Welcome Zhaire Smith

[Mrcrockpots]

Zhaire is certainly a difficult player to project from his days in HS and college. Brett clearly sees he can mold this kid into an Avery Bradley type of guard/wing. I think we'll see him on the court in short spurts in defensive possessions, but thats probably it for his first year. Zhaire's ceiling is through the roof and he'll be a thorn on Fultz's side from day one at practice with his defense.

If he can develop into Avery Bradley then that would be cool. Just not really high on these super athletic defenders who arent much offensive threats but are sold as "got the upside too improve there". I mean he has to improve otherwise this is KJ McDaniels. I'm going to hope he has the same kind of dog defense as Marcus Smart does.

That wasn't his role at Texas Tech or in HS. Baby steps- I want to see Zhaire play/defend on the perimeter in the SL and attack the basket/get to the free throw line. Don't care about shooting %s. Don't stop attacking Zhaire.

[sixers78]

Zhaire is certainly a difficult player to project from his days in HS and college. Brett clearly sees he can mold this kid into an Avery Bradley type of guard/wing. I think we'll see him on the court in short spurts in defensive possessions, but thats probably it for his first year. Zhaire's ceiling is through the roof and he'll be a thorn on Fultz's side from day one at practice with his defense.

If he can develop into Avery Bradley then that would be cool. Just not really high on these super athletic defenders who arent much offensive threats but are sold as "got the upside too improve there". I mean he has to improve otherwise this is KJ McDaniels. I'm going to hope he has the same kind of dog defense as Marcus Smart does.

That wasn't his role at Texas Tech or in HS. Baby steps- I want to see Zhaire play/defend on the perimeter in the SL and attack the basket/get to the free throw line. Don't care about shooting %s. Don't stop attacking Zhaire.

I care about shooting % because in todays league its all about spacing the floor. If you can create your own offense then by all means rock out. I don't think Zhaire has the handles to create his own offense. But I guess he's someone you need to give 2-3 years to develop. Maybe he proves the doubters like myself wrong.

[Mrcrockpots]

If he can develop into Avery Bradley then that would be cool. Just not really high on these super athletic defenders who arent much offensive threats but are sold as "got the upside too improve there". I mean he has to improve otherwise this is KJ McDaniels. I'm going to hope he has the same kind of dog defense as Marcus Smart does.

That wasn't his role at Texas Tech or in HS. Baby steps- I want to see Zhaire play/defend on the perimeter in the SL and attack the basket/get to the free throw line. Don't care about shooting %s. Don't stop attacking Zhaire.

I care about shooting % because in todays league its all about spacing the floor. If you can create your own offense then by all means rock out. I don't think Zhaire has the handles to create his own offense. But I guess he's someone you need to give 2-3 years to develop. Maybe he proves the doubters like myself wrong.

No question he's a project. Gotta hope he's a savant like Joel who can pick things up quickly. Smith's offensive efficiency numbers were through the roof though. I really don't know what to expect from Zhaire this season. He's definitely a mystery.

[ExplosionsInDaSky]

At times he reminds me of Monta Ellis, other times Shannon Brown. I think we're going to take it a little slow with him, but I really like this kid too. Fultz better watch his ass, and snap out of it because both of these rookie guards look like they belong in the NBA.

[Mrcrockpots]

At times he reminds me of Monta Ellis, other times Shannon Brown. I think we're going to take it a little slow with him, but I really like this kid too. Fultz better watch his ass, and snap out of it because both of these rookie guards look like they belong in the NBA.

Man, would love to be a fly on the gym wall when Markelle and Zhaire go at each other in scrimmages.

[76ciology]

I dont know how good he'll be.

If you look at his size, athleticism, motor, raw stats and BPM there's a lot of Oladipo to him. You can even stretch it to a poor man's Russell Westbrook, who also wasnt dropping crazy stats back in UCLA.

But for now, I'd just project him as a high impact role player. Maybe the late stretch of 2017-2018 season version of TLC or maybe a better version of KJ McDaniel.

Based on my research, looks like he has improved his jumper that has impressed several teams in his workouts.

Let's see. I'd rather be surprised than be disappointed.

Who knows.. Yips happens

[ankle420breaker]

At times he reminds me of Monta Ellis, other times Shannon Brown. I think we're going to take it a little slow with him, but I really like this kid too. Fultz better watch his ass, and snap out of it because both of these rookie guards look like they belong in the NBA.

Man, would love to be a fly on the gym wall when Markelle and Zhaire go at each other in scrimmages.

