ESPN Draft Analyst Chad Ford gives Pels worst Draft rating of any team

Can't wait to see next year's grade.

Meh.


I mean, it is a fact that the only player we drafted was a short, shoot first point guard. I wouldn't say that's a good draft either, but we were never trying to hit it big with this draft.

Yawn. I bet DraftExpress is right about Russ Smith.

Why is draftexpress right?

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Nah not really. Who's to say they would've drafted him? Philly traded him for a guy that won't play for 2 years. And LOL at the PJax-Smith comparisons

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All of this.

First off, I would take Holiday over Payton every day of the week. Holiday has been an All Star PG in the NBA already. He has already proved that he can play in the NBA at a high level. And I think Payton is going to end up being the best true PG in this draft (I consider Exum and Smart 2guards). But, he and Holiday are very similar. And Paytons ceiling is right where Holiday is right now. And Holidays worst year at the 3pt range he shot 36.5%. That will be 1 of the better years for Payton. He just flat out is a bad jumpshooter and from 3. Hell he hasnt even shot 70% from FT. Hes going to be good, but he wont be better than Holiday.

In regards to PJax and Russ Smith.... Russ Smith is better. Period. The only thing similar is that they both are undersized for the NBA and are explosive. But 6'1 isnt "short" for an NBA PG. 5'10 is. Smith is right at 6'1. And Smith is a great defender. Hes the type of defender that just harasses whoever he is guarding and has a very high defensive IQ. Hes very opportunistic on defense and knows when to go for the steal and when to stay back.

And Smith knows he wont be a shot 1st type of player in the NBA and has already showed that he can run an offense and set up his teammates and play great D. This was from a scout that was an this mini combine tourney event in late May.

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As arguably the best prospect in the entire Combine, Russ Smith could have easily come out gunning in Russdiculous fashion, or even decided not to show up altogether, like many prospects far worse than him did. Instead, Smith played with patience and poise, showcasing an ability to run the show to the tune of 10 assists in the scrimmage (he dropped at least five more assists in the 4-on-4 and 5-on-5 drills prior) while bothering Florida State guard Ian Miller tremendously with pesky ball pressure all game.

Smith didn't attempt any three-pointers and clearly made a conscious effort to prove to NBA personnel that he's capable of playing the role of lead ball-handler while still providing that scoring punch that made him so great at Louisville. Albeit against a less than stellar defender in Miller, Smith got into the lane whenever he wanted and dropped the ball off to his bigs with ease, while showing an ability to find open shooters in traffic (with a fancy left-handed hook pass on multiple occasions), or hit the roll man out of the pick and roll. Smith also lived up to his reputation as one of the best perimeter defenders in the country, locking up Miller while making plays in the passing lanes and digging down onto the post Smith proved to be the best player at the two-day workout while giving NBA teams a glimpse of what he could do as an NBA backup point guard, and continues to show why we consider him one of the most underrated prospects in the draft.

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This was a significant upgrade over Roberts / PJax. And if we end up packaging Rivers with someone if / when we make another move, Smith will be able to fill in at that spot as well.

frick that guy...

The Mavs got Lamar Odom for their 1st rd pick so shouldn't that be an F----------------------------?

Chad Ford