Zhaire Smith

[Ruzious]

That's the thing, I doubt he is a lock to go in the 1st, we might think so cause we like his traits, but NBA teams value a ton of different stuff, he might get there with interviews and workouts so it's worth it

All I am saying is he has more to gain than others by coming back, even if he doesnt improve a ton, he is probably a 2nd round pick with the way the league is looking for guys of his profile, he might be only that right now too, so not a ton of risk unless he gets fatally hurt, which yeah, can happen, but if he can actually improve his game to the degree that some of us believe, in terms of creation, etc, he has a shot at going top5, which means a whole lot in terms of opportunity and how teams continue giving you chances, let alone the money.

I'd be shocked if he's not a first round pick - probably top 20. There's too much all-around potential shown for a player his age.

[moss_is_1]

Feel like worse case scenario for him is Danny Green, best case I'm not sure yet...hard to find a good comp.

[EvanZ]

That's the thing, I doubt he is a lock to go in the 1st, we might think so cause we like his traits, but NBA teams value a ton of different stuff, he might get there with interviews and workouts so it's worth it

All I am saying is he has more to gain than others by coming back, even if he doesnt improve a ton, he is probably a 2nd round pick with the way the league is looking for guys of his profile, he might be only that right now too, so not a ton of risk unless he gets fatally hurt, which yeah, can happen, but if he can actually improve his game to the degree that some of us believe, in terms of creation, etc, he has a shot at going top5, which means a whole lot in terms of opportunity and how teams continue giving you chances, let alone the money.

I'd be shocked if he's not a first round pick - probably top 20. There's too much all-around potential shown for a player his age.

Let's put it this way. There's no way in hell he's getting past Golden State at 28.

[Kurosawa0]

Not sure he's still on the board, but he'd be a good fit in Utah next to Mitchell.

[No-Man]

Feel like worse case scenario for him is Danny Green, best case I'm not sure yet...hard to find a good comp.

he is nothing similar to Green other than both been athletically gifted and roughly have similar height, both are light skinned I guess

[moss_is_1]

Feel like worse case scenario for him is Danny Green, best case I'm not sure yet...hard to find a good comp.

he is nothing similar to Green other than both been athletically gifted and roughly have similar height, both are light skinned I guess

Height, wingspan, defense. I said his worst case is probably Green.

[jonjames]

Feel like worse case scenario for him is Danny Green, best case I'm not sure yet...hard to find a good comp.

Danny Green or Gerald Green?

[clyde21]

Feel like worse case scenario for him is Danny Green, best case I'm not sure yet...hard to find a good comp.

A shorter Vince Carter maybe?

I think this guy is going to be a good one. High motor, amazing athlete, good length....hard to not see him being a positive contributer or maybe even an all-star type at some point.

[ThunderBolt]

Reminds me of Desmond Mason

Uhh smith shot 45% from three this year. I loved mason but he couldn’t shoot to save his life.

[HotelVitale]

Feel like worse case scenario for him is Danny Green, best case I'm not sure yet...hard to find a good comp.

he is nothing similar to Green other than both been athletically gifted and roughly have similar height, both are light skinned I guess

Height, wingspan, defense. I said his worst case is probably Green.

Thinking you mean Gerald Green. If so, Gerald Green has had a 10 year career during which he's been an above league average 3 pt shooter. There's no way on the planet that's Zhaire Smith's worst case scenario. He seems like a reasonable bust candidate; I'm fine with anyone taking him in the 20s but you're also taking him in the hopes he picks up a ton of stuff along the way.

Reminds me of Desmond Mason

Uhh smith shot 45% from three this year. I loved mason but he couldn’t shoot to save his life.

Careful with that, though--Smith shot all of 40 shots this whole year so if he had missed literally 4 more shots, he would've been a 34% shooter. He can also only shoot wide open spot-ups and his mechanics aren't great, so I'd be cautious buying too much into that percentage.

[HotelVitale]

Do I need to list every aspect of basketball? Anyway I think he should stay all 4 years in college so the difference is 19 year old rookie vs 22 year old rookie. Or better yet 22 year old rookie vs 22 year old last year of his rookie contract with a new HC or soon to be fired HC

But you think a 22-year-old rookie Zhaire Smith is better than 22-year-old Zhaire Smith who's going to be entering his 3rd year in the league?
Makes ZERO sense on any level.

I would advise pretty much anyone to go into the league if they have a good chance at going in the 1st, but there are definite downsides. First, you're only guaranteed TWO years on a 1st rd contract, the next two are team options that are being increasingly turned down (there' been about a dozen dropped in the last couple of years). If you fail to impress in those two years--which will be the case for many raw guys--then you're back into the scrum of d-league, China, etc, and you've lost the chance to develop within the relative security of a NBA team. That bet will work for many players but it won't for lots of players in that medium-low talent range--in which you might be a 10th man or might be playing in rural Poland depending on opportunity and small differences in development. Those guys would be better served getting that 2 year trial when they're 21 than when they're 19.

