It is not about who is invited, but about who actually participates at the NBA Draft Combine. Just like every year the Combine is like a school dance. The gym is at capacity, but most of the cool guys are not dancing while all the girls are left wanting.
This year there have been a handful of prospects with injuries that required surgery in No. 1 Overall prospect Nerlens Noel, Anthony Bennett (4), Alex Len (5), Seth Curry (68), and Ryan Kelly (74). They all had routine off-season surgery sacrificing the here and now to be ready to play in the 2013-2014 NBA season in some capacity. They could have held off on the surgeries, but made the right overall decision.
Others are recovering from injuries in Jamaal Franklin (16), Gorgui Dieng (20), and C.J. Leslie (33).
Then there is the group that will not participate on Thursday due primarily to agent decisions in Otto Porter Jr. (3), Michael Carter-Williams (8), Trey Burke (9), Cody Zeller (10), Mason Plumlee (13), C.J. McCollum (18), and Dennis Schroeder (21).
That is by all accounts seven potential lottery picks by ranking wearing sweats instead of basketball gear. In the end that means nothing in terms of stock. Noel will go No. 1 to the teams that need his services and the same for McLemore, Porter Jr, Len, Oladipo, and Burke.
Today the players are working out in sessions for roughly 30-40 minutes at a time running drills that include shooting, rebounding, fast-break offense, closing out, and other NBA situations that allow decision-makers to see these kids play.
For most NBA decision-makers they are looking at these players for the first time due to the long grind of an NBA season. They have to go off of what the scouts have told them and then combine that with their own eye test.
Measurements will be taken Friday and will be up as soon as they are released. Check back in with Bright Side all month for extensive and exhaustive NBA Draft Coverage.