Official Speculation Thread (Pt.LXI Countdown To Preseason)

KillMonger · Post #1381 » by **KillMonger** » Sat Oct 19, 2013 11:04 pm

Randle and Smart are 1 and 2 on my board right now so getting either would be great but i would be intrigued with a Smart/Oladipo backcourt. They're both cut from the same cloth, the intangibles would be off the charts with these two. Honestly i don't think that a pairing like that would've been done before, Both players have similar size and similar skills and can play similar positions. Both basically combo guards that would be able to switch roles on the fly, and defense would be scary because both of them like to hound the opposing guard. We would instantly be more of a athletic running team i mean.....
Smart
Oladipo
Harkless
Harris
Vucevic

From the point guard to the power forward position in that lineup all those guys have at least a 35 inch vertical and at least a 6"9 wingspan. Lob City east coast version, that would put butts in the seats lol. On a serious note though that's more like my pipedream but it would be cool to see it go down like that, if not then i hope we get Randle he would be like our Chris Webber do-over

Orlwillbeback · Post #1382 » by **Orlwillbeback** » Sat Oct 19, 2013 11:56 pm

Def Swami wrote:
KingRobb02 wrote:
Def Swami wrote:That's almost identical to the scouting report for Oladipo coming out of college.

One major difference is that Oladipo had a TS% of 67.1 last year compared to the horrible 40% that Smart shot. Also, Victor is bigger, more athletic, and wasn't as bad with the turnovers. On the defensive front, most scouts rated VO as a more versitile defender since he can guard 3s. Take that for what it's worth. My problem with Smart is that if someone told me I could get Avery Bradley with a top 5 pick, I'm probably not that excited about it

I'm of the belief that the hype around Smart is based on the potential and what he could be. Recall that he was freshman last year, who was being compared to guys a year or two older than him and with more experience under their belts (Burke, Oladipo, McLemore). The intangibles and defense are certainly there for him. And he showed flashes of being a pretty good floor general for OKST. He got to the line a lot for a freshman too. I anticipate him to have a really good sophomore season. He displays really good court vision at times and decent shooting mechanics. I'm hoping he comes out and shows that he can shoot the ball this year. And I actually think he's pretty athletic. I don't think he showed everything he is capable of on that front last season, so I'm looking for a bit more of that too this season.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuyD3JOwnug[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNKGBm8LyAs[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2pjU8EBrmg[/youtube]
However, I do feel like Smart is eerily similar to Oladipo. They're both defensive-minded combo guards with questionable shooting (are we still questioning Oladipo's shot?). I'm not sure how well they'd complement each other. I have to see more of Smart.

well... draftexpress would have me to believe he wasn't athletic. Thank you for dispelling that belief

KingRobb02 · Post #1383 » by **KingRobb02** » Sun Oct 20, 2013 12:23 am

InFlames wrote:
KingRobb02 wrote:
Def Swami wrote:That's almost identical to the scouting report for Oladipo coming out of college.

One major difference is that Oladipo had a TS% of 67.1 last year compared to the horrible 40% that Smart shot. Also, Victor is bigger, more athletic, and wasn't as bad with the turnovers. On the defensive front, most scouts rated VO as a more versitile defender since he can guard 3s. Take that for what it's worth. My problem with Smart is that if someone told me I could get Avery Bradley with a top 5 pick, I'm probably not that excited about it

Bradley is 6'2 180
Smart is 6'4 220

Their stats aren't even similar with Smart being significantly better in almost every single way. A better comparison would be Deron Williams. DWill is a much better shooter obviously but Smart's potential is through the roof. His great freshman year as well as his huge upside are why Smart is considered a top 4 prospect right now. And I don't know why people think Smart isn't athletic, he definitely is.

Are you insane? Deron williams is one of the best passers I have ever seen at the college level. If Smart was a good passer, I wouldn't even be questioning him. I don't really care for size being the main comparison point. In terms of play style, Bradley is about as close as it gets with Smart. Don't forget that Bradley was the #1 player in the class that had John Wall and Cousins and Favors. These combo guards with a lot of defensive potential, but no real experience running an offense don't really thrill me as PG prospects. Would you have felt better if I had said Eric Bledsoe? Maybe Shumpert? Do either of those guys thrill you?

