pepe1991 wrote:Unpopular opinion: Jabari Smith is overrated prospect.
He is 6'10 jumpshooter in fashion of Markannen, Galinari or post injuries Porzingis, just isn't white to be pushed into that box.
He is mediocre rebounder ( last 2 games he collected 5 rebounds total ) he isn't much of a passer and he isn't really all that skilled once he puts ball on the floor, his team just lets him cross half court with ball for gimmicky "draft stock" reasons, not because there is really any value in it.
But he is elite catch& shoot shooter who from time to time can get his own shot, but it's fry cry from players who actually create offense for themselfs.
There are some ludacris KD, GIannis comparisons flying around and they simply have no ground in reality.
He will probably be very good shooter in nba. I'm not sure what else execlly he will do at elite level where he should be 1# pick.
Or it feeds right into narrative of not so strong draft, where teams decide between self centric- me first- Banchero, 195 pounds center and 3 and D PF.
I don't love Smith's ball handling either and I do think that is the main thing that is keeping him from being an elite prospect. He's certainly nowhere close to a Giannis/Durant level player without that ability to get all the way to the rim and either finish or get fouled.
That said...
I do think there's some real passing/creation chops in there already and I think there's legitimate defensive potential too.
Smith is at 4.4 AST/100, 3.2 STL/100, 1.8 BLK/100 with a 15.5 AST%, 3.2 STL%, 3.6 BLK%. Those are all very good numbers for a power forward, especially one who is going to be 18 his entire freshman season of college.
If he's Markkanen offensively with way better passing and defense, that's a really good player.