I was thinking the same. I love it. They should push each other to improve.

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[Black Mage]

I could see him having a floor of Marcus Smart but with a shot. I'd take that without regrets.

Cmon now. His floor is being out of the league in a few years. Marcus Smart is a good player with no chance of being out of the league anytime soon (other than catastrophic injury). I don’t even think Zhaire’s median outcome is better than Smart.

Every player's floor is being out of the league in a few years. The presumption is, if Zhaire sticks in the league, what's his floor? I think Marcus Smart is a very apt comparison. I am not sure what you think Smart's game is, but his stat's aren't that hard to match:

Smart: 10.2 pts / 3.5 reb / 4.8 ast / 36.7 fg% / 73 ft% / 30 3pt% / 10.8 PER and 1.9 win shares

That's his stat line after FOUR years in the NBA on a team that has done historically well developing its players. His value is on defense and making hustle plays.

I don't think saying Zhaire Smith's floor is Marcus Smart but with a better shot is that much of a stretch.

[Kobblehead]

If you look at his size, athleticism, motor, raw stats and BPM there's a lot of Oladipo to him. You can even stretch it to a poor man's Russell Westbrook, who also wasnt dropping crazy stats back in UCLA.

C'mon man, Zhaire Smith doesn't have a fraction of the ball skills those guys had.

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

We could have had a guy like that but we passed on Lonnie Walker.

[Bum Adebayo]

I could see him having a floor of Marcus Smart but with a shot. I'd take that without regrets.

Cmon now. His floor is being out of the league in a few years. Marcus Smart is a good player with no chance of being out of the league anytime soon (other than catastrophic injury). I don’t even think Zhaire’s median outcome is better than Smart.

Every player's floor is being out of the league in a few years. The presumption is, if Zhaire sticks in the league, what's his floor? I think Marcus Smart is a very apt comparison. I am not sure what you think Smart's game is, but his stat's aren't that hard to match:

Smart: 10.2 pts / 3.5 reb / 4.8 ast / 36.7 fg% / 73 ft% / 30 3pt% / 10.8 PER and 1.9 win shares

That's his stat line after FOUR years in the NBA on a team that has done historically well developing its players. His value is on defense and making hustle plays.

I don't think saying Zhaire Smith's floor is Marcus Smart but with a better shot is that much of a stretch.

It is a comparison that doesn't make any sense because what makes Smart valuable is that he has a super strong frame that allows him to be the defender he is, and guard stronger players. Smith doesn't have that, he is simply a different player.

[LloydFree]

I could see him having a floor of Marcus Smart but with a shot. I'd take that without regrets.

Ridiculous. I take it you never saw Marcus Smart as an amateur.

[LloydFree]

At times he reminds me of Monta Ellis, other times Shannon Brown. I think we're going to take it a little slow with him, but I really like this kid too. Fultz better watch his ass, and snap out of it because both of these rookie guards look like they belong in the NBA.

Man, would love to be a fly on the gym wall when Markelle and Zhaire go at each other in scrimmages.

No you don't. By all accounts, Zhaire is a competitor...

[gdog2004]

No one really knows what this guy can be. He went from not even being a prospect at all, to being a mid 1st round pick in less than a year. And if his floor is Marcus Smart sign me up. Everyone talking about how he can't shoot, well he sure as hell killed the Sixers in the playoffs. That IS what counts isn't it ?

[TTP]

I could see him having a floor of Marcus Smart but with a shot. I'd take that without regrets.

Cmon now. His floor is being out of the league in a few years. Marcus Smart is a good player with no chance of being out of the league anytime soon (other than catastrophic injury). I don’t even think Zhaire’s median outcome is better than Smart.

Every player's floor is being out of the league in a few years. The presumption is, if Zhaire sticks in the league, what's his floor? I think Marcus Smart is a very apt comparison. I am not sure what you think Smart's game is, but his stat's aren't that hard to match:

Smart: 10.2 pts / 3.5 reb / 4.8 ast / 36.7 fg% / 73 ft% / 30 3pt% / 10.8 PER and 1.9 win shares

That's his stat line after FOUR years in the NBA on a team that has done historically well developing its players. His value is on defense and making hustle plays.

I don't think saying Zhaire Smith's floor is Marcus Smart but with a better shot is that much of a stretch.

Hell no. There's no chance Ayton or Doncic is out of the league in a few years barring injury. There's a very real chance that Zhaire takes a KJ McDaniels path.

All you did was list a bunch of offensive stats to describe a primarily defensive player. Smart is one of the better defenders in this league and he's an above average player for his position.

