CHICAGO – A fast-paced plan of attack, featuring an athletic, 6-foot-10 inside/outside force who’s been chosen an All-Star three consecutive years. It probably sounds like music to the ears of any point guard. That certainly is the case for Providence College point guard Kris Dunn, who explained his enthusiasm for the New Orleans Pelicans’ style of play and star at the 2016 draft combine.
“(It’s) definitely (appealing),” said Dunn, who could be chosen in the top five, based on various mock drafts. “For any point guard who’s going there. Who wouldn’t want to play with (Anthony Davis)? He’s definitely a superstar, up there with LeBron, (Kevin Durant) and all those guys. To be able to play with a guy like that, it’s only going to help me. He makes the game a lot easier for point guards.”
On Tuesday, New Orleans will learn when it is selecting during the June 23 draft, as the NBA holds its annual draft lottery (ESPN, 7 p.m. Central, prior to an Eastern Conference finals game). The Pelicans enter the lottery in the sixth “seat,” which carries 6.3 percent odds of winning. They are assured of picking no later than ninth in the draft.
Dunn figures to be one of the 14 players selected in the lottery portion of the first round, but he was one of few highly-ranked prospects to attend media interviews at the combine. LSU forward Ben Simmons is not attending the combine, while several other major names elected Thursday to skip the media session.
Asked specifically why he decided to buck an elite-player trend by participating in media interviews, Dunn responded, “I have no problem talking to the media, whatever questions you guys have, trying to answer to the best of my ability.” He also spoke privately with New Orleans executives and coaches, saying “They asked me a lot of questions. I felt like it was a good interview.”
Dunn added that he wanted to be at the combine to support several other college players who he’s worked out with since the NCAA season ended, along with Providence teammate Ben Bentil, a projected late-first or second-rounder.
UConn wing is younger brother of Pelicans guard
After wrapping up his 2015-16 season in mid-March with a second-round NCAA Tournament defeat, Connecticut guard/forward Daniel Hamilton kept a close eye on the Pelicans as they closed the 82-game schedule. The reason? His older brother, Jordan Hamilton, appeared in each of New Orleans’ final 11 games, including starting four games. He averaged 11.4 points.
Jordan’s contributions were badly needed, with the Pelicans eventually missing 8-10 players due to injury.
“I watched them a lot,” said Daniel, projected by most to be picked early in the second round. “There were a lot of guys hurt, so there was an opportunity for playing time.”
Daniel said Jordan’s experience as a five-year NBA veteran is proving beneficial as he navigates the pre-draft process. Jordan, who is now a 25-year-old, was the 26th overall pick in 2011.
“It helped a lot, having Jordan go through this process before,” Daniel said. “He told me just to be in the best shape of my life, because you know you’re going to have workout after workout. I might have a workout one day, then I have to fly and have a workout somewhere else the next day. So be in shape and make sure you’re ready each and every day.”
Daniel said he’s envisioned what it would be like to play with or against Jordan in the league.
“It would definitely be a blessing, that we both made it,” the 20-year-old said. “There is nothing like that. Hopefully one day I’ll be able to look forward to that matchup.”
UWashington projected first-rounder has connection with Quincy Pondexter
University of Washington power forward Marquese Chriss – who’s expected to land in the lottery, projected No. 9 by ESPN.com’s Chad Ford – spoke briefly at the combine about Pelicans small forward Quincy Pondexter. Pondexter starred in college with the Huskies, eventually becoming the 26th overall selection in 2011. The 6-foot-9, 225-pounder has what could be described as a “new-school” relationship with one of his college’s greatest all-time players.
“I haven’t talked to him in person, but I’ve talked to him on the phone before,” Chriss said. “I’ve talked to him on Twitter, but not face-to-face. He’s really committed to the school. He takes pride in being from (Washington). He likes to support us, and I appreciate that.”
The NBA is teeming with players who have Seattle roots, either as natives of the city or UW products. Chriss lists Jamal Crawford and Isaiah Thomas as two of his mentors.
Odds and ends
As you might expect given Philadelphia’s 25.0 percent odds of garnering the No. 1 pick at Tuesday’s lottery, there are several TV, print and online reporters from the City of the Brotherly Love covering the draft combine. When asked for his thoughts about potentially going to the downtrodden 76ers, Syracuse guard Michael Gbinije said he’d view it as an opportunity to possibly get on the floor more quickly as a rookie.
“I’m not judging them, because I’m not at that (NBA) level, and I’m trying to get to that level,” said Gbinije, who led the Orange to a shocking appearance in the ’16 Final Four. “People make fun of Philly and everything for not winning, but I want to go to a team like that, so you can be a part of something at the start. That’s something that I personally think about.” …
New Orleans owns a pair of second-round picks, selecting 39th and 40th overall. Most draft websites wait until further in the process to create a mock draft for the second round, but NBADraft.net lists Gbinije and Jaron Blossomgame in those slots. Listed as 6-7, Gbinije described himself as a “shorter Shaun Livingston, with a three-point mindset. I think I can shoot the rock, space the floor and handle the ball if needed.” …
There are 5-on-5 games being held at the combine, but virtually every first-round lock is declining to play in them. One of the more impressive performances from the opening game was by Maryland product Robert Carter Jr., who notched 22 points, seven rebounds, four steals and one block in a 96-93 win for Team 1.