Dennis Smith Jr

[Upperclass]

You question Dennis Smiths HANDLE?? He's going to step in the league with a top 5 handle, after Irving, Jcraw, Curry, and McCollum..And will be quicker and stronger than all of those guys, but Irving

[Duke4life831]

You question Dennis Smiths HANDLE?? He's going to step in the league with a top 5 handle, after Irving, Jcraw, Curry, and McCollum..And will be quicker and stronger than all of those guys, but Irving

Yup day 1 he has a top 5 handle, his handle is ridiculous. Also don't think his size is an issue at all. Just look at CP3, Conley and Beverley, arguably the best defensive PGs in the league. All are 6'1 or under and have a 6'6 wingspan or under. DSJ at 6'3 and with a 6'3 wingspan is plenty big enough especially when you add his strength athleticism and his bulldog mentality.

It also seems like people wrote off his jumper way too early as well. I sat here kept saying you gotta give him some time to knock off the rust because he hadn't played in a year. We'll now his 3 point % is at a really solid 38%. Said it before the year that he was the best PG prospect since probably CP3. I've been very impressed with Ball's play so far this year and said I may take him #1. But by the end of the year I think DSJ will go #1. The dudes NBA potential is just too high.

Oh and just on a side note when it comes to handles. The list of best handles in the league is going to look very different. DSJ and Trevon Duval will be on the top 5 list. Duval has a better handle than Kyrie did at the same stage. Duval's handle is crazy.

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[bigboi]

Smith does looked undersized, but as long as his measurements on DraftExpress are accurate, he's basically the same size as Curry, Lowry, Paul, Parker, Lillard, Irving (height, wingspan, reach) plus he has a much better athletic advantage.

And I agree on Smith vs Ball.

The one question mark I have on Smith is his handle (and pure PG skillset) he looks a little clunky to me and his TO/Assist ratio is below any All-Star PG in the NBA.

Never understood people's huge concern with size. PG is the least important position defensively, as long as you can be an decent defender, PG defense really doesn't matter.

[ItsThatEasy]

As I predicted DSJ has knocked off the rust and looks like an absolute stud lately.

[CptCrunch]

Our boy DSJ is looking more and more athletic.

His level of in-game athleticism can only be matched by 2-3 players in the league, mainly Beastbrook and LeBron

[Mulhollanddrive]

I have him as a 1B now next to Fultz, virtually NBA ready in the all the main areas.

But the one thing I've noticed is before he passes, he grasps his last dribble with both hands at his body for a split second, seems a bit clunkier compared to a Ball or Fox.

[jrob23]

He's exciting and alpha. My issue is with his attitude. I see too much sulking, too many lazy efforts and he doesn't bring it on defense. I have seen him at his peak and he's as talented a PG as there is in the draft.

[Coeur]

GM's have work to do in scouting smith/fultz and then compare that to Lonzo. Fox? monk? This Frank guy?


There'll some GM's out there probably just happy if they have an excuse to not go PG.


Smith could literally go 1-8 right now

[Marcus]

GM's have work to do in scouting smith/fultz and then compare that to Lonzo. Fox? monk? This Frank guy?


There'll some GM's out there probably just happy if they have an excuse to not go PG.


Smith could literally go 1-8 right now

Yeah if your team doesn't necessarily need a guard this draft might be tough for you depending on where Josh, Jonathan, and Jayson go.

I think if you have a PG you're on the fence with on your roster this is the draft to take a chance.

[blazeyo]

I'd take him over Fultz.. but it's so close.

[Duke4life831]

GM's have work to do in scouting smith/fultz and then compare that to Lonzo. Fox? monk? This Frank guy?


There'll some GM's out there probably just happy if they have an excuse to not go PG.


Smith could literally go 1-8 right now

Yeah if your team doesn't necessarily need a guard this draft might be tough for you depending on where Josh, Jonathan, and Jayson go.

I think if you have a PG you're on the fence with on your roster this is the draft to take a chance.

I know it sounds crazy, but if I'm Minnesota and I'm looking at the chance of taking one of Fultz/DSJ/Ball I'm taking them. I know they still have Rubio and just used a top 5 pick last year on Dunn. They clearly want to move on from Rubio and Dunn is not in the same league as these 3 guys.

[jonjames]

DSJ athleticism looking like its coming back to original form..he's got that "pop" back.

[bigboi]

GM's have work to do in scouting smith/fultz and then compare that to Lonzo. Fox? monk? This Frank guy?


There'll some GM's out there probably just happy if they have an excuse to not go PG.


Smith could literally go 1-8 right now

Yeah if your team doesn't necessarily need a guard this draft might be tough for you depending on where Josh, Jonathan, and Jayson go.

I think if you have a PG you're on the fence with on your roster this is the draft to take a chance.

I know it sounds crazy, but if I'm Minnesota and I'm looking at the chance of taking one of Fultz/DSJ/Ball I'm taking them. I know they still have Rubio and just used a top 5 pick last year on Dunn. They clearly want to move on from Rubio and Dunn is not in the same league as these 3 guys.

