If the Spurs draft 11th

[Dejounte]

This really smart ing play by Jalen at 4:58 on the fast break.

Here I go again, getting really excited about a prospect...

Outside of Precious' ability to push the ball in transition, his other main appeal is his switchability and competent defense against perimeter players. Jalen has that in spades. I'm really impressed by the little things Jalen does...

He REALLY knows how and when to set screens. Check out 15:54. The Spurs have placed value in this before with Tiago and Poetl. They could very well be checking out Jalen because of this skill he has.

This is the second game I've watched where he helped spark a comeback against the opposing team. He made a huge three and then later a super critical rebound. And THEN made a major defensive play where he made his matchup airball badly.

This is a must watch game for anyone doubting if he should be under consideration at pick #11. Especially the second half. He made important play after important play.

Lord knows how much this team (the Spurs) needs a big pump of basketball IQ.

[mo7888]

Most mocks show Smith in the 20's. As I look at them it looks like alot of the guys we like will be available lower than 11. The further we go along the more I think our best option is to move up or down. Go up and get Wiseman or Obi and if that can't reasonably be done move down and get 2 picks. If we got two of Boston's picks I would think we could get a combination of two guys from this list. Precious, Nesmith, Smith, poku, woodard, perry, reed, Williams, vassell, Stewart, bollard, or the Frenchpg maladon.

I think thats better than sitting at 11.

[Dejounte]

Most mocks show Smith in the 20's. As I look at them it looks like alot of the guys we like will be available lower than 11. The further we go along the more I think our best option is to move up or down. Go up and get Wiseman or Obi and if that can't reasonably be done move down and get 2 picks. If we got two of Boston's picks I would think we could get a combination of two guys from this list. Precious, Nesmith, Smith, poku, woodard, perry, reed, Williams, vassell, or the French PG I forget his name (maladon maybe)...

I think thats better than sitting at 11.

Don't rely on mocks. They change so much especially this early. If you look at next month's mocks, they won't look anything at all like they do now. Especially after the combine.

[mo7888]

Don't rely on mocks. They change so much especially this early. If you look at next month's mocks, they won't look anything at all like they do now. Especially after the combine.

They do and they will change...that's why I included the list instead of focusing on a particular guy. Two from that list will be available if we trade down (probably most of them will be available). Getting 2 from that list at random is better than any one particular guy at 11 imo.

[Dejounte]

Feedback from people who kept up with Smith during the season, with similar observations to mine:

"As a terps fan I've seen every game of his and I currently have him in my top ten. Let me just start off by saying this was not even remotely the case until mid-January of this year. Around that time he finally grew into the 30 pounds that he reportedly put on in the offseason and started to put all of his skills together into a complete game. On offense he now is the perfect big imo with over the top shooting ability that isn't just simply catch and shoot. No other big men in this class are as good off screens, handoffs and pin downs as him. He also has great touch around the basket, sets good screens and is smart deciding whether to roll or pop based off what the defense is allowing. Still needs to work on his post game and off dribble offense. On defense he's a great rim protector using his length and athleticism to his advantage without fouling and can hold his own on a switch. He isn't necessarily elite at guarding quicker guards but can certainly hold his own.

I think he checks every box teams will be looking for come draft night and honestly I don't see how his game doesn't translate to the next level."

https://www.reddit.com/r/NBA_Draft/c...m_source=share

[lmbebo]

think Spurs have scouted Smith from what I read before. Wouldn't be surprised if he is there pick

[Dejounte]

Updated tier list:

Tier 1
Deni Avdija
Obi Toppin
Isaac Okoro

Tier 2A
Jalen Smith - thoroughly impressed. Never thought he would make this jump. He just plays the right way and makes clutch plays. He's an instinctive player with high bball IQ.
Aaron Nesmith - if injuries are not a concern, seems like his offensive potential is through the roof. Not just a shooter.
Precious Achiuwa - switchability, mobility, and strength
Patrick Williams - probably the only forward with the right size that offers a glimmer of hope he can be our prototypical 3 (or 3/4)


Tier 2B (Not quite Tier 3...)
Isaiah Stewart
Aleksej Pokusevski

Tier 3
Tyler Bey
Robert Woodard II
Zeke Nnaji
Daniel Oturu
Xavier Tillman
Reggie Perry
Paul Reed

[exstatic]

Updated tier list:

