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*Photo via NBC.com
The NBA playoffs are in full swing and it’s some of the best theater in the world. The competition is fierce as 8 teams are still in the hunt to procure the NBA Championship. Eight teams out of 30 remain, so what should the fans of the other 22 be doing to fill their NBA itch? They should keep up with the NBA Draft Combine being held in Chicago Tuesday through Sunday as 62 draft eligible men test their skills and measure their athletic ability in an attempt to move up the draft board. The majority of the T.V. coverage will be Thursday and Friday on NBATV.
Why should I watch?
This year will mark the first time since 2008 that the combine has included five-on-five open scrimmages. Finally, basketball IQ and court awareness will be on display, rather than your typical sortable measurements.
Are the lottery picks going to participate?
Unfortunately, the trend has been that the agents of guys projected to be in the top 10 have withheld their clients from participation. This year, there will be no Karl Anthony-Towns, Jahill Okafor, or Kristaps Porzingis. Additionally, according to ESPN Insider Chad Ford, nobody in his top 25 will be participating in the five-on-five scrimmage. The risk of injury for lottery probable entrants is too high for many considered first round locks already.
Who has the most to gain/lose?
With the reemergence of the scrimmage the mid-major players have a chance to prove that their sometimes inflated statistics were not due to inferior competition in lesser skilled conferences. Players with the most to lose are those who will not measure well. Last year, two players Kyle Anderson and Shabazz Muhammad, had dramatic drops in their stock after participating.
What activities are included in the combine?
The combine consists of interviews, medical examinations, athletic testing, basketball drills, shooting, and a scrimmage.
Tuesday, May 12 11:00 AM until completion. Arrivals, media circuit and medical intake (interviews and photo shoot at hotel) Wednesday, May 13 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM Testing (anthropometric & a portion of the medical testing) 2:00 PM – 7:25 PM Interviews with teams (hotel) Throughout the day Medical testing for select players (Hospital) Thursday, May 14 9:00 AM – 11:50 AM Interviews with teams (hotel) 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM On-court session – five-on-five games, shooting drills, strength and agility testing Throughout the day Medical testing for select players (Hospital) Friday, May 15 8:30 AM – 11:55 AM Interviews with teams (hotel) 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM On-court session – five-on-five games, shooting drills, strength and agility testing Throughout the day Medical testing for select players (Hospital) Saturday, May 16 7:00 AM until completion Medical testing (Hospital) Sunday, May 17 9:00 AM until completion Medical evaluations with Team Doctors and Athletic Trainers (hospital
Participants Underclassmen D'Angelo Russell Ohio State Justise Winslow Duke Willie Cauley-Stein Kentucky Stanley Johnson Arizona Myles Turner Texas Kelly Oubre Kansas Sam Dekker Wisconsin Devin Booker Kentucky Bobby Portis Arkansas Trey Lyles Kentucky Kevon Looney UCLA Tyus Jones Duke Cameron Payne Murray State Montrezl Harrell Louisville Rondae Hollis-Jefferson Arizona Christian Wood UNLV R.J. Hunter Georgia State Jarell Martin LSU Cliff Alexander Kansas Justin Anderson Virginia Rashad Vaughn UNLV Dakari Johnson Kentucky Chris McCullough Syracuse George Lucas Pinheiros Robert Upshaw Washington Terry Rozier Louisville Michael Qualls Arkansas J.P. Tokoto North Carolina Mouhammadou Jaiteh Nanterre Andrew Harrison Kentucky Tyler Harvey Eastern Washington Jordan Mickey LSU Olivier Hanlan Boston College Michael Frazier Florida Aaron Harrison Kentucky Vince Hunter UTEP Chris Walker Florida Brandon Ashley Arizona Terran Petteway Nebraska NCAA Seniors Frank Kaminsky Wisconsin Jerian Grant Notre Dame Delon Wright Utah -- Anthony Brown Stanford Norman Powell UCLA Aaron White Iowa Rakeem Christmas Syracuse Alan WilliamsUC Santa Barbara Joseph Young Oregon Jonathan Holmes Texas Richaun Holmes Bowling Green Keifer Sykes Wisc. Green Bay Branden Dawson Michigan State Treveon Graham VCU Dez Wells Maryland Larry Nance Wyoming Quinn Cook Duke TaShawn Thomas Oklahoma Marcus Thornton William and Mary Corey Hawkins UC Davis Pat Connaughton Notre Dame Chasson Randle Stanford Ryan Boatright UConn
Chad Ford's Confirmed 5-5 Scrimmage Participants * Activity Schedule and Participants List From DraftExpress.com