He needs to go to Miami or Mavs

[Duke4life831]

Yeah if your team doesn't necessarily need a guard this draft might be tough for you depending on where Josh, Jonathan, and Jayson go.

I think if you have a PG you're on the fence with on your roster this is the draft to take a chance.

I know it sounds crazy, but if I'm Minnesota and I'm looking at the chance of taking one of Fultz/DSJ/Ball I'm taking them. I know they still have Rubio and just used a top 5 pick last year on Dunn. They clearly want to move on from Rubio and Dunn is not in the same league as these 3 guys.

He needs to go to Miami or Mavs

I agree with the both especially the Heat. Another place I think would be really good for him would be the Pelicans as well. A PnR with him and Davis is a scary thought. Plus it would also make Hield's life a lot easier as well to improve. Im really hoping he goes to the Pelicans because Im tired of seeing a talent like Davis get wasted because he doesn't have a true #2. I think DSJ solves that.

[villematic32]

He's a better defender and play maker than Fultz.

No he's not. Fultz averages more assists per/40 and is a decent defender, whereas Smith is a negative defender. Fultz averages more steals, blocks, and has a higher DBPM than Smith. Smith is a t-rex with a 6'3" wingspan, Fultz has a 6'10" wingspan.

I don't care about DSJ's lack of measurements. His game is pro style. His mentality is first option. This kid can finish like a demon.

Agreed. So many times we look at measurements and other things that I wont call irrelevant but are not the deciding factor for the player. Smith has a GENUINE mentality that he cant be guarded by his peers and that can mean a lot of the kid. The kid went to State knowing he would play UNC and Duke (schools that offered him) twice a year to prove that he can be anybody .. no matter of the recruiting class or level of talent. Cant teach heart and Dennis has that. His mentality impresses me more than his athleticism or game. That will make him great. Just watch

[Duke4life831]

No he's not. Fultz averages more assists per/40 and is a decent defender, whereas Smith is a negative defender. Fultz averages more steals, blocks, and has a higher DBPM than Smith. Smith is a t-rex with a 6'3" wingspan, Fultz has a 6'10" wingspan.

I don't care about DSJ's lack of measurements. His game is pro style. His mentality is first option. This kid can finish like a demon.

Agreed. So many times we look at measurements and other things that I wont call irrelevant but are not the deciding factor for the player. Smith has a GENUINE mentality that he cant be guarded by his peers and that can mean a lot of the kid. The kid went to State knowing he would play UNC and Duke (schools that offered him) twice a year to prove that he can be anybody .. no matter of the recruiting class or level of talent. Cant teach heart and Dennis has that. His mentality impresses me more than his athleticism or game. That will make him great. Just watch

Agreed. People bring up his measurements to say he doesn't have defensive potential, you can make the argument that the 3 best defensive PGs are CP3, Beverley and Conley. Those guys don't have ridiculous measurements themselves. Now has DSJ been lazy a lot on defense so far this year? Ya he has can't deny that. Do I ever think hes going to be an all NBA type defender no. I think hes going to be a defender along the lines of Westbrook. Lazy a lot of the time especially during the regular season, but come playoff time he can turn it up and defend pretty well, mostly because of his strength and athleticism.

I also agree I love the dude's mentality, he is a freaking pitbull. Tough, strong, super aggressive and not scared of anything.

[Marcus]

I don't care about DSJ's lack of measurements. His game is pro style. His mentality is first option. This kid can finish like a demon.

Agreed. So many times we look at measurements and other things that I wont call irrelevant but are not the deciding factor for the player. Smith has a GENUINE mentality that he cant be guarded by his peers and that can mean a lot of the kid. The kid went to State knowing he would play UNC and Duke (schools that offered him) twice a year to prove that he can be anybody .. no matter of the recruiting class or level of talent. Cant teach heart and Dennis has that. His mentality impresses me more than his athleticism or game. That will make him great. Just watch

Agreed. People bring up his measurements to say he doesn't have defensive potential, you can make the argument that the 3 best defensive PGs are CP3, Beverley and Conley. Those guys don't have ridiculous measurements themselves. Now has DSJ been lazy a lot on defense so far this year? Ya he has can't deny that. Do I ever think hes going to be an all NBA type defender no. I think hes going to be a defender along the lines of Westbrook. Lazy a lot of the time especially during the regular season, but come playoff time he can turn it up and defend pretty well, mostly because of his strength and athleticism.

I also agree I love the dude's mentality, he is a freaking pitbull. Tough, strong, super aggressive and not scared of anything.

Really feel like his defense will get better once he hits the league. Said it before the season started that Dennis is the type to take a challenge personal. He's not Josh Jackson level in that regard but he's not the type to allow you to embarrass him either. I think hitting the league and understanding that he will need to bring it night in and night out we will see a more consistent effort from him.

Also, been watching him for some time now. Kiddo seems to be his laziest defensively when the defense is gimmicky. I.E. zones and presses. One on one he does a much better job on and off ball. When they're playing zone his body language screams "why are we doing this?" and he moves at practice speed. Crazy part is he communicates like a champ, calls out the switches, makes the right defensive handoffs and pickups but just seems very disinterested doing it. The positive taken from that though is he completely understands what he supposed to do on that end of the ball. You apply a consistent effort to that understanding and we're looking at a good defender despite his measurements.

