Journal entry #1

By Tyrus Thomas

PRE-DRAFT COMBINE IN ORLANDO

The NBA Pre-Draft Combine was a fun, exciting, and an interesting experience. I was able to start possible life-long friendships with guys who I competed against in college as well guys I had never met.  There were about 160 potential draft picks showcasing their basketball skills and athleticism.  Mind you, that there are only 60 picks in the NBA draft.  There were more underclassmen in attendance than seniors and foreigners combined.  I was included in the 20 players that didn’t have to compete in the games that were held during the first three days of the combine.

We were labeled as “physical only” guys because we only had to get physicals and take the athleticism test.  The athleticism test consisted of a standing vertical jump, a running vertical jump, a bench press of 185 lbs., a 20 yard sprint, and agility run.  There was one particular session that reminded me of the stories often talked about in Dr. Leonard Moore’s African American History class.  When it was time for the body fat test, we all were standing around in nothing but shorts and socks while being picked and probed. Does that sound familiar?  Well, besides the body fat test, I had an overall good experience at the combine.

DRAFT NIGHT IN NEW YORK CITY

It’s the night I’ve been dreaming about my entire life.  I’m nervous as all get out but I’m doing an excellent job keeping my cool.  It was an hour before the guys in attendance had to be downstairs to catch the bus to Madison Square Garden, and I realize that I don’t have the cufflinks nor the tie for the suit that I had originally planned on wearing. Luckily, I had more suits on hand.  After I got dressed and made it downstairs just in time to catch the bus, I was more relaxed.  We got to Madison Square Garden and took group pictures.  We then took individual pictures with the commissioner of the NBA, David Stern.

 After the pictures we all sat at our designated tables waiting for our families to arrive and the draft to begin.  While waiting, I became nervous again and real hungry.  In the back there was leftover pasta and chicken from the lunch that the arena workers had eaten earlier.  Once the draft started, I received a call from John Paxon, General Manager of the Chicago Bulls.  He explained to me that I would be picked at the number four spot by the Portland Trailblazers and traded to them afterwards.  That phone call put me at ease.  Once my name was called, I thought that I would go backstage and do several interviews just as they had explained to us on the way to the Garden. But to my surprise, I had to wait until the trade was finalized until I could do any interviews.  After waiting nearly two hours backstage, I began a circuit of fifteen individual interviews which took about another two hours.  After I finally got out of the Garden, I met my family at Delfrisco’s for dinner.  After dinner I met the rest of the guys at the after party and we had a VERY good time.  This was a very exciting day for myself, as well as my family.  I am truly blessed.

Email tthomas@b-now.com