Once again Draftexpress is on the scene covering the annual Portsmouth Invitational tourney. The Portsmouth is an annual tournament which allows College Seniors to get some 5 on 5 against their peers, and give the NBA execs another opportunity to see them play.
As is always the case, the first day of the camp revolves more around who didn’t show up, rather than who did. Quite a few players decided to pull out once again this year, which is very surprising considering that they won’t have any other place to be seen now. There are definitely still a good bunch of NBA prospects here, but you have to wonder a bit about the decision making skills of some of the players that rejected the opportunity to improve their chances of making the NBA, especially in a year like this.
Players who were on the initial roster that have since been replaced include Sam Young, A.J. Price, Jeff Adrien, Jeff Pendergraph, Dominic James, Kevin Rogers, Curtis Jerrells, Robert Dozier, Levance Fields and Goran Suton. NBA scouts, executives and GMs we spoke to all had similar opinions on this matter.
“I’m disappointed in those guys,” one Western Conference Director of Player Personnel stated. “For most players this is their last chance to make an impact on their draft stock, and they decided to pass on it. Real players play, and now these guys are risking being lapped by other prospects who will emerge here.”
Some went even further. “These kids are crazy!” an assistant GM said. “For players on the bubble to not be seen is suicide for some. Who is giving these kids advice?”
According to the article, 15-20 NBA general managers were seen on hand on day one, including Sam Presti. Most of these guys won’t get a sniff in the first round of the draft. I didn’t recognize more than a couple of the names from among those that actaully participated. Many of these guys are just hoping for a training camp invite, or to see their meager draft prospects inch up a bit. (the 2008 Portsmouth first team was: Pat Calathes, Gary Forbes, Jamar Butler, Mark Tyndale and Kyle Hines -not a lot of NBA credentials there) It is great to see our man Presti on hand looking for diamonds in the rough.
More contemporary comparisons for Brockman might be Jason Maxiell of Detroit and Reggie Evans. Can fit in some lineups as a 15 minute player against reserves.
Michael Downs is a sleeper.... I want in Oklahoma
buy a 2nd
I guess we were thinking the same thing Joe but you beat me to it.
I'd take Brockman over a lot of other last or next to last big on the bench options. As a good practice player, at minimum. A Malik Rose type, just 12 years younger.
Those were the same guys I was familiar with too, McAlarney, Brockman and Aboya. Brockman is an animal. I could see him with a small role for a team in the NBA much like Malik Rose (short tough guy, good rebounder). McAlarney looked good in the games when I saw him, but he had a bad day at the PIT from what I read. It's really too bad about the guys who didn't show: Suton, Adrien and Pendergraph. I like Pendergraph. Adrien is also in that "short" Power Forward mode.
Somehow missed learning about Hennigan til now. Two guys with very similar backgrounds. Pluses and minuses to that but Sam's choice. But I don't see anything special in the San Antonio recent draft history of what they kept to earn Presti praise as a talent evaluator there besides Parker. Presumably Hennigan 's work helped give the nod to George Hill, a pick I liked but still see he is a below league average overall and as a 3 point shooter and just ok as a passer. Sounds similar to Westbrook it that regard. I guess they value defense more at the point. I don't disagree but ultimately you'd prefer good shooting and good defense. The first is easier to learn but still doesn't develop that often.
I love Kyle McAlarney. He's a lights out shooter. I've been high on him for a while.
And Jon Brockman is a bruiser, but I don't think OKC would have a place for him.
Diamonds in the Rough is right. As a WSU Cougar fan, my reason for following the tournament so far has been to keep tabs on WSU's graduating Big Aussie Aron Baynes. If you are a college basketball fan you will recognize at least a few names on these rosters, such as:
Jimmy Baron (Rhode Island), Ronald Steele (Alabama), Byron Eaton (OK state), Jon Brockman (Washington), Levance Fields (Pitt), Ben Woodside (North Dakota), Diamon Simpson (St. Mary's), Kyle McAlarney (Notre Dame), Alfred Aboya (UCLA), and Micah Downs (Gonzaga).
I would give Downs and Brockman the best chances of seeing an NBA roster, with Simpson and Eaton as more long term projects. I can tell you from having watched St. Mary's four or five times this year, they're not all about Patty Mills - Simpson has been a beast down low and could really impress some people in workouts. Brockman also has been impressive for the Pac 10 champs (and my bitter rivals) the Washington Huskies, making the conference 1st team and finishing his career as the active NCAA leader in double-doubles. He followed that up in the first game of the P.I.T here with 24 points and 21 rebounds in 30 minutes - some say he doesn't have the size to compete in the NBA but he has a lot of energy and grit, and will surprise people with his energy.
I'm sure there are other diamond-in-rough type players, but I'm not as familiar on them. Anyone have any other thoughts on this?