NBA 2013-2014

[smokymountainrain]

The MKG thing scares me a bit with Marcus Smart.

On the other hand, you have MCW.

[BGRTHNUMEGO]

On the other hand, you have MCW.

How comical is it to think of draft analysts (and probably scouts/GMs) talking about Kidd-Gilcrhist being "the heart" of that Kentucky team? Yeah, let's pretend like a guy who doesn't really do anything on the court really well was the most important player on a team that had a player that looks like a generational talent.

With MCW, at least he averaged 7+ apg and nearly 3 spg in college. MKG didn't shoot well, was a killer in the open court but not in half-court sets, didn't create for teammates, and didn't create many turnovers or block a lot of shots. I don't watch enough of Charlotte to have any idea of how they're trying to use him, but I'm assuming he's at SF. He should've be outclassed there athletically and probably should match up well in terms of strength with other SFs. So his skill set just must be atrocious.

[MarkGrace]

On the other hand, you have MCW.

I never really viewed MCW that way. MKG was like the consummate example of a guy that didn't do anything particularly well but was a "winner" and intangibles guy. MCW was obviously very gifted in a couple areas (passing, court vision), he was just really deficient in other areas. Smart is a little more like MKG to me. I watch and am not sure what he does really well, but he's got those intangible factors (competitive, warrior mentality, winner, etc.).

[smokymountainrain]

I never really viewed MCW that way. MKG was like the consummate example of a guy that didn't do anything particularly well but was a "winner" and intangibles guy. MCW was obviously very gifted in a couple areas (passing, court vision), he was just really deficient in other areas. Smart is a little more like MKG to me. I watch and am not sure what he does really well, but he's got those intangible factors (competitive, warrior mentality, winner, etc.).

You bring up good points. On all three we're talking about wings who can't shoot but do other things well.

I think Smart is somewhere in between MKG and MCW in terms of guys who do certain things really well.

MKG averaged just 11 ppg and while he got 7 rebs a game, averaged just 2 assists as a pure SF.

As you and BGR have pointed out, MCW has the one skill that is elite - which was passing/court vision as evidenced by his 7+ assists - something MKG didn't have.

First, Smart is a better comparison with MCW because he's a guard, a primary ballhandler. He's not a shooter, but he can score as he's getting 18 ppg and getting to the FT line 7+ times a game. He's also avering 4+ assists and 3 steals. So while he doesn't have the elite skill like MCW's assisting, his other skills, that would transfer to the NBA, are superior to MKG's. IOW, he doesn't just get by on leadership, defense, toughness, warrior attitude, etc, like MKG did.

Having said that, I'm far from convinced about Smart. I've watched him more than anybody in the country this year and I'm still as confused as I ever was about his NBA potential, because he consistently struggles with the outside shot. He's good at a lot of things, but man, if you can't shoot, it can be a problem.

[MarkGrace]

He doesn't shoot well and he doesn't handle well enough at this point either, I don't think. That KU game was everything you love and hate about his game. Dude goes 3-14 from the floor and 0-6 from 3, yet he gets to the line 10 times and hits them all, and is one assist shy of a triple-double while playing suffocating defense. Kid is such an enigma.

[BGRTHNUMEGO]

He doesn't shoot well and he doesn't handle well enough at this point either, I don't think. That KU game was everything you love and hate about his game. Dude goes 3-14 from the floor and 0-6 from 3, yet he gets to the line 10 times and hits them all, and is one assist shy of a triple-double while playing suffocating defense. Kid is such an enigma.

Rondo with better FT shooting?

[Jacob]

Smart is shooting 53% on his 2pt attempts. Only 32% on 3s, but he's taking 5 per game, which seems odd. His steal rate is among the best you'll find at 2.6 in 30 mpg. Assists and rebounds are solid. IMO, it would be foolish to pass on Smart after the other 5 guys.

He's clearly strong. Is he an explosive athlete like Dwayne Wade? If he is, he's plenty big to be a 2. But if he's a good passer, he'd seem to make a good PG a la Eric Bledsoe, a defensive beast who can bully other point guards on both ends of the floor while improving his 3 pt shot.

