to play the same position they played in college in the pros. Wade is trying to prove to teams that at 6-foot-3, he can make the transition to the point, at least part time. Smith, at 6-foot-7, is trying to convince teams that he can play small forward.

The knock on both players is their perimeter game, so Grover makes them chuck up shot, after shot, after shot. Things look pretty good until they step out past the NBA 3-point line. Wade makes just 11 of his 25 threes. Smith is better, shooting 13 of 25 from the field.

After they're done shooting, Wade and Smith are asked to dunk the ball, standing flat footed, with their backs to the rim. Smith has no problem, but it's Wade's rim rattling dunk that grabs everyone's attention.

Grover claims both players are making major progress.

"Both of these guys are unbelievable athletes," Grover says. "The trick is just to get them consistently shooting the ball. They usually shoot better than what you saw today, but obviously, they need more work."

11 a.m. 18-year-old Polish forward Maciej Lampe has been warming up for two hours on an adjacent court.

He showed up at Hoops two hours early for his workout. He's been doing that for the past four days.

"I didn't know a lot about the kid when he first came in," Grover said. "But I learned real quick. He took a 10-hour flight from Spain, drove over here straight from the airport and went through a two-a-day before he had even unpacked a bag. When you have that kind of desire, good things happen."

Lampe is actually bursting with desire. After suffering through a lonely season with Real Madrid, where he received little in the way of coaching, Lampe is ready to roll.

I ask him about how he's enjoying his first trip to the U. S. "I got to see Hooters," he says with a big smile. "But it really wasn't as big of a deal as I thought it would be."

Anything else? "Not really, I came here to work," Lampe said. "And to see Hooters," he says again with a smile.

Lampe nervously fidgets with his shorts as he awaits his turn to work out. After four days of solo workouts he's getting his first chance to work out with some Americans.

con't

They just happen to be Elton Brand, Darius Miles, Corey Maggette and Quentin Richardson.

That's a pretty big jump from the Spanish ULEB league, in which Lampe used to play.

"He's been unbelievable in workouts," director of scouting Greg Ryan says. "But he still doesn't think he really belongs playing with the top guys. We think he does. Today we'll prove it to him."

Brand is the first to arrive. This is also his first week working out for Hoops. After a disappointing season with the Clippers, Brand said he felt like it was time to come in and make sure his body was in perfect shape to handle the rigors of next season. When he's told he's working out with Lampe he smiles. "The rookie!"

Brand and Lampe begin shooting the ball. Each player is matching each other around the court. As Lampe gets more confidence, his superior shooting touch from the perimeter allows him to pull away.

"That kid can shoot man," Brand said. "How do you keep up with that?"

Lampe and Brand also work with the foam dummies. Today Brand is in the post working on hooks shots over the 7-foot-5 obstacles. Lampe is working on his perimeter shooting.

At one point Lampe starts to get winded and Grover comes over to agent Keith Krieter with some advice.

"What's he eating for breakfast?" Grover asks.

"Fruit Loops."

"Not a good idea. He needs to take in about 30 percent more protein in he morning."

Where does he get the 30 percent number?

"I can do it just eyeballing him, he's got to start eating better. Most of these kids are the same way."

Indeed. Ryan claims that when Bulls guard Trenton Hassell first arrived, his diet consisted of Kit Kat bars.

"I said, 'O.K. but what do you eat for meals,'" Ryan said. "He just says, 'I eat the Kit Kats for meals'. It doesn't get any worse than that."

Lampe looks ready to roll after a brief breather. He keeps working out relentlessly until Richardson and Miles arrive.

Miles greets Lampe and mid court and tells him to take it easy on Brand.

Soon Lampe and Brand are in another shooting contest. Lampe finished 15 of 25 from NBA 3. Brand was a few steps below that.

After the workout, Brand sings Lampe's praises. "That kid can play now."

Grover calls Lampe "special. His fundamentals for that size and age are off the charts. He's going to be a great player once he hits the weight room a bit and bulks up."

