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What up Jazz fans? I usually just lurk around realgm, espn, and jazzfanz, without ever posting anything. But I've been so impressed by this Marcus Smart kid, I just had to let some of my fellow Jazz fans know about him if you hadn't already heard or seen anything about him.

Marcus Smart is currently the starting Point Guard for Oklahoma State, and is absolutely tearing it up in his 1st few games. His last game in the Puerto Rico Tipoff championship game last night, he had 20 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 blocks, and 4 steals. Those are insane for a true freshman in just his 4th game. His team also won the game in a blowout against the number 6 team in the country.

Along with being a stat stuffer, the thing that stands out the most about his kid is that he is a true leader, and a fabulous teammate. He has that rare ability to make his teammates better, and infuse his team with energy. We all know that's the biggest thing we are missing in this current Jazz squad. Especially at the Point Guard position.

nbadraft.net has this to say about the strengths of Marcus Smart (Who they have none other than the Utah Jazz selecting him at #11): Combo guard with a team oriented, winner's mentality. A strong, determined competitor ... Tremendous versatility and feel for the game ... Creativity. Great vision and passing ability. A natural playmaker. Strong one on one skills. Adept at creating shots for himself and others ... Strong shooting ability with a polished pull up jumper. Textbook form on his shot. Generates a nice rhythm on catch and shoot getting good elevation. Elbow extended. High release point. Consistent mechanics. Deep range ... Consumate leader ... Unselfish passer .... Seems to always be a step ahead of his competition. Great anticipation ... Extremely confident ... A tank. Strong frame and enjoys using his physicality to overpower opponents ... Can take the ball into traffic and finish with contact ... Explosive leaping off 2 feet ... Shows a willingness to get after it on the defensive end. Takes pride in being a guy that can lock you down defensively. Quick hands lead to a lot of steals ... Polished and advanced all around skills. Has a chance to be a difference maker the instant he steps on the floor for the Cowboys ...

Sounds like a Jazz man, doesn't it? Oh, and did I mention he is only 18 years old and is 6'3 225 lbs? He is a tank. I still haven't quite gotten over Golden State tanking the 2nd half of their season, and not having a shot at obtaining Damian Lillard. It was especially hard when the only somewhat attractive Point Guard prospect available in 2013 was Myck Kabongo, and the free agency class is barren besides Brandon Jennings.

We could always use our assets to obtain a Point Guard at the deadline like Jennings, Bledsoe, ect. Although they are decent young players with room left to grow, there doesn't really seem to be the type of leader we need at that position that makes his team better. We need that badly. We totally lack any kind of identity. Us Utahns have been spoiled with great Point Guards over the years. But we need one to be successful because our system is based off of getting everyone involved, and unselfish play. And we need someone to be able to get Derrick Favors the damn rock!

Smart has incredible vision, almost Marshall like in a sense. I'm not saying it's just as good as his vision, but it reminds me of his. Also, I know that he is listed as a combo guard, but that's because he was so damn good at multiple positions, that they played him everywhere. But his coach at Oklahoma State said that Point Guard was his best position. So he is definitely not a tweener. More of a combo guard with qualities of a true Point Guard.

So all of us need to hope that by June his stock doesn't raise too high. Cause I know for damn sure he won't be at 11 by then. I'm guessing top 7 for sure. So hopefully we are able to package our two draft picks in the 2013 draft to get a shot at him.

I know it's early as hell, but I don't give a ****. I'm more excited in the future of this franchise anyways, even though I do try to watch every game this year.

Thoughts?

Don't know much about him but he seems legit. Been reading about him and watching some highlights. That stat line against N.C. State is sick. Watched the highlights for that game, damn, some nice blocks!

From what I've seen I would love if we picked him up.

Those were some sick blocks. It's almost like he is a bigger, stronger, and very slightly less athletic version of Eric Bledsoe, with true Point Guard instincts and abilities.

