I’m not advocating anyone taking Kevin Love over Michael Beasley, but take a look at these measurements from the draft combine:
Michael Beasley, Kansas State
Height: 6’7″ (6’8 1/2″ in shoes)
Wingspan: 7’0 1/4″
Standing Reach: 8’11”
Body Fat: 7.7%
Vertical Jump (no step): 30″
Vertical Jump (max): 35″
Bench Press: 19
Lane Agility: 11.06
3/4 Court Sprint: 3.24
Kevin Love, UCLA
Height: 6’7 3/4″ (6’9 1/2″)
Wingspan: 6’11 1/4″
Standing Reach: 8’10”
Body Fat: 12.9%
Vertical Jump (no step): 29.5″
Vertical Jump (max): 35″
Bench Press: 18
Lane Agility: 11.17
3/4 Court Sprint: 3.22
Here’s what Chad Ford had to say about their combine workouts:
Beasley
While other workouts were going on, we all watched in awe as Beasley drained NBA 3-pointer after NBA 3-pointer. That continued in the workouts, in which Beasley shot as well as any prospect here. Deep or midrange, Beasley can shoot the lights out.
Love
Kevin Love tested better than you’d think in just about every category. He’s by no means a great athlete, but he’s not a bad one either.
He continues to slim down, and a number of scouts mentioned that he’s in as good shape as they’ve ever seen him. Although Love doesn’t run the floor the way some of the other top athletes do, he hustled up and down the floor and showed good athleticism.
Just as important, Love shot the ball very well in the workouts. At times, he looked like a guard out there. Love also did well in the strength training, bench-pressing the 185-pound bar 18 times.
First things first, I was surprised to hear that Beasley measured out the way he did. There were rumors going around that he’s actually 6’7″, but his standing reach (which is more important) is 8’11”, just an inch shorter than the supposed ideal for a power forward. The other thing that jumped out at me was Ford’s description of Beasley’s range. If he already has three-point range, he’s going to be a dangerous scorer right out of the gate.
Kevin Love has a 35″vertical?!? I posted a video of his workout a few weeks ago and he definitely looked slimmer and more agile, but 35″? Not only that, but when compared to Beasley, Love did pretty well in every other category. Given all of his intangibles, I wouldn’t blame anyone for taking him after Rose and Beasley. I’d still give Beasley the nod, due to his terrific scoring ability.
