I agree with hoops4life, these numbers don't tell the whole tale when it comes to the players - only game footage that displays skills, handling of certain situations etc. do. Height, weight and reach might be useful numbers to have when calculating the best role for a player, but ultimately, it's the skills that count. The speed drill seems most useless to me - if they want to see how fast or quick someone is on a fastbreak or in defense, they should look at game tape.
<div class="quote_poster">Ed! Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">It's a lot harder to bench when you're that long, it's a lot easier for shorter guys. He still needs to put on some muscle, but this isn't the end of the world (for Durant).</div> Bingo. I've never been able to bench a ton because of my long arms. Personally, I like Durant more than Oden because of Oden's passion (or lack there of) for the game of basketball. We'll see how it turns out, but there sure has been a lot of physical specimens that have turned out to be busts.
taken from true hoops Jonathan Givony: Draft Combine Numbers are Almost Pointless June 5, 2007 4:03 PM On DraftExpress, Jonathan Givony makes the point that a player doing really well (Greg Oden) or really poorly (Kevin Durant) in the various measurements taken a few days ago in Orlando is no reason to conclude much of anything. After all, it's a contest to find the best basketball player, not the best jumper, lifter, or reacher. History, he writes, is littered with examples of front offices reading too much into these test results. These are just some that Givony provides: Who was the top athlete in the 2003 draft? Thinking logically about that draft, you'd probably assume it was a toss up between Dwyane Wade and Lebron James. But in fact, it was 6-2 shooting guard Troy Bell, who did not make it past his rookie contract before being cut by the man who reached badly to draft him in Jerry West. Bell was affectionately nicknamed "Troy Airbell" by ACB Spanish league fans he horrified with the air-balls he jacked up playing for Real Madrid, and struggled this past season to run a D-League team. Bell measured a 41 inch vertical leap (which would rank 1st in this year's combine), ran a 3.06 in the ? court sprint (also 1st), and bench pressed the 185 pound bar 17 times (fourth amongst guards). If Bell were eligible this year, he most likely again would be deemed the top athlete in this year's draft too. Who was (supposedly) the 2nd best athlete in that draft? Brandon Hunter, an eventual late 2nd round pick who was relegated to the 2nd division in Italy this year playing for Livorno. Dwyane Wade, possibly the best overall athlete in the NBA today, ranked 14th. Chris Bosh finished 51st. Chris Kaman 45th. In that same year, TJ Ford measured in as being slower in the various footspeed tests than Chris Kaman, Kirk Penney and Carmelo Anthony. Huh? Anyone that has ever seen him play would tell you that he is one of the fastest players in the NBA, if not the fastest. In 2004, we found a similar story. Kirk Snyder came out as the top overall athlete, while players like Andre Iguodala, Luol Deng and Al Jefferson's draft stock supposedly took a hit by measuring out as relatively poor athletes. That same Andre Iguodala who was robbed of the slam dunk championship a few months ago, only recorded a 34 inch vertical leap, one inch more than J.J. Redick last year. Rickey Paulding, Timmy Bowers and Luis Flores were all declared amongst the top 10 athletes in the draft. One averaged 13 points per game this past season in France, one came off the bench in the Israeli league, and the other finished just a notch ahead of Brandon Hunter's team in Italy and was also relegated to the 2nd division. The 2005 draft combine was equally pointless. Monta Ellis ranked as the worst athlete of all the players measured, coming out slow, weak and with very little leaping ability. Once the NBA season started and the ball actually rolled out on the court, though, he magically transformed into a spectacular athlete who can get his shot at will and dunks anything and everything that is remotely close to the basket, despite only being 6-3. Eventual rookie of the year Chris Paul was declared only the 15th best athlete amongst the players tested, and was somehow deemed slower than Deron Williams, Sean May and Wayne Simien.
I think this will reinforce the Blazers decision to take Oden over Durant, but by no means does this signal a big issue for the Sonics. Durant is still the man. Pro sport scouts routinely make the mistake of looking too closely at numbers calculated in a closed environment, instead of what they can see of a player in the big, in game moments. I, for one, can't remember the last time a basketball game devolved into a bench press contest at center court. Is Durant potentially weaker in the arms and chest than other players? Sure, probably. When Garnett came out, people said he was so thin and weak, he wouldn't even be able to play an entire season. When you consider that Durant's game is much more perimeter oriented than most guys his size, the lack of strength doesn't seem like a huge issue.
