Marcus Smart comparisons

[The_Hater]

As a Bucks fan, I've had Smart in my sights all season long. Comparing him to current Buck pgs, he'd probably have been the best pg. Both Brandon Knight and Nate Wolters played a lot of point for the Bucks this season. Compared to Knight, Smart can't shoot as well and maybe not score as well. But he's got a better pg mentality. Knight is basically a shoot-first pg.

I hate to break it too you but Smart is a shoot-first PG too. And his overall decision making is iffy.

His biggest strength is his ability to get into the lane which is an important PG trait but it's generally with the intent of generating his own offense. I still think that ultimately he would be better utilized as a SG in the pros.

[Johnlac1]

As a Bucks fan, I've had Smart in my sights all season long. Comparing him to current Buck pgs, he'd probably have been the best pg. Both Brandon Knight and Nate Wolters played a lot of point for the Bucks this season. Compared to Knight, Smart can't shoot as well and maybe not score as well. But he's got a better pg mentality. Knight is basically a shoot-first pg.

I hate to break it too you but Smart is a shoot-first PG too. And his overall decision making is iffy.

His biggest strength is his ability to get into the lane which is an important PG trait but it's generally with the intent of generating his own offense. I still think that ultimately he would be better utilized as a SG in the pros.

Gee, he must have had a look-alike out on the floor many of the games I saw Smart play. A look-alike who took only about twelve shots a game in an up-tempo offense and tried to set up his teammates. I could have sworn it was Smart though.

[Krapinsky]

I haven't seen anyone mention the guy he reminds me of most - Deron WIlliams.

[Rockmaninoff]

I think he's a little like Dennis Johnson.

[ManualRam]

I haven't seen anyone mention the guy he reminds me of most - Deron WIlliams.

probably because you're the only one who sees that comparison.

[Krapinsky]

I haven't seen anyone mention the guy he reminds me of most - Deron WIlliams.

probably because you're the only one who sees that comparison.

Way to go. Keep it up with posts like that and you just might win the internet someday. You could be famous on youtube comments.

[Johnlac1]

I think he's a little like Dennis Johnson.

A little smaller but quicker Johnson is a good comparison.

[MiltownHawkeye]

I haven't seen anyone mention the guy he reminds me of most - Deron WIlliams.

probably because you're the only one who sees that comparison.

Way to go. Keep it up with posts like that and you just might win the internet someday. You could be famous on youtube comments.

Deron Williams had waaaaay better point guard skills at the same age. He was also a more than competent shooter from 3. The only similarities between them is that they're both big and play the PG position.

[Krapinsky]

probably because you're the only one who sees that comparison.

Way to go. Keep it up with posts like that and you just might win the internet someday. You could be famous on youtube comments.

Deron Williams had waaaaay better point guard skills at the same age. He was also a more than competent shooter from 3. The only similarities between them is that they're both big and play the PG position.

The fact that they're big and play the point guard position just touches the surface. The way they both use their bodies to over power defenders and get where they want to on the court is a big part of what makes each player successful. Other 'big' point guards don't play that way. They also both share similar intangible - both are vocal leaders that from day 1 could join a team and be the leader of the locker room. Is Williams a little bit more of a passer? Sure. Is Smart more of a scorer? Sure - though when he plays PG in the NBA those difference are going to even out a little bit.

[ManualRam]

deron's handle alone compared to smart's is enough to nullify that comparison. deron has one of the best handles ever for a point. he could get to anywhere he wanted on the floor with it. he could set up angles and create space for his shot with it. he had break down 1 on 1 ability without relying on bully ball because of it. deron wasn't just a big, strong PG who used his strength to get to wherever he needed to go. he had the deception, change of speed and direction which smart does not.

deron's also the better, more creative passer at the same stage, a higher IQ player and better shooter from both mid (his mid game destroys smart's) and deep. he also was never really good defensively, either as a solid man defender or an off-the-ball playmaker on that end, and as a prospect was not good at playing to contact and drawing fouls, which happen to be major strengths in smart's game.

[Navy Che]

I always saw a bit of chauncey billups in smart's game

[ZUDAMAGIC]

Top 3 player out of this class just watch next elite Combo guard..

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[Golabki]

deron's handle alone compared to smart's is enough to nullify that comparison. deron has one of the best handles ever for a point. he could get to anywhere he wanted on the floor with it. he could set up angles and create space for his shot with it. he had break down 1 on 1 ability without relying on bully ball because of it. deron wasn't just a big, strong PG who used his strength to get to wherever he needed to go. he had the deception, change of speed and direction which smart does not.

deron's also the better, more creative passer at the same stage, a higher IQ player and better shooter from both mid (his mid game destroys smart's) and deep. he also was never really good defensively, either as a solid man defender or an off-the-ball playmaker on that end, and as a prospect was not good at playing to contact and drawing fouls, which happen to be major strengths in smart's game.

manram, how bad do you think smart actually is?

Would you take him at 10? At 20? At 30?


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[bbms]

More explosive reggie jackson.

[ManualRam]

deron's handle alone compared to smart's is enough to nullify that comparison. deron has one of the best handles ever for a point. he could get to anywhere he wanted on the floor with it. he could set up angles and create space for his shot with it. he had break down 1 on 1 ability without relying on bully ball because of it. deron wasn't just a big, strong PG who used his strength to get to wherever he needed to go. he had the deception, change of speed and direction which smart does not.

deron's also the better, more creative passer at the same stage, a higher IQ player and better shooter from both mid (his mid game destroys smart's) and deep. he also was never really good defensively, either as a solid man defender or an off-the-ball playmaker on that end, and as a prospect was not good at playing to contact and drawing fouls, which happen to be major strengths in smart's game.

manram, how bad do you think smart actually is?