Thinking of Marcus Smart running the pick n' roll with Favors gets me excited. And also thinking of how much more open space our shooters would have on the perimeter and the space our big men would have to operate down low. We are seriously only missing that one gaping piece... We will probably never have a superstar SG or SF in this system, so we better get someone special, and unselfish to run this team.

Sounds like someone who will conveniently move up and out of our range...

UTJazzFan_Echo1 wrote:Sounds like someone who will conveniently move up and out of our range...

Judging by our play this year he could end up being a reach.

UTJazzFan_Echo1 wrote:Sounds like someone who will conveniently move up and out of our range...

Ugh... Thanks for killing my buzz. Unfortunately, that'll probably happen. We'll pathetically limp ourselves into an 8th seed again.

But on the bright side, we WILL end up with at least one lotto pick in this draft in my opinion. There is no way both us AND Golden State make it into the playoffs. Either one, or both of us will be on the outside looking in. I expect both LA and Denver to get better during the course of the season.

He has talent and could be good in the future but its too soon for him to come out imo. Plays too eratic and out of control at times for me. Shot selection is not good and for one he taking too many threes for someone who isn't a good shooter yet.

He needs some seasoning and coming to a team like the jazz would be very harmful to his career as it may be for someone like burks who clearly needed some more seasoning. A couple more years in college will work wonders for him.

I really like Marcus Smart - I think he is going to be a good player, but I don't see him as a PG.

Anyway, here is an article about the top performers to start the year - Smart is there, as well as my man crush Nate Wolters.

http://www.nbadraft.net/nba-draft-mock-tracker

nbadraft/net says SMART will get picked at #6.


2013
Mock: 6
Big Board: 25
NBA Comparison: James Harden
Strengths: Combo guard with a team oriented, winner's mentality. A strong, determined competitor ... Tremendous versatility and feel for the game ... Creativity. Great vision and passing ability. A natural playmaker. Strong one on one skills. Adept at creating shots for himself and others ... Strong shooting ability with a polished pull up jumper. Textbook form on his shot. Generates a nice rhythm on catch and shoot getting good elevation. Elbow extended. High release point. Consistent mechanics. Deep range ... Consumate leader ... Unselfish passer .... Seems to always be a step ahead of his competition. Great anticipation ... Extremely confident ... A tank. Strong frame and enjoys using his physicality to overpower opponents ... Can take the ball into traffic and finish with contact ... Explosive leaping off 2 feet ... Shows a willingness to get after it on the defensive end. Takes pride in being a guy that can lock you down defensively. Quick hands lead to a lot of steals ... Polished and advanced all around skills. Has a chance to be a difference maker the instant he steps on the floor for the Cowboys ...

Weaknesses: Solid athlete, but not spectacular. Not the quickest or most explosive guard ... Not likely to finish above the rim in traffic, but utilizes his athleticism well ... Uses hustle, brains and will power over sheer athletic prowess ... Lateral speed isn't the best ... Doesn't have a precise fit at either guard position. Undersized at the 2 and not a pure PG. A combo guard in every sense ... Can be a little too ball dominant at times. But that comes with the territory in high school when you're the star player ... Needs to learn how to run off of screens and play off the ball a little better, for times when he's asked to play the 2 position ...

Notes: Developed a reputation in high school for being one of the strongest competitors and top guard prospects ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... nGKgQru5_A

Looks like the rest of the basketball world is catching on - SI has published an article on Nate Wolters.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/luke_winn/11/17/nate-wolters-south-dakota-state/index.html?sct=cb_wr_a2

Hoops Addict wrote:nbadraft/net says SMART will get picked at #6.


