Welcome Zhaire Smith

[Kobblehead]

Even if you disagree with Zhaire having a better shooting profile than OG as a prospect, doesn't the passing instincts that Smith possesses suggest that he could be the more valuable all-around offensive player of the two?

I knew Zhaire could move the ball a little bit, but this dude was posting a 17% assist percentage and tossing multiple no look dimes in the Summer League. I just think he's more offensively talented.

[Chris76]

Even if you disagree with Zhaire having a better shooting profile than OG as a prospect, doesn't the passing instincts that Smith possesses suggest that he could be the more valuable all-around offensive player of the two?

I knew Zhaire could move the ball a little bit, but this dude was posting a 17% assist percentage and tossing multiple no look dimes in the Summer League. I just think he's more offensively talented.8

Also, Zhaire is a very good cutter. He finds open spaces to allow play makers an outlet, when needed. Simmons, Fultz, and Saric are very good passers and need someone like Zhaire to setup.

While recovering, he could learn his projected roles and develop ways to obtain the needed skills for the 2, 1, and maybe 3 spots.

Being a PF mostly has helped his physicality, but he needs different techniques to defend smaller and quicker guards.

Zhaire and Fultz could be good options when better wing defense is needed. Eventually, something that could help against the Celtics athletic wings.

[Kobblehead]

I do think Zhaire and Fultz can give Irving and Rozier issues. And with Simmons and Covington as elite level defenders of their F-sized scorers, we're in pretty great shape to defend Boston's offensive players with our personnel. Just have to develop our guys so that they're ready. Ugh, this injury to Smith sucks.

[LloydFree]

This injury is bad for Zhaire, but it's great for Shamet. He doesn't have the scouting report of a good defender, but he seems like a hustle guy who tries hard. He may be able to steal some minutes early, that he wouldn't have received if Zhaire stayed healthy.

[HotelVitale]

This injury is bad for Zhaire, but it's great for Shamet. He doesn't have the scouting report of a good defender, but he seems like a hustle guy who tries hard. He may be able to steal some minutes early, that he wouldn't have received if Zhaire stayed healthy.

True for him but not sure that's any good for the team. Given size, strength, and laterals, looks like he'll be a victim on defense when it matters.

[LloydFree]

This injury is bad for Zhaire, but it's great for Shamet. He doesn't have the scouting report of a good defender, but he seems like a hustle guy who tries hard. He may be able to steal some minutes early, that he wouldn't have received if Zhaire stayed healthy.

True for him but not sure that's any good for the team. Given size, strength, and laterals, looks like he'll be a victim on defense when it matters.

Yeah, More than likely he won't be a good defender (although I don't know where the lateral quickness should be an issue). But he likely isn't any worse than Belinelli, and he'd probably have to play dead on court, to be as bad as Korkmaz.

[Sixerscan]

This injury is bad for Zhaire, but it's great for Shamet. He doesn't have the scouting report of a good defender, but he seems like a hustle guy who tries hard. He may be able to steal some minutes early, that he wouldn't have received if Zhaire stayed healthy.

True for him but not sure that's any good for the team. Given size, strength, and laterals, looks like he'll be a victim on defense when it matters.

If Shamet is playing "when it matters" something either went very right or very wrong.

[Kobblehead]

I think Shamet's athleticism, basketball IQ and shooting skill would theoretically give him legit plug-and-play probability. He'd likely get overwhelmed by the physicality of the league, though. He's just far too skinny.

[HotelVitale]

This injury is bad for Zhaire, but it's great for Shamet. He doesn't have the scouting report of a good defender, but he seems like a hustle guy who tries hard. He may be able to steal some minutes early, that he wouldn't have received if Zhaire stayed healthy.

True for him but not sure that's any good for the team. Given size, strength, and laterals, looks like he'll be a victim on defense when it matters.

If Shamet is playing "when it matters" something either went very right or very wrong.

Not really, we don't have a backup 2 aside from Zhaire (who might be hopeless this year) and we don't really have a backup 3 either (Chandler's reportedly too slow to play wing defense these days and Korkmaz is unlikely to be ready). Anyway the point of my post was precisely to grumble about taking Shamet instead of someone who might be able to help out deep into the playoffs in the next couple years. I liked a lot of guys in that range as potential 3D players and, while I know that most wouldn't develop fully, I'm confused about taking someone who'll struggle to play for us in meaningful games instead of taking a flyer on one of the many strong wings who can also sort of shoot/play offense (like J Evans, K Diop, K Thomas, Brown Jr).

[Sixerscan]

True for him but not sure that's any good for the team. Given size, strength, and laterals, looks like he'll be a victim on defense when it matters.

