Draft 2005: Randy Pfund Press Conference

MIAMI, June 28 - Randy Pfund: “We went into the draft process hoping that maybe a veteran college player, somebody that we felt like had real good credentials, would fall down to the 29th spot, and I think it worked out pretty closely to exactly as we hoped today. We’re excited about Wayne Simien. He was the unanimous Big 12 Player of the Year. He’s a 20-and-10 guy who scores and rebounds every night. We got good reports all the way around on his character, and I think his overall mood up there was great when he was available. Some international players and some high school players had to come into the mix for him to get there, and that was exactly what happened. Wayne Simien from the University of Kansas, I think he’s the guy that can come in and compete for a job right away and help with our rotation or at least be a spot player for us. We love his credentials and the fact that he comes from a strong program as a winner. We’re going to be very excited about getting him out to Los Angeles next week and getting him experience in the Summer League.”

Did he work out in Miami at all?
RP: “No he didn’t, but we’ve seen Wayne for four years. He’s probably one of the most scouted guys with that program in Kansas. I’m sure I’ve seen him seven or eight times, and all of our scouts have seen him loads of times. He was a guy who we’ve watched a lot, and we’re fortunate that he came down to 29.”

Are you concerned about his injury history?
RP: “We have all of the medical reports. He has missed some games, and I think there are some minor issues there. I think at 29, you have to be somewhat realistic about the fact that you’re not going to get everything you want, a perfect resume. Certainly the rest of his resume is exactly what you’d like to have. I think we’re confident that those things, from an injury standpoint, are something that we hope will not be an issue in the future. I think he played a pretty solid year. I think he had a thumb injury, but other than that, he was very healthy.”

What part of his game do you like?
RP: “When a guy is getting 20 and 10 in the Big 12, he has a pretty good game. You can pick a part any player. I remember seeing him a couple of years ago out in Anaheim in one of the tournament games, and he got over on the left block and can score down there and turn into the baseline. We have another big fella that kind of positions himself on that block. We talked to Wayne about that. We might have to relocate him from time to time. He can make a medium-range jumper and he’s an 81-percent free-throw shooter. All those things add into what we see in him as a player. I don’t think there are any off the court issues, he is a solid citizen. He was the unanimous player of the year in a very, very good, very competitive conference. I think the credentials are there, and he has to make the adjustment to the pro game. But I think shooting the ball and being a strong rebounder are two things that translate well.”

Question: Was he the best player available or does he fill a team need?
RP: I don’t think that there is any doubt that we try to concentrate on talent first. We don’t tend to fall in love with someone just because he is at a certain position. But you naturally gravitate to where you don’t have as much depth. Certainly the center is a position that we have a lot of depth, so we looked a little more at the four spot. This is a case where we had him rated very high, for a number of reasons. There were some surprises in the top ten. I think Gerald Green slipped, (Danny) Granger slipped, and I think that when you start changing names and some people are surprised and pick somebody different, that can cause some changes. I’m sure there is some disappointment on his part, but I think that once he realizes that he is coming to Miami, and is playing for a team that won 59 games last year, he will get excited about this opportunity.

Question: Have you spoken to him?
RP: Yes, we talked to him and Lee Steinberg. I think he was a little surprised that he didn’t get picked earlier. He didn’t say that, but I got that feeling. But on the other hand, Lee and his firm and Wayne are people that we felt very comfortable with. We had a lot of pluses on this young man and I think he has a great opportunity to become part of a winning team.

Question: This year had a lot less activity with high schoolers and international players in the first round than last year. Is this a coincidence or more of a trend?
RP: I have not seen the numbers yet. There is always a give and take with the high school guys vs. proven college players and international players. Just when you think that someone is going to go for a proven college player, they don’t. I could always pick out a few places where there was an opportunity for some veteran players to get into that first round. I think we are one of those teams that are afforded that opportunity with Wayne.

Question: Was there any activity getting someone in the second round?
RP: We tried; there were still a couple of players that we liked. The price was a future second and over half a million dollars and we hung in there on a couple of proposals. We were not able to get those. A couple of teams only had one pick. We tried to get Golden State and Orlando, who both had multiple picks, but they weren’t willing to give up one of their picks for a future.