Fox Sports Opinion of Nolan Smith

21. Portland Trail Blazers — Nolan Smith, G, Duke: Picks don't get less exciting than Nolan Smith. Congrats Portland, you just drafted a potential backup guard. You know, if he reaches his ceiling. For a team that seriously lacks frontcourt depth this pick makes no sense. I guess that's what happens when you fire your GM a month before the draft. -Seth Sommerfeld

 

Hey what do you know, I agree with this guy. Pick makes zero sense, but thats our front office for you! The things they do can be head scratchers like firing GM's within a year and not addressing a huge need in backup PF.

 

What kills me is that the team yet again drafted a combo guard ...

 

The team doesn't have a back-up PG. Assuming Oden can play, there is a front-court rotation of Camby, Oden, Aldridge, Wallace, and whoever is picked up in FA.

I also didn't know that the ACC Player of the Year is the least exciting pick possible at #21.

Who is Seth Sommerfeld?

 

Seth Sommerfeld
Bio:
Seth Sommerfeld is an intern with The Inlander. He attends Gonzaga University.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I wonder what other interns at newspapers I've never heard of are saying?

Should we start a thread for each one? Somebody find something from the Ashland Daily Tidings, ASAP!

 

Basically, Seth Sommerfeld is a poster on the internet who is a college student.

We have some of those on this board as well.

Seth Sommerfeld
Writer/Journalist

Location
Syracuse, New York Area
Industry
Writing and Editing
Seth Sommerfeld's Overview
Current •Editorial Intern at Spin Magazine
•Contributing Writer at Nbadraft.net
•Contributing Writer at Pacific Northwest Inlander
•Contributing Album Reviewer at AbsolutePunk.net
•Creator/Writer at Long Live the Album

Education •Syracuse University
•Gonzaga University

 

At least his name was recognizable, and he was player of the year in one of the best conferences. This was one of the least exciting drafts ever since no one knew who the hell anyone was.

 

So this guy is MAYBE one step higher than bleacher report.

Yawn.

 

I just can't understand all the frustration! What do you expect at #21 in a weak draft? The chances of Smith and all the other guys we "should've drafted instead" making it in the NBA is going to be pretty slim no matter who we had taken at that spot. I think a guy with an outstanding work ethic and is obviously "coachable" (unlike Telfair and Bayless) raises his odds of success. He looks like a Nate guy.

From the interviews I've seen and interaction with the fans at his Duke days he appears to be very likeable, well spoken, and stays out of trouble. I just have a feeling he's going to come in, accept his role, work on his game, and fit right in with the other guys.

 

I like that he improved every season at Duke against top competition.

 

Like a mini-Brandon Roy. I don't think he'll be nearly as good as Roy was (obviously), but 20/5/5 at Duke is impressive as a senior, as is being ACC PoY.

 

People need to get over the stigma that a 4-year player is some slight against that player. It's foolish.

Coming to the NBA after 1-2 years and "develop" while playing only 15min a game is so overrated.

People are too enamored with "potential" that is usually more times than not unwarranted. Results DO matter.

 

- DraxtExpress

I trust their opinion over some hack that should be writing for bleacher report

 

I've been reading more about Smith today, and like him more and more. He compares very favorably to Darren Collison, in that he's a four year player from a top program and had good stats and won a lot. I take back my comments from yesterday about Selby and Jackson possibly being better than him. But I'm still torn whether Smith will be better than Darius Morris.

 

I made the same comparison yesterday.

I think there's a very real possibility that Nolan Smith works out fine.

 

Pretty impressive interview. I really like the way he answered these questions.

[video=youtube;tiAOlIeBX80]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiAOlIeBX80&feature=player_embedded[/video]

I hate the Felton move, and do not think it will work out, but I'm holding out hope for this guy.

 

Well, the Blazers had one the three years prior to that.

Blake Griffin spent two years in college. That's a red flag these days.

It's fun drafting completely undeveloped players, and then having them be worthless on their rookie contracts.

What are the odds that Bismack Biyombo is worth anything of value his first three years?

Kyrie Irving is going to struggle as well.

 

That's because players these days leave school for various reasons, whether they're determined to be a top pick or not. Kid are lazy and don't want to be in school, period.

A 2-year player has no advantage over a 4-year player. It's just that a 2-year player is perceived to have more potential because of the unknown, that's it. Developing your game in the college game is looked down upon these days, and that's just stupid.

It all comes down to talent.

 

Well maybe not in 2011, but our very own Brandon Roy went to UW for all 4 years and ended up becoming a 3 time all-star and it could be argued had he not broken down he would still play the level we were accustomed to seeing him play at. I'm not to super high on Nolan and it does seem like 4 year players are more of the safer type picks, but don't have much potential in them, but if Roy did it maybe there is hope for Nolan.

Edit: Haha, PapaG beat me to the B Roy point. But it is something that can be used in arguements in hopes for Nolan Smith.