Saberestar wrote:bwgood77 wrote:Ghost of Kleine wrote:Yes, He'd be an ideal choice for us at 10 IF both Okungwu and Toppin are off the board when we pick. Also he's a perfect Monty type of player as he's a really humble and devout person religiously. Yet he still possesses a strong work ethic as well. I'm also intrigued to see what level.of impact he might have once he gets on a professional NBA strength training program. Now I don't really expect him to get as big as a prime Kevin Willis or Dwight Howard!
But I think he could still add around another 20 lbs or so, and still keep his fluidity allowing him to also bang more in the post against the bigger NBA centers?
All in all, I'd consider him a near perfect fit at the 4 next to Ayton.
He's a better fit than Okongwu. Okongwu is purely a C today..Ayton is purely NOT a PF. Jalen is built for the NBA. I think we should learn by now, projected draft position matters little. Look at Herro. Zion really isn't even nearly the player people were expecting, and Okongwu is a very very poor man's Zion.
The problem that I see for Jalen Smith is that he is a C.
He stretchs the floor, but that's it. All his game shouts C to me. He is not a good (or decent) ball handler or passer, he doesn't have a pull up game, not good on his decision making on the closeouts... and defensively he will struggle against all the SFs that currently play PF in the NBA.
I would draft him anyway if he was super skilled, but I don't get that feel about him. Too robotic. And on top of that we have Ayton and Saric/Baynes already on the roster...so I would prefer other prospect at #10.
The problem that I see for Jalen Smith is that he is a C.
It's ok that you see him that way, As he does ALSO have the duality ( ability ) to play at both positions, And has of course too. But to be clear, He's a 4. The majority of NBA scouts, NBA experts and pundits, all classify him as a 4. Heck, Even Jalen Smith himself has stated that his natural position is at the 4.
https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/sports/nbcsports/jalen-smith-says-he-played-out-of-position-for-terps/2429880/#:~:text=Maryland%20big%20man%20Jalen%20Smith,while%20playing%20out%20of%20position.
Jalen Smith Says He Played Out of Position for Terps
By Chase Hughes
• Published September 28, 2020
• Updated on September 28, 2020 at 1:27 pm
Maryland big man Jalen Smith had a very strong final season for the Terps, averaging [b]15.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.4 blocks while leading UMD to a Big Ten title.[/b] He says he did all of that while playing out of position.
That could be a reference to big men Makhi and Makhel Mitchell transferring out midseason. Smith had to play center when he, and apparently the coaching staff, felt he was a natural power forward.
"I was pretty much playing out of position most of the year because [coach Mark] Turgeon wanted me to play the four, but most of the year I played at the five due to issues we had behind the scenes with the team," Smith said.
He stretchs the floor, but that's it. All his game shouts C to me. He is not a good (or decent) ball handler or passer, he doesn't have a pull up game,
- Are you sure he only stretches the floor man, And does little else?
https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/ncaa/marylands-jalen-smith-gaining-national-recognition-midst-dominant-stretchAll of a sudden, Jalen Smith looks like one of the best players in college basketball.
The rare five-star big man returned to school for a sophomore season and has seen his game come together in the last month in a way it never has before. The result? An out-of-nowhere All-American campaign fueling a midseason turnaround for a top-10 team in the country.
Since January 14, Smith has scored fewer than 18 points in a game only once, and it came in a 14-point, 15-rebound, six-block effort against an elite Rutgers defense.
Since December 4, he has hit 22 of his 43 three-point field goal attempts. His 51.3% three-point field goal percentage in conference play leads the Big Ten, a remarkable feat for a 6-foot-10 power forwardHe’s also riding a streak of
five straight double-doubles, with 13 on the season. Smith has fallen just one rebound shy of a double-double three other times.
Rob Dauster (@RobDauster) Tweeted:
Jalen Smith's numbers:
- This season: 15.2 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 2.5 bpg, 41.4% 3PT
- In the Big Ten: 17.4 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 2.6 bpg, 51.3% 3PT
- During Maryland's five-game win streak: 20.8 ppg, 12.2 rpg, 2.6 bpg, 44% 3PT
His emergence has changed this team.