InFlames · Post #1384 » by **InFlames** » Sun Oct 20, 2013 12:41 am

KingRobb02 wrote:
InFlames wrote:
KingRobb02 wrote:One major difference is that Oladipo had a TS% of 67.1 last year compared to the horrible 40% that Smart shot. Also, Victor is bigger, more athletic, and wasn't as bad with the turnovers. On the defensive front, most scouts rated VO as a more versitile defender since he can guard 3s. Take that for what it's worth. My problem with Smart is that if someone told me I could get Avery Bradley with a top 5 pick, I'm probably not that excited about it

Bradley is 6'2 180
Smart is 6'4 220

Their stats aren't even similar with Smart being significantly better in almost every single way. A better comparison would be Deron Williams. DWill is a much better shooter obviously but Smart's potential is through the roof. His great freshman year as well as his huge upside are why Smart is considered a top 4 prospect right now. And I don't know why people think Smart isn't athletic, he definitely is.

Are you insane? Deron williams is one of the best passers I have ever seen at the college level. If Smart was a good passer, I wouldn't even be questioning him. I don't really care for size being the main comparison point. In terms of play style, Bradley is about as close as it gets with Smart. Don't forget that Bradley was the #1 player in the class that had John Wall and Cousins and Favors. These combo guards with a lot of defensive potential, but no real experience running an offense don't really thrill me as PG prospects. Would you have felt better if I had said Eric Bledsoe? Maybe Shumpert? Do either of those guys thrill you?

Even if Dwill was a better passer than Smart when they both were freshman it isn't by any significant margin. Go compare their numbers and remember Smart was just a freshman.

I compare them because they have similar builds and both use size and strength rather than explosiveness and speed. Do you not believe Smart can improve? Do you like Oladipo? iirc this is Smart's first year even playing the point, of course he is going to get better at running an offense.

Blue_and_Whte · Post #1385 » by **Blue_and_Whte** » Sun Oct 20, 2013 12:57 am

We will be in the 1-5 pick range. I'm picking us to win 24 games this season. Please quote me.

Marcus smart has very good court vision. Shot selection an range are his issues.

Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums mobile app

InFlames · Post #1386 » by **InFlames** » Sun Oct 20, 2013 1:02 am

Anyone watching FSU vs Clemson?

Orlwillbeback · Post #1387 » by **Orlwillbeback** » Sun Oct 20, 2013 1:40 am

InFlames wrote:Anyone watching FSU vs Clemson?

hell yes, go noles!

InFlames · Post #1388 » by **InFlames** » Sun Oct 20, 2013 1:54 am

Go Noles baby

KingRobb02 · Post #1389 » by **KingRobb02** » Sun Oct 20, 2013 2:38 am

InFlames wrote:
KingRobb02 wrote:
InFlames wrote:
Bradley is 6'2 180
Smart is 6'4 220

Their stats aren't even similar with Smart being significantly better in almost every single way. A better comparison would be Deron Williams. DWill is a much better shooter obviously but Smart's potential is through the roof. His great freshman year as well as his huge upside are why Smart is considered a top 4 prospect right now. And I don't know why people think Smart isn't athletic, he definitely is.

Are you insane? Deron williams is one of the best passers I have ever seen at the college level. If Smart was a good passer, I wouldn't even be questioning him. I don't really care for size being the main comparison point. In terms of play style, Bradley is about as close as it gets with Smart. Don't forget that Bradley was the #1 player in the class that had John Wall and Cousins and Favors. These combo guards with a lot of defensive potential, but no real experience running an offense don't really thrill me as PG prospects. Would you have felt better if I had said Eric Bledsoe? Maybe Shumpert? Do either of those guys thrill you?

Even if Dwill was a better passer than Smart when they both were freshman it isn't by any significant margin. Go compare their numbers and remember Smart was just a freshman.

I compare them because they have similar builds and both use size and strength rather than explosiveness and speed. Do you not believe Smart can improve? Do you like Oladipo? iirc this is Smart's first year even playing the point, of course he is going to get better at running an offense.

Everything you said about Smart right there, I said about Iman Shumpert for 3 years. Sometimes guys just are what they are.

rcklsscognition · Post #1390 » by **rcklsscognition** » Sun Oct 20, 2013 4:14 am

I'm going to have a hard time with Smart. He was my draft choice by FAR this past draft until he dropped out. With the other talent in the draft now though, he doesn't seem like a top 5 pick to me. I'm going to have to start over and give him a fair chance though.

Magic_Time · Post #1391 » by **Magic_Time** » Sun Oct 20, 2013 6:59 am

I like Julius Randle more as a small Forward.. this guy has the skill set and Lebron James like size and power when attacking the basket.. 8-)

RickB-Orlando · Post #1392 » by **RickB-Orlando** » Sun Oct 20, 2013 12:17 pm

Magic_Time wrote:I like Julius Randle more as a small Forward.. this guy has the skill set and Lebron James like size and power when attacking the basket..