And if you're actually talented and clearly belong in the NBA, then that'll show up in college and chances are you'll be taken higher than after your frosh year. That means not only more money but often more opportunity and commitment from your team. Difference between getting taken top 10 by a lotto team and 22 by a playoff team is pretty big for likely opportunity/investment in you.

It's a bet on yourself and there's too much risk to pass up a guaranteed couple million, but it still might not be the best move for many people. I've come to see a lot more the last couple years how much luck and weird chances can turn a career--used to think it was just 'if you're good, you'll find a spot' but I now think that's only part of it.

[Nazrmohamed]

Feel like worse case scenario for him is Danny Green, best case I'm not sure yet...hard to find a good comp.

he is nothing similar to Green other than both been athletically gifted and roughly have similar height, both are light skinned I guess

I wouldn't even say that. Green is a 6'7SG, no? Isn't Zhair a 6'5 SF?

[EvanZ]

Oladipo

[916fan]

Oladipo

Dipo was older when he came out, but he was also a much better ball handler than Smith. I'm thinking more SG LaVine without consistent 3pt shot.

[EvanZ]

Oladipo

Dipo was older when he came out, but he was also a much better ball handler than Smith. I'm thinking more SG LaVine without consistent 3pt shot.

LaVine might be an all-time bad defender. And Zhaire is much, much stronger. Not even comparable as prospects.

As for Dipo, let's not pretend like he was this level of ball handler coming out of school. His USG was only 22%. That was not one of his strengths. And as you said Zhaire is a lot younger.

Here's the scouting report from 2010 for Dipo (http://insider.espn.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/player/evaluation/_/id/67629/victor-oladipo):

January, 2010: An athletic and powerful swingman who is tough as nails, Oladipo impacted this game (Hoophall Classic) in a variety of ways by simply outworking everyone else on the floor. Although he isn't overly skilled, he's a phenomenal rebounder from the perimeter who plays bigger than he is on the glass, finishing tonight's game with 16 rebounds, including 5 offensive. He scores points without having sets called for him by going to the offensive glass, filling lanes in transition, and finishing with enough bounce and power to drive through contact. Equally imposing defensively, Oladipo has a great combination of aggressiveness, power, and mobility to lock down his man. While he may never be a creator offensively his skills have gradually developed to the point where he is a threat to make an open three, plays strong with the ball within the flow of the offense, and can score in the lane by elevating for short jumpers.

Sounds *a lot* like Zhaire to me.

[vincecarter4pres]

Feel like worse case scenario for him is Danny Green, best case I'm not sure yet...hard to find a good comp.

A shorter Vince Carter maybe?

I think this guy is going to be a good one. High motor, amazing athlete, good length....hard to not see him being a positive contributer or maybe even an all-star type at some point.

Shooting guard version of Paul George.

[Moooose]

I think his floor can be higher than Danny Green as he is more athletic and has a better basketball sense both on offense and defense. Oladipo is a bit of a stretch comparison for me (for now), as I think Zaire Smith is slower but stronger. Oladipo is an athletic freak since then and Zaire's athleticism is quite on a different tier than him. And I am not really sure if anyone can make Zaire faster, we will need to see this in the combine and in the workouts.

He plays like a forward in a guard's body, and I think it will translate into the pros simply because it is already an advantage. My personal comparison for him right now is Thabo Sefolosha. With better offense, of course.

[EvanZ]

I think his floor can be higher than Danny Green as he is more athletic and has a better basketball sense both on offense and defense. Oladipo is a bit of a stretch comparison for me (for now), as I think Zaire Smith is slower but stronger. Oladipo is an athletic freak since then and Zaire's athleticism is quite on a different tier than him. And I am not really sure if anyone can make Zaire faster, we will need to see this in the combine and in the workouts.

He plays like a forward in a guard's body, and I think it will translate into the pros simply because it is already an advantage. My personal comparison for him right now is Thabo Sefolosha. With better offense, of course.

Man, you need to watch more Zhaire. He is athletic af.

[King Ken]

I think his floor can be higher than Danny Green as he is more athletic and has a better basketball sense both on offense and defense. Oladipo is a bit of a stretch comparison for me (for now), as I think Zaire Smith is slower but stronger. Oladipo is an athletic freak since then and Zaire's athleticism is quite on a different tier than him. And I am not really sure if anyone can make Zaire faster, we will need to see this in the combine and in the workouts.

He plays like a forward in a guard's body, and I think it will translate into the pros simply because it is already an advantage. My personal comparison for him right now is Thabo Sefolosha. With better offense, of course.

Floor means what he is right now. If Danny Green is floor, he is a top 125 player right now. I don't think so.


I am currently watching his film, it might take a week or two but I'll get back to you on Zhaire

[No-Man]

I don't think he is as flexible and crafty as Oladipo is and was honestly, they are different types of athletes, Zhaire is gonna be much bigger and stronger and its a hard task to project him to be as good as a creator/shooter, Oladipo is a workhorse in that sense.