Q/A: Aran Smith of NBADraft.net - Science on the NBA Draft

by Hash on Jun 25, 2008 8:58 PM PDT in Interviews

As the 2008 Draft approaches tomorrow, GSOM friend Aran Smith from NBADraft.net has popped in to drop a few nuggets of science on our current roster, our potential picks, and the general perception of the available talent as a whole.

Check him out and share your thoughts on what could be a day that can change the face of the Warriors as we know it! JUMP!

GSOM: The Warriors 2 first round picks from last year barely played this past season and have a lot of question marks. How do Brandan Wright and Marco Belinelli rate in comparison to this year's draft class? Where do you think they would be picked? Should the Warriors hold onto Wright and Belinelli or look to trade them before they become less of an unknown?

Aran Smith: Wow interesting question. I'm going to assume you mean they are coming into this draft as exactly the same players that they were going into last years... I think they would probably end up going about where they went last year. Wright would likely go about 8th before or after Joe Alexander. Belinelli would probably go right around where he

did as well (18) or else a little lower. While I'd say this draft has a little more depth overall, it does have a little less quality at the top.

I would hold onto Wright and Belinelli. I think neither have the perceived value equal to their actual value, so I wouldn't move either one. Plus I still really like both players a lot. Nellie doesn't play rookies....

GSOM: Who do you think the Warriors should take with the #14 pick? What do you see the Warriors actually doing with this pick if you think that's different? How much of a contributor will this player be for the Dubs in Year 1?

Aran Smith: Personally the two guys I really like are both dropping due to physical concerns (Batum and Arthur). I would love to see the Warriors grab one of these two. Otherwise I wouldn't mind a center such as Koufos, Jordan or McGee, although maybe it's two high for the latter two. There's going to be some guys taken around or after where the Warriors select that turn into studs down the road...

GSOM: Really? Okay you make the call right here on GSoM. We're looking for your opinion on two things.

The Sleeper – (n) [slee-per]

1) A person or thing that sleeps.

2) A player that drops farther than he should in the draft and makes a lot of GMs look foolish for passing him up a few years from now.

The Bust – (n) [buhst]

1) A sculptured, painted, drawn, or engraved representation of the upper part of the human figure, esp. a portrait sculpture showing only the head and shoulders of the subject.

2) Adam Morrison. Kwame Brown. You get the point.

Aran Smith:

Sleeper: I love Kyle Weaver, but it sounds like teams are realizing

his abilities and he will end up in the 30s.

Bust: I can't understand why Kevin Love is so highly rated. To me all

of his great skills will be neutralized due to his lack of speed and

athleticism. Top 5 really? What am I missing here??

Special thanks to Aran Smith for taking some time to talk to us about the much anticipated draft tomorrow! And until the picks are in, remember…

Lucky Number 14… Lucky Number 14… Lucky Number 14…

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Comments

Expert?

Sorry, I can’t really take this guys opinions too seriously when he ends it by saying he doesn’t understand why Love is so highly rated. Either he has never seen Love play or his knowledge of the game is on par with my 2 year old niece. Either way, his thoughts on the Warriors and the Draft don’t really hold any water for me.

by Dubbadown on Jun 25, 2008 9:28 PM PDT reply actions

eh

He is not even close to the only guy who feels that way about Kevin Love. In fact, a lot of people who have undoubtedly more knowledge and experience than yourself.

by HajiSpringer on Jun 26, 2008 11:55 AM PDT reply actions

Yes I know there are a few people who think Love is overrated and in my opinion, they are all wrong. There are also tons of “experts” who believe he should be in the top 3. Maybe its just because I’m a Bruin so I’ve watched him all year and see the countless things he does on a court that help his team win. Sure, because he is white and is not oozing athletic ability you think he will be a bust. But I will tell you now he will be one of the top 5 players in this draft when it is all said and done.

And please don’t try to suppose my basketball knowledge and experience Mr. Haji, you’ve never met me and have no idea what my knowledge is. I can spot a basketball player when I see him, and anyone who’s seen more than a 5 minute clip of Love knows he will be worth a Top 5 pick.

by Dubbadown on Jun 26, 2008 1:33 PM PDT reply actions

Why do you think he's going to be good?

This isn’t to challenge your opinions but I’d like to know your arguments for why he’s going to be a top 5 player in this draft. What are the “countless things he does on a court that help his team win”? What do you have to say about Aran’s concerns about how his lack of speed and athleticism will hurt his ability to do the same things he did in college? I’m not sure where I stand on Love, but I also have concerns about his ability to keep up with the speed change from college to the NBA.

by Fantasy Junkie on Jun 26, 2008 2:56 PM PDT up reply actions

because he is not oozing athletic ability you think he will be a bust.?

That ’s the way it usually works, ability =good, not = bad

by Skeptic con Urquell on Jun 26, 2008 3:26 PM PDT up reply actions

yea i know its a stretch

to think pro basketball scouts/executives have more knowledge than some obscure message board poster.

by HajiSpringer on Jun 26, 2008 2:55 PM PDT reply actions

for the record

I never said I think Kevin Love is gonna be a bust. Your trying to discredit someone for an opinion you don’t agree with when his opinion is shared by people highly esteemed in the basketball world. You just sounds bitter that someone dare question ya boy.

by HajiSpringer on Jun 26, 2008 2:58 PM PDT reply actions

Ok I know this is pretty much a done deal by now. Love went 5th like he was supposed to. He’s gonna be a stud. Some people just know how to play and he is one of them. He’s lost a lot of weight since the end of the season so you know he’s taking this seriously. Everyone on ESPN was raving about Love during the draft. Show me all these other “people highly esteemed in the basketball world” that are bagging on Love. I DARE YOU!

With that I will end it with this quote from the HIGHLY ESTEEMED Jeffery Ma of ProTrade, who advises the Trail Blazers, and if you don’t think they know what they are doing after witnessing the last 2 drafts then you are dumber than Mr. Smith. . . .

“Top ten steal: Kevin Love. Based solely on statistics our numbers have him as arguably the top player in this draft. He’s more athletic than people realize as witnessed by his better than average blocks/minute. Great passer who does not need to score to make an impact. Should have been a top three selection. “

Now thats a guy who knows what he is talking about. Can we get his thoughts on the draft next year please?

by Dubbadown on Jun 26, 2008 9:00 PM PDT reply actions