Richardson claims he'll be a top-10 pick with one caveat. "Let's just hope you don't have to play for the Clippers," Q tells Lampe. "We have no money, no coach and no clue."

Lampe laughs. One week in the U.S. and he's already figured out everything a young draft prospect needs to know -- where the Hooters are and how to avoid the Clippers.

2 p.m. By the time Chris Kaman arrives several other players are spreading the bad news.

"Have you seen the 18-year-old kid from Poland," one asks. "He's 7-foot and his shot is fantastic."

That's all Kaman needs to hear at the moment. He's coming off a lousy workout with the Clippers and doesn't want to know that there's another 7-footer waiting in the wings to take his job.

Kaman looks remarkably like Lampe from a distance. They're both about the same height, weight, body type and hair color. But for some bizarre reason Lampe is listed as a small forward and Kaman as a center.

It doesn't take long to understand why. Kaman is nailing hook shots with his right and his left. He looks more comfortable on the low-post block. His footwork is outstanding already.

His perimeter game, however, needs some help. Kaman is money from 10 feet and in, but when he strays further, the shot just won't fall. At one point he playfully punches out the 7-foot-5 dummy in disgust.

"I know you're a reporter, but can the shooting thing be off the record," Kaman asks.

Obviously not.

Kaman also doesn't appear to have the athletic ability that Lampe does. However, that shouldn't stop him from making an impact in the league. His knowledge of how to play in the post far exceeds Lampe's limited experience.

Lampe will get by on size and athleticism. Kaman will be forced to use his head a little more -- and his body.

Grover's goal is to get Lampe quicker. Kaman, on the other hand, is lifting every day trying to get stronger.

"If he's going to play center, then we've got to make sure he doesn't get pushed around," Grover says. "So we've really got him on the weights. He's got a nice frame, I think he'll be just fine."

Posted by NYKBocker:

Great!

Now we definitely will not get Lampe with the 9th pick.

Did you guys really think a 7' 18 year old with his skills was going to be around till the 9th pick. Only reason Amare Stoudamire was around last year was because of his personal problems. Skeeta went 5th last year and Nene 7th. The Knicks have no chance at a player like Lampe and even Kaman. Some of the boards have them going as high as the 5th pick and as low as the 6th. Lampe is expected to go ahead of Kaman. KNicks will trade the pick reguardless of who they get.

Kaman sounds like a bust...I am no expert but it doesnt sound good. The Knicks should try to get Lampe from the sound of it - trade up if possible. But unfortunately we have Layden and Dolan as usual who wont do anything but mess this one up.

... nothing personal but... are you out of your mind?

Posted by Vmart:

Posted by NYKBocker:

Great!

Now we definitely will not get Lampe with the 9th pick.

Did you guys really think a 7' 18 year old with his skills was going to be around till the 9th pick. Only reason Amare Stoudamire was around last year was because of his personal problems. Skeeta went 5th last year and Nene 7th. The Knicks have no chance at a player like Lampe and even Kaman. Some of the boards have them going as high as the 5th pick and as low as the 6th. Lampe is expected to go ahead of Kaman. KNicks will trade the pick reguardless of who they get.

OK. In that case can we make this trade with Pat the Rat.

We send Spree, KT, Ward and the 9th Pick

for

Eddie Jones, Brian Grant and the 5th pick.

Why would Riley do it? He gets rid of 2 albatross contracts, gets 2 contracts that expire in 2 years and another that can be bought out. His salary cap would be very low and get some free agents in (Odom, Kandi Man, etc...). He will still be in the lottery where he can pick Hinrich, Sweetney or Kaman.

Why would we do it? We get big time potential in Lampe or Bosh. But, we would be in CAP HELL where we would have Houston, Anderson, Eisley, Spoon, Grant, Jones for 3 to 4 years of LUDICROUS money. Did I mention the 5th pick? Cut Nailon, Postell and Pope.

