06-28-2009, 08:53 AM
http://newsok.com/vaden-confident-of-his...le/3381382
Quote:Sports Sports - Thunder
Robert Vaden confident of his chances with Thunder
'He's a self-made player, a competitor who has great focus’
Comments 2
Buzz up!By Mike Baldwin, Staff Writer
Published: June 28, 2009
Robert Vaden is familiar with the term "money talks.” That’s why he’s confident he can make the Thunder’s opening day roster.
Oklahoma City acquired the 3-point sharp-shooter out of UAB by giving cash to the Charlotte Bobcats, who selected Vaden late in the second round with the No. 54 overall pick.
"With the economy being so bad you don’t spend money on things you don’t want,” Vaden said. "They wouldn’t have bought the pick if they didn’t feel I was a good player.”
Vaden, a 6-foot-5 shooting guard, and the Thunder’s other two NBA Draft picks appeared at a press conference and fan event Saturday afternoon at MidFirst Bank.
Vaden averaged 21.1 points in his junior year with the Blazers, 17.6 last season. He scored in double figures in 32 of 34 games.
"He’s a self-made player, a competitor who has great focus, great work ethic and has improved his game,” said Thunder general manager Sam Presti. "And he can really shoot the basketball.”
One of the best shooters in the draft, Vaden averaged 10 treys a game, making nearly four during his two seasons at UAB.
D.J. White, a rookie with the Thunder last season, was Vaden’s roommate two years at Indiana before Vaden transferred to UAB.
"He’s a great shooter who has really improved his game,” White said. "I think he’ll surprise a lot of people. I promise he will give 100-percent effort. I’m rooting hard for him.”
Unlike White and first-round choices James Harden and B.J. Mullens, there are no guarantees for second-round picks. If you want an NBA paycheck, you have to make the roster.
Vaden, from Indianapolis, said he’s always had to work hard and prove himself. In high school and in his two seasons at Indiana, coaches used him as a power forward. It wasn’t until he arrived at UAB that he had an opportunity to work on his outside shooting.
"I wasn’t a McDonald’s All-American. I wasn’t a lottery pick,” Vaden said. "That’s just made me hungrier. I come from a low-income family. We’ve always had to work hard for everything we’ve had.”
Vaden, 24, might be a rookie, but he will be one of the oldest players on OKC’s roster when training camp begins in October.
"I’ve worked really hard on my perimeter skills to get where they are now,” Vaden said. "I’ve seen all kind of double teams. I will work very hard to do whatever I can to help this team. I feel great about my chances (of making the roster).”