Tune In: The Nick Smith Jr Thread

[luciano-davidwesley]

I would say just plant him in the Gleague the rest of the year. He has had enough time in Charlotte to experience the NBA game, he really needs to develop the rest of his game with on ball reps. We know he can catch and shoot, but he needs to round out his game to really earn mins over Mann and Curry right now.

I agree except I'd probably call him up again late in the season for 5-10 games to see if anything he's worked on with the Swarm translates at NBA level.

[fatlever]

the gap between nsj and mann, curry, micic seems pretty big right now. i'm not sure i see a path for him next year, assuming we bring all these guys back - not to mention a possible guard picked in the lottery. next year - better for him to get a long run in gboro or learn by watching on bench?

[MasterIchiro]

the gap between nsj and mann, curry, micic seems pretty big right now. i'm not sure i see a path for him next year, assuming we bring all these guys back - not to mention a possible guard picked in the lottery. next year - better for him to get a long run in gboro or learn by watching on bench?

4 years younger than Mann who just caught his first chance to start in year 3.

NSJ will do the right thing with everything he learns through his first 2-3 years.

He has a good attitude about improvement.

[fatlever]

the gap between nsj and mann, curry, micic seems pretty big right now. i'm not sure i see a path for him next year, assuming we bring all these guys back - not to mention a possible guard picked in the lottery. next year - better for him to get a long run in gboro or learn by watching on bench?

4 years younger than Mann who just caught his first chance to start in year 3.

NSJ will do the right thing with everything he learns through his first 2-3 years.

He has a good attitude about improvement.

maybe, but unrelated to my comment about his role on this team next year.

[luciano-davidwesley]

I think recency bias is a thing here. Nick is a rookie who has had some great flashes and also had some disappointing games as you would expect.

Mann and co have looked the goods but it still has only been 3 games, I think we are overreacting a bit.

I have no doubt Nick Smith Jr will be a contributing member of the rotation next year.

[fatlever]

With our injury history... probably. But I don't see that path to climb ahead of the other guards by next year if all are back and healthy

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[Diop]

the gap between nsj and mann, curry, micic seems pretty big right now. i'm not sure i see a path for him next year, assuming we bring all these guys back - not to mention a possible guard picked in the lottery. next year - better for him to get a long run in gboro or learn by watching on bench?

pretty much nails it. If those 3 are back, he's not seeing much court time next year.

but lets see what happens in the off season.

[JDR720]

Depending on whether Mann is a fluke or if he isn't a fluke and wants too big a contract, it still makes sense to have NSJ either way.

It doesn't make much sense to spend 25+ million on backup PG's between Micic, Mann (non-fluke) and Curry.

Curry can probably be a veteran minimum guy. But that's still 20+ million without him. If Nick improves (which he's shown good potential so far) it makes sense to keep him over more expensive/older options.

[JMAC3]

Depending on whether Mann is a fluke or if he isn't a fluke and wants too big a contract, it still makes sense to have NSJ either way.

It doesn't make much sense to spend 25+ million on backup PG's between Micic, Mann (non-fluke) and Curry.

Curry can probably be a veteran minimum guy. But that's still 20+ million without him. If Nick improves (which he's shown good potential so far) it makes sense to keep him over more expensive/older options.

Curry is likely retiring in 1.5 years. We pick up his option next year and he is a good Vet, depth guy at age 34.
Mann and Micic cost 12.5 million combined as a backup guard tandem.
NSJ is great depth and will get mins during injuries and if he improves enough he takes over the Mann role if it comes down to it.

If NSJ doesn't contribute much until year 3 that is pretty normal for pick 27.

[JMAC3]

The forgotten man...
I don't know if a first round pick has ever been talked about less on this board.

[yosemiteben]

The forgotten man...
I don't know if a first round pick has ever been talked about less on this board.

When you get picked at 27 and played a minor role after we already had a 2 pick in the same draft that played amazingly well, that makes sense.

[JMAC3]

Yeah just think he could be a surprise this year.
The shooting was already there, I think generally he is an effort guy and a good kid.

He just needs more confidence, tighten his handle and get a bit stronger.

[Bassman]

Before he was injured NSJ was considered a likely top 5 pick. Picking him at 27 is the right place to take a swing on a guy, especially one who seems to have the right work ethic, character, and potential. Gotta believe he and Tre Mann are both working hard this off-season to gain strength, skill, etc. They know they’re competing for a real opportunity here.

[MasterIchiro]

He applies zero rim pressure. That's probably why he fell. And nobody thought his outside shooting would afford him time to integrate rim attacks through strength and conditioning. He has a long road ahead but he got off to a great start. He seemed to lose confidence after Clifford yanked him in the wake of the deadline.

[amcoolio]

I think he can get to Quickley's level if he focuses on D and works hard, and that's a nice player to have off the bench

[luciano-davidwesley]

The forgotten man...
I don't know if a first round pick has ever been talked about less on this board.

I'm still buying NS Jr stock. A guy that shot it as well as he did as a rookie is going to be always have a role at worst. He needs to add some more to his game though and hopefully become less of a traffic cone defensively, though he lacks tools on that end.

If he becomes a guy that can provide some decent rim pressure even if just from closeouts he'll be very hard to guard.

[JMAC3]

The forgotten man...
I don't know if a first round pick has ever been talked about less on this board.

I'm still buying NS Jr stock. A guy that shot it as well as he did as a rookie is going to be always have a role at worst. He needs to add some more to his game though and hopefully become less of a traffic cone defensively, though he lacks tools on that end.

If he becomes a guy that can provide some decent rim pressure even if just from closeouts he'll be very hard to guard.

He showed a lot of pull up skills in summer league too and we never really saw that this year. Hoping that he has been working hard and the coaching staff gives him a bit more freedom other than catch and shoot 3s this year.

[fatlever]

Nsj isn't gonna surprise anyone
If he's in the rotation we've got big problems
He can't play pg
Too small to be plus defender
Not a connector or mover
Doesn't pressure rim or get ft line
He's a spot up shooter
He's behind so many dudes in guard rotation and that's before we draft or sign guys.
He needs another year in gleague getting stronger and developing a role.

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[JMAC3]

Nsj isn't gonna surprise anyone
If he's in the rotation we've got big problems
He can't play pg
Too small to be plus defender
Not a connector or mover
Doesn't pressure rim or get ft line
He's a spot up shooter
He's behind so many dudes in guard rotation and that's before we draft or sign guys.
He needs another year in gleague getting stronger and developing a role.

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Watch on YouTube

The guy is clearly talented. Here he does a lot more than just spot up shoot.
Just turned 20 a few months ago, think the talent is clearly there.. again he was #1 ranked high school player.
I think it is a confidence thing after barely having a college season, that is a big jump to make.

[JDR720]

NSJ is talented. But what is his role on a good team? He's not a passer or defender. He's a smaller volume scoring guard. Those players just have limited usefulness.