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NBA Draft workouts are always exciting simply because, as the Denver Post's Benjamin Hochman noted this morning, it's the NBA's version of speed dating. Actually I've never speed dated (because, honestly, that's just not going to happen in Bismarck, North Dakota), but it seems exciting enough that I used it for today's lede before we get into the 2011 NBA Draft's pre-draft workouts!
Today's featured workout is happening with the Charlotte Bobcats as they host a mishmash of talent including Kenneth Faried of Morehead State, Kansas forward Markieff Morris, Angelo State's LaMarshall Corbett, Southern Miss's Gary Flowers, Alex Stepheson of USC and Clemson's DeMontez Stitt according to the Charlotte Observer.
Considering Faried is the only first round prospect (and Morris, of course, who I completely forgot about in my first draft) -- and the only player to be projected in most 2011 NBA mock drafts, period -- the ferocious rebounder should be able to impress Michael Jordan, Rod Higgins, Paul Silas and the rest of the Bobcats' front office. Flowers is the only other name to keep an eye on, at least in terms of players that have a decent chance of working themselves into the second round, especially if he's able to limit Faried in the workout.
The New Jersey Nets are hosting a workout full of prospects as reported on SB Nation's NetsDaily. RU favorite Willie Reed will share the stage with big men Jon Leuer of Wisconsin, Jamie Skeen of VCU, Florida's Vernon Macklin while UCLA's Malcolm Lee and Pepperdine's Mychel Thompson fill out the remainder of the workout.
Leuer and Lee are the two players that could find themselves in the first round when June 23 rolls around while Skeen and Macklin are both interesting projects. Thompson, well... his dad and brother are pretty good.
The New York Knicks will have their second consecutive day of pre-draft workouts with a group that includes James Madison's Denzel Bowles, Marshon Brooks of Providence, BYU's Jimmer Fredette, Pitt's Gary McGhee, Michigan's Darius Morris and Washington State's Klay Thompson.
Hopefully McGhee never finds himself matched up with Fredette or else a replay of the epic Kemba Walker moment could happen (and that wouldn't be good for McGhee's already subpar draft stock).
The Sacramento Kings aren't being very exciting as they've invited Kentucky's Brandon Knight to workout for them today. And no one else. Just Knight. Don't be concerned, though, because the great Tom Ziller says this is exactly how it worked with Tyreke Evans.
The Miami Heat, despite hosting Game 2 of the NBA Finals, will host Duke's Nolan Smith, Kansas State's Jacob Pullen, Cory Joseph of Texas, UTEP's Julyan Stone and former Kansas Jayhawk Josh Selby today according to Alex Kennedy. Selby versus Smith could be an interesting match-up, but that's partially because I've been finding myself rooting for Smith the past few seasons.
Last, but not least, the Denver Nuggets will host a group that includes Hofstra's Charles Jenkins, Georgia's Travis Leslie and Cory Higgins, a local player from Colorado University (according to the aforementioned Denver Post).
Along with all of these rookie workouts, the Minnesota Timberwolves will also hold a free agent tryout that's expected to go on for the next two days.
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