If Shamet is playing "when it matters" something either went very right or very wrong.

Not really, we don't have a backup 2 aside from Zhaire (who might be hopeless this year) and we don't really have a backup 3 either (Chandler's reportedly too slow to play wing defense these days and Korkmaz is unlikely to be ready). Anyway the point of my post was precisely to grumble about taking Shamet instead of someone who might be able to help out deep into the playoffs in the next couple years. I liked a lot of guys in that range as potential 3D players and, while I know that most wouldn't develop fully, I'm confused about taking someone who'll struggle to play for us in meaningful games instead of taking a flyer on one of the many strong wings who can also sort of shoot/play offense (like J Evans, K Diop, K Thomas, Brown Jr).

Or Justin Anderson or Timote Luwawu? Both of those guys seem like pretty realistic outcomes for picks in that range.

I didn't really get the Shamet pick either, I guess they didn't like any of those guys and see his shooting as a potentially elite tool. I think people go a little to far with the need for everyone to be a super athlete. Korver was effective against the Celtics in the playoffs, for example. Belinelli was a rotation player on a championship team and he's maybe the worst defensive player I've ever seen. Ect.

Looking towards this year, I'm not seeing how he gets serious playoff minutes unless he really exceeds expectations or there are injuries. Teams generally only play 8 maybe 9 guys at that point. I'm relatively confident that if it were looking like that was a possibility they would sooner do what they did last year and pick someone up at the deadline or on the buyout market.

[LloydFree]

True for him but not sure that's any good for the team. Given size, strength, and laterals, looks like he'll be a victim on defense when it matters.

If Shamet is playing "when it matters" something either went very right or very wrong.

Not really, we don't have a backup 2 aside from Zhaire (who might be hopeless this year) and we don't really have a backup 3 either (Chandler's reportedly too slow to play wing defense these days and Korkmaz is unlikely to be ready). Anyway the point of my post was precisely to grumble about taking Shamet instead of someone who might be able to help out deep into the playoffs in the next couple years. I liked a lot of guys in that range as potential 3D players and, while I know that most wouldn't develop fully, I'm confused about taking someone who'll struggle to play for us in meaningful games instead of taking a flyer on one of the many strong wings who can also sort of shoot/play offense (like J Evans, K Diop, K Thomas, Brown Jr).

Because elite shooting is a premium skill and Shamet was one of the 2 or 3 best shooters in college ball last year.

I wasn't a fan of the pick either, but at #26 what's to complain about. The 76ers lost shooters, they couldn't depend on Fultz to replace the guys they lost, because he was never that kind of shooter to begin with. In that case Shamet makes perfect sense, unless you name a better shooter that went after him. The guys I liked better than Shamet aren't shooters, so I get the pick.

[Sixerscan]

If Shamet is playing "when it matters" something either went very right or very wrong.

Not really, we don't have a backup 2 aside from Zhaire (who might be hopeless this year) and we don't really have a backup 3 either (Chandler's reportedly too slow to play wing defense these days and Korkmaz is unlikely to be ready). Anyway the point of my post was precisely to grumble about taking Shamet instead of someone who might be able to help out deep into the playoffs in the next couple years. I liked a lot of guys in that range as potential 3D players and, while I know that most wouldn't develop fully, I'm confused about taking someone who'll struggle to play for us in meaningful games instead of taking a flyer on one of the many strong wings who can also sort of shoot/play offense (like J Evans, K Diop, K Thomas, Brown Jr).

Because elite shooting is a premium skill and Shamet was one of the 2 or 3 best shooters in college ball last year.

I wasn't a fan of the pick either, but at #26 what's to complain about. The 76ers lost shooters, they couldn't depend on Fultz to replace the guys they lost, because he was never that kind of shooter to begin with. In that case Shamet makes perfect sense, unless you name a better shooter that went after him. The guys I liked better than Shamet aren't shooters, so I get the pick.

I wonder if part of picking Shamet was balancing out taking a huge project in Zhaire. Like maybe if they stuck with Bridges they go with a higher upside guy at 26.

[Kobblehead]

I'm confused about taking someone who'll struggle to play for us in meaningful games instead of taking a flyer on one of the many strong wings who can also sort of shoot/play offense (like J Evans, K Diop, K Thomas, Brown Jr).

Shamet is a better athlete and a better shooter than all of those guys. Also, his basketball IQ appears significantly higher than all but maybe Khyri Thomas.

Brett seems to prefer banking on really smart players with a standout trait instead of more well-rounded players with perceived ordinary feel.

