Sekou Smith - Best bigs age 22 or under?

[_BBIB_]

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I hate to break it to you, but Josh Smith is never going to be better than Dwight Howard.

Josh Smith may never be as good as Dwight Howard. But since efficiency extends beyond points and rebounds, he can continue to close the gap like he's done every year he's been in the league.

Although Josh may never match Dwight's points and rebound totals, in terms of assists, steals, and blocks per game, Josh Smith can also fill up a stat column.


Where Dwight Howard has the advantage in pure post presence offensively with his monsterous strength, Josh Smith has the advantage in speed, quickness, ball handling skills, court vision, shooting range, and he may be the sickest weakside shotblocker this league has ever seen.


Although I do expect Josh Smith to improve, I don't expect him to catch Dwight Howard. But to say that Josh Smith and AL Horford's upside COMBINED doesn't match Dwight HOward is ridiculous. I mean in Horford's rookie season alone the efficiency makes that look foolish.

A couple years from now when Horford's rebounding could/should match that of Dwight's, it would be even more preposterous.

[NO-KG-AI]

LOL at Horford's rebounding matching Dwights.

You really think Horford will ever approach 15 rebounds?

12 would be a lofty expectation IMO.

[MagicFan3]

LOL at Horford's rebounding matching Dwights.

You really think Horford will ever approach 15 rebounds?

12 would be a lofty expectation IMO.

Exactly, especially when you consider the fact that they are almost the same age and Horford had the benefit of college experience, yet Dwight is averaging around 15 rebs/game, whereas Horford obviously isn't.

[_BBIB_]

LOL at Horford's rebounding matching Dwights.

You really think Horford will ever approach 15 rebounds?

12 would be a lofty expectation IMO.

Major rookie rebounders in 3 pt. era
http://www.basketball-reference.com/fc/psl_finder.cgi?request=1&sum=0&type=per_game&per_minute_base=48&year_min=1980&year_max=2008&season_start=1&season_end=1&age_min=0&age_max=99&height_min=0&height_max=99&lg_id=&franch_id=&is_active=&is_hof=&pos=&qual=&c1stat=trb_per_g&c1comp=gt&c1val=9.5&c2stat=&c2comp=gt&c2val=&c3stat=&c3comp=gt&c3val=&c4stat=&c4comp=gt&c4val=&order_by=trb_per_g

Per 36
http://www.basketball-reference.com/fc/psl_finder.cgi?request=1&sum=0&type=per_minute&per_minute_base=36&year_min=1980&year_max=2008&season_start=1&season_end=1&age_min=0&age_max=99&height_min=0&height_max=99&lg_id=&franch_id=&is_active=&is_hof=&pos=&qual=&c1stat=trb_per_g&c1comp=gt&c1val=9.5&c2stat=&c2comp=gt&c2val=&c3stat=&c3comp=gt&c3val=&c4stat=&c4comp=gt&c4val=&order_by=trb_per_mp

I think you're selling the young fella a little short

[_BBIB_]

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Exactly, especially when you consider the fact that they are almost the same age and Horford had the benefit of college experience, yet Dwight is averaging around 15 rebs/game, whereas Horford obviously isn't.

Because we all know two years starting experience in college means you max out your potential right? We all know the work out regiment and diet for college compares to the NBA where people can have their own personal chef, trainer, and gym.

We all know you can't get any stronger, learn any more techniques, etc.
It's not about years in the league it's about age.

That's why a rookie at 21/22 can't improve as much as a player that came out of HS and has experience in the NBA.

/sarcasm off.


Al Horford will either prove something wrong one way or another.

Your argument is that a player with 3 years experience in college, can't possibly improve more than a player the same age with 3 years experience in the NBA.

We shall see.
Keep an eye on whether or not Horford's efficiency drastically increases or not over the next two years.

If I've overestimated his ability to improve, then yeah I guess Howard would be as good as the two combined.

But I don't think Horford is done improving in terms of points,rebounds, etc. I think he can most definitely raise his efficiency rating at least another 5-6 points.


Although he may be very polished, he still makes young mistakes, and he still shows signs of developing a mid range game, is learning to take his defender off the dribble, etc.

Also, he has potential to put on even more strength. Dwight Howard has put on 40+ pounds since entering the league. I don't expect Horford to put on that type of weight, but I think it's unrealistic to say that he can't get stronger than he is now which would help him get even more boards.

He will also learn nuances like when to go for boards and when not to get cheap over the back fouls. I think the kid has too much athleticism, too much of a work ethic, to not improve barring injury

Now if he was physically limited like Shelden Williams and/or mentally limited like (insert headcase or player with low BBIQ/bad work ethic) I'd agree he's done improving.

[The_Believer]

Anyone who thinks Smith is anywhere near Dwight is clearly delusional. Dwight is younger than him IIRC.

[farzi]

Mbenga / Bynum because Bynum is the best imo.

[MagicFan3]

Mbenga / Bynum because Bynum is the best imo.

Better than Howard? Amare? No. Even the biggest Lakers homer would admit that.

[_BBIB_]

Anyone who thinks Smith is anywhere near Dwight is clearly delusional. Dwight is younger than him IIRC.

Well right now Dwight Howard is the 2nd most efficient player in the entire NBA.

