[video=youtube;NiWk56MzXIg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiWk56MzXIg&feature=related[/video] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiWk56MzXIg&feature=related
I don't think there's any debate that Nolan Smith is/was a great college player ... it's whether or not he can be a great NBA player.
Have you ever watched Smith play? Seriously, have you? Plus, I added that workouts and video also matter. Are you having trouble reading for comprehension today?
I sure hope that nobody expects him to be a great NBA player. That's a ridiculous expectation for him.
You added it after I questioned you. And yes, I saw his NCAA games and videos. I also find it convenient you leave off many of the stats that favor Walker over Smith. PER is another stat where Walker's 29.58 bested Smith's 26.35.
My bad. I really didn't even consider it, and I should have. Walker is a lottery pick and is being hailed as a great pick; Smith was picked 21st and is getting killed by "fans" of his new team. I'd hope Walker is a better player than Smith, since he was drafted far before Smith. Stats don't matter anyhow.
I don't think he's getting killed as a player. At least for me, it's disappointing because I think there were bigger needs to be addressed, and because he's not a great value where he was picked.
You commented on a post of mine. A post that you fucked up in the first place, by the way. Then, after I answer your question, you again fuck up your interpretation of my post. Are we now supposed to put everything we know about basketball in every post? That's fantastic value for the 21st pick. I'm beginning to like this pick even more! Also, I didn't "leave out stats" intentionally, and this isn't about Smith being as good or better than Walker.
A big, of any kind, was more important than a backup 1, to me. They have guys who can fill in at 1 if there are injuries. They have almost no one who can do the same for the 4/5.
Plus, the back-up 4 many people want measured 6'7" in shoes, doesn't play defense, played in a crap conference, and can't shoot FTs. The Blazers need more out of their back-up 4 than what Faried offers, IMO. I wouldn't have minded Faried at all, and wanted him, but the more I study Smith, the more I like him.
I know you're being sarcastic, but PER is relative, and there are a lot of high PERs in college. Then why compare the two? If you're trying to make us feel better about the pick you're doing a poor job of it.
Can you ever be sure about a #21 pick being adequate? Smith's college career seems to indicate he will be adequate, but it's impossible to predict right now.
I'm positive a veteran big is the next move for Portland. Faried isn't really a "big" anyhow, at least in terms of defending in the NBA.
Because their stats are very similar. One pick is being hailed, and the other assailed Who is "us"? jwhoops did insinuate that he feels better about the pick after seeing some stats. Is he not a part of your clique?
I think some skepticism is warranted, but we shouldn't go overly negative. Any misgivings, of course, are fair to mention (and I certainly have mentioned my own misgivings about the doings last night) but ultimately even draft nights that have been panned by fanbases have occasionally turned out to have positive outcomes. In three or four years, if these moves look as bad, or worse, Buchanan/Allen/etc can be quite legitimately flayed much as John Nash is. Until then, we should have our opinions but not take the negativity to an extreme.