Isn't Randle a power forward?

KillMonger · Post #1393 » by **KillMonger** » Sun Oct 20, 2013 1:50 pm

Woah, check out Big baby who delivered Pizza for Papa johns. Never seen him this fit before, looks like he lost all that fat

OrlandO · Post #1394 » by **OrlandO** » Sun Oct 20, 2013 2:35 pm

I don't see any orlando/detroit tv listings for tonight's game. Anyone know if it will be streamed with the jumbotron feed like last time?

OrlChamps2030 · Post #1395 » by **OrlChamps2030** » Sun Oct 20, 2013 3:23 pm

rcklsscognition wrote:I'm going to have a hard time with Smart. He was my draft choice by FAR this past draft until he dropped out. With the other talent in the draft now though, he doesn't seem like a top 5 pick to me. I'm going to have to start over and give him a fair chance though.

I agree. Staying this year could potentially be the worst business decision of his whole life.

Smart hasn't really proven to me that he is a true PG.. and it isn't just because of his offensive play-style but his body type too.. He could definitely end up being a James Harden-esque play-making SG on the next level. I don't think he is an elite athlete but he is a good one. Not sure how a stocky point guard that can potentially weigh 230+ would fare on defense against speedsters like Chris Paul, John Wall, Derrick Rose, Ty Lawson, Kyrie, Westbrook, etc. I don't think having a designated position in the backcourt is THAT important but when one of our franchise players is already kind of a combo-guard I'm not sure that another combo-guard would be the most ideal fit. I would like to see Smart develop his offensive game beyond getting to the line.

But obviously his size, defensive ability, leadership, and never-give-up attitude would be very tempting next to Oladipo. Could potentially be the most cerebral, high-motor, best defensive back court us Magic fans have ever seen or it could be an eye-sore.

Catledge · Post #1396 » by **Catledge** » Sun Oct 20, 2013 4:08 pm

The problem with comparing Smart and Oladipo's scouting reports is that Dipo's scouting report was basically wrong. He was described as a SG version of Gerald Walllace -- two-dribble drives, elite defense, and high intensity. Now we see that his ball handling and shooting are way better than the scouts said. It's extremely unlikely that Smart's scouting report will be equally wrong in the same way.

rcklsscognition · Post #1397 » by **rcklsscognition** » Sun Oct 20, 2013 4:17 pm

Bobby Ray wrote:Woah, check out Big baby who delivered Pizza for Papa johns. Never seen him this fit before, looks like he lost all that fat

I saw that pic last night and was shocked. He looked heavier than I'd ever seen him at media day and this now is the skinniest I've seen him. I think he went on a very strict vegan diet regime again like he did last time he lost all the weight.

Neato · Post #1398 » by **Neato** » Sun Oct 20, 2013 4:53 pm

i don't believe this. he was fat just a couple of weeks ago. also, davis seems to have a weird relationship with the camera. he sometimes comes out with these skinny pictures, but when video is made available, he looks fat again.

tiderulz · Post #1399 » by **tiderulz** » Sun Oct 20, 2013 6:24 pm

Catledge wrote:The problem with comparing Smart and Oladipo's scouting reports is that Dipo's scouting report was basically wrong. He was described as a SG version of Gerald Walllace -- two-dribble drives, elite defense, and high intensity. Now we see that his ball handling and shooting are way better than the scouts said. It's extremely unlikely that Smart's scouting report will be equally wrong in the same way.

or it shows that there are so many players out there, and many college players do whatever it takes for their team that scouts get wrong what their strengths and weaknesses are. Smart could very well play better than his scouting report says.

Catledge · Post #1400 » by **Catledge** » Sun Oct 20, 2013 7:11 pm

tiderulz wrote:
Catledge wrote:The problem with comparing Smart and Oladipo's scouting reports is that Dipo's scouting report was basically wrong. He was described as a SG version of Gerald Walllace -- two-dribble drives, elite defense, and high intensity. Now we see that his ball handling and shooting are way better than the scouts said. It's extremely unlikely that Smart's scouting report will be equally wrong in the same way.

or it shows that there are so many players out there, and many college players do whatever it takes for their team that scouts get wrong what their strengths and weaknesses are. Smart could very well play better than his scouting report says.

Yeah, of course Smart could out perform the scouting reports, but that's true about everybody. The vast majority of guys who are scouted as below-average shooters will in fact turn out to be below-average shooters, and most guys who work really hard in the off season don't make giant jumps in their games like Dipo has. They usually take small steps like Hark has.