2013
Mock: 6
Big Board: 25
NBA Comparison: James Harden
Strengths: Combo guard with a team oriented, winner's mentality. A strong, determined competitor ... Tremendous versatility and feel for the game ... Creativity. Great vision and passing ability. A natural playmaker. Strong one on one skills. Adept at creating shots for himself and others ... Strong shooting ability with a polished pull up jumper. Textbook form on his shot. Generates a nice rhythm on catch and shoot getting good elevation. Elbow extended. High release point. Consistent mechanics. Deep range ... Consumate leader ... Unselfish passer .... Seems to always be a step ahead of his competition. Great anticipation ... Extremely confident ... A tank. Strong frame and enjoys using his physicality to overpower opponents ... Can take the ball into traffic and finish with contact ... Explosive leaping off 2 feet ... Shows a willingness to get after it on the defensive end. Takes pride in being a guy that can lock you down defensively. Quick hands lead to a lot of steals ... Polished and advanced all around skills. Has a chance to be a difference maker the instant he steps on the floor for the Cowboys ...

Weaknesses: Solid athlete, but not spectacular. Not the quickest or most explosive guard ... Not likely to finish above the rim in traffic, but utilizes his athleticism well ... Uses hustle, brains and will power over sheer athletic prowess ... Lateral speed isn't the best ... Doesn't have a precise fit at either guard position. Undersized at the 2 and not a pure PG. A combo guard in every sense ... Can be a little too ball dominant at times. But that comes with the territory in high school when you're the star player ... Needs to learn how to run off of screens and play off the ball a little better, for times when he's asked to play the 2 position ...

Notes: Developed a reputation in high school for being one of the strongest competitors and top guard prospects ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... nGKgQru5_A

Yeah, I just saw that they updated that. it goes to show how impressive he's been that he jumped from 11 to 6 in like one week. And I think he was mid to late 1st round just a couple of weeks ago. His stock is almost rising too fast. We'll need some luck come draft time in June.

I'm hoping Myck Kabongo plays well this year (assuming he's reinstated by the NCAA sometime soon.) That would give us two very solid choices for Point Guards in this draft. They both are outstanding leaders as well. But obviously, I would still pick Smart in a heartbeat. There isn't a selfish bone in his body. I like the Harden comparison, but I think he is even more team oriented. He seriously doesn't even care about his stats, just winning.

Damn, that Wolters dude has some sick percentages right now. Yes, it's a small sample size, but if he keeps it at anything near those numbers towards the end of the season, he's legit in my book.

Okay, I changed my mind. With Smart, Kabongo, anad Wolters, those are the 3 guys we should target next draft for sure. I should have just named this thread, "The Official 2013 NBA Draft Point Guard Watch Thread."

I like some other guys as well, namely CJ McCollum. But he has more of a scorer's mentality than a distributer. Like I've said over and over, we NEED a leader on this team. We need someone to make this machine run. We have no identity right now, whatsoever.

DraftExpress also have a new piece of scouting on Wolters:

The 9th best scorer in Division I last season, Nate Wolters built on the momentum he gained during his breakout sophomore season to establish himself as one of the premier mid-major players in the country as a junior. Earning Summit League Tournament Most Valuable Players honors in leading South Dakota State to its first ever NCAA appearance, Wolters substantiated the buzz he had generated among scouts with a 19-point, 4-assist effort in the first round against a Baylor Bears rosters littered with NBA talent and athleticism. Already off to a fast start as a senior, Wolters ranks among the most serious threats to lead the nation in scoring and is clearly one of the senior point guard prospects in the country regardless of level of competition.

Standing 6'4, Wolters has excellent size for a point guard, a key component of his offensive dominance at the college level. Lacking great lateral quickness, leaping ability, and speed, Wolters plays at his own pace, but finds ways to get to the rim by changing speeds off the dribble and gets his shot off inside the arc by virtue of his creativity and size.

It is Wolters's ability to create off the dribble and score inside the arc that makes him such a potent offensive threat and an intriguing point guard prospect. Functioning as his team's primary ball-handler, main distributor, and go-to-guy, Wolters has the ball in his hands as often as any player in the country. With nearly one-third of his possessions coming in isolation situations, another quarter coming on the pick and roll, and a little over 20% coming as the ball-handler in transition, Wolters is a polarizing figure for the Jackrabbits, but turned the ball over on just 11% of his possessions last year.

