2007 NBA Draft: Small Forwards
By Aran Smith 6/25/07 Small forward is easily the most talent laden position in this year’s draft with one franchise player (Durant) and 5 other possible lottery picks (Green, Brewer, Thornton, J. Wright, T.Young). This group is extremely athletic and talented and should provide a number of teams in the lottery with immediate help as…
2007 NBA Draft: Shooting Guards
By Aran Smith 6/24/07 This year’s shooting guard class is balanced with a lot of quality, experienced players. Although there aren’t any surefire superstars, look for around 7-8 to make it into the first round (possibly the most of any position) with most landing in the later half of the first round. 1. Nick Young…
2007 NBA Draft: Point Guards
By Aran Smith 6/22/07 With less than a week until draft day and the field of players set, we will preview each position starting with the point guards. This year’s point guard class features 3 surefire first rounders (Conley, Crittenton and Law), and a number of other potential late first rounders as well. It’s not…
2007 NBA Team Needs
By Aran Smith 6/21/07 Picks: 1,37,42,52,53 Needs: SF,PG Analysis: The Blazers appear to be more in need of a SF than a C after adding LaMarcus Aldridge in last year’s draft, but Aldridge was diagnoised with a heart disorder at the end of the season raising some doubt about his future. The Blazers paid a…
Javaris Crittenton Interview
By Aran Smith 6/20/07 Aran Smith:How do you see your style of game fitting into the NBA? Javaris Crittenton: I think that I’ve always had an NBA style game. I can run offensive sets well and I’m very good in the open court. I’m a playmaker and I think any playmaker has an NBA style…
2007 Reebok Eurocamp: Player Evaluations
By Aran Smith 6/14/07 Here is a look at the top prospects from the 2007 Reebok Eurocamp. This year’s camp featured a number of future NBA talents with prospects that will be drafted this year and in future years. Here’s a list of the top prospects by long term NBA potential. Top Five 1. Victor…
2007 Reebok Eurocamp: Day Four
By Aran Smith 6/13/07 The final day’s morning practice began with stations. Then Bob Hurley Sr. gave the entire camp his final practice drill. Steve Nash’s 20 minute shooting routine. Nash sets the clock at 20 minutes and does a variety of shots starting in close for 5 or so repetitions then moving further from…2007 Reebok Eurocamp: Day Three
By Aran Smith 6/12/07 The third day’s morning session had a new wrinkle with Fran Frachilla giving the campers a new drill the 4-2-4 fast break drill. The campers learned the importance of making a quick decision when you have numbers. It was a good opportuity to see the players anticipation and defensive ability as…
2007 Reebok Eurocamp: Day Two
By Aran Smith 6/11/07 The second day started much like the first with morning drills. Mickael Pietrus spoke to the campers after the morning session. He mentioned to me that he would have loved to have played here but never had the chance. The Team Reebok squad is on hand and their team of 8…
2007 Reebok Eurocamp: Day One
By Aran Smith 6/10/07 The first day of camp began at 9 AM with station drills. It was an opportunity for the International scouts on hand to see the players and how they shoot and move as well as their coachability. One problem for the campers is that around 60% or more of the kids…2007 Reebok Eurocamp Roster
By Aran Smith 6/9/07 NBADraft.net is in Treviso, Italy for the Reebok Eurocamp, which is seen as the unofficial European NBA Draft camp. 12 players pulled out in the past 24 hours, some having to do with visa issues among other things. But the camp remains among the strongest ever in Treviso. Here is an…2007 Reebok Eurocamp: Pete Philo Interview
By Aran Smith 6/9/07 NBADraft.net caught up with Reebok Eurocamp director and Minnesota Timberwolves international scout Pete Philo. Q: How do you see the Reebok Eurocamp fitting into the draft scheme of things? A: This camp initially started five years ago as an exposure camp for some of the younger international kids and has blossomed…2007 NBA Predraft Camp: Player Evaluations
2007 NBA Predraft Camp: Player Evaluations By Aran Smith 6/4/07 Here’s a look at the top prospects from the 2007 NBA Pre-draft camp broken into groups. It’s important to take a close look at player’s performance in the camp, and come in with an open mind. However, a player’s performance here should not outweigh what…
2007 NBA Predraft Camp: Days Three and Four + Media Day Notes
By Aran Smith 6/1/07 Media Day Notes Greg Oden Q: What players do you try to emulate your game after in years past, and maybe a great bigman? A: I would love to be like Bill Russell, He really loved the game. Michael Jordan. Who wouldn’t want to be like him? Guys like David Robinson…
2007 NBA Predraft Camp: Day One
By Aran Smith NBADraft.net 5/30/07 Orlando, Florida – The 2007 NBA pre-draft camp kicked off today at Disney’s Wide World of Sports with a two hour workout of drills and scrimmages. After moans and groans from GMs and scouts last year due to a weak field of players, the NBA took measures to attempt to…2007 NBA Predraft Camp: Day Two
By Aran Smith NBADraft.net 5/30/07 Day 2, Evening – The night games as seen on ESPNU lacked a great deal of intrigue. But it was the first glimpse for many of these guys in real game action at the camp. Game 2 Team 2 80 – Team 1 76 Team 2 was led by the…
Tim Shea Interview
By Aran Smith NBADraft.net 5/24/07 The following is another chapter in what’s becoming our annual conversation with Tim Shea (in his fourth year as Director of International scouting for the Charlotte Bobcats). Q) How’s everything in Lugo, Spain? A) It’s National Leagues Playoff time in Europe and in Spain that means Spring, Basketball and Bullfighting…2007 Top 10 Prospects Lists
By Aran Smith Updated 6/27/07 Point Guards Comments 1. Mike Conley 6-1 180 PG Ohio St. Fr. Quickness is phenominal, but must add shooting consistency. 2. Javaris Crittenton 6-4 195 PG Ga. Tech Fr. PG with considerable upside. Leaving early could hurt his long term development. 3. Acie Law 6-3 185 PG Texas A&M…