Even if you're not using the literal definition of floor and instead want to go top 25%, median, bottom 25% outcomes, Zhaire's bottom 25% outcome is absolutely not Marcus Smart with shooting. That might be his top 25% outcome.

[kriss73]

Cmon now. His floor is being out of the league in a few years. Marcus Smart is a good player with no chance of being out of the league anytime soon (other than catastrophic injury). I don’t even think Zhaire’s median outcome is better than Smart.

Every player's floor is being out of the league in a few years. The presumption is, if Zhaire sticks in the league, what's his floor? I think Marcus Smart is a very apt comparison. I am not sure what you think Smart's game is, but his stat's aren't that hard to match:

Smart: 10.2 pts / 3.5 reb / 4.8 ast / 36.7 fg% / 73 ft% / 30 3pt% / 10.8 PER and 1.9 win shares

That's his stat line after FOUR years in the NBA on a team that has done historically well developing its players. His value is on defense and making hustle plays.

I don't think saying Zhaire Smith's floor is Marcus Smart but with a better shot is that much of a stretch.

Hell no. There's no chance Ayton or Doncic is out of the league in a few years barring injury. There's a very real chance that Zhaire takes a KJ McDaniels path.

All you did was list a bunch of offensive stats to describe a primarily defensive player. Smart is one of the better defenders in this league and he's an above average player for his position.

Even if you're not using the literal definition of floor and instead want to go top 25%, median, bottom 25% outcomes, Zhaire's bottom 25% outcome is absolutely not Marcus Smart with shooting. That might be his top 25% outcome.

I disagree. KJ is almost out of the league not for his game or his lack of shot.
He's almost out because he may be a knucklehead.
That's why KJ is playing in SL and TJ, for example, is winning PO game.

Nothing I saw or I read suggests Zhaire is a knucklehead.
Only a feeling but if I'm forced to bet on which prospect will be aout of the Lague in 3 years, I take Robert Williams.
And not because he's a celtic.

[Black Mage]

Every player's floor is being out of the league in a few years. The presumption is, if Zhaire sticks in the league, what's his floor? I think Marcus Smart is a very apt comparison. I am not sure what you think Smart's game is, but his stat's aren't that hard to match:

Smart: 10.2 pts / 3.5 reb / 4.8 ast / 36.7 fg% / 73 ft% / 30 3pt% / 10.8 PER and 1.9 win shares

That's his stat line after FOUR years in the NBA on a team that has done historically well developing its players. His value is on defense and making hustle plays.

I don't think saying Zhaire Smith's floor is Marcus Smart but with a better shot is that much of a stretch.

Hell no. There's no chance Ayton or Doncic is out of the league in a few years barring injury. There's a very real chance that Zhaire takes a KJ McDaniels path.

All you did was list a bunch of offensive stats to describe a primarily defensive player. Smart is one of the better defenders in this league and he's an above average player for his position.

Even if you're not using the literal definition of floor and instead want to go top 25%, median, bottom 25% outcomes, Zhaire's bottom 25% outcome is absolutely not Marcus Smart with shooting. That might be his top 25% outcome.

I disagree. KJ is almost out of the league not for his game or his lack of shot.
He's almost out because he may be a knucklehead.
That's why KJ is playing in SL and TJ, for example, is winning PO game.

Nothing I saw or I read suggests Zhaire is a knucklehead.
Only a feeling but if I'm forced to bet on which prospect will be aout of the Lague in 3 years, I take Robert Williams.
And not because he's a celtic.

I heard the Celtics have given him a custom Rolex. Comes with a built programmable alarm clock.

[LloydFree]

Every player's floor is being out of the league in a few years. The presumption is, if Zhaire sticks in the league, what's his floor? I think Marcus Smart is a very apt comparison. I am not sure what you think Smart's game is, but his stat's aren't that hard to match:

Smart: 10.2 pts / 3.5 reb / 4.8 ast / 36.7 fg% / 73 ft% / 30 3pt% / 10.8 PER and 1.9 win shares

That's his stat line after FOUR years in the NBA on a team that has done historically well developing its players. His value is on defense and making hustle plays.

I don't think saying Zhaire Smith's floor is Marcus Smart but with a better shot is that much of a stretch.

Hell no. There's no chance Ayton or Doncic is out of the league in a few years barring injury. There's a very real chance that Zhaire takes a KJ McDaniels path.

All you did was list a bunch of offensive stats to describe a primarily defensive player. Smart is one of the better defenders in this league and he's an above average player for his position.