Josh Smith is outside the top 25.

However, at 27 that is a vast improvement from the 112th place he was to began his career.


He is currently 7 points in efficiency behind Howard per game.

Now that is A LOT. But the reason why I believe Josh Smith could close that gap is because he's a threat to increase his totals in ALL FIVE CATEGORIES.

Josh Smith is a threat to put up big numbers in points, rebounds, steals, assists, and blocks on any given night.


I see Josh Smith as a guy who can move himself into top 15 into efficiency

My argument is that Horford also has potential to move into that top 25 and two guys that high are not worse than one guy ranked in the top 5 no matter how high.

For comparisons sake, you wouldn't take Lebron James over Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh combined. Those are two guys in the top 25 of efficiency in the league, with one guy in the top 15 vs a guy who's #1.

[farzi]

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Better than Howard? Amare? No. Even the biggest Lakers homer would admit that.

I forgot the green text

[NO-KG-AI]

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Major rookie rebounders in 3 pt. era
http://www.basketball-reference.com/fc/psl_finder.cgi?request=1&sum=0&type=per_game&per_minute_base=48&year_min=1980&year_max=2008&season_start=1&season_end=1&age_min=0&age_max=99&height_min=0&height_max=99&lg_id=&franch_id=&is_active=&is_hof=&pos=&qual=&c1stat=trb_per_g&c1comp=gt&c1val=9.5&c2stat=&c2comp=gt&c2val=&c3stat=&c3comp=gt&c3val=&c4stat=&c4comp=gt&c4val=&order_by=trb_per_g

Per 36
http://www.basketball-reference.com/fc/psl_finder.cgi?request=1&sum=0&type=per_minute&per_minute_base=36&year_min=1980&year_max=2008&season_start=1&season_end=1&age_min=0&age_max=99&height_min=0&height_max=99&lg_id=&franch_id=&is_active=&is_hof=&pos=&qual=&c1stat=trb_per_g&c1comp=gt&c1val=9.5&c2stat=&c2comp=gt&c2val=&c3stat=&c3comp=gt&c3val=&c4stat=&c4comp=gt&c4val=&order_by=trb_per_mp

I think you're selling the young fella a little short

That doesn't mean anything, how many of those guys have gone on to average 15 rebounds? You are delusional if you think Horford has that type of talent.

BTW, I LOVE Horford, but being a rebounder of Howard's caliber is unreal, and all the guys that were rebounders like that were for the most part, physical freaks, and Horford is a great athlete, but he's not a super athlete to dominate the boards.

[Smills91]

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+1
Oden and Roy are the most overrated and overhyped players in the league IMO.

No I think that goes to the Andrew Bynum's and Andris Biedrins of the NBA.

[High 5]

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That doesn't mean anything, how many of those guys have gone on to average 15 rebounds? You are delusional if you think Horford has that type of talent.

BTW, I LOVE Horford, but being a rebounder of Howard's caliber is unreal, and all the guys that were rebounders like that were for the most part, physical freaks, and Horford is a great athlete, but he's not a super athlete to dominate the boards.

The thing that will stop Horford from averaging 15 boards is his height/length, not his athletic ability. He's an amazing athlete.

[wiff]

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The thing that will stop Horford from averaging 15 boards is his height/length, not his athletic ability. He's an amazing athlete.

Dennis Rodman seemed to do ok and he wasn't exactly long or tall.

[ponder276]

smith/horford are one of those 4/5 pairs that look good on paper, but ultimately are not what a team needs to win (like marion/amare at the 4/5). assuming oden can come back healthy, aldridge/oden take this easily.

[farzi]

Oden is a bust boys and girls. He has no offensive game and his body is as aged as his face. At this point, his best case scenario is Kendrick Perkins. @ the media sheep who claimed Oden was better than Bynum for the past 2 years.

You've already proven to be one of the most childish / least informed posters on this entire board (and that's saying something). You should probably stop posting.

[NO-KG-AI]

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The thing that will stop Horford from averaging 15 boards is his height/length, not his athletic ability. He's an amazing athlete.

I meant physical freaks as in, guys who are as athletic, or more than horford, but also bigger/stronger.

[_BBIB_]

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I meant physical freaks as in, guys who are as athletic, or more than horford, but also bigger/stronger.

I think you are underestimating him in both categories.

Now obviously he isn't Dwight Howard freakishly strong and athletic but Horford is pretty dang strong. He's manhandled some veteran players in this league on the boards and by backing them up in the post.

He may not be able to win a dunk contest a la Howard, but he runs the floor exceptionally well for a big man and he has a pretty dang good leaping ability for a big guy. He's got a 35 inch vert.

With his broad shoulders Al Horford has potential to get a lot stronger without sacrificing that underrated athleticism he has.

I think he can grab 12+ boards in this league.

[High 5]

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Dennis Rodman seemed to do ok and he wasn't exactly long or tall.

How many Rodmans and Barkleys have their been in the history of the NBA?

And NO-KG-AI, like I said earlier, no one compares to Howard, but Horford is about as athletic and strong a big man you're going to find in this league. Horford hasn't been pushed around by ANYONE.

[JordansBulls]

Aldridge and Oden easily.