NBA sets a virtual format for the draft combine

The NBA Draft is fast approaching, as it’s less than two months away (Nov. 18). The Golden State Warriors will have the second overall pick, and as a result they need to do due diligence in deciding what to do with the pick.

Even if the Warriors opt to trade the pick, they’ll only be able to come to that decision after evaluating who their potential options would be.

Normally the league hosts a draft combine, where many potential draftees get together to go through drills, both basketball-related and athleticism-related. Players also get to do individual workouts with teams, going through team-specific drills and interviewing with coaches, general managers, and scouts.

But due to the coronavirus pandemic, that isn’t feasible this year. So the NBA is adapting, by keeping the combine in place, but making it remote.

Per a league press release on Wednesday:

NBA Draft Combine 2020 will give players the opportunity to participate in league and team interviews, both conducted via videoconference from Sept. 28 through Oct. 16.

Players will also take part in an individual on-court program consisting of strength and agility testing, anthropometric measurements, shooting drills and a “Pro Day” video, all conducted in October at the NBA team facility nearest to a player’s home or interim residence. Medical testing and examinations will be performed by NBA-affiliated physicians in the same market.

As part of the event’s innovative format, the NBA will incorporate HomeCourt, a mobile basketball training application that uses advanced machine learning and computer vision, to provide analytics and record the shooting evaluation portion of NBA Combine 2020 and for players to create a unique “Pro Day” video. The video, used to showcase a player’s skills, may feature only the individual player (and either a coach or trainer) and can be up to 45 minutes long.

That’s a pretty cool and creative way to solve not being able to do draft workouts in person. And it will certainly give Bob Myers, Steve Kerr, Mike Dunleavy Jr., and the rest of the Warriors decision makers the opportunity to get some feel for this year’s crop of prospects.

So, for the hundredth time but not the last time...who do you hope the Dubs pick?