<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The emergence of rookie forward Craig Smith has been perhaps the Timberwolves' biggest surprise of the preseason. Smith will get his final chance to impress the coaching staff tonight when the Wolves play the Milwaukee Bucks at Grand Forks, N.D. He got a taste of playing with the starters when he replaced Mark Blount in the second quarter of Wednesday night's exhibition game against the Chicago Bulls. It's another sign that the coaches have confidence in Smith. They wanted to get a look at how he handled himself with the starters. "He knows the offense; he knows the defensive schemes," coach Dwane Casey said Thursday. "He's done a good job." Here's another nugget that would have been difficult to imagine on draft night in June: Smith might be more ready to play early in the regular season than teammate Randy Foye. That's because Smith plays power forward and doesn't have to handle the ball as much as Foye, who's adjusting to being an NBA point guard. Smith's big body (272 pounds) and craftiness around the basket make up for his lack of height (6 feet 7). He is averaging seven points, 4.1 rebounds and 15.7 minutes. He has almost as many offensive rebounds (11) as defensive boards (18). He's shooting 62.5 percent.</div> Source
I was upset with this pick, but now he is looking really nice. Hopefully he get some minutes besides kg this year.
I was upset too, mainly because nobody was talking about him so I was like 'who'. I think its a good sign he got some time with the starters and that the coaches are saying he is NBA ready. The last thing we need for the front court right now is a project.
We're talking about Craig Smith from Boston College right? I've always liked Smith. The guy may be undersized but I've always liked his game. I was hoping either the Sixers or Lakers would make a run at him in the past draft. The guy plays with tons of heart and intensity. I see him as being a guy who can bring energy and hustle to the court
