Rob Hennigan calls Draft Combine 'very productive'
The NBA Draft Combine wrapped up in Chicago on Friday, and Rob Hennigan told Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel that the two day event was "very productive."
Many of the top prospects did not participate in the Drills portion, but that is not the point of the event for many general managers. For many of those players, the teams have done their research and their scouting. They know what these players will do and what they need to improve on. The next four-plus weeks are about learning who these players are as people and figuring out how they fit into the team's future plans.
That is why the interview process is often the most important part of the two-day event. Teams are allowed to interview up to 18 players for no more than 30 minutes during the two days. More interviews and individual workouts will follow leading up to the NBA Draft on June 28.
Hennigan told Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel:
It's been very productive. We got a chance to talk to a lot of guys who we've been following throughout the year, and anytime you get a chance to spend half an hour with them, you glean some valuable things.
The way the rules are set up, you're observing these players from a distance for such a long period of time. Then, you actually have a chance to have an interpersonal exchange. So that just adds another layer of information that you put into the cauldron, and you stir it around and then it will help you to try to make a decision.
The Magic interviewed several draft prospects during the two-day event. That included the favorites for the top pick such as Ben McLemore and Nerlens Noel. Otto Porter also interviewed with the Magic. Trey Burke did not, but he is expected to be in Orlando for a workout in the very near future.
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The Magic will find out where they will select in the 2013 NBA Draft on Tuesday night when the Lottery teams gather in New York for the annual Draft Lottery. Until then, all the organization can do is its homework.
The Magic are out in full force in Chicago this week for the NBA Draft Combine. While several draft prospects will be focusing on impressing scouts with their skills, many of the top picks are sitting out and participating only in the measurement and agility drills portion Friday. For scouts and front office staff, the more valuable part comes in being able to talk to and interview the top prospect for the first time.
The Magic made it pretty clear -- particularly at the end of the season -- they were going to go young and play their rookies and young players to speed along their development. Orlando was not expecting any of its rookies to win the Rookie of the Year. Maurice Harkless, Andrew Nicholson, Kyle O'Quinn and DeQuan Jones were bringing brought along slowly.
When looking at the Magic roster at the beginning of the season, you could assume offense was going to be a problem. The roster did not have a single player who had been a first option offensively before this season. The key players were all nice role players, but hardly anyone you wanted to give the ball to and create offense.
The No. 6 has hung in the Orlando Arena and Amway Center rafters since 1990. It has always been a symbol for a passionate fan base in a small, but growing, town. There was a jersey retirement ceremony that second season after fans stuck by their new pro franchise through the hiccups and growing pains of an expansion year.
Earlier this week, the NBA Draft's early entry deadline passed and the Draft Class for the 2013 draft was set in stone.