[LloydFree]

Not really, we don't have a backup 2 aside from Zhaire (who might be hopeless this year) and we don't really have a backup 3 either (Chandler's reportedly too slow to play wing defense these days and Korkmaz is unlikely to be ready). Anyway the point of my post was precisely to grumble about taking Shamet instead of someone who might be able to help out deep into the playoffs in the next couple years. I liked a lot of guys in that range as potential 3D players and, while I know that most wouldn't develop fully, I'm confused about taking someone who'll struggle to play for us in meaningful games instead of taking a flyer on one of the many strong wings who can also sort of shoot/play offense (like J Evans, K Diop, K Thomas, Brown Jr).

Because elite shooting is a premium skill and Shamet was one of the 2 or 3 best shooters in college ball last year.

I wasn't a fan of the pick either, but at #26 what's to complain about. The 76ers lost shooters, they couldn't depend on Fultz to replace the guys they lost, because he was never that kind of shooter to begin with. In that case Shamet makes perfect sense, unless you name a better shooter that went after him. The guys I liked better than Shamet aren't shooters, so I get the pick.

I wonder if part of picking Shamet was balancing out taking a huge project in Zhaire. Like maybe if they stuck with Bridges they go with a higher upside guy at 26.

I don't think the Shamet pick had anything to do with the Zhaire Smith pick. I think both picks were made because we had the Coach making the picks, and he picked players for specific roles. Its all about Simmons. He just doubled up on players be envisioned complimenting Ben Simmons. There were better players on the board at each pick, but they didn't really compliment Simmons. That's just my opinion.

[Kobblehead]

Maybe I would have preferred Jalen Brunson or Gary Trent Jr, but I don't think there will much regret over Shamet at #26. I think he's going to be a legit bench scorer/shooter in the league.

[LloydFree]

At the time of the draft, I had Robert Williams, Khyri Thomas, Bruce Brown, Jacob Evans and Jevon Carter all better than Landry Shamet. And in hindsight, Mitchell Robinson is better than all of them.

But none of them are shooters. And all of them, other than Mitchell Robinson, will likely never be starters or they don't fit in the 76ers lineup as anything other than a backup. So if I'm the coach, at #26, I'm taking a player who has a skill that could allow him to compliment my starting lineup if needed.

[Chris76]

Maybe I would have preferred Jalen Brunson or Gary Trent Jr, but I don't think there will much regret over Shamet at #26. I think he's going to be a legit bench scorer/shooter in the league.

Shamet, Zhaire, Korkmaz, and TLC are 6'4 to 6'6 wings that have the potential to develop into 2 way wings. Good gambles with late picks.

They all need to gain strength and skills, but each could fit with Simmons and Embiid.

Shamet looks like a good play making PG or combo guard. He averaged 4 or 5 assists and he can shoot well from deep.

Fultz and Zhaire seem to have more physicality than Shamet and Korkmaz, but all should be given the chance to develop and hopefully contribute this year.

[Kobblehead]

Ah, I forgot Allonzo Trier. I still can't believe he didn't get drafted. Unforgivable.

[76thBearCub]

I don't even see how you college hoops junkies keep track of all these guys names, let alone have them ranked. Just can't get in to it personally but its cool to read opinions.

[HotelVitale]

If Shamet is playing "when it matters" something either went very right or very wrong.

Not really, we don't have a backup 2 aside from Zhaire (who might be hopeless this year) and we don't really have a backup 3 either (Chandler's reportedly too slow to play wing defense these days and Korkmaz is unlikely to be ready). Anyway the point of my post was precisely to grumble about taking Shamet instead of someone who might be able to help out deep into the playoffs in the next couple years. I liked a lot of guys in that range as potential 3D players and, while I know that most wouldn't develop fully, I'm confused about taking someone who'll struggle to play for us in meaningful games instead of taking a flyer on one of the many strong wings who can also sort of shoot/play offense (like J Evans, K Diop, K Thomas, Brown Jr).

Because elite shooting is a premium skill and Shamet was one of the 2 or 3 best shooters in college ball last year. I wasn't a fan of the pick either, but at #26 what's to complain about. The 76ers lost shooters, they couldn't depend on Fultz to replace the guys they lost, because he was never that kind of shooter to begin with. In that case Shamet makes perfect sense, unless you name a better shooter that went after him. The guys I liked better than Shamet aren't shooters, so I get the pick.

I get the pick, I just don't agree with taking a guy who at best is more stopgap than answer instead of rolling the dice on something more when there were so many good options left. #26 is always long shots or low upsides, I just really liked a lot of the possibilities there--including some solid shooters in Khyri and Jacob Evans (Also not sure where people are getting that Shamet is a 'good athlete,' he'll be below average right away even with his young legs).