For those players who expect to be taken in this year’s NBA Draft, the looming lockout threatens to put their professional hoop dreams on hold a week after they pose on stage with NBA commissioner David Stern.
But for a class of players ready to get drafted but not quite ready to be drafted, there’s a chance a lockout might be beneficial. At the very least, it would leave more time for the weight room.
Among the players who made their way through Verizon Center to work out for the Wizards on Monday — including three projected first-rounders — packing on the pounds was cited as a major priority on multiple to-do lists.
“It’s in bold, size-14 font,” Texas freshman forward Tristan Thompson said. “I’m definitely trying to put on some bulk.”
A self-described banger, the 20-year-old Canadian has rebounding instincts and length to help complement his 6-foot-8, 227-pound frame — but he’s still a good 10-15 pounds lighter than Trevor Booker without being any more refined offensively.
A similar current Wizards comparison can be drawn from shooting guards Klay Thompson (Washington State) and Alec Burks (Colorado), two younger and less refined versions of restricted free agent Nick Young. Both are projected to be top-20 selections.
The 19-year-old Burks, who is listed in mock drafts as high as the 10th pick, has some of Young’s slashing ability, but at 6-6, 193 pounds, his first step better be quick if he hopes to avoid getting knocked aside by NBA defenders.
When Young was measured at the NBA Combine in 2007, he came in at 6-6, 206 pounds — identical to what was recorded two weekends ago by Thompson, the 21-year-old son of 1978 No. 1 overall pick Mychal Thompson.
“I need to put some weight on, some muscle, and that’ll help all facets of my game,” said Klay, whose pure shooting stroke evokes Young. But it took Young three years to get to his current and more effective size (210 pounds).
As the Wizards contemplate what to do with the 18th pick, they’ll have to ask themselves whether they’ve got the patience to make a similar investment.
– Craig Stouffer
