Welcome Zhaire Smith

[LloydFree]

He cannot be a SF except in certain matchups, he has to be able to shoot or have a decent handle if he wants to be something. He doesn't have neither the frame nor the length to guard good SF, so he needs to be PG/SG. I expect him to improve dramatically in ball handling and shooting.

This almost never happens. It's an extremely rare occurrence. This is why I have a problem with attributing upside to non-ball handlers.

You are right, however, I see something in this kid, something about his fluidity, the way he moves, his body type, etc that makes me envision him being able to.

It's very rare, so I'm not going to get my hopes up. But Derozen improved greatly, and he was one of those explosive athletes with a questionable handle. And Vince Carter improved a bunch, from college to pro, very early in his career. So it has been done on rare occasions.

[Aussiepiston1]

It's laughable how some of you act so sure Zhaire won't develop his ball handling or translate his shooting.
Last time I checked none of you guys are actual scouts or have seen this guy in person like Brett Brown has and He says this guy reminds him of Kawhi Leonard so I think I'll trust his opinion until proven other wise.

[Stanford]

He says this guy reminds him of Kawhi Leonard.

Brett made sure to hedge significantly when asked about that comparison. He said he shares some similarities with Kawhi. He didn't make a direct comparison. I don't think Zhaire was intended to let that leak out.

[Aussiepiston1]

He says this guy reminds him of Kawhi Leonard.

Brett made sure to hedge significantly when asked about that comparison. He said he shares some similarities with Kawhi. He didn't make a direct comparison. I don't think Zhaire was intended to let that leak out.

I think you need to watch Brett's press conference, He said it loud and clear.
I'm pretty sure He was referring to how Kawhi was used as a post player in College and didn't have the ball skills of a wing.
He sees the same situation/upside with Zhaire, I'll take that over some pessimistic keyboard analysts on here claiming he's a long shot and will be out of this league soon

[Arsenal]

He cannot be a SF except in certain matchups, he has to be able to shoot or have a decent handle if he wants to be something. He doesn't have neither the frame nor the length to guard good SF, so he needs to be PG/SG. I expect him to improve dramatically in ball handling and shooting.

This almost never happens. It's an extremely rare occurrence. This is why I have a problem with attributing upside to non-ball handlers.

Maybe so, but hyper athletes like Russell Westbrook and Victor Oladipo did it. They weren't anything special handling the ball their freshman year in college. Same with Kawhi Leonard. Same with Jimmy Butler.

Smith in in their tier or better as an athlete, plus he didn't get a chance to develop his handling and shooting because he was forced to play the 5 and the 4 in high school, and a lot of 4 in his freshman year in college.

Smith should be exactly the type of guy with a lot of upside in terms of his handle and shot now that he gets to focus on it. Our staff will be completely geared to developing his wing/guard skillset.

[Arsenal]

Danny Green was an unathletic marksman coming out of UNC. Zhaire is basically the opposite of that.

You keep searchin for comps. I'm telling ya, the Kent Bazemore one is pretty apt.

Kent Bazemore was an atrocious shooter his first 2 years in college. Under 50% from the line both years.

Smith is a MUCH better shooter at the same age.

[GabeCerebro]

I expect Smith to be better than Fultz in his prime.

Zhaire's a better athlete and a better shooter, so...

lol

[ivysixer2000]

He says this guy reminds him of Kawhi Leonard.

Brett made sure to hedge significantly when asked about that comparison. He said he shares some similarities with Kawhi. He didn't make a direct comparison. I don't think Zhaire was intended to let that leak out.

I think you need to watch Brett's press conference, He said it loud and clear.
I'm pretty sure He was referring to how Kawhi was used as a post player in College and didn't have the ball skills of a wing.
He sees the same situation/upside with Zhaire, I'll take that over some pessimistic keyboard analysts on here claiming he's a long shot and will be out of this league soon

Well i did watch the press conference, and when the question was asked, BB did look surprised at first. I also don't think BB knew or meant for Zhaire to say that to the media, but at that point of course he had to back up his words.

At the end of the day, Zhaire will have to make a name for himself, cause comparisons almost never work.

[76ciology]

I expect Smith to be better than Fultz in his prime.

Can u explain?


I'm also trying to hype myself with Smith but no avail. And I don't see how Smith can be better than Fultz in his prime. By prime, you didnt mean when he was in virtual reality right? Fultz shooting 35-40% from 3 is a surefire star PG in the league.

[76ciology]

I don't think Brett means Zhaire can be as good as Kawhi. He probably means both guys play impacts the game both ways while being able to play like a big effectively and still having the upside to develop their perimeter player skillset

And I dont think its reasonable to expect way too much from him. Mikal and Zhaire are projected to be high end role players. We would have been OK with settling for Mikal. It's just the 2021 Heat first is just too high of an asset to pass up when the difference is almost zero. Thats how I view it.

Zhaire should be 90% likely be someone like Danny Green, Kent Bazemore or Avery Bradley. Would be an outlier 10% event if he turns into Oladipo type combo guard

[ivysixer2000]

I expect Smith to be better than Fultz in his prime.

Can u explain?


I'm also trying to hype myself with Smith but no avail. And I don't see how Smith can be better than Fultz in his prime. By prime, you didnt mean when he was in virtual reality right? Fultz shooting 35-40% from 3 is a surefire star PG in the league.

Ahh veiled insults to Fultz in the Zhaire thread, thats all. Fultz can dribble, quite well actually, while Zhaire is learning. Fultz is having to relearn his shot, Zhaire is learning how to shoot from scratch.

He is saying Smith will be better in his prime than Fultz, would be nice to have his crystal ball to see that though cause noone really knows what will happen at all....just want to claim they were right all along if they are, and if they are wrong you will never hear it again.

