Earlier this week, we spoke to assistant general manager Rob Babcock about how eager the Wolves were to take Craig Smith with the 36th pick in the 2006 NBA Draft, after seeing him several times in person since his freshman year at Boston College.

As it turns out, Smith did not even expect to be drafted in the first place, but he's certainly proven to be a second-round steal.

Q: On not expecting to be drafted:
Craig Smith: At first my agent told me that the Wolves were interested in me, but I didn't really think I was going to get drafted based on how I couldn't prove myself (at draft workouts due to injury). People thought or had decided that I couldn't play power forward in the league. So basically, in the summer I just started working and tried to get mentally prepared for going overseas or anything.

Q: On why he wasn't counting on hearing his name on draft day:
Smith: A lot of people doubted me, just like a lot of colleges doubted me too. I didn't really know, I knew some teams were interested but not many promises are kept in this business. So I just stayed focused and I got my opportunity when they drafted me. I couldn't work out in the summer, or maybe I would have been a higher pick. But as soon as the training camp started is when I dedicated myself and said 'Hey, I just want to play myself into the rotation and take it one day at a time.' That happened, and I got some action. The first game I was surprised that I was able to come in and make an impact and we got a win. It was all good from there.

Q: On how part of what Kevin McHale liked about Smith was his ability to score on the low block, one way or another.
Smith: That's been the story of my life. I've always had to deal with bigger people guarding me and I've had to use my instincts to see what I can do to be successful against them and the low post works. I'm agile being in my bulk and quicker than most of the big guys so I try to use that as an advantage. I'm usually stronger in my upper body than most of those fellas too.

Q: On his first contact with the Wolves:
Smith: It was all through my agent pretty, just talking, going back and forth and stuff like that. That's where it basically started. They drafted me, which was a surprise to me. Then I got to talk to them and at the time coach Casey (Dwayne Casey) was the coach and I got to talk to him and (Kevin) McHale and they said how happy they were that I was around and that they wanted me to be a part of the team.

Q: On his not thinking he was going to be drafted and the Wolves feeling lucky he was still there at No. 36:
Smith: Yeah, it's funny, I guess so, but you never know being in those situations. You just try to think of anything and that I'll go anywhere just as long as I can get a chance to prove myself and show I can play.

Q: On what was said to him once he got to Minnesota:
Smith: Just to be aggressive. We like the way you play; you play on instinct. We think you can do things on the block still at this level, being that there are bigger guys, and that you can drive by them. You've got great court awareness. So we want you to use those instincts out there and we're going to put you in the mix with one of the best players to ever play the game (Kevin Garnett), just go out there and play.

Q: On how that much have given him some confidence:
Smith: Definitely. I got a lot of experience playing with KG in one year, it seemed like I was playing with him for three or four years. He taught me a lot and some of the stuff he taught me I still use today.

Q: On his role on the team:
Smith: I just try to help the team and see what they need out of me each and every night. I don't need to be the leading scorer off the bench every night; you have to bring something different every time. It's all a part of my role and roles can switch up everyday. So I just try to stay consistent, read of my guys and just try to be effective when I'm out on the floor.

Q: On being glad that the Wolves did their due diligence in seeing him several times and looking past his what some critics had said:
Smith: Definitely. I'm glad that I had that opportunity and I plan on hopefully being here for a long time, too.