A steady ball-handler who seldom forces the issue, Wolters doesn't beat defenders with quickness, but he's very adept at picking and choosing his spots off the dribble and scoring from various spots on the floor. Even if he's not blowing by defenders, Wolters uses his craftiness to find angles to the rim where he's gotten significant better and drawing fouls, finishing at an impressive 59% rate last season.

When his defender cut him off and he wasn't able to get all the way to the rim, the then-junior showed the ability to use his floater and pull-up jump shot to score under duress inside the arc. Knocking down 36% of both types of shots last season, Wolters makes difficult off-balance shots on the move from the midrange with regularity, shooting over the top of smaller guards or spinning and leaning away to score around opposing big men. Coupling his usage with his savvy offensive game and low-turnover rate, and it isn't hard to see why Wolters ranked among the 30 most prolific per-40 minute pace adjusted scorers in college basketball last season.

In addition to his scoring ability, Wolters is also an exceptional passer. Ranking among the top 20 players in the country in pure point rating(a weighted variation of A:TO ratio developed by John Hollinger) in the college game last season, the Saint Cloud native is an extremely effective play-maker for a scorer of his caliber. Showing a knack for finding teammates in rhythm in South Dakota State's half-court sets, Wolters also shows tremendous vision in firing the ball to teammates when he attacks the basket off the dribble.

Despite his many merits on the offensive end, Wolters still has a number of areas to improve in, the most significant of which may be his ability to consistently knock down shots from beyond the arc. After shooting a terrific 41% from distance on 3.3 attempts per-game as a sophomore, Wolters took a step back as a junior, knocking down just 24.1% of his 4.0 attempts per-game last year. Though the vast majority of his 3-point attempts come late in possessions off the dribble and not in the typical catch-and-shooting situations most 40+% 3-point shooters enjoy, Wolters would benefit from a season of more consistent shooting from the perimeter, whether his attempts come inside or outside of the arc.

On the defensive end, Wolters faces significant questions about whether he can hold his own at the next level. Lacking great lateral quickness, Wolters is not always able to stay in front of quicker guards. He has however developed some strategies to overcome that, consistently leaving himself a cushion against quicker players, recognizing where his help is, and giving up a jump shot before a layup. Wolters could stand to get stronger to help himself fight over screens and hold up against the more athletic guards he'd encounter in the NBA, but he simply doesn't have the athletic profile of a stalwart defensive player.

Already propelling his team to a 2-0 record this season, Wolters has started his senior season off right. If he can have a strong year shooting the ball and continue to do the things that he did at a high level last season, there's no question he'll help himself in the eyes of scouts as he looks to carry the Jacks back to the NCAA Tournament.

http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Top-NBA-Prospects-in-the-Non-BCS-Conferences-Part-Four-4047/

Wolters seems like the classic Jazz type pick. And no, not cause he's white. He would be a Jazz type pick cause he's an under the radar type of guy. And Kevin O'Connor is known to not give a flying f*** what people think, or what the mock drafts say. He just gets the players he thinks are the best for the team.

I also found this little Wolters tidbit on nbadraft.net:

Wolters is a flashy lead guard who some scouts are extremely high on. He's got great creativity and shows a flare for the dramatic. He is a solid athlete but lacks elite quickness off the dribble and needs to improve upon his outside shooting. Wolters opened some eyes with his performance against Washington last season when the Jackrabbits absolutely crushed the Huskies. NBA Comparison: Luke Ridnour

It sounds like this kid is going to probably end up mid 1st round to late lottery. Exactly where are two picks will most likely be. I'm still all for Smart, but he looks like he may end up top 5. It's early, but that's what it looks like. Wolters would be a very good consolation prize.

KDBG wrote:Wolters seems like the classic Jazz type pick. And no, not cause he's white. He would be a Jazz type pick cause he's an under the radar type of guy. And Kevin O'Connor is known to not give a flying f*** what people think, or what the mock drafts say. He just gets the players he thinks are the best for the team.