?s=20
https://www.thestepien.com/2020/03/11/jalen-smith-scouting-report/Shot Versatility / Creation:
Pretty versatile shooter for a big. He can hit C&S at a good clip spacing the floor,
shows potential in the PnR, and has shown the outline of being able to attack closeouts.
What makes him different than all other PnP bigs is his ability to shoot off of movement and screens – Smith is not pulling this out every game, but there are enough flashes to see the potential here and know it’s more than just a flash in the pan. Though he’s not someone who will be running off heavy movement, Maryland has used him as more than just a stationary catch and shoot big, running him off curls, pindowns, DHOs, and screens (in addition to the aforementioned PnPs).
His fluidity moving in space, in addition to his good footwork, quick set, and quick release gives him valuable horizontal spacing few bigs can provide.
Spencer (@SKPearlman) Tweeted:
Jalen Smith is more than just a stationary C&S shooter - Maryland has shooting off pindowns, DHOs, and PnPs (where he is 16/45 on all Js, 14/42 on 3s). Though the shot has to get more consistent, there is good reason to buy the shot.
1 of 5 players 6'9+ with 7.5BLK%+ and 25 3PM.
https://t.co/S9NVkeSAwd ?s=20
PnR (General):
Nice potential as a PnR player due to scoring versatility off the screen. Has really nice footwork / screen setting ability in the PnP and PnRs.
PnR Scoring:
Nice potential here as both a vertical spacer and horizontal spacer out to the perimeter. He has major potential as a PnP big due to his unique combination of shot blocking, size, and shooting. Has shown a lot of potential in PnPs – 16/45 on all PnP jumpers, 14/42 on 3s.
not good on his decision making on the closeouts... and defensively he will struggle against all the SFs that currently play PF in the NBA.
Awareness / Team Defense:
Pretty high IQ interior defender who plays with effort/motor. Does a nice job recognizing mismatches and rotating down or to the correct spot to protect the paint / contest the shot. Does a nice job using his length off ball to take away passing lanes when he’s playing off ball. Does a nice job recognizing mismatches and rotating down to help if there is a matchup for the opposing offense to exploit.Rim Protection:
Does a really nice job using his length to contest shots and has very nice timing contesting shots.
Knows when to rotate off of his man to cut off another drive or contest a paint attempt without giving too much time or space to allow a dropoff pass. Does a nice job rotating into the paint from the perimeter – shows effort rotating into the paint even if he’s out of the picture
- So I'm going to have to disagree with this perspective unfortunately man.
He is not a good (or decent) ball handler
Handle:
Solid handle for a big in terms of moves he can pull off and doing a nice job keeping his moves under control for his position, Smith has good footwork off the screen or slip, doing a nice job opening to the screen for an easy pass from the ballhandler
- So I think there's definite potential to build upon there!
I would draft him anyway if he was super skilled,
https://www.google.com/amp/s/thepaintedlines.com/potential-sixers-draft-target-jalen-smith/%3fampOverview
Jalen Smith was an elite talent coming out of High School out of Mount Saint Joseph. Jalen Smith was a McDonald’s All-American and a 5-star recruit according to 247, ESPN and Rivals
This 6’10, 20-year-old sophomore became the first player from Maryland to be named AP All-American since Greivis Vasquez in 2010. Jalen Smith checks all the boxes for being a modern NBA forward in today’s NBA.
He was a double-double machine from the jump, was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team and won Big Ten Freshman of the Week three times.
After a slow start in November and December 2019, Jalen Smith’s shooting and efficiency really began to take off and become more prominent during the last two months of the season.
Strengths:
- Perfect fit for the modern NBA:
While Jalen Smith may be 6’10, his talents and skill set go beyond the paint. Smith is an inside-out prospect that shows great touch around the paint and can consistently hit a jump shot. He’s nicknamed “Stix” for his freakish athleticism that allows him to switch on defense and protect the rim.