Trade Frank Williams for a Late 1st round pick and pick up Outlaw, Ebi, Lang or Perkins.

For the 2 2nd Rd Picks select only PF and/or C.


Hmmm. What do you guys think?

"Kaman sounds like a bust"

why? because some guy on this board doesnt like him? Just curious on your line of thinking...if you have some information on him please share (I dont consider "cause he blows!" information)

Personally I would trade for Ratliff. Use Kurt and Harrington. Offer the 38 pick if needed. This will open the door drafting Sweetney. If Dice plays great, Sweetney is the perfect backup. If Dice (most probable) doesnt play at all we still have a great frontcourt combo of size, post scoring and especially shot blocking.

Posted by rain:

Wow... we trade our #9 pick for a #5, and get two better players in return for KT and Spree. Lets do it before Riley comes off the meds.

You think Jones and Grant are better than KT and Spree? I don't think so. Pat Riley has been trying to unload their contracts for awhile now. Getting KT and Spree at 2 years a pop gives you the same or better production than those 2.

Posted by Vmart:

Posted by NYKBocker:

Posted by rain:

Wow... we trade our #9 pick for a #5, and get two better players in return for KT and Spree. Lets do it before Riley comes off the meds.

You think Jones and Grant are better than KT and Spree? I don't think so. Pat Riley has been trying to unload their contracts for awhile now. Getting KT and Spree at 2 years a pop gives you the same or better production than those 2.

That deal is totally off I mean Jones and Grant these guys still have years left on a massive contract. While Spree and KT are ready to come off the books. I don't think Dolan would ok that deal no matter how much he hates Spree. After all in the end that is a difference of 50 million dollars. Now if you are going to trade Spree and KT and the 9th it would be wise for the Knicks to look for ending contract and picks. The deal I would do is Spree, KT and 9th for Rasheed Wallace, Q.Woods and portlands 25th. I would even throw the 38th in there to get it done and next year first rounder(protected of course).

Yup. I was thinking about that too. Do their contracts justify the 5th pick in the draft?

I like your idea with Portland deal but if Lampe falls to the 9th pick the deal is off.

Jones is much better than Spree

Brian Grant could manhandle Kurt soft game. Brian isnt the scorer Kurt is but he is a much better frontcourt player especially on the boards.

These 2 players problems are their massive contracts. But id swap Spree for Jones in a NY minute.

Posted by NYKBocker:

Posted by Vmart:

Posted by NYKBocker:

Great!

Now we definitely will not get Lampe with the 9th pick.

Did you guys really think a 7' 18 year old with his skills was going to be around till the 9th pick. Only reason Amare Stoudamire was around last year was because of his personal problems. Skeeta went 5th last year and Nene 7th. The Knicks have no chance at a player like Lampe and even Kaman. Some of the boards have them going as high as the 5th pick and as low as the 6th. Lampe is expected to go ahead of Kaman. KNicks will trade the pick reguardless of who they get.

OK. In that case can we make this trade with Pat the Rat.

We send Spree, KT, Ward and the 9th Pick

for

Eddie Jones, Brian Grant and the 5th pick.

Why would Riley do it? He gets rid of 2 albatross contracts, gets 2 contracts that expire in 2 years and another that can be bought out. His salary cap would be very low and get some free agents in (Odom, Kandi Man, etc...). He will still be in the lottery where he can pick Hinrich, Sweetney or Kaman.

Why would we do it? We get big time potential in Lampe or Bosh. But, we would be in CAP HELL where we would have Houston, Anderson, Eisley, Spoon, Grant, Jones for 3 to 4 years of LUDICROUS money. Did I mention the 5th pick? Cut Nailon, Postell and Pope.

Trade Frank Williams for a Late 1st round pick and pick up Outlaw, Ebi, Lang or Perkins.

For the 2 2nd Rd Picks select only PF and/or C.


Hmmm. What do you guys think?

good trade.