[76ciology]

I expect Smith to be better than Fultz in his prime.

Can u explain?


I'm also trying to hype myself with Smith but no avail. And I don't see how Smith can be better than Fultz in his prime. By prime, you didnt mean when he was in virtual reality right? Fultz shooting 35-40% from 3 is a surefire star PG in the league.

Ahh veiled insults to Fultz in the Zhaire thread, thats all. Fultz can dribble, quite well actually, while Zhaire is learning. Fultz is having to relearn his shot, Zhaire is learning how to shoot from scratch.

He is saying Smith will be better in his prime than Fultz, would be nice to have his crystal ball to see that though cause noone really knows what will happen at all....just want to claim they were right all along if they are, and if they are wrong you will never hear it again.

I also dont know why people say fultz isnt athletic. I know he got blocked a lot in his rookie year. But even if Zhaire took that much of frequency and that much predictable as Fultz did, he'd be blocked at the same rate.

The key to be able to finish in the paint as a guard are two things. Floaters and having a perimeter game. Keep the defense guessing if ur going to shoot or drive. Hit the floater over the defender's crazy wingspan.

[Aussiepiston1]

Brett made sure to hedge significantly when asked about that comparison. He said he shares some similarities with Kawhi. He didn't make a direct comparison. I don't think Zhaire was intended to let that leak out.

I think you need to watch Brett's press conference, He said it loud and clear.
I'm pretty sure He was referring to how Kawhi was used as a post player in College and didn't have the ball skills of a wing.
He sees the same situation/upside with Zhaire, I'll take that over some pessimistic keyboard analysts on here claiming he's a long shot and will be out of this league soon

Well i did watch the press conference, and when the question was asked, BB did look surprised at first. I also don't think BB knew or meant for Zhaire to say that to the media, but at that point of course he had to back up his words.

At the end of the day, Zhaire will have to make a name for himself, cause comparisons almost never work.

Come on Man, You seriously think BB would say that to a 19 year old Zhaire and expect him to keep it to himself hahaha
Also why on earth would he say that if he didn't mean it, there is no reason for him to even say it at all and he was even asked who else does he compare him to and he doubled down by saying it again.
I agree with you though that it's pointless to compare and He is going to have to prove himself in the NBA, just think it's silly to say He is Kent Bazemore or K.J Mcdaniels

[76ciology]

Between Zhaire and Fultz, I'd say Fultz is more likely to be able to defend like Marcus Smart because of his physique and length.

[Stanford]

Well i did watch the press conference, and when the question was asked, BB did look surprised at first. I also don't think BB knew or meant for Zhaire to say that to the media, but at that point of course he had to back up his words.

Correct, fellow Brett Brown interpreter. Hello. Welcome. Dues on the third of the month please.

I think you need to watch Brett's press conference, He said it loud and clear.

I've watched all three twelve times each. And his radio interviews. I know Brett better than he knows himself.

[ivysixer2000]

Can u explain?


I'm also trying to hype myself with Smith but no avail. And I don't see how Smith can be better than Fultz in his prime. By prime, you didnt mean when he was in virtual reality right? Fultz shooting 35-40% from 3 is a surefire star PG in the league.

Ahh veiled insults to Fultz in the Zhaire thread, thats all. Fultz can dribble, quite well actually, while Zhaire is learning. Fultz is having to relearn his shot, Zhaire is learning how to shoot from scratch.

He is saying Smith will be better in his prime than Fultz, would be nice to have his crystal ball to see that though cause noone really knows what will happen at all....just want to claim they were right all along if they are, and if they are wrong you will never hear it again.

I also dont know why people say fultz isnt athletic. I know he got blocked a lot in his rookie year. But even if Zhaire took that much of frequency and that much predictable as Fultz did, he'd be blocked at the same rate.

The key to be able to finish in the paint as a guard are two things. Floaters and having a perimeter game. Keep the defense guessing if ur going to shoot or drive. Hit the floater over the defender's crazy wingspan.

Yeah I don't really care who is better, as long as they are both Sixers and contributing to wins i don't see why it really matters.

Zhaire has alot of upside cause of his explosiveness, but it will take him a while to be a real NBA basketball player. All we can do is watch, cheer, and hope...everything else is up to him.

[Foshan]

Zhaire has alot of upside cause of his explosiveness, but it will take him a while to be a real NBA basketball player. All we can do is watch, cheer, and hope...everything else is up to him.

I think this is where the KJ similarities come in, but I think KJ got to distracted with the contract thing / his crazy mom and the early baggage of the process, that he never really developed.

Hopefully in a much different situation, Zhaire will.

[tsmith]

He's what three years younger then KJ when he joined us? I'd give him a much higher probability of developing ball skills and a shot.
I think a guy like KJ is a realistic floor for him.

[Simmons25]

Come on Man, You seriously think BB would say that to a 19 year old Zhaire and expect him to keep it to himself hahaha

I like all the time to tell certain women at work they are looking hot.... I'd prefer they didn't repeat that to my girlfriend though.

[LordCovington33]

Come on Man, You seriously think BB would say that to a 19 year old Zhaire and expect him to keep it to himself hahaha

I like all the time to tell certain women at work they are looking hot.... I'd prefer they didn't repeat that to my girlfriend though.

girls at work = recipe for disaster (sometimes)

True story. Went out drinking with a mate in Fortitude Valley (Brisbane) a couple of years back. Really rough area. Saw some hot chicks on the floor. My mate never caught a look at their faces. Their backs turned. He moved in. He danced really close from behind. No objection. Continued for a minute or two. Then she turned around. It was a girl in HR at his place of work. Both looked shocked and quickly parted ways. Very awkward the following Monday since he had a gf and she knew of his history. Still remind him of that.