Round 2: Tyler Smith

[jimmybones]

Can't help but feel like he's the Bobby replacement. You can say that he and Bobby are not all that similar, and you're right. But the common denominator is: tall and can shoot. The things that Bobby does differently, we dont really need. We need our stretch four to make a quick decision between shoot, pass and drive so that our real creators have more time to create.

I'm cool with it.

You said it better than me.

This is why I call Bobby a luxury for us. You always would take an efficient scorer regardless of position and it but if you can move him for an equal caliber player but better fit (guard that can defend and move and ideally shoot) then you do it.

How many times last season did we have to depend on Bobby because nobody else outside the big 3 could create & they often weren't available or on the floor?

If you trade Bobby, which I lean toward, you lose another go-to offensive player, & 1 off the bench. That would likely need to be replaced, at one position or another. As much as I've pushed back on virtual total dismissal of Johnson for the future or even present from many, I don't think you can project him into the rotation immediately. Smith doesn't do anything for us in this regard.

I feel you man, I like Bobby. He's just the one I would sacrifice from our current rotation to bring in a starting two guard that can defend. A Bobby caliber player at guard balances us out more and is a chance at improving our athleticism and ability to defend.

If we have to lean on Bobby a lot as a shot creator it probably means some combo of Dame/Giannis and Khris are hurt and we're **** anyway

[jakecronus8]

Don’t hate it but Horst made the pick so impossible to like it

[Badgerlander]

Read on Twitter

[LUKE23]

Just for a reference point in terms of G League stats:

Smith (age 19): 22 minutes, 13.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.2 TO, .7 steals, 1.0 blocks, .476 FG/.364 3/.725 FT
Beauchamp (age 21): 36.6 minutes, 15.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.3 TO, 1.6 steals, .6 blocks, .571 FG/.242 3/.650 FT

[Badgerlander]

Overview

Smith was born in New Orleans but relocated to Houston with his family after being displaced by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. He blossomed into a five-star recruit and took his talents to the Overtime Elite program, opting for OTE over Kansas, Baylor, Texas and others. Following two campaigns at OTE, the 19-year-old joined the G League Ignite in 2023-24, generating 0.969 points per possession, which ranked in the 73rd percentile among all G League players, despite the Ignite finishing with a ghastly 7-45 record in total. In addition to his scoring efficiency, Smith chipped in 5.0 rebounds, 0.9 steals and 1.0 blocks while logging just 23.3 minutes per game.

Analysis

A true power forward who will hit threes and be a constant lob threat, Smith’s services are always a positional commodity. Smith is best when he can get downhill out of pick-and-roll, setting up dunks and showcasing his fluidity and ambidexterity. He is worse at finishing in traffic, converting just 49.1 percent of his layups, which ranked in the 24th percentile among all G League players. Smith knocking down 37.7 percent of 180 catch-and-shoot threes this year must be respected and is extremely gravitational for a frontcourt player. A 56:53 AST:TO ratio is a strong starting foundation for his offensive processing, especially in the context of an Ignite environment that could be dysfunctional at times.

Projection

Smith exits the 2024 NBA Combine with nearly identical measurements to John Collins, emblematic of the his next-level athleticism. If Smith improves his technique as a finisher, he has serious upside as an elite role player and/or capable starter. His physical profile makes him an impactful offensive rebounder, multi-level defender and screener — with athleticism and shooting to be a dynamic offensive weapon via rolling and popping after screening. Smith runs the floor hard and is a fiery competitor. Smith is best viewed as a play-finisher, but the iteration of Christian Wood who averaged 17.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.8 steals plus blocks in 2021-22 across a full season with Houston is the ceiling for Smith. An all-around impact similar to Tari Eason is also on the table. Smith’s ability to defend on the wings is indicative of his modern-day skills, but 2005 No.2 overall pick Marvin Williams’ late-career balance can be drawn as a parallel to Smith, as well.

https://www.nba.com/draft/2024/prospects/tyler-smith

[emunney]

Smith is a play finisher off the catch pretty much anywhere on the court. You'll even see him hitting pull ups on a hang dribble. He's smooth. I had a really hard time figuring out what the Ignite were trying to do defensively but it didn't seem like it was worse with Smith out there. Offensively, it did seem like they needed him. He can and will shoot the ball.

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

He gives me Bobby Portis vibes without the strength or the "don't **** with me" vibe.

Edit: The Ringer compared him to Charlie V. Not a bad comp. Hopefully he has a motor, though.

Is that bad? I prefer my draft picks not to punch teammates and get double Ts in key points of the game. But the fans get to shout Bobby Bobby!!!

