I think in context it potentially is, especially when you look at the busts the last 2 drafts in particular have been so far.... other teams are getting solid contributins from players picked around\after where POR picked in last year's draft and POR got zip out of all 3 of thier picks last year, and very little from 2009 as well...remains to be seen what Smith & Diebler provide (and last year's rookie's) going forward......
I giggled after looking at who posted this. If that 21st pick is on a team that makes it out of the first round, he's automatically better than Andre Miller.
Nate got to see a bunch of Nolan Smith work out against the best in the NBA when Smith was on the USA Select practice team. He must have see something he liked. But, I'm sure watching him on TV or reading about him on the draft boards is just as good.
I take your point, but when the photo is of Jeff Green, Eric Gordon and our own Crash, we're a bit far down the list of "best in the NBA".
Would you please stop posting facts about Nate watching Nolan Smith play against NBA players. Plus, you forgot that Kenneth Faried is the next Dennis Rodman, and he could have easily replaced Batum. His 4-year dominance in the Ohio Valley Conference is the road to the Hall of Fame!
Shhhhh What's interesting is that Jacob Pullen, Shelvin Mack, and Kyle Singler were also on the Select team, as well as Kemba Walker and the Jimmer. If Nate doesn't like Nolan Smith's game, he has himself to blame, since he saw him play against the national team.
Yeah, the rumor Blazer fans are spreading about Smith not being very athletic couldnt be more far off from the truth.
Playing for a big name school doesn't mean all that much. Duke alone has produced plenty of high draft picks who have been big disappointments in the NBA. Part of why coach K succeeds is that he consistently finds ways to maximize a player's value while covering up his shortcomings.
Duke has produced plenty of players that are great role players in the league. Thats what were getting with Smith. Who said he was going to be a star?
Isn't Nate, coach K's lackey on the olympic team? Hmmmmm! As for Nolan he's been well coached and will play very hard to make up what his talent can't provide, for a bench player that may be enough.
I'm not overvaluing him by any means, or saying he's our next all-star, but I think we did an amazing job of selecting an NBA player. He's a guy that in a year or 2 will be a good NBA back up PG. It was a safe pick to me, rather than taking a gamble on someone with raw athleticism and high potential. I think Smith is very polished and will mainly need to adjust to NBA speed.
Coach K coached a Durant-led team to a World Championship, and a US Olympic team to a gold medal. Love got some garbage minutes while playing for the former. What is your point? The idea is to win. Love obviously helped the team win in his minor role. Isn't that maximizing his talents?
I wish Nolan the best. I just get more excited by Faried. Nolan's father took him to every game both as a player and later coach, and Nolan was spoiled by all the players and coaches fussing over him, such as Juwan Howard. His father Derek, whom I remember reading about when he emerged as a good player, died while working at a basketball camp for sons of season ticket holders and corporate sponsors. As usual, little Nolan was with his dad, participating on board the cruise ship where it was held. He had the very best coaching from age 6 on. He went to a special high school with Michael Beasley. He was a sophomore at Duke with freshman Elliot Williams, who transferred out to Memphis before going to the Blazers, making Nolan look a lot better for the last 2 years because he didn't have to share time with Williams. This long, sentimental article will take you an hour. http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?page=nolan
