NBA Draft Preview: Seth Curry
By Thomas Eames
Mar 29, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Seth Curry (30) reacts after making a three point shot against the Michigan State Spartans in the first half during the semifinals of the Midwest regional of the 2013 NCAA tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports
James Stotts, Dru Lewis, Chris Bunn, Taylor Ostrick and I will be breaking down where we think each of Duke’s NBA Draft prospects will go in the draft. The third and final player is Seth Curry.
Timberwolves: 2nd round 59th pick
Many doubt Seth Curry as an NBA draft prospect, but I see him as a huge fit with any team that needs shooting help. The Timberwolves fit that need perfectly, as they were the worst three point shooting team last season. That number was hurt by the lack of Kevin Love, nonetheless, they are still desperate for shooters. Seth Curry will be able to fill that shooting role for the Timberwolves. He will be able to stretch the floor for drivers Ricky Rubio and Andrei Kirilenko, and post men Kevin Love and Nikola Pekovic. The Timberwolves will likely draft a starting caliber shooting guard (possibly CJ McCollum from Lehigh, I know not a Duke fan favorite), and Curry could be a role player to back up that starter. Minnesota is also a good fit for Curry because of Ricky Rubio’s size, 6’4″. Ricky Rubio could play the point guard offensively, but could switch over to shooting guard to cover the taller offensive player. This is crucial for Curry, who is under sized at the shooting guard spot. Curry will be great shooting addition to any team he joins, but I see a great fit at the end of the second round with the Timberwolves.
Undrafted, signed by Bulls
I can’t preach this one enough. Every team needs a guy like Seth Curry. He goes along a legendary family of shooters, like his father Dell Curry and his brother Steph Curry. Shooting is in Seth Curry’s blood. But don’t mistake Curry as a one-dimensional player. He is a guy that hustles hard and plays defense. Not to mention, Seth also has a very polished mid-range game, and he isn’t afraid to become a slasher at times. With that said, I do not believe that Seth Curry will get drafted. He has had injury troubles in the past, which makes scouts wary (look at Nerlens Noel for example). But this doesn’t mean that I don’t think Curry will make a NBA squad. I think we would be a fantastic pickup for the Chicago Bulls. What’s not to like? He may possibly play along two other Duke greats, in Luol Deng and Carlos Boozer. I think he would be a idea shooting guard to come off the bench. Not to mention, the shooting guard position is rather week in Chicago. He definitely has the potential to be a scorer for whichever team he lands on. I don’t know if he has starting potential, but he could work his way to being a role player and landing in a team’s rotation.
Mavericks: 2nd round 44th pick
Seth Curry embodies what it means to be a Duke basketball player. Even though he started his career under the radar at Liberty University, he became Duke’s favorite son over the past three seasons. Even though he may be undersized at 6’1, 180lbs, Seth Curry is the brother of Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, who had an amazing NBA season this year, which may cause scouts to look at Seth a little closer. The obvious strength for Seth is his shooting, with the ability to shoot lights out at times. He’s a project for any team that chooses to take him because he lacks the athleticism and size to be a good point guard in the NBA. The work ethic of Curry will help him though as he will do everything he can to make his game better in the NBA. There is a very good chance that you’ll be hearing Seth’s name in the 2nd round of the draft, and with a lack of shooters in recent years and the decline of Dirk Nowitzki, the Dallas Mavericks are primed to draft a shooter like Seth Curry. Outside of O.J. Mayo, the Mavericks are short on shooters and long in the tooth. A young shooter who can has the ability to finish at the rim and knock down the open jumper will go a long way for a team who has only gotten older after winning the championship in 2011.
Undrafted, signed by the Nets
Similar to Kelly, it is more likely Curry is passed on due to his age. However, it would be poor form to bet against him sticking to a team after summer ball. The knock on Curry is while he is a great scorer, he isn’t a point guard, what his height limits him to. Therefore, I see Curry getting to camp with a team like Washington or Brooklyn, teams that would allow Seth to play the shooting guard offensively and the point guard defensively when paired with their bigger guards.
Taylor Ostrick from taylormadethoughts.com
Undrafted, signed by the Pacers
I do think Curry has the ability to play at the NBA level and have some success there. That said I do not think his journey to the NBA will begin through the draft, mostly because of physical limitations. Curry is only 6’2 which is small for an NBA shooting guard and doesn’t have much length either. Add to that below average athleticism and quickness, Curry at a glance, does not look the part of an NBA guard. But despite the physical limitations Curry has one ability that I believe will be his golden ticket to making it in the NBA and that’s his shooting ability. There is always a need for shooters at every level of basketball and especially in the pros. Curry is a knock down three point shooter that can come off the bench for a variety of teams and provide some immediate fire power from beyond the arc. He is a crafty, savvy and extremely intelligent player. He has also improved his ball handling and although he will probably never really be a point guard, it is a huge plus that he can handle the ball and create a bit off the dribble.