2011 NBA Draft Results: Nolan Smith Gives Portland Trail Blazers Another PG

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Portland Trail Blazers Reach for Duke Point Guard Nolan Smith

The Portland Trail Blazers just raised some eyebrows by selecting Nolan Smith out of Duke with the 21^st pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. The point guard prospect was widely expected to fall into the second round and does not have a high ceiling as a player in the NBA.

Smith was an amazing college player and a National Player of the Year candidate during his senior season at Duke. He is a projected as a combo guard if he gets minutes at the next level and could split time at the 1 and 2 for the Portland Trail Blazers. He does not have all the tools to play the point in the NBA but he is undersized too streaky to be a full time shooting guard.

The Blazers must have felt that he is the best fit for their organization in the latter half of a weak draft. There aren’t too many players left who aren’t a huge risk or stuck in Europe for some time. I think Marshon Brooks should have been the pick here instead though.

Marshon Brooks has much better pro potential and could fill the same positions that Smith will for the Blazers. He is also much more athletic and has a better understanding of the game and how to contribute.

-Alex Kay

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