duncan228
06-05-2009, 01:29 PM
Person of interest: Tyler Smith (http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblogs/courtside/2009/06/person-of-inter-2.html)
By Jeff McDonald
One of the Spurs' priorities for this offseason is to get younger on the wing, especially at the small forward position. The top three small forwards in their rotation at the end of the season -- Michael Finley, Bruce Bowen and Ime Udoka -- are all on the north side of 30 years old.
That has to make a prospect like Tyler Smith, who came to San Antonio for a pre-draft audition last month, seem awfully enticing.
Smith entered his junior season at Tennessee last season as a prospect ready to explode. Instead, he enjoyed a season that was good but not great -- which might work out for the Spurs.
Had Smith taken The Leap last season, he probably wouldn't have been on the draft board by the time the Spurs were on the clock in the second round.
There is much to like about Smith as a second-round flier. At 6-foot-7 with a long wingspan, Smith has the prototypical NBA body for a small forward. He is an explosive slasher, projecting as a Trevor Ariza-type in terms of both body and style.
Smith wasn't much of a perimeter shooter in college -- so don't expect him to be launching those Bowen-patented corner 3-pointers, at least not at first. He is also only an average defender, but has the potential to improve in that area.
He won't be an NBA star, but with some improvements to his game, Smith could be a solid role player. The Spurs could do worse at the 37th pick.
By Jeff McDonald
One of the Spurs' priorities for this offseason is to get younger on the wing, especially at the small forward position. The top three small forwards in their rotation at the end of the season -- Michael Finley, Bruce Bowen and Ime Udoka -- are all on the north side of 30 years old.
That has to make a prospect like Tyler Smith, who came to San Antonio for a pre-draft audition last month, seem awfully enticing.
Smith entered his junior season at Tennessee last season as a prospect ready to explode. Instead, he enjoyed a season that was good but not great -- which might work out for the Spurs.
Had Smith taken The Leap last season, he probably wouldn't have been on the draft board by the time the Spurs were on the clock in the second round.
There is much to like about Smith as a second-round flier. At 6-foot-7 with a long wingspan, Smith has the prototypical NBA body for a small forward. He is an explosive slasher, projecting as a Trevor Ariza-type in terms of both body and style.
Smith wasn't much of a perimeter shooter in college -- so don't expect him to be launching those Bowen-patented corner 3-pointers, at least not at first. He is also only an average defender, but has the potential to improve in that area.
He won't be an NBA star, but with some improvements to his game, Smith could be a solid role player. The Spurs could do worse at the 37th pick.