Tier 1
Deni Avdija
Obi Toppin
Isaac Okoro

Tier 2A
Jalen Smith - thoroughly impressed. Never thought he would make this jump. He just plays the right way and makes clutch plays. He's an instinctive player with high bball IQ.
Aaron Nesmith - if injuries are not a concern, seems like his offensive potential is through the roof. Not just a shooter.
Precious Achiuwa - switchability, mobility, and strength
Patrick Williams - probably the only forward with the right size that offers a glimmer of hope he can be our prototypical 3 (or 3/4)


Tier 2B (Not quite Tier 3...)
Isaiah Stewart
Aleksej Pokusevski

Tier 3
Tyler Bey
Robert Woodard II
Zeke Nnaji
Daniel Oturu
Xavier Tillman
Reggie Perry
Paul Reed

Paul Reed is a beast, a better version of RoCo. TaT has him at #17 on their big board, but he’s #42 on their mock, because WTF?

[spurspl]

Updated tier list:

Tier 1
Deni Avdija
Obi Toppin
Isaac Okoro

Tier 2A
Jalen Smith - thoroughly impressed. Never thought he would make this jump. He just plays the right way and makes clutch plays. He's an instinctive player with high bball IQ.
Aaron Nesmith - if injuries are not a concern, seems like his offensive potential is through the roof. Not just a shooter.
Precious Achiuwa - switchability, mobility, and strength
Patrick Williams - probably the only forward with the right size that offers a glimmer of hope he can be our prototypical 3 (or 3/4)


Tier 2B (Not quite Tier 3...)
Isaiah Stewart
Aleksej Pokusevski

Tier 3
Tyler Bey
Robert Woodard II
Zeke Nnaji
Daniel Oturu
Xavier Tillman
Reggie Perry
Paul Reed

im not so sure bout okoro (imo hes a lil bit overhyped) and steward. With the rest i agree. Id add to this list killian tillie as a Tier 3. High mobility and 3pt efficiency for a center. Imo he could be a more safety and cheaper version of poku. Less potential and older than him but profitable for a 2nd round pick.

[Dejounte]

Paul Reed is a beast, a better version of RoCo. TaT has him at #17 on their big board, but he’s #42 on their mock, because WTF?

I've been trying to tell you... How are you so sure they arrange their big board in any specific manner other than grouping them by tiers? They had Rui at #21 on their big board last year...

[Dejounte]

im not so sure bout okoro (imo hes a lil bit overhyped) and steward. With the rest i agree. Id add to this list killian tillie as a Tier 3. High mobility and 3pt efficiency for a center. Imo he could be a more safety and cheaper version of poku. Less potential and older than him but profitable for a 2nd round pick.

I agree with you. I'm still iffy about Okoro. I was more focused on re-ordering my Tier 2 list.

[exstatic]

I've been trying to tell you... How are you so sure they arrange their big board in any specific manner other than grouping them by tiers? They had Rui at #21 on their big board last year...

Their big board is their absolute ranking by whatever criteria they use. The mock takes into account team needs/wants, GM dumbness, etc. They only really have 3 tiers this year, 1-4,5-8, and everyone else.

I’ve been on Reed since early in the process. His mock ranking has dropped, but not his big board spot.

[Dejounte]

Their big board is their absolute ranking by whatever criteria they use. The mock takes into account team needs/wants, GM dumbness, etc. They only really have 3 tiers this year, 1-4,5-8, and everyone else.

I’ve been on Reed since early in the process. His mock ranking has dropped, but not his big board spot.

Yes, I'm aware of the differences between the mock and big board. I'm merely questioning if there is an "absolute ranking" within the tier list or if they're just grouped within the tier without any order. It doesn't explicitly say anywhere that they had a criteria.

[mo7888]

Updated tier list:

Tier 1
Deni Avdija
Obi Toppin
Isaac Okoro

Tier 2A
Jalen Smith - thoroughly impressed. Never thought he would make this jump. He just plays the right way and makes clutch plays. He's an instinctive player with high bball IQ.
Aaron Nesmith - if injuries are not a concern, seems like his offensive potential is through the roof. Not just a shooter.
Precious Achiuwa - switchability, mobility, and strength
Patrick Williams - probably the only forward with the right size that offers a glimmer of hope he can be our prototypical 3 (or 3/4)


Tier 2B (Not quite Tier 3...)
Isaiah Stewart
Aleksej Pokusevski

Tier 3
Tyler Bey
Robert Woodard II
Zeke Nnaji
Daniel Oturu
Xavier Tillman
Reggie Perry
Paul Reed

That's a solid list

[Dejounte]

Yes, I'm aware of the differences between the mock and big board. I'm merely questioning if there is an "absolute ranking" within the tier list or if they're just grouped within the tier without any order. It doesn't explicitly say anywhere that they had a criteria.

