Official Speculation Thread (Pt.LII "Lottery/Draft" Edition)

[magicman123]

Smart is probably one of the most NBA ready players in this draft, not sure why hes being talk about as a long term project

[Noonskadoodle]

Smart is probably one of the most NBA ready players in this draft, not sure why hes being talk about as a long term project

NBA ready from the defensive standpoint.

Has a ways to go on offense.

[UCFJayBird]

I haven't really had a chance to watch Smart but is he a pass first PG? He seems to be more of a combo guard, which is ok except we've had Jameer for a long time and that's essentially what he is only Jameer has to play PG cause he's so small.

Is Smart a PG of the future or a SG who can run the point ala Dwyane Wade? His assist numbers aren't that impressive for a PG. Granted he's a freshman but still curious for those that have seen him play.

[trebone]

I haven't really had a chance to watch Smart but is he a pass first PG? He seems to be more of a combo guard, which is ok except we've had Jameer for a long time and that's essentially what he is only Jameer has to play PG cause he's so small.

Is Smart a PG of the future or a SG who can run the point ala Dwyane Wade? His assist numbers aren't that impressive for a PG. Granted he's a freshman but still curious for those that have seen him play.

Even if he plays like Meer on the offensive side of the ball (which is not necessarily a bad thing) he is light years ahead of him on the defensive side of the ball, also much bigger faster and stronger, can guard 3 positions.

[OrlChamps2030]

Smart is probably one of the most NBA ready players in this draft, not sure why hes being talk about as a long term project

NBA ready from the defensive standpoint.

Has a ways to go on offense.

This^^

I wasn't using project player as an insult or in a negative way btw

[OrlChamps2030]

Not quite sure what you're trying to say but a project player to me is a young player w/ the physical tools/skills to be great but their offense/defense is raw this early in their career. But projects have high ceilings hence the term "project".

I'd say McLemore, Bazz, and Beal are/were all nba-ready off the ball scorers. Lillard and Irving are/were nba-ready ball dominant scorers. Burke is a well balanced NBA ready PG.

Guys like Marshall, Teague, Nicholson, Smart, Noel, etc. are project player to me because they have holes in their game that make it tough for them to stay on the court

Offensively Smart needs to become a better three point shooter but handles the ball and drives to the basket just fine, imo he's not THAT much of a project. shooting threes becoming a better ft shooter are things that can be taught and improved on with practice. Being a 6'5 and 220 lb pg who's obviously skilled can't be. That's why I think while Burke may be more NBA ready, his ceiling is limited where as smart can be the better overall player.

Also as a rebuilding team I would rather they take the player with the most upside rather than a guys ready to contribute now I don't think they need to worry about who can contribute right now. Burke is a top 10 pick max. I'm not sure why hes even mentioned in the top 5.


Edit: Not that you've ever said Burke is a top 5 pick, just people in general. The only reason he should be in the discussion is if hennigan lands a pick in the 10-15 range

Smart hasnt shown a lot off the dribble. Most of his work is done in the post.

And i wasnt dissing project players.. We definitely need 1 of Noel, Smart, or Oladipo

[BadMofoPimp]

I remember on the Pistons board for about 2-3 years after they drafted Darko and same with Thabeet, more than half the guys on the board defended that pick and said he is still going to be a great player.

If the Magic draft Noel and he turns out to be the next Darko, Thabeet or Kwame Brown and I have to sit here listening to people defend the pick as if he is going to be great some day for 2-3 years, I am not sticking around. He will be a bust. I will take Sig bets on this.

But, I trust Henny knows better than to waste a draft pick on a player who may never even develop into an NBA starter.

But, I don't mind Smart as he has potential. I want Shabbaz or McLemore.

[RYgoBOOM]

I remember on the Pistons board for about 2-3 years after they drafted Darko and same with Thabeet, more than half the guys on the board defended that pick and said he is still going to be a great player.

If the Magic draft Noel and he turns out to be the next Darko, Thabeet or Kwame Brown and I have to sit here listening to people defend the pick as if he is going to be great some day for 2-3 years, I am not sticking around. He will be a bust. I will take Sig bets on this.

But, I trust Henny knows better than to waste a draft pick on a player who may never even develop into an NBA starter.

But, I don't mind Smart as he has potential. I want Shabbaz or McLemore.

Has he got back into shape?

Seemed out of it the few games I watched a month+ ago. That and last night or the night before he shot 4-19 and 2-11 for 3 lol.

And can McLemore create for himself? Only games I see him do well he's catching a shooting and just on.

[magicman112]

Also as a rebuilding team I would rather they take the player with the most upside rather than a guys ready to contribute now I don't think they need to worry about who can contribute right now. Burke is a top 10 pick max. I'm not sure why hes even mentioned in the top 5.

Very much this. When it was a question of Okafor or Dwight given that we were rebuilding then too you go with the guy with the most upside which was Dwight.

[BadMofoPimp]

I remember on the Pistons board for about 2-3 years after they drafted Darko and same with Thabeet, more than half the guys on the board defended that pick and said he is still going to be a great player.

