In the third and final installment of The Post’s series on Russ Smith’s journey to Thursday’s NBA Draft, the Brooklyn product, former Archbishop Molloy star guard and University of Louisville national champion discusses his plans for what could be the biggest night of his life.
Russ Smith is treating NBA Draft night like any other Thursday night at Louisville. Smith will be at the KFC Yum! Center, likely working out by himself. He will bring his headphones, just in case there is a radio or television on within earshot, and have his phone beside him, in case his agent calls.
“I don’t know how to explain it, but it’s tough for me to watch something like that,” Smith said. “I feel like I’m better than a lot of people and I’ve outperformed a lot of people. To have to watch them go ahead of me, it’s tough.
“I’m just preparing for the worst.”
A projected second-round pick, Smith has only helped himself over the last several weeks, impressing NBA personnel with his playmaking, scoring and defensive ability in a number of workouts, including two apiece with the Suns and Clippers.
“He’s a third guard,” NBA draft consultant Chris Ekstrand said. “He’s going to play a little as a shooter, play a little as a point guard. He’s going to be a situation player. He’s going to be a tempo-changer. If he sticks around for a few years, which I believe he will, it’s not out of the question he can become a starting point guard.”
There remain questions about Smith’s ability to run an offense, his shot selection and 6-foot-1 height. Elan Vinokurov, president of EZ Hoops, a professional scouting service NBA teams subscribe to, said during the college basketball season it looked as if Smith were forcing himself to make the extra pass, to prove to NBA decision-makers he was unselfish. But in workouts, it looked more natural.
NBA scouting director Ryan Blake compared Smith to veteran reserve guard C.J. Watson, and said while Smith could sneak up into the top part of the second round, he could also see him dropping completely out of it. If that would to happen, Blake said: “He would be a top commodity for the summer league.”
Rick Pitino, Smith’s coach at Louisville, finds that to be a preposterous scenario. His reaction was the same about Smith not being a true point guard.
“Somebody, in my opinion, is going to find the jewel of the draft,” Pitino said. “Russ is somebody who can come in off the bench and he’s an un-guardable guy at that level. He’s in the mold of an Allen Iverson — when scoring is difficult and you’re in a drought, Russ can get you 12 points in a matter of minutes.”
Smith completed his 14th NBA workout on Monday with the Clippers and expects to work out for the Kings on Tuesday. Then it’s back to Louisville and avoiding mock drafts and all the chatter that goes along with Thursday night’s much publicized event. That doesn’t mean the ultra-confident Brooklyn product has lost his trademark swagger.
“I just need an opportunity,” Smith said.