Mar 29, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Mason Plumlee (5) drives to the basket against the Michigan State Spartans in the first half during the semifinals of the Midwest regional of the 2013 NCAA tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Mason Plumlee was among those interviewed by the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday at the NBA draft combine.

The 6’11″, 245 pound power forward out of Duke says that he has followed the Sixers closely for the past two years. Part of it may have to do with the fact that Chris Collins, son of Doug Collins, was Duke’s associate head coach before landing Northwestern’s head coaching job.

Plumlee referred to Doug Collins as a “friend”.

With Collins no longer at the helm of the Sixers, Sam Hinkie will be calling the shots as the team’s general manager and president of basketball operations.

Plumlee did show some knowledge of the Sixers on Thursday.

“They had such a tough season, because they gave up [Andre] Iguodala, they gave up  [Nik] Vucevic, the kid that went to Orlando, and they got nothing in return, and are expecting the same result.  It was a tough season. But I really like Jrue Holiday a lot. I think they have a lot of really good players there.”

While most experts are expecting Plumlee to go at the tail-end of the lottery, the Dallas Mavericks at 13th specifically, he considers himself a top-ten pick.

“I feel like athletically and how I played this year, I’ve proven that I am. But that’s what’s great about the workouts. You get another platform to prove it, again.”

 

Apr 10, 2013; Bloomington, IN, USA; Cody Zeller at his press conference for the NBA draft. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowksi-USA TODAY Sports

Cody Zeller thinks he will fit in well if the Philadelphia 76ers decide to use their first-round selection in the upcoming draft on him.

The two sides met on Thursday’ at the NBA draft combine. Zeller said that the interview between him and the Sixers’ brass went well.

An efficient post player is a dire need of the 76ers. With a front court consisting of the likes of Spencer Hawes, Kwame Brown, and Lavoy Allen, it is hard to believe that the franchise will go another season without trying to add another piece, whether it be via draft, trade, or free agency.

While Zeller currently lacks the strength or physicality to handle NBA centers defensively or finishing through contact, he does do a lot of different things well. He has great footwork for a guy his size, along with a tremendous understanding of the game.

According to the big man himself, he is confident he will be able to contribute at the next level.

“I think [I bring] a lot of things, my work ethic, and I pride myself on winning. It’s always what I’ve done throughout college and high school. So I think I can bring that to an NBA team.”

Chad Ford of ESPN has the Sixers taking Zeller with the 11th pick overall in the 2013 draft. However, the lottery has yet to take place. The draft order will no longer be a question after Tuesday’s lottery. Depending on how the ping pong balls fall, players will move up and fall according to team’s needs. Zeller is viewed as possibly the biggest hit-or-miss prospect in the draft. The Sixers clearly have some interest due to the fact they decided on interviewing him at the combine, but whether or not the team was impressed is yet to be known.