On whether he could go to the NBA after his freshman year, Towns said: "I got a great support system and all my focus right now is on going to Kentucky and winning a national title."

Towns could become even more intriguing to NBA scouts if he grows to 7-3.

A kinesiologist told Towns last week he still has room in his growth plate to grow three more inches. Towns wears a size-20 basketball shoe.

Thats what the nba draft is for. Size 20? Thats why he runs so heavy.

If you want to add someone that will impact right away....thats free agency.

Good find.

franco12 wrote:I have visions of Yao Ming and potentially brittle bones when someone is that tall. Humans just aren't designed for that kind of height.

I was very concerned about offering Gasol a max deal at 30 with that think burly build. Stress fractures waiting to happen. You cant manage injuries, but you can try to avoid players who are ticking timebombs. I like how both Towns and OK4 move... for what its worth.

These picks are technically worth tens of millions of dollars and more!!! I realize if there is a concern teams can request but can a team evaluate foot bone structure? Knee? Do full body MRI and perhaps determine who might be the better "Speciman"?

I know that sounds like a "Meat market" or some weird breeding type thing, like buying a horse but sadly it really is. Mind you, we not talking about animals, we talking the player who can make over $100 million inside of 10 years!

These guys are only freaking 19 years old. I realize its a mans game but they have baby faces and their bodies are not developed yet. Sure there are the Jordans, Lebrons, Kobes, Garnetts and many others that can make the jump and be physically ready but then there are the Larue Martins, Same Bowie, Oden (three TrailBlazers overall no.1 right there, add Bill Walton perhaps!!!) that were physically not able to sustain a career!

My point? A lot at stake. I look at Towns I see Alonzo Morning but with a shorter neck. Mourning fill out! Oka4 looks more like Carmelo/Duncan who has a graceful power game.

Really the arguement of Towns vs. Oka4 only is relevant for who has the overall no. 1 pick. Otherwise you take whose left over........

Unless you think Russell is a special player? Im talking VERY special. Often these guys don't show it until they get to the NBA. Jordan was special, but we never saw what was to become. Lebron dominated HS ball and we never saw it in college. Lebron's rookie year was amazing for an 18 year old!!!!

franco12 wrote:

Nalod wrote:
Is there any thought that these guys get physicals before the draft? Last year the Austin kid was a first round prospect and he got diagnosed with a disorder (marfons) and is not out of basketball.

These picks are technically worth tens of millions of dollars and more!!! I realize if there is a concern teams can request but can a team evaluate foot bone structure? Knee? Do full body MRI and perhaps determine who might be the better "Speciman"?

I know that sounds like a "Meat market" or some weird breeding type thing, like buying a horse but sadly it really is. Mind you, we not talking about animals, we talking the player who can make over $100 million inside of 10 years!

I think its only a matter of time before you start to see & hear DNA testing.

You look at someone like Derrick Rose- and while he is a tremendous athlete, he can't stay healthy. And there must be a 'Brittle' Gene. I know, cause Bargs clearly has it. There's also a 'lazy' gene- Eddy Curry has it.

gunsnewing wrote:Well he is 6'11-7ft right now. YAO WAS 7'5

Hes probably 6-10.5 hes clearly not as tall as stein who is probably 7 feet. but it might make sense the way his body is somewhat aligned--seems very top heavy--maybe he has 2-3 inches in his legs to go. If a doctor said its VERY likely that Towns would grow to 7-2 then he easily would be pick 1 no questions asked--3 inches added would be too much to turn down.

franco12 wrote:

Nalod wrote:
Is there any thought that these guys get physicals before the draft? Last year the Austin kid was a first round prospect and he got diagnosed with a disorder (marfons) and is not out of basketball.

These picks are technically worth tens of millions of dollars and more!!! I realize if there is a concern teams can request but can a team evaluate foot bone structure? Knee? Do full body MRI and perhaps determine who might be the better "Speciman"?

I know that sounds like a "Meat market" or some weird breeding type thing, like buying a horse but sadly it really is. Mind you, we not talking about animals, we talking the player who can make over $100 million inside of 10 years!

I think its only a matter of time before you start to see & hear DNA testing.

You look at someone like Derrick Rose- and while he is a tremendous athlete, he can't stay healthy. And there must be a 'Brittle' Gene. I know, cause Bargs clearly has it. There's also a 'lazy' gene- Eddy Curry has it.

One thing is for certain, he is fundamentally sound

fishmike wrote:

gunsnewing wrote:I rather him stay at 6'11-7'0 so that he able to continue to use all his skills.

Then again if he grows to 7'1-7'2 he will be a defensive beast while still spreading the floor on offensive.

Big guys who are already tall usually don't grow more than an inch at 19

hey.. I was 6'0 for my HS Sr. physical. 18 mos later I was 6'4.

Just sayin

Can you run point next year? lol

Yea you see it a lot with guards who go through a huge growth spurt like Giannis A. For example but guys who are already close to 7ft usually only grow more than an inch after 19

WaltLongmire wrote:If there really is a chance that Towns could grow to 7"2"/7'3"...

1) If he is 6'11" now, that would mean another 4", probably added over the next 1-3 years. Are there unavoidable injury issues associated with this kind of growth?

2) Would there be any influence on his coordination/movement/quickness/and even technique if he has a growth spurt over the next few years?

David Robinson had a crazy growth spurt while he was at the Naval Academy, if I remember correctly. I have a vague memory that some aspects of his game were based on his time as a smaller player- just can't remember exactly. Might also be early onset senility, or I might be totally off on this "memory." Don't think the extra inches would change Towns' game, because he already plays like a big man, his coordination would just have to catch up with the increased length.

If he did reach 7'3" and kept the coordination he has has now, while gaining the strength and "hardening" that comes as he matures, he could end up being a monster. Give him a good/consistent hook shot (he already has a nice one)add that to his jumper, and he would be virtually unstoppable on the offensive end.

One thing to think about with Towns. Shooting touch on jumpers/foul shots seems to be an issue with a lot of big men. The fact that Towns has a soft touch from the outside with nice mechanics is pretty impressive for a 19 year old kid.

You wonder if he developed the shot early on because it was easier for a young growing kid to master than a post game. Have to give some credit to his early coaches.

With all this said, it might take a few years to see what you really have with him if his physical growth continues.

David Robinson interesting

I remember hearing about that. Does anyone have the details on his growth spurt? How much and how old was he?