If the Magic draft Noel and he turns out to be the next Darko, Thabeet or Kwame Brown and I have to sit here listening to people defend the pick as if he is going to be great some day for 2-3 years, I am not sticking around. He will be a bust. I will take Sig bets on this.

But, I trust Henny knows better than to waste a draft pick on a player who may never even develop into an NBA starter.

But, I don't mind Smart as he has potential. I want Shabbaz or McLemore.

Has he got back into shape?

Seemed out of it the few games I watched a month+ ago. That and last night or the night before he shot 4-19 and 2-11 for 3 lol.

And can McLemore create for himself? Only games I see him do well he's catching a shooting and just on.

It is hard to say, but I just don't think Noel has as much potential or is playing any better than Kwame or Thabeet did at that age. Now, he is going to miss competitive basketball for 18 months. It is not like he is a veteran that can bounce back since he is smart. Dude has very low basketball IQ and only looked good because he was athletic and could block shots. He may never gain back that athleticism or confidence. Why waste a top 5 pick on something that is just as likely to not happen and set this team back for another 3-4 years. Screw that. I hate losing. This franchise cannot take that risk again.

[trebone]

D Rose has been cleard by Doctors to play after 10 months, so this whole notion of him missing 18 that you keep throwing around is a bit much. an ACL tear is not what it used to be.

[RickB-Orlando]

D Rose has been cleard by Doctors to play after 10 months, so this whole notion of him missing 18 that you keep throwing around is a bit much. an ACL tear is not what it used to be.

And every injury is different. And Rose isn't playing yet.

There's also a huge difference between being cleared to play and being the same player after a major injury. The first doesn't guarantee the second. Why take the chance?

[tiderulz]

I haven't really had a chance to watch Smart but is he a pass first PG? He seems to be more of a combo guard, which is ok except we've had Jameer for a long time and that's essentially what he is only Jameer has to play PG cause he's so small.

Is Smart a PG of the future or a SG who can run the point ala Dwyane Wade? His assist numbers aren't that impressive for a PG. Granted he's a freshman but still curious for those that have seen him play.

pass first PG is a misnomer. Rose, Westbrook, Parker, none are pass first PG's. About the only ones i have really seen are Paul, Calderon, Rondo and Nash.

[UCFJayBird]

I haven't really had a chance to watch Smart but is he a pass first PG? He seems to be more of a combo guard, which is ok except we've had Jameer for a long time and that's essentially what he is only Jameer has to play PG cause he's so small.

Is Smart a PG of the future or a SG who can run the point ala Dwyane Wade? His assist numbers aren't that impressive for a PG. Granted he's a freshman but still curious for those that have seen him play.

pass first PG is a misnomer. Rose, Westbrook, Parker, none are pass first PG's. About the only ones i have really seen are Paul, Calderon, Rondo and Nash.

Deron Williams? Jason Kidd?

I just know that the Magic haven't had a pass first PG since...Scott Skiles? lol (exaggerating). Magic fans have complained for years that they want a pass first PG. Maybe instead of saying pass first, i'd say a PG who can actually run an offense and create plays for his teammates. Generally speaking pass first PGs (outside of superstars) are more capable of doing that. Of course you have guys like Rose, Westbrook, Parker, and Paul who can score, pass, and create. But if they lack in scoring they BETTER make up for it in passing, not just defense.

[OrlChamps2030]

It is hard to say, but I just don't think Noel has as much potential or is playing any better than Kwame or Thabeet did at that age. Now, he is going to miss competitive basketball for 18 months. It is not like he is a veteran that can bounce back since he is smart. Dude has very low basketball IQ and only looked good because he was athletic and could block shots. He may never gain back that athleticism or confidence. Why waste a top 5 pick on something that is just as likely to not happen and set this team back for another 3-4 years. Screw that. I hate losing. This franchise cannot take that risk again.

Come on man.. Thabeet played better than Noel as a freshman?

Code: Select all

Shaq freshman stats: 14/12/3.6
Ewing freshman stats: 13/7/3
Mourning freshman stats: 13/7/5
Noel freshman stats: 10/10/4.4
Duncan freshman stats: 10/10/4
Monroe fresman stats: 13/7/2
Lopez Freshman stats: 13/6/2
Hibbert freshman stats: 5/4/1
Thabeet Freshman stats: 6/6/4
Noah freshman stats: 4/3/1


Another thing I didn't include is Ast:TO ratio and FG% (both are categories which Noel outperformed many of those guys)

Clearly freshman bigs take time to develop, especially on offense.

[MoMM]

Thabeet was 22 when was drafted, Noel will be 19.

[KillMonger]

people still talking about a pass first point guard? in 2013? The point guard is changing pass first PG's are a thing of the past. It's all about the athletic and speedy PGs these days

[mattyBoi]

I don't want any PG who can't shoot the 3 and this Smart guy cannot shoot. Great defense, great in the post, big powerful PG but not a great shooter at all.

[OrlChamps2030]

people still talking about a pass first point guard? in 2013? The point guard is changing pass first PG's are a thing of the past. It's all about the athletic and speedy PGs these days

Kinda like guys still talking about ACL injuries in 2013

[NickAnderson]

Smart = Eric Beldsoe.