<div class="quote_poster">eXile Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">taken from true hoops Jonathan Givony: Draft Combine Numbers are Almost Pointless June 5, 2007 4:03 PM On DraftExpress, Jonathan Givony makes the point that a player doing really well (Greg Oden) or really poorly (Kevin Durant) in the various measurements taken a few days ago in Orlando is no reason to conclude much of anything. After all, it's a contest to find the best basketball player, not the best jumper, lifter, or reacher. History, he writes, is littered with examples of front offices reading too much into these test results. These are just some that Givony provides: Who was the top athlete in the 2003 draft? Thinking logically about that draft, you'd probably assume it was a toss up between Dwyane Wade and Lebron James. But in fact, it was 6-2 shooting guard Troy Bell, who did not make it past his rookie contract before being cut by the man who reached badly to draft him in Jerry West. Bell was affectionately nicknamed "Troy Airbell" by ACB Spanish league fans he horrified with the air-balls he jacked up playing for Real Madrid, and struggled this past season to run a D-League team. Bell measured a 41 inch vertical leap (which would rank 1st in this year's combine), ran a 3.06 in the ? court sprint (also 1st), and bench pressed the 185 pound bar 17 times (fourth amongst guards). If Bell were eligible this year, he most likely again would be deemed the top athlete in this year's draft too. Who was (supposedly) the 2nd best athlete in that draft? Brandon Hunter, an eventual late 2nd round pick who was relegated to the 2nd division in Italy this year playing for Livorno. Dwyane Wade, possibly the best overall athlete in the NBA today, ranked 14th. Chris Bosh finished 51st. Chris Kaman 45th. In that same year, TJ Ford measured in as being slower in the various footspeed tests than Chris Kaman, Kirk Penney and Carmelo Anthony. Huh? Anyone that has ever seen him play would tell you that he is one of the fastest players in the NBA, if not the fastest. In 2004, we found a similar story. Kirk Snyder came out as the top overall athlete, while players like Andre Iguodala, Luol Deng and Al Jefferson's draft stock supposedly took a hit by measuring out as relatively poor athletes. That same Andre Iguodala who was robbed of the slam dunk championship a few months ago, only recorded a 34 inch vertical leap, one inch more than J.J. Redick last year. Rickey Paulding, Timmy Bowers and Luis Flores were all declared amongst the top 10 athletes in the draft. One averaged 13 points per game this past season in France, one came off the bench in the Israeli league, and the other finished just a notch ahead of Brandon Hunter's team in Italy and was also relegated to the 2nd division. The 2005 draft combine was equally pointless. Monta Ellis ranked as the worst athlete of all the players measured, coming out slow, weak and with very little leaping ability. Once the NBA season started and the ball actually rolled out on the court, though, he magically transformed into a spectacular athlete who can get his shot at will and dunks anything and everything that is remotely close to the basket, despite only being 6-3. Eventual rookie of the year Chris Paul was declared only the 15th best athlete amongst the players tested, and was somehow deemed slower than Deron Williams, Sean May and Wayne Simien.</div>Great article eXile, I guess it just kind of shows that 1. A slightly better athlete is not neccessarily a better basketball player. 2. Sometimes players who seem to be great athletes (Iggy, Monta Ellis, Wade), according to these tests are in the middle of the pack, or the worst (Ellis).
^^That just reminded me how much I loved Troy Bell lol. He went to Holy Angels here in minnesota, I thought he was gonna be so freakin good. Honestly who cares about Durants times? He can flat out play like no one has done before really. His style is completely unique and if that can transfer to the nba, then people better watch out.
Obviously this doesn't affect Durant's stock too much. He showed how dominant he can be in college and like everyone's said, he has a great feel/understanding of the game. Plus, players like him tend to use their speed and quickness early on in their careers and develop strength and versatility later on (ie: Chris Bosh). It does add to how amazing a prospect Oden is though. Its not like he's some sort of workout wonder. The dude's got an incredible feel for the game and great instincts on defense. These numbers just make him that much better. He's going to be a force in the league.
durant has a longer wingspan than oden? LOL Oden is faster because he is taller and has longer legs (of course) plus he is fit and can carry his body...
<div class="quote_poster">Montaman Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I, for one, can't remember the last time a basketball game devolved into a bench press contest at center court.</div> lmao, you just dont want Kevin Durant on your team if it ever does, haha. Bench press isnt a worthy measure of strength IMO, I have a friend who is about 5'9, and can bench press 60kg to the standard 8 reps, while I am 6'0, and can only bench 45kg to the standard 8 reps. However, I can dead lift 90kg to 8 reps, while he can only do 80kg to 8 reps. There are other excercises I can do more than him in, and there are some he can do more than me in, it all depends. Durant should look to become stronger of course, but not being able to bench 185lbs isnt a big deal at all.
I like these results how they show you how long some players wingspans are and how tall they exactly are. It's more of a curiosity thing. Like nice facts to know. Eg Durants wingspan is insane
<div class="quote_poster">phunDamentalz Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I dunno, who cares what Durant can bench? He's not a center. How much can T-Mac bench, I would say not all that much. AK-47. Rip Hamilton etc.... You can't be fast AND bench a ton. Pick one.</div> You have to be both. I'm not saying a scorer like Druant should be stronger than Oden however he needs to be able to use both his strength and his speed to beat out defenders or he could find himself being forced to take many perimiter shots. At his height, Durant will be defended by many strong and quick forwards who would be able to shut him down. Although I'm sure Durant didn't put his all into the dash, he has to be able to bench at least 185 if he wants to be able to compete with the strongest defenders in the NBA. I'm sure Durant will still be scoring at least 17 PPG in his rookie year, being this weak will slow him down come later in his career when he's called up to lead a team into the playoffs.
