Tune In: The Nick Smith Jr Thread

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Tune In

[GoBobs]

Smtih Jr about to be out of the league unless he can figure out how to be an efficient scorer. He doesn't have great defensive tools. He isn't really a great passer. When you are a small guard you have to be really good to stick.

[luciano-davidwesley]

He'll be fine, can shoot

[wilson115]

Was almost out of the league a few years ago. Just talking tools, what does he have that NSJ doesn't? If Isaiah Joe can work his butt off to getting paid, then so can Nick Smith, Jr.

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[MasterIchiro]

NJS fits as a potential movement shooter. The Ball-centric offense will move the ball and NSJ has potential to hit long range in motion or set off the catch

I consider Jordan Hawkins potentially one of the game's great range shooters. But NSJ was more accurate in their rookie seasons.

Even more impressive NSJ battled injury his one year in college while Hawkins played healthy through 2 years.

NSJ is less experienced, shot more accurately than a (albeit late) lottery selection.

Jordan Hawkins would be a great outcome for NSJ. I can't imagine the Pelicans ever surrendering him. They acquired Dejounte Murray while keeping all their key pieces.

Very optimistic about NSJ's future here.

[fatlever]

summer league pros/cons

pros
- team gave him the hardest defensive assignment every game
- better decision making
- hustle/energy/coachable
- saw more rim pressure

cons
- shot was bad, really bad, over 8 summer league games shot 30% fg and 26% from 3 on 7.7 attempts/game
- took only 7 free throws in 8 games

[Diop]

I really want to be wrong, but he still doesn’t look like a rotation player to me.

[fatlever]

You aren't wrong
Even on a team as bad as hornets it would take several injuries for nsj to be in the rotation this year.

good news... he's got a great attitude, is coachable and works hard and can shoot. That alone will keep him on rosters for a while. and once melo gets hurt, mann will prob move to more backup pg, opening some sg mins for nick.

The bad news.. every year there are 10 to 20 nsj types entering the league.

[Robot Rock]

He'd be where Graham was in Year 2 if his shot could fall.

[yosemiteben]

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In non-news news.

[fatlever]

Decent enough gamble that Nick puts it together between now and then. Plus a little bit of insurance if a mann gets a crazy offer this summer or if we decide to use mann in a trade deadline deal if we're not ready to pay him big money.

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[JMAC3]

This guy was the 27th pick and people are shocked he isn't already the 6th man 1 year into his career lol.

"wow this guy isn't in the rotation yet? He is awful, we should cut bait"

I find it funny how bad some people are at managing expectations for different players. it is a constant on this board from Oubre to NRichards to NSJ

[KembaWalker]

This guy was the 27th pick and people are shocked he isn't already the 6th man 1 year into his career lol.

"wow this guy isn't in the rotation yet? He is awful, we should cut bait"

I find it funny how bad some people are at managing expectations for different players. it is a constant on this board from Oubre to NRichards to NSJ

I don't think anyone thinks he's "awful" its just that second round picks that aren't in the rotation and were drafted by the previous regime probably don't have the longest shelf life. he's a no brainer as filler for those that enjoy tradecrafting

[fatlever]

my only beefs with nsj
- we traded a lotto pick for him, essentially - not his fault
- we didnt need a combo scoring guard who cant defend or play pg - not really his fault

no issues with him on roster as end of bench dev/swarm guy for another 1.5 - 2 yrs then re-evaluate
my expectations of nsj are exactly what it is, 12-15th man in rotation for foreseeable future
but no issues adding him in a trade to improve a weakness

[fatlever]

I'm dangerously close to being out on Nick Smith Jr. I realize it's only a month into his second season but I'm just not seeing any progression in his game.

he's a guy that needs the ball in his hands, but he's just not good enough to command that kind of play calling. As a role player he brings very little. He's not a good defender, he doesn't get to the free throw line, his three point shot has seemingly disappeared or was a bit of a fluke last year. He can't play point guard. He's tiny.

It's possible that in a couple of years he takes a tre mann type leap, But even then I'm not sure we need another one of those on the roster. Iso heavy combo guards who don't really create much for others, that's not really what this team needs. I won't be at all surprised to see him moved at the deadline and I would imagine he does not get any more options picked up going forward.

I'd honestly rather have Bryce, Jt Thor, or Kai Jones on the roster, And thats saying a lot.

[HornetJail]

I'm not "out" but he's pretty clearly just generic combo guard #3000, and hasn't actually shown anything noteworthy.

iirc he had a pretty bad SL and preseason as well, right? It won't surprise me to see him thrown into a trade as a sweetener (for Lonzo?) He's not in danger of being cut or anything, since he's owed money next year, but I'm not sure the new regime is in on him. KJ Simpson getting actual playing time, and signing that Wong dude instead of bumping NSJ's minutes make me think there's not a lot of trust there. If they put in any stock into his potential, NSJ would be playing 20+ minutes a game liability or not, like Salaun is right now.

Based on the very little we've seen, if you asked me to pick Simpson or NSJ, I'm probably taking Simpson. To fatlever's last point, I'd obviously prefer JT Thor or a non-crazy Kai Jones on the roster than him for sure... probably not Bryce.

I know it sounds like I'm writing NSJ's obituary, it was a worthy gamble at #27, he's 20 and there's still lots of time for him, but it's just a shame he's the only piece left from the Jalen Duren draft trade.

[luciano-davidwesley]

NSJr is nothing special neccessarily but he's shown way more than Kai freaking Jones. Kai Jones has zero translatable NBA skills.

[EmpireFalls]

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3-0 when NSJ plays starter minutes. Couldn’t be more pleased with the kid.

[fatlever]

he's looked good.
we need this version of nick when he's also in a bench role. progress. i hope i eat crow on nick. he's very likeable.

[wilson115]

Like a totally different player. Whoever they had mentoring him in the G-League deserves a promotion.

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