[Sizzle]

Rondo with better FT shooting?

I don't know that he has Rondo's freakish length, nor is he quite the PG that Rondo is.

Maybe I'm being blinded by the same school comparison, but I've always thought Tony Allen with better PG abilities.

[MarkGrace]

Smart is shooting 53% on his 2pt attempts. Only 32% on 3s, but he's taking 5 per game, which seems odd. His steal rate is among the best you'll find at 2.6 in 30 mpg. Assists and rebounds are solid. IMO, it would be foolish to pass on Smart after the other 5 guys.

He's clearly strong. Is he an explosive athlete like Dwayne Wade? If he is, he's plenty big to be a 2. But if he's a good passer, he'd seem to make a good PG a la Eric Bledsoe, a defensive beast who can bully other point guards on both ends of the floor while improving his 3 pt shot.

This is always how I kind of envisioned him. Not really a point, not really a 2, just kind of a combo guy who you give the ball to and let attack. But watching him he's pretty different than Wade. He doesn't have that elite burst like Wade, and he doesn't have the handle to just go wherever he wants in the paint. What he does have is a lot more strength and a ridiculous frame, so he just kind of imposes his will combining that with good athleticism.

[smokymountainrain]

I don't know that he has Rondo's freakish length, nor is he quite the PG that Rondo is.

Maybe I'm being blinded by the same school comparison, but I've always thought Tony Allen with better PG abilities.

Just a better player all around than Allen, IMO. But yeah, for that comparison of Oklahoma State guys, it would be his ball skills that would set him apart from Allen.

I still think Wade is the best overall comparison, big, strong body, explosive athleticism, all around skills, combo guard abilities, etc. The biggest difference is that Wade could really knock down the midrange jumper. I'm not sure Smart can do that right now, although he really only shoots threes and layups - most of his two point shots seem to come off post ups.

The Bledsoe comparison is one I haven't heard, but is pretty interesting as well.

An enigma, indeed.

[smokymountainrain]

He doesn't shoot well and he doesn't handle well enough at this point either, I don't think. That KU game was everything you love and hate about his game. Dude goes 3-14 from the floor and 0-6 from 3, yet he gets to the line 10 times and hits them all, and is one assist shy of a triple-double while playing suffocating defense. Kid is such an enigma.

That was my exact thought as I was watching. 16, 10, 9 and 4 - a beast in ever facet of the game, but couldn't throw the ball in the ocean. If nothing else, he's fun to watch.

[BGRTHNUMEGO]

I don't know that he has Rondo's freakish length, nor is he quite the PG that Rondo is.

Maybe I'm being blinded by the same school comparison, but I've always thought Tony Allen with better PG abilities.

Yeah, idea of Rondo was more a comparison of the production lines that could be put out on the court rather than styles.

Going back to some old school comps for style matches...Doc Rivers? Even though Fat Lever looks really skinny by today's standards, when he played he was kind of a "bully" guard that could defend bigger guards, rebounded a ton, and just did a lot of everything on the court. And then Smart's defense of course reminds of Alvin Robertson. But Smart appears to have a higher scoring ceiling than those guys.

[smokymountainrain]

Yeah, idea of Rondo was more a comparison of the production lines that could be put out on the court rather than styles.

Going back to some old school comps for style matches...Doc Rivers? Even though Fat Lever looks really skinny by today's standards, when he played he was kind of a "bully" guard that could defend bigger guards, rebounded a ton, and just did a lot of everything on the court. And then Smart's defense of course reminds of Alvin Robertson. But Smart appears to have a higher scoring ceiling than those guys.

Robertson could actually be a very good comparison. In his prime years (age 23-28), he was at about 17 pp 6 rebs 5-6 assists and 3 steals a game. That's probably about the type of production that can be expected of Smart if he becomes a successful NBA player. Both are 6'3 - 6'4", but Smart goes about 215-220, where Robertson was under 200.

[smokymountainrain]

Durant.

[MarkGrace]

Durant.

Dayum!