[Frank Nova]

Smith is a play finisher off the catch pretty much anywhere on the court. You'll even see him hitting pull ups on a hang dribble. He's smooth. I had a really hard time figuring out what the Ignite were trying to do defensively but it didn't seem like it was worse with Smith out there. Offensively, it did seem like they needed him. He can and will shoot the ball.

I didn’t think you were much of a fan? Seemed like just a week ago you mentioned Tyler Smith and his best attribute being you won’t have to question his motor in comparison to Kel’el Ware. Is it fair to say you’re more neutral on Smith rather than high or low?

[JonHeist]

Smith is a play finisher off the catch pretty much anywhere on the court. You'll even see him hitting pull ups on a hang dribble. He's smooth. I had a really hard time figuring out what the Ignite were trying to do defensively but it didn't seem like it was worse with Smith out there. Offensively, it did seem like they needed him. He can and will shoot the ball.

he was the only Ignite guy (including the old dudes) to be top 5 on the team in both ORTG and DRTG

and managed to have positive defensive-win-shares while playing out of position on a team that went 2-32

he also had the 2nd best turnover% on the team while having the 2nd highest usage%

even led the whole team in PER

[ReasonablySober]

Vecenie and whoever was on his broadcast thought his future was at center. That'd be cool.

[Turk Nowitzki]

I haven't gotten to watch his highlights in full yet but is pre achilles injury Rodney Hood a reasonable comp? That's the first place my mind went after seeing a couple clips.

[JonHeist]

I haven't gotten to watch his highlights in full yet but is pre achilles injury Rodney Hood a reasonable comp? That's the first place my mind went after seeing a couple clips.

he's bigger and bouncier and a better rim protector, gets to the rim way more too

don't think he's super likely to be quite as good of a shooter as hood tho

[Ron Swanson]

Vecenie and whoever was on his broadcast thought his future was at center. That'd be cool.

He'd need to put on some weight and get a lot stronger, but sure, why not. Doubt he can be any worse of a rim-deterrent than Bobby is.

[JonHeist]

Vecenie and whoever was on his broadcast thought his future was at center. That'd be cool.

He'd need to put on some weight and get a lot stronger, but sure, why not. Doubt he can be any worse of a rim-deterrent than Bobby is.

yeah 6'9" barefoot with a 7'1" wingspan is big enough to at least play SOME 5 down the road

I do see him as a 3/4 tho, at least for his rookie contract

[JayMKE]

He gives me Bobby Portis vibes without the strength or the "don't **** with me" vibe.

Edit: The Ringer compared him to Charlie V. Not a bad comp. Hopefully he has a motor, though.

Is that bad? I prefer my draft picks not to punch teammates and get double Ts in key points of the game. But the fans get to shout Bobby Bobby!!!

Idk man i like a guy with edge not a bawling big hair boyscout tiktok dancer

[jimmybones]

If he develops his skillset and frame make for a pretty fun stretch 4 in Center Giannis lineups. Long, athletic and can shoot

[Baddy Chuck]

PJ Washington-esque?

[ReasonablySober]

Have him spend this this season working on his body and learning NBA defense in practices and film room sessions. Between Portis (if he's not traded or extended) and BroLo expiring, there's likely going to be an opening next to Giannis on the frontline.

[emunney]

Smith is a play finisher off the catch pretty much anywhere on the court. You'll even see him hitting pull ups on a hang dribble. He's smooth. I had a really hard time figuring out what the Ignite were trying to do defensively but it didn't seem like it was worse with Smith out there. Offensively, it did seem like they needed him. He can and will shoot the ball.

I didn’t think you were much of a fan? Seemed like just a week ago you mentioned Tyler Smith and his best attribute being you won’t have to question his motor in comparison to Kel’el Ware. Is it fair to say you’re more neutral on Smith rather than high or low?

I think he came up when we were talking about Ware so I wanted to clarify that I didn't feel the same way about him. I had him really on the same level as the older guys I wrapped up my top 30 with, but gave them the edge because I think they're closer to helping.

My biggest concern is what kind of player he wants to be. I don't mind at all what he does on offense -- taking a lot of jumpers, basically -- because he also sets decent screens and has good timing on rolls, but as smooth as he is getting into his jumper, and as good as his combine numbers look, he doesn't scan to me as a perimeter defender and the big man stuff isn't always what it should be. But like I said, he competes, and he might just need to get stronger.

He's another guy who might not be done growing, too.

[Vasquectomy]

he's got better measurables than KD

lock him in the gym with Mids until he's learned all his moves

Would that include bigger or smaller feet?