Even if you're not using the literal definition of floor and instead want to go top 25%, median, bottom 25% outcomes, Zhaire's bottom 25% outcome is absolutely not Marcus Smart with shooting. That might be his top 25% outcome.

I disagree. KJ is almost out of the league not for his game or his lack of shot.
He's almost out because he may be a knucklehead.
That's why KJ is playing in SL and TJ, for example, is winning PO game.

Nothing I saw or I read suggests Zhaire is a knucklehead.
Only a feeling but if I'm forced to bet on which prospect will be aout of the Lague in 3 years, I take Robert Williams.
And not because he's a celtic.

There are a lot of knuckleheads in the league. KJ McDaniels isn't in the league because he's a guard who can't dribble and can't shoot. He was trash at age 22 when they drafted him and he's trash now. Has nothing to do with being a knucklehead. He can't play.

[TTP]

Every player's floor is being out of the league in a few years. The presumption is, if Zhaire sticks in the league, what's his floor? I think Marcus Smart is a very apt comparison. I am not sure what you think Smart's game is, but his stat's aren't that hard to match:

Smart: 10.2 pts / 3.5 reb / 4.8 ast / 36.7 fg% / 73 ft% / 30 3pt% / 10.8 PER and 1.9 win shares

That's his stat line after FOUR years in the NBA on a team that has done historically well developing its players. His value is on defense and making hustle plays.

I don't think saying Zhaire Smith's floor is Marcus Smart but with a better shot is that much of a stretch.

Hell no. There's no chance Ayton or Doncic is out of the league in a few years barring injury. There's a very real chance that Zhaire takes a KJ McDaniels path.

All you did was list a bunch of offensive stats to describe a primarily defensive player. Smart is one of the better defenders in this league and he's an above average player for his position.

Even if you're not using the literal definition of floor and instead want to go top 25%, median, bottom 25% outcomes, Zhaire's bottom 25% outcome is absolutely not Marcus Smart with shooting. That might be his top 25% outcome.

I disagree. KJ is almost out of the league not for his game or his lack of shot.
He's almost out because he may be a knucklehead.
That's why KJ is playing in SL and TJ, for example, is winning PO game.

Nothing I saw or I read suggests Zhaire is a knucklehead.
Only a feeling but if I'm forced to bet on which prospect will be aout of the Lague in 3 years, I take Robert Williams.
And not because he's a celtic.

KJ is out of the league because after 4 years, he's still just a great athlete that can't shoot, can't dribble, can't create, and isn't a good enough defender to make up for it. We've seen it countless times with that archetype and it's certainly within the range of outcomes for Zhaire.

[Ericb5]

I realize that we are all guilty of this to a certain degree, but it is really too early in his development to project too much about him. He is a great athlete that plays hard, can hit an outside shot, and isn’t a strong dribbler. He is clearly undersized for his lack of ball skills, and he will have to improve there.

First order of business is to just prove that he is an nba player. Even after two years I don’t think that TLC has proven yet that he is an nba player, and it wouldn’t surprise me if two years from now Smith hasn’t yet done it either. He has a long way to go, but he was the 16th pick, and not a guy expected to be a star.




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[kriss73]

Hell no. There's no chance Ayton or Doncic is out of the league in a few years barring injury. There's a very real chance that Zhaire takes a KJ McDaniels path.

All you did was list a bunch of offensive stats to describe a primarily defensive player. Smart is one of the better defenders in this league and he's an above average player for his position.

Even if you're not using the literal definition of floor and instead want to go top 25%, median, bottom 25% outcomes, Zhaire's bottom 25% outcome is absolutely not Marcus Smart with shooting. That might be his top 25% outcome.

I disagree. KJ is almost out of the league not for his game or his lack of shot.
He's almost out because he may be a knucklehead.
That's why KJ is playing in SL and TJ, for example, is winning PO game.

Nothing I saw or I read suggests Zhaire is a knucklehead.
Only a feeling but if I'm forced to bet on which prospect will be aout of the Lague in 3 years, I take Robert Williams.
And not because he's a celtic.

KJ is out of the league because after 4 years, he's still just a great athlete that can't shoot, can't dribble, can't create, and isn't a good enough defender to make up for it. We've seen it countless times with that archetype and it's certainly within the range of outcomes for Zhaire.

And he never improved cause his mindset is the one of a knucklehead.
Andre Robertson can't shoot, can't dribble, can't create BUT he is became a "shutdown CB" and a key piece in his team.
However...will see. I'm fully on the Zhaire's bandwagon: it will be crowed in a couple of years.