Would you take him at 10? At 20? At 30?


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still a top 10 talent if used properly. i'd move him off the ball. use him as a utility player, energy guy and defensive stopper. i don't think he's a franchise changing PG though. i would not play him on the ball or expect #1 or #2 scoring option capability out of him.

[cedric76]

He might not be a future all star but I have no doubt he 'll succeed in nba

Really hope he ends up in Orlando

[The_Hater]

manram, how bad do you think smart actually is?

Would you take him at 10? At 20? At 30?

still a top 10 talent if used properly. i'd move him off the ball. use him as a utility player, energy guy and defensive stopper. i don't think he's a franchise changing PG though. i would not play him on the ball or expect #1 or #2 scoring option capability out of him.

I think he lacks that PG gene too but he's so good at getting in the lane and drawing contact that if he ever improves his jumpshot to a decent level, say a Russell Westbrook level, you're suddenly looking at a extremely difficult to guard player when coupled with his strength, athleticism, handle and aggressiveness.

And I don't think his jumper is stuck at some MKG level where he basically has to learn to shoot from scratch, he just needs to improve his consistency and range and these are things that many poor shooters have improved with lots of time in the gym.

I was clearly not on the Marcus Smart bus 12 months ago but the more I look at him the more I see a really good NBA player.

[ManualRam]

manram, how bad do you think smart actually is?

Would you take him at 10? At 20? At 30?

still a top 10 talent if used properly. i'd move him off the ball. use him as a utility player, energy guy and defensive stopper. i don't think he's a franchise changing PG though. i would not play him on the ball or expect #1 or #2 scoring option capability out of him.

I think he lacks that PG gene too but he's so good at getting in the lane and drawing contact that if he ever improves his jumpshot to a decent level, say a Russell Westbrook level, you're suddenly looking at a extremely difficult to guard player when coupled with his strength, athleticism, handle and aggressiveness.

And I don't think his jumper is stuck at some MKG level where he basically has to learn to shoot from scratch, he just needs to improve his consistency and range and these are things that many poor shooters have improved with lots of time in the gym.

I was clearly not on the Marcus Smart bus 12 months ago but the more I look at him the more I see a really good NBA player.

strength and aggressiveness? i'll give him that. handle and athleticism? i don't think either are strengths of his. he does not have a good handle for a point and he is not quick, shifty or explosive in the half court. with a head of steam, in 2ndary break situations where he can attack back-peddling defenses i think he'd be difficult to guard, but i don't see him being nearly as difficult to guard as a half court ball-handler.

he has a lot of work to do on his shot imo. he has some really bad technique issues. his shot setup leads to a lot of jackknife action. he has balance and touch issues too. often fading/leaning, shooting a very hard ball with over-rotation because he has an over-exaggerated follow through. it's like he's shooting for form over a good, soft release. you can tell a lot about how good a shooter really is by his misses and marcus has some REALLY bad misses.

[The_Hater]

still a top 10 talent if used properly. i'd move him off the ball. use him as a utility player, energy guy and defensive stopper. i don't think he's a franchise changing PG though. i would not play him on the ball or expect #1 or #2 scoring option capability out of him.

I think he lacks that PG gene too but he's so good at getting in the lane and drawing contact that if he ever improves his jumpshot to a decent level, say a Russell Westbrook level, you're suddenly looking at a extremely difficult to guard player when coupled with his strength, athleticism, handle and aggressiveness.

And I don't think his jumper is stuck at some MKG level where he basically has to learn to shoot from scratch, he just needs to improve his consistency and range and these are things that many poor shooters have improved with lots of time in the gym.

I was clearly not on the Marcus Smart bus 12 months ago but the more I look at him the more I see a really good NBA player.

strength and aggressiveness? i'll give him that. handle and athleticism? i don't think either are strengths of his. he does not have a good handle for a point and he is not quick, shifty or explosive in the half court. with a head of steam, in 2ndary break situations where he can attack back-peddling defenses i think he'd be difficult to guard, but i don't see him being nearly as difficult to guard as a half court ball-handler.

he has a lot of work to do on his shot imo. he has some really bad technique issues. his shot setup leads to a lot of jackknife action. he has balance and touch issues too. often fading/leaning, shooting a very hard ball with over-rotation because he has an over-exaggerated follow through. it's like he's shooting for form over a good, soft release. you can tell a lot about how good a shooter really is by his misses and marcus has some REALLY bad misses.

I think if he's playing SG, where I project him (and you did as well) he brings a strong handle to the table.And while not an elite athlete I still think he's a plus athlete. I would argue that you don't get into the lane at will without some degree of athleticism + handle so we'll have to disagree on that. Plus I didn't mention it before but his instincts are off the charts, he's got a nose for the ball that you can't teach.

No argument about his shot. He's neither a finished product nor a can't miss star but I'd sooner bet on a college prospect that needs to fix their jumpshot then one that needs to improve their defense or learn to draw contact in the lane. Many skills aren't fixable but shooting is.

[Marcus]

as long as Marcus plays within himself and doesn't try to do too much, understands his strenghts and limitations we could be looking at a very good NBA player. Kid has a lot of pluses to his game. He just needs to take the cape off and understand what he can and can't do and play to that.

i don't see him living up to any lofty expectations that might have been placed on him. He's not a guy you build a team around. He's not a guy you make your main focal point. He just won't be that kind of player at the next level. BUT with the skillset he does have you can plug him into a useful to important role on just about any team, keep him to that, and yield good results.