Steph Curry had a far more advanced dribble than Smith. We are talking about a guy who never dribbles more than 3 times. You can just look at Curry's Davidson tape and see he had a handle coming out.
I think Smith goes first overall. I also think he would be ideal for the Rockets. I initially wanted Banchero, and I’d still love to have him, but right now I think Smith is the better option because of his defense.
That might be a better comp, butI have to think he put the ball on the floor more than Smith. Smith will drop out of the top 5 before he goes #1. His inability to create his own shot is going to hurt him.
To me he looks like klay/Middleton type of guy. If he can guard you take him top 4 no problem . He is what Anthony Bennett was dreamed to be ? hows his lateral quickness for real ? How good is he on the perimeter? Vs big guys ? Can he be a lob threat ? he’s more athletic and better on D than lamarcus Aldridge right ? How good was LA in his prime ? fit with sengun ? I’m not sure , but I think better than Banchero and less risky than Chet . key question is coachability and what he seems like in interviews . In terms of skills working in the dribble a bit and finishing at the rim can come over time . What’s the ceiling on his shot ? The floor ? I believe it’s between the ears that is the deciding factor for most of these prospects . We loved green in interviews and he’s showing us why . might be able to guard 2-5 (all but the quickest or strongest guys) honestly he’s kinda like the 6’9+ version of Patrick Patterson / Marcus Morris that Morey used to love . He was pretty good with those guys , but luck is also a factor . Smith shoots the 3 better already . if he’s a dog you can take him #1 . Banchero has the most offensive upside . Chet the best defensive . But smith has a good mix and shooting has been the most recent king in the nba . He looks unconscious at times . I don’t like Ivey that much . Haven’t watched too much video of him , but with the smaller guys it’s so much more key for the shot to pan out ... idk how much faith I have in Ivey. He reminds me of John wall a bit , but not quite as blazing and a bit more focused on D. ... I’m just not sold . you can sell me any of the frontcourt dudes 1-3 , but Ivey would be a bitter pill at first . He’d have to prove it and we’d have to make more roster moves . stone is being patient , but he better not pull a Danny ainge .
If he had Klay or Middleton's handle or game coming out of college, he would be #1 without debate. he is also terrible at the rim which is nothing like all those other guys, I would not mind him on this team but you are glossing over a lot of negatives with him, especially considering what else is in the draft.
I’m no scout . And to me the biggest X factor is on D . I’ve heard he’s excellent defending the perimeter , I’m not sure about inside . If he has that capability then he’s a cut above those 2 from a defensive prospect . And those guys are great defenders . his finishing DOES concern me . But I think he is athletic enough to have success once he figures out how to use it . I don’t think he’s a primary ball handler , neither is Chet (even though he’s better with the ball) . But , I also think finding a guy who is just a confident shooter can be better than a guy who handles ... but takes too long to think. my main concern is at the rim , but I think he can learn to play a good PnR roll guy .. especially since he’s got such a high threat of popping for the jumper . He needs to improve his handle , but not THAT much . He’s willing to take contested jumpers over people and can make them . He is perhaps the best fit with sengun . I know that’s not the most important factor (especially if you have someone else graded higher) but I think if it’s close then fit is actually underrated . You want to put guys in positions where they can succeed . I think he’s our best fit now and later . Green and smith .. shooting and shooting . Not a bad formula . Both guys have upside on D too .
Not that much? it's non existent currently, do you look at him as a franchise guy or just a piece? Do you not think any of these guys can be all stars or all NBA, or even a go-to scorer in crunch time? I don't think we have a guy or guys that need fits, I want the best guy we can draft and figure it out as we go along, if Green is the guy we think he is he should be able to fit with anybody and I want a guy who can create his own shot as well as be able to make plays for others. Smith current skills project as a high level 3&D guy, and I am not using a top 5 pick for that. You need more than shooting and shooting to be a great team, even in college they started guarding him with shorter guys, and it was effective.
it depends on what these guys develop .. no one is currently ready to be an all-star. Homlgren to me needs to pan out as an elite NBA defender otherwise he would have to be transcendental on offense to be a star. He's not fluid enough to be on the perimeter the majority of the time . Even gobert has lineups he struggles against. BAnchero is the highest upside to be a go-to guy , but needs to become elite at something . His combination is great . I think hes got more limitations defensively than smith tho Smith is 3 and D at a high level ... AND if he can just get better in the Pick and Roll then he will be bringing enough without ball handling . Can be play like clint capela on offense at times and klay thomspon at times ? As long as he can read in-between passes and develop an explosive move to the rim he can be a seamless fit on offense. sure hes got to improve , they all do . Ivey does too . But im more worried about a smaller guy needing to improve his jumper than i do an athletic 6'9" guy improve his finishing . again, IM nota scout
I don't disagree with any of this, it will be interesting to see how they do against better competition. I just like the guy who has a lot of tools in the tool belt, I also don't like projecting upside, I want to have seen it in action.
There is so much delusion going on about Smith. The amount of self-blinders this years to justify Jabari Smith's weakness is insane. The guy cannot finish near the basketball and does not possess handles to drive even at a college level. He often finishes game with less than 5 dribbles. Defense + 3 point shooting? So what? That is a the definition of a role player. You are drafting for star power at #1, not a glorified role player in Jabari Smith.
I'll take the defense. Jabari will improve his handle. MPJ will not improve his D and his back still a concern.
If what you’re saying isn’t exaggeration and hyperbole then perhaps this is just a weaker class from top to bottom compared to last year.
I want this surefire 3&D piece more than anything in the draft. If we get a true PG like FA Donte Divincenzo to run the show, next year we will surely have some playoff run; if we don't get DD, we'll be tanking again. My thesis is it all begins, on both ends of the court, with a pitbull PG. We've been running around without that for a long time. So I hope we'll get a defensive-minded coach (JVG) and get back to first principles on the court by next season. We've got the athleticism. Now we just need to get some brains, skills, and willpower.
If he has not improved his handle at this point I think he will always be adverse to it like Simmons is adverse to shoot jumpers. I am not taking a guy that high hoping he improves something so needed.
