Draft Workouts 2005 – Salim Stoudemire
With the 2005 NBA Draft rapidly approaching and the Celtics holding the 18th, 50th and 53rd picks overall, Celtics.com will be bringing exclusive behind the scenes info from draft workouts held at The Sports Authority Training Center in Waltham.
Salim Stoudemire is a 6-1 shooting guard out of Arizona who may have to make a move to point guard in the NBA. Stoudemire wowed fans during his senior season with his amazing outside shooting, as he averaged 18.4 points on 50.4 percent shooting from the field, as well as an amazing 50.4 percent from beyond the arc. Check out what Stoudemire had to say after his workout for the Celtics.
Celtics.com: How do you think your workout went today?
Salim Stoudemire: It went well; we did some pick and rolls, game-situation stuff. It was fun… this was my first workout.
Celtics.com: How was this experience the first time out? Did you know what to expect?
Stoudemire: I didn’t know what to expect, but I asked David (Lee) what to expect and he gave me a little bit of information, so I thought I was pretty much prepared.
Celtics.com: It’s been said that the “Celtics Run” has gotten a little notorious around the league. Had you heard about that?
Stoudemire: No, I hadn’t heard about it, but I know about it now.
Celtics.com: Coming out of college, you’re known as a great shooter. Do you think that is the biggest asset you can bring to an NBA team?
Stoudemire: Definitely, but I also think I can bring other things to the table like passing ability, and things that guards are supposed to do.
Celtics.com: Coming into these workouts, are you trying to show teams that you can play the point guard position as well as the shooting guard position?
Stoudemire: I’m not trying to prove anything. I think people know what I can do. It’s just a matter of me going out and doing what they want me to do in the workouts.
Celtics.com: What’s it like to come into Boston, workout for the team, and see all those retired numbers and championship banners?
Stoudemire: It means a lot. The first thing I did was go out there (on the court) and look at all those banners, and realize the history of this organization. It’s a big thing being here.
