FanPost

Draft Combine Results: PF comparing with NBA Players and Suns Roster Bigs

Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports


I have compiled a simplified table comparing the 2014 NBA Draft Combine measurements and Athletic Testing results of several Power Forward Prospects with the tested results of some top NBA PFs, a few promising young NBA PFs, and the bigs in Suns roster (excl. Alex Len) when they were drafted, for easy reference and comparison.

Height Height Weight Wingspan Reach No Step No Step Max Vert Max Vert
w/o Shoes w/shoes Vert Vert Reach Reach
Adreian Payne 6' 9" 6' 9.75" 239 7' 4" 9' 1" NA NA NA NA
Noah Vonleh 6' 8" 6' 9.5" 247 7' 4.25" 9' 0" 31 11' 7" 37 12' 1"
Patrick Young 6' 8.5" 6' 10" 247 7' 1.75" 8' 7.5" 32 11' 3.5" 37.5 11' 9"
Julius Randle 6' 7.75" 6' 9" 250 7' 0" 8' 9.5" 29 11' 2.5" 35.5 11' 9"
Aaron Gordon 6' 7.5" 6' 8.75" 220 6' 11.75" 8' 9" 32.5 11' 5.5" 39 12' 0"
Anthony Davis 6' 9.25" 6' 10.5" 222 7' 5.5" 9' 0" NA NA NA NA
Tristan Thompson 6' 7.5" 6' 8.75" 227 7' 1.25" 9' 0.5" 30 11' 6.5" 35 11' 11.5"
Derrick Favours 6' 8.75" 6' 10.25" 245 7' 4" 9' 2" 31.5 11' 9.5" 35.5 12' 1.5"
Taj Gibson 6' 8.5" 6' 9.75" 214 7' 4" 9' 1" 25.5 11' 2.5" 30 11' 7"
Chris Bosh 6' 10.25" 6' 11.5" 225 7' 3.5" 9' 1" 30.5 11' 7.5" 33 11' 10"
Al Hortford 6' 8.75" 6' 9.75" 246 7' 0.75" 8' 11" 31 11' 6" 35.5 11' 10.5"
Kevin Love 6' 7.75" 6' 9.5" 255 6' 11.25" 8' 10" 29.5 11' 3.5" 35 11' 9"
Paul Millsap 6' 6.25" 6' 7.25" 258 7' 1.5" 8' 9.5" 28.5 11' 2" 32.5 11' 6"
Channing Frye 6' 9.5" 6' 10.5" 244 7' 2.5" 9' 2.5" 27.5 11' 6" 31 11' 9.5"
Markieff Morris 6' 7.75" 6' 9.25" 241 6' 10.75" 8' 10.5" 27 11' 1.5" 31.5 11' 6"
Marcus Morris 6' 7" 6' 8.75" 230 6' 10" 8' 9.5" 29 11' 2.5" 33 11' 6.5"
Miles Plumlee 6' 10.5" 6' 11.75" 252 7' 0.75" 8' 9.5" 34 11' 7.5" 40.5 12' 2"

It's a pity that Adreian Payne did not participate in the athletic test, but if the 38" vertical published in MSU website is reliable (probably have some truth to it, judging from his performance at the slam dunk competition, and the fact that they got the height, wingspan and weight measurements spot on), he should be able to test slightly better than Noah Vonleh or at least on par.

Purely from measurements perspective, we can tell that both Adreian Payne and Noah Vonleh have the physical tools to be competitive against today's NBA Power Forwards. Their height, size, wingspan and standing reach compare well with all the NBA PFs listed above. For example their standing reach of 9'1" and 9'0' are very similar to the measurements of 7 footer Chris Bosh (9'1") and Anthony Davis (9'0"), their wingspan only pale in comparison with Anthony Davis but better than most others. In term of athletic ability, they can probably out jump all the NBA and Suns PFs listed except Suns center Miles Plumlee, who is probably one of the most athletic big in the league.

On the other hand, Julius Randle and Patrick Young's measurement are closer to slightly undersized PF such as Kevin Love, Paul Millsap and the Morris Brothers. While Julius Randle might have the skillset to develop into a player comparable to Love and Millsap, Patrick Young will probably struggle to even match the versatility of the Morris Brothers. Aaron Gordon measure very close to the Morris Brothers in terms of height and reach but he is much more athletic than both, if you take into consideration of his vertical, he could be competitive against the best PF out there, but he probably need to bulk up a bit though.

Aaron Gordon, Noah Vonleh and Julius Randle probably won't be available when we make the pick, so I think we should target at Adreian Payne. With his height, reach, size and athletic ability, and his ability to hit 3 pointers, he will not only be able to be a legitimate PF, he can also be a stretch four and a part-time center when required. His standing reach is probably third in Suns squad, just below Alex Len and Channing Frye, and his max vertical reach could be on par with Miles Plumlee, our most athletic big in the squad.

Side note: I think Adreian Payne is probably quite an honest and simple-minded guy. I can't help but wonder why he only gain 0.75" of height after putting on his shoes but guys like Noah Vonleh, Patrick Young and Markieff Morris can gain up to 1.5" after putting on theirs...

Edit: Add a few pictures to provide some indications of Payne's sick vertical leaping ability for the benefits of fellow BSOTS buddies

His head is basically at the rim, so I don't think a 38" vertical is an exaggeration at all...

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155698406.svqomnvb.payne2_medium

155698409.7oe6hdqu.payne3_medium

Another Angle:

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