For example, I don't see how any criteria would put Josh Green at #12 on their big board and over other prospects who are clearly better. His statistics arent even great.

http://www.tankathon.com/players/com...-devin-vassell

[Kurgan]

Feedback from people who kept up with Smith during the season, with similar observations to mine:

"As a terps fan I've seen every game of his and I currently have him in my top ten. Let me just start off by saying this was not even remotely the case until mid-January of this year. Around that time he finally grew into the 30 pounds that he reportedly put on in the offseason and started to put all of his skills together into a complete game. On offense he now is the perfect big imo with over the top shooting ability that isn't just simply catch and shoot. No other big men in this class are as good off screens, handoffs and pin downs as him. He also has great touch around the basket, sets good screens and is smart deciding whether to roll or pop based off what the defense is allowing. Still needs to work on his post game and off dribble offense. On defense he's a great rim protector using his length and athleticism to his advantage without fouling and can hold his own on a switch. He isn't necessarily elite at guarding quicker guards but can certainly hold his own.

I think he checks every box teams will be looking for come draft night and honestly I don't see how his game doesn't translate to the next level."

https://www.reddit.com/r/NBA_Draft/c...m_source=share

So he would start next to LMA? Anyone that would remove Trey Lyles from the roster is good in my book. I really, really dislike Lyles.

[Dejounte]

So he would start next to LMA? Anyone that would remove Trey Lyles from the roster is good in my book. I really, really dislike Lyles.

He would be a solid starter who won't be a liability at 4 on offense. He can check big 3s, guard regular 4s, and hold his own against bigs. He can keep up with guards. Basically the perfect 4 in today's NBA.

[BackHome]

Question for you do you think he is a good fit with Luka could they be on the floor together?

Would this line up work?

White
Keldon
Smith
Luka
Poodle

[exstatic]

For example, I don't see how any criteria would put Josh Green at #12 on their big board and over other prospects who are clearly better. His statistics arent even great.

http://www.tankathon.com/players/com...-devin-vassell

I think they may rate on possible ceiling. Some guys who you see as better now could already be near the top of their dev curve.

[Dejounte]

Question for you do you think he is a good fit with Luka could they be on the floor together?

Would this line up work?

White
Keldon
Smith
Luka
Poodle

I think you have to look at their natural tendencies and from there you'll see how they fit.

We already know White, Keldon, and Poetl can all play together. So what you're really asking here is if Luka and Smith can play together.

The perfect fit for Luka is someone who can bang down low and be physical. Smith fits that mold and then some. Luka can be soft and hover out on the perimeter like Bertans with his ace 3 point shooting. We can't ignore Luka's ability to drive and be a playmaker, because he does have that skill. Now this is where Smith's unique because he is an awesome 3 point shooter too. If there's a play designed for Luka for him to drive, Smith can easily get out of the way and be ready for a pass if Luka needs to pass.

On defense, we all know Luka is pretty bad at rotations right now but we have to remember he was drafted because of his switchability. If he can be solid at guarding 3s and 4s, then defensively we shouldn't have any issues.

Just thinking about that line-up as a whole though... The potential on offense is scary. Keldon driving and dishing to three other great shooters. Wow.

[Dejounte]

I think Smith has shades of Pascal Siakam. The glaring difference is Smith doesn't have Siakam's driving ability (which is a huge part of who Siakam is). But that's how I see Smith could be. Maybe Smith can develop that part of his game in the future? I did see one or two plays where he attacked the basket on a closeout.

Let me put it this way: I think Smith's versatility on defense is better than Patrick Williams' right now. It's not even because Pat doesn't try, because he does. Smith simply has the intangibles and footwork (which may be due to the difference in their athleticism). Not saying Pat won't improve or become better.

[Dejounte]

"He's a coach's dream"

[Dennis the Menace]

Luka in all likelihood will be a bust. Rooting for him, but just being realistic.

A Rui Hachimura clone would be perfect

[Dejounte]

Luka in all likelihood will be a bust. Rooting for him, but just being realistic.

A Rui Hachimura clone would be perfect

If you're referring to Jalen as a Rui clone, I think that's not a good comparison. Rui loves taking inefficient mid-range shots and tries to play like a Kawhi clone...and fails badly at it. I think the dude is a blackhole on offense because he needs shots to be effective. As you can tell, not a big Rui fan lmao.

[Dejounte]

-If you want to cry, watch this video
-Jalen's nickname is Stix
-Seems like a really solid kid. A "stay loyal to your hometown" kid. Luckily, Baltimore doesn't have an NBA team.