I also found this little Wolters tidbit on nbadraft.net:

Wolters is a flashy lead guard who some scouts are extremely high on. He's got great creativity and shows a flare for the dramatic. He is a solid athlete but lacks elite quickness off the dribble and needs to improve upon his outside shooting. Wolters opened some eyes with his performance against Washington last season when the Jackrabbits absolutely crushed the Huskies. NBA Comparison: Luke Ridnour

It sounds like this kid is going to probably end up mid 1st round to late lottery. Exactly where are two picks will most likely be. I'm still all for Smart, but he looks like he may end up top 5. It's early, but that's what it looks like. Wolters would be a very good consolation prize.

That's all true. The question is what is a Denis Lindsey pick?

Inigo Montoya wrote:

KDBG wrote:Wolters seems like the classic Jazz type pick. And no, not cause he's white. He would be a Jazz type pick cause he's an under the radar type of guy. And Kevin O'Connor is known to not give a flying f*** what people think, or what the mock drafts say. He just gets the players he thinks are the best for the team.

I also found this little Wolters tidbit on nbadraft.net:

Wolters is a flashy lead guard who some scouts are extremely high on. He's got great creativity and shows a flare for the dramatic. He is a solid athlete but lacks elite quickness off the dribble and needs to improve upon his outside shooting. Wolters opened some eyes with his performance against Washington last season when the Jackrabbits absolutely crushed the Huskies. NBA Comparison: Luke Ridnour

It sounds like this kid is going to probably end up mid 1st round to late lottery. Exactly where are two picks will most likely be. I'm still all for Smart, but he looks like he may end up top 5. It's early, but that's what it looks like. Wolters would be a very good consolation prize.

That's all true. The question is what is a Denis Lindsey pick?

Good question. I don't think anyone knows yet. But I know that the Jazz like to keep the same type of culture that's been here since the 80s. I think Lindsey won't be dramatically different in his choices. For one, the Spurs organization has been vocal that they're blueprint for success came from studying how the Jazz organization ran things. But obviously, they've taken our blueprint and made it better. They have four trophies to show for it. So I'm hoping Lindsey will keep the pro's of the culture, but get rid of the con's and build teams the right way. I definitely see us building through the draft, keeping a core of 2 or 3 guys, (ala Duncan, Parker, Ginobli) surrounding them with cheap but effective veterans on 2-3 year contracts. In my opinion, we only have one untouchable player, and that's Favors. I like the other young players, but they aren't untouchable in my opinion. I wouldn't be opposed to packaging a couple of the youngsters with either Jefferson or Millsap to get another all-star to pair with Favors. But that's another discussion.

Great article on Marcus. Just reading this just convinced me that this is the type of selfless, humble player we need to lead our core 4. Hopefully he doesn't creep up into the top 5 on draft night, because at that point I think he'd be an unrealistic target. But if he can stay within the 9-15 range on draft night, I think we can package our two picks, along with maybe a 2015 first to grab him. He's got unbelievable leadership skills for just an 18 year old. His one major weakness right now is shooting, but I think he will develop that over time. He's also clutch, as he made a half court buzzer beater, and a winning shot all in one game.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nc ... e/1850729/

Marcus Smart sounds good. Wolters seems solid, but I'm done with players who don't have the lateral quickness to stay in front of people. Hope I'm wrong!

KDBG wrote: But if he can stay within the 9-15 range on draft night, I think we can package our two picks, along with maybe a 2015 first to grab him.

Our own pick may well end up in the 9-15 range...

StocktonShorts wrote:

KDBG wrote: But if he can stay within the 9-15 range on draft night, I think we can package our two picks, along with maybe a 2015 first to grab him.

Our own pick may well end up in the 9-15 range...

Good point. But I just feel like we will end having to package our two picks to grab a difference maker. For example, if we ended up at say 12-15, and he's slotted at around 9, it would probably take our own and the GS pick to move up even a few slots. But I dunno, I'm slowly losing faith in this organization. We are the epitome of mediocre. I hope they prove me wrong.