The back and forth in this thread goes back to what I said before the season started about the only reason there is a convo about who the best PG in the class is IMO due to size. If they were all the same size either up or down and nothing changed about their games this wouldn't be a convo as far as I'm concerned.

[Duke4life831]

Agreed. So many times we look at measurements and other things that I wont call irrelevant but are not the deciding factor for the player. Smith has a GENUINE mentality that he cant be guarded by his peers and that can mean a lot of the kid. The kid went to State knowing he would play UNC and Duke (schools that offered him) twice a year to prove that he can be anybody .. no matter of the recruiting class or level of talent. Cant teach heart and Dennis has that. His mentality impresses me more than his athleticism or game. That will make him great. Just watch

Agreed. People bring up his measurements to say he doesn't have defensive potential, you can make the argument that the 3 best defensive PGs are CP3, Beverley and Conley. Those guys don't have ridiculous measurements themselves. Now has DSJ been lazy a lot on defense so far this year? Ya he has can't deny that. Do I ever think hes going to be an all NBA type defender no. I think hes going to be a defender along the lines of Westbrook. Lazy a lot of the time especially during the regular season, but come playoff time he can turn it up and defend pretty well, mostly because of his strength and athleticism.

I also agree I love the dude's mentality, he is a freaking pitbull. Tough, strong, super aggressive and not scared of anything.

Really feel like his defense will get better once he hits the league. Said it before the season started that Dennis is the type to take a challenge personal. He's not Josh Jackson level in that regard but he's not the type to allow you to embarrass him either. I think hitting the league and understanding that he will need to bring it night in and night out we will see a more consistent effort from him.

Also, been watching him for some time now. Kiddo seems to be his laziest defensively when the defense is gimmicky. I.E. zones and presses. One on one he does a much better job on and off ball. When they're playing zone his body language screams "why are we doing this?" and he moves at practice speed. Crazy part is he communicates like a champ, calls out the switches, makes the right defensive handoffs and pickups but just seems very disinterested doing it. The positive taken from that though is he completely understands what he supposed to do on that end of the ball. You apply a consistent effort to that understanding and we're looking at a good defender despite his measurements.

The back and forth in this thread goes back to what I said before the season started about the only reason there is a convo about who the best PG in the class is IMO due to size. If they were all the same size either up or down and nothing changed about their games this wouldn't be a convo as far as I'm concerned.

Bingo. The dude has great defensive IQ, its obvious when you watch him. He is a super competitive dude, and I think part of that is why you do see him get so lazy on defense. I wouldn't be surprised if he thinks "We're playing Rider? Who the hell is Rider?" And from there you see him not that invested defensively because hes playing against Rider haha.

Ive seen him in big games in high school turn up the defense to where he was a really good defender. I think hes a big moment dude and when hes in the big moment so will the defense.

I know its crazy thinking now a days to say that I really don't care about a kids measurements but I'm sorry I really don't care that much when it comes to the PG spot. Again I can point to elite level defenders that have below average measurements. Now if we are talking Tyler Ullis, Felder type measurements when they're 5'9 then okay I'm paying attention. But if we are talking about a dude that is talked about anywhere from 6'1-6'3 from anywhere from a 6'3-6'5 wingspan, thats good enough for me, his measurements aren't going to hold him back at all. You then add his strength and his freakish athleticism, I then care even less. Thats probably one of the reasons I think I have him in front of Fultz, like you said if they had the same measurements it would be close to unanimous that DSJ is the better prospect.

Quick side note, I still believe its a pickem between the 3 PGs. I think DSJ is the best out of the 3, but if one of the 3 fits the style of your team better, the gap isn't big enough to go just on BPA. If I'm a GM I'm taking the one that fits my team the best. If you don't have a team style really yet and have no one to build around already, I'm picking DSJ every time.

[Marcus]

Quick side note, I still believe its a pickem between the 3 PGs. I think DSJ is the best out of the 3, but if one of the 3 fits the style of your team better, the gap isn't big enough to go just on BPA. If I'm a GM I'm taking the one that fits my team the best. If you don't have a team style really yet and have no one to build around already, I'm picking DSJ every time.

oh yeah for sure it could be any of the 3 depending on what you want. I think the top 5 of the draft period could/should go that way this year. Just in terms of who I think is the better player at PG I have DSJ ahead of the rest.

Like I said before Smith and Jackson are my day one start from scratch picks. Give them the ball and say we live and die by what you do out there.

Fit should be the main reason for either one of them getting passed up as far as I'm concerned. Like I'm probably not putting DSJ on a team that has another ball dominant player on the perimeter because I don't want to take the rock out of his hands. But as you mentioned before if Miami or Nawlins has a shot at him they need to jump on that immediately.

Josh I think gives you a bit more wiggle room because of his size and ability to play either wing and handle for you but I'd still want him in a more featured role although he wouldn't need to be.