Zhaire Smith

8305 · Post #1 » by **8305** » Sun Mar 25, 2018 9:52 pm

Nbadraft.net shows this guy going to the Pacers at pick 21. Never heard of him until the Purdue/Texas Tech game. Tried to watch him more closely today against Nova. Looked like he made life really tough for Brunson. He looks taller than the 6’5” he’s listed. I think he shot the 3 ok. Can anyonone elaborate

Mr.Raptorsingh · Post #2 » by **Mr.Raptorsingh** » Sun Mar 25, 2018 10:04 pm

I think he's pretty underrated. He's going to be a key player on a winning team imo. I'm not sure if he'll declare for the draft, but I think he's worthy of a lotto pick, given that he's one of the youngest, if not the youngest, in his class to go along with that athleticism and efficiency. He reminds me of Doug Christie, but I think he may have some more upside.

CP War Hawks · Post #3 » by **CP War Hawks** » Sun Mar 25, 2018 11:21 pm

Corey maggette

Post #4 » by **GimmeDat** » Sun Mar 25, 2018 11:35 pm

It sounds like he's going to declare, imo, though he'll probably test the waters first because he wasn't on many boards early on. He's a stud. Will take a while to develop his skill-set but he's a potential impact difference maker. I'd take him lottery and many would.

No-Man · Post #5 » by **No-Man** » Sun Mar 25, 2018 11:40 pm

GimmeDat wrote:It sounds like he's going to declare, imo, though he'll probably test the waters first because he wasn't on many boards early on. He's a stud. Will take a while to develop his skill-set but he's a potential impact difference maker. I'd take him lottery and many would.

sounds from what?

I'd guess the other way around honestly

Post #6 » by **GimmeDat** » Sun Mar 25, 2018 11:44 pm

Fischella wrote:
GimmeDat wrote:It sounds like he's going to declare, imo, though he'll probably test the waters first because he wasn't on many boards early on. He's a stud. Will take a while to develop his skill-set but he's a potential impact difference maker. I'd take him lottery and many would.

sounds from what?

I'd guess the other way around honestly

There was some post the other day, maybe it was from DX, saying that he was thinking about declaring even before the March Madness run, and that showing out in that time could push him further in that direction. Maybe it was fluff, dunno.

clyde21 · Post #7 » by **clyde21** » Mon Mar 26, 2018 12:25 am

Really like him. Possible lottery pick, IMO.

King Ken · Post #8 » by **King Ken** » Mon Mar 26, 2018 12:29 am

If he opts in the draft, he's a 1st rounder. His potential is just much higher than guys in this class from 21-30. This isn't the deepest class. It's top heavy.

Stillwater · Post #9 » by **Stillwater** » Mon Mar 26, 2018 1:44 am

Athleticism is elite defense has potential for being elite offense is a mixed bag.
Like him as a late lottery to early 20's immediate defensive impact guard with a high ceiling as a 2 way starter.

Post #10 » by **GimmeDat** » Mon Mar 26, 2018 2:40 am

You guys think he can play some 3, if not immediately, at least down the road? He's 6'5 with a 6'10 wingspan, and of course, super athletic, can play bigger than his size.

doordoor123 · Post #11 » by **doordoor123** » Mon Mar 26, 2018 2:57 am

King Ken wrote:If he opts in the draft, he's a 1st rounder. His potential is just much higher than guys in this class from 21-30. This isn't the deepest class. It's top heavy.

This is the deepest class I can remember in maybe the last 10 years with roleplayers. But yeah, it’s top-heavy.

Kolkmania · Post #12 » by **Kolkmania** » Mon Mar 26, 2018 12:29 pm

I like him, but have some reservations as well. For a 6'5'' guy he really lacks basketball skills, it is telling to me that he roams around the elbow area setting screens in Texas Tech motion scheme. His potential is enormous but it will take an enormous amount of development and the right environment to become a difference maker.

Teammate Jarrett Culver is also listed as 6'5'', but he looks a lot taller (close to 6'7''?) to me. His ball handling skills and willingness to shoot really stand out to me. With enough repetitions and attention to keeping his elbow in he's a prototypical modern wing imo.

King Ken · Post #13 » by **King Ken** » Tue Mar 27, 2018 3:02 am

doordoor123 wrote:
King Ken wrote:If he opts in the draft, he's a 1st rounder. His potential is just much higher than guys in this class from 21-30. This isn't the deepest class. It's top heavy.

This is the deepest class I can remember in maybe the last 10 years with roleplayers. But yeah, it’s top-heavy.

I see a lot of guys who will be in the G-league after the 12th pick. Maybe they have the potential to be solid but this isn't last year's class. I have seen so many guys who were ready to play in the NBA in year 1. This class has a lot of potential. It's loaded with potential from top to bottom but potential rarely develops in the NBA. Teams are too impatience.

Honestly, I am not that high on top PG's, I am more higher on the late 1st, early 2nd guys. Even though their potential limits them backup, I see the top PG's as backups with less of a ceiling for being backups. They will need the perfect storm where they go to a franchise who is patience. Let's them develop in the G-league for maybe 3-4 months, then move them to the NBA and let them produce. Most of these guys like Young and Shai-GA will go into forced starting roles, flop tremendously and ruin their potential.

nolang1 · Post #14 » by **nolang1** » Tue Mar 27, 2018 3:48 am

Interesting bet he'll have to make on himself regarding his offense & shooting. He'd be an easy top 5 pick next year if his percentages hold up over more attempts and he can show some ability to create for himself or others off the dribble. On the other hand, if he goes on to look worse offensively as a result of having to take on a bigger role, he's basically a slightly better-shooting K.J. McDaniels. Would splitting the difference and being picked in the 15-25 range this year be worth it for him to make the jump?

doordoor123 · Post #15 » by **doordoor123** » Tue Mar 27, 2018 3:48 am

Apparently Texas Tech coach thinks he’s returning even if he declares for the draft.

clyde21 · Post #16 » by **clyde21** » Tue Mar 27, 2018 4:35 am

doordoor123 wrote:
King Ken wrote:If he opts in the draft, he's a 1st rounder. His potential is just much higher than guys in this class from 21-30. This isn't the deepest class. It's top heavy.

This is the deepest class I can remember in maybe the last 10 years with roleplayers. But yeah, it’s top-heavy.

I think 2017 is deeper but this class is actually deeper than previously thought before the season started.

jonjames · Post #17 » by **jonjames** » Tue Mar 27, 2018 1:36 pm

He reminds me of former clemson tiger kj mcdaniels.

KobesScarf · Post #18 » by **KobesScarf** » Wed Mar 28, 2018 4:40 am

He should stay in school

Upperclass · Post #19 » by **Upperclass** » Wed Mar 28, 2018 4:42 am

Reminds me of Desmond Mason

MachoMan · Post #20 » by **MachoMan** » Mon Apr 2, 2018 2:48 am

KobesScarf wrote:He should stay in school

If he is confident he will go in the 1st Round, I would say he should declare and go to the NBA. Right now, he is really raw....very limited offensive game. If he returns to Texas Tech next season, and does not show significant improvement on that end, his game will be picked apart.