CHICAGO — Washington insiders, and now lobbyists, Lorenzo Romar and Cameron Dollar are a two-man political action committee when it comes to the NBA draft.

They may face some dissenters.

With the special interests of ex-Huskies Tre Simmons, Will Conroy and Nate Robinson at heart, the coaches are willing partisans as the NBA pre-draft camp in downtown Chicago has gotten under way. Players arrived and ran through moderate drills last night, with scrimmaging to begin today.

Opinions will not be given a day off.

"They'll see how multi-skilled (Tre Simmons) is ... how complete of a player he is. I think that's one thing they'll come away with," Dollar, Romar's UW assistant coach, said from his office in Seattle. "That and how sensational of a scorer he is. For Will, his toughness, his leadership, his ability to run a basketball club — but at the same time score at a high level — that'll come out."

Seconded Romar: "Will can and will surprise people with how well he can shoot the ball."

Few final verdicts will emerge from NBA types before Friday, yet the politics of lobbying and resistance have already begun. Ultimately, it comes down to the truth and the talent.

As one scout noted, "We all know they can dive for a loose ball."

And so players are forced to deal with the fact that many are looking as much for their weaknesses as their strengths. In a mix of 64, with each trying to prove his worth, the play is sloppy, the nerves evident.

Romar is at the camp shaking hands, sharing stories, and telling coaches, scouts and NBA general managers that he had yet to max out the talent of his three ex-Huskies.

"Will Conroy went from barely recruited to the leading assist man in Washington history, and has had a half-dozen NBA workouts," said Romar. "Nate Robinson came on a football scholarship and became an All-American in basketball. Tre Simmons was washing cars after high school not playing basketball anywhere ... these guys aren't maxed out."

Evaluating the UW seniors are a multitude of NBA scouts, coaches and general managers, all crowding into a fieldhouse on the downtown campus of Moody Bible Institute. Players look up to see the courts ringed with the likes of Larry Bird and Patrick Ewing jotting notes. Watching.

"You don't know when it's done whether you should stay put or go get autographs," said Conroy. "But you just try to do what you do. You know they're watching, but it's when you try to prove people wrong that you get in trouble."

Players are poked, prodded and, in the case of those unsure of their elite status, they play. Simmons and Conroy fit that bill. Few scouts will guarantee them a selection at this point.

Robinson, an early entrant into the draft, chose not to take part. He has worked out privately for several teams, and most draft experts project him taken late in the first round, or early in the second.

Area stars Marvin Williams and Martell Webster are also in town just to take a physical. Williams is regarded as a possible No. 1 pick, Webster a likely top-15 selection.

This is the NBA equivalent to the NFL combine, where résumés and records are often tossed and players forced to essentially try out for a basketball livelihood.

Dollar is certain his guys are prepared.

"You know, I don't think they have to do a whole lot to [up their value]," he said. "I think our style of play, and more importantly, the style of letting them do what they do, to just make basketball decisions, will make it no different for them than what they're doing at the next level."

Simmons is still unsure.

"Most of these coaches and GMs think that I can't dribble or pass," he said. "That's something that I didn't have to do a ton of in college, but I can do it, and I'll be able to show them a little bit of that."

Simmons is headed to a workout in Portland once this camp breaks.

For now, Romar will watch over his guys, and the lobbying will continue.

And his guys will try to prove people right, or wrong.

"When it comes down to it, everybody's just trying to get a job," said Conroy.

Or a chance.

The American Dream — the means to buy a Hummer and a four-stall garage to cram it in — is out there. Nate Robinson will be on the road. Webster and Williams will be looking for a clean bill of health. Simmons and Conroy will be looking to impress NBA brass.