- A force in the paint:
One of the best rebounders in college. If there was a guy who passes the eye test, this is it guys. Jalen Smith averaged 10.5 rebounds per game (17th in the NCAA) and made several highlight dunks and put backs his sophomore season. He had the 3rd best defensive rebounding percentage at 25.6% and the 8th best offensive rebounding percentage in the Big Ten at 11.5%.
- A phenomenal defensive prospect:
Due to his insane measurables, this is prospect that will likely climb up the draft boards as the draft process continues. Standing at 6’10 with a 7’1 wingspan, Jalen Smith plays like a power forward but moves like a wing on the court. He’s extremely fluid which allows him to change direction on a whim and stay in front on his man. Jalen is extremely quick off the ground and can block or misdirect attempts at the rim with either hand.
- Real perimeter skills:
Jalen Smith possesses one of the more diverse skill sets in the draft. He shot 36.8% from 3 (32 for 87) and shot 75% from the free throw line 4.8 attempts per game. He’s got a face up game and the ability to stretch the court to the three-point line. Don’t get me wrong, he still needs lot of refinement on the block. But Jalen’s elite athleticism also makes him a terror on the offensive glass for put backs. He had 14 games of at least 4 offensive rebounds as a sophomore. Jalen Smith’s 11.6% offensive rebounding percentage was good for 8th best in the Big Ten.
Jalen Smith is one of the premiere shot blockers and defensive players in the country. That doesn’t mean he’s a finished project. Jalen needs to fine tune his basketball IQ on defense.
Jalen Smith’s ability to switch on defense, defend the pick and roll, play a small ball 5 and be a threat from beyond the arc is the ticket…
Stat Nuggets:
- Jalen Smith was 2nd in the Big Ten in Defensive Win Shares (2.4) and 4th in Defensive Rating (88.9).
- Jalen’s 2.4 blocks per game was 2nd and his 8.2% block percentage was good for 3rd in the Big Ten.
- His combination of defensive prowess and offensive efficiency led to him having the 19th best win shares in the NCAA (6).
- He had the 2nd best offensive rating in the Big Ten at 123.9 and true shooting percentage of 62.6%.
- Smith had the #1 effective field goal percentage in the Big Ten at 59%.
- Smith was one of the most efficient players in NCAA, finishing with the 3rd best player efficiency rating at 29.3
- So let's agree to disagree on his being super skilled.
And on top of that we have Ayton and Saric/Baynes already on the roster...so I would prefer other prospect at #10
Well, As mentioned before, He ACTUALLY IS a power forward. But does ALSO have the ability to play at the 5 in short spurts. So having Ayton at center really has no bearing whatsoever on whether or not we should consider drafting Smith, As we desperately need an ATHLETIC, SHOTBLOCKING 4 that can actually space the floor at a high rate. Saric is decent, but he's highly inconsistent from the perimeter, He can't jump over a phonebook, and even though he's got heart, he's just wildly slow, unathletic and can't defend well most of the time. When was the last time Saric averaged a double/ double with over 2 blocks whilst shooting over 36% f to om three? And Smith would only cost us a fraction of the price. And Baynes doesn't factor into this decision either, As he's also a center, and Smith again is not. Also Baynes will likely be gone this summer to a contender. And Kaminsky is barely worth the veterans' minimum. So that would leave us with only Saric and perhaps Diallo for our backup 4/5 options? Not nearly enough depth in case of potential injuries to Saric or Ayton.
Aside from all that, There's nothing wrong at all with preferring another prospect. But my point is that Jalen Smith would be a phenomenal consideration for us at 10, For our frontcourt needs.
*** Plus, it's not like we couldn't afford to still bring one of Saric or Baynes back and Smith off the bench with Jalen only makingvaround 3 million as the 10th pick on a rookie scale contract. Also it's not like we couldn't just buy another mid to late first or 2nd for any additional considerations.
