Dennis Smith, Jr. Thread

[Roddy B for 3]

His actual Assists would be MUUUUUUUUUUUCH higher if the guys left on the Team could actually hit a shot consistently. DSJ has made some GREAT drive and kickout passes. But, he’s also had some sloppy TOs too.

He really reminds me of a prime Marbury without the Perimeter shot. Once he gets an outside shot that’s consistent enough, he’ll be an INSTANT All-Star. Same if we get legit shooters.

—Mags

wow, mags. that might be the most accurate comp i've seen yet. especially younger steph.

steph was a more polished passer, but this comp has really given me pause. i like it better than derrick rose, because DSJ doesn't have that tunnel vision. i trust that he sees the court pretty well, just doesn't always make good decisions. you'd think that can improve with time.

if we were hangning onto our kids and picks, then ideally KD would come and bring kawhi or middleton. but does that group have the luxury of patience with young lead guards? you want to win now, a lesser talented vet pro might be a better idea for the win-now window.

DSJ
kawhi or middleton
KD
vet goon
money makin' mitch

very interesting group. but to win in 2019, DSJ might have to take a backseat to a ring chaser type.

and if you're all-in for a chip... i hate to say, all of our beloved kids and picks are fair game for deals for proven winners.

https://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=1571810&p=56002490&hilit=DSJ+Marbury#p56002490

I think the future of the under 6'4" PG position is:
#1. Fox
#2. Mornat
#3. Smith Jr.

I think Ben Simmons is a forward.

I think Dennis Smith Jr. is a Derrek Fisher menatlity with a Stephen Marbury body.

[ny-n-md]

https://fansided.com/2019/02/26/dennis-smith-jr-changing-new-york/

A third thing, however, is also true: Smith is demonstrably better at distributing the ball. Not only are his assists up – from 4.3 per game to 6.9 just between his Mavs and Knicks stints this season, respectively – but his assist percentage is eye-popping: according to NBA.com, among players averaging 30 minutes per game, Smith’s assist percentage is 41.9 percent, which ranks sixth in that time period and would rank second in the league over the course of the season, only behind Russell Westbrook’s 44.1 percent.

In other words: there is hope that Smith can be as much a distributor as a demolisher. Among players meeting the aforementioned qualifications, Smith’s assist-to-turnover ratio ranks seventh, at 2.95. Among others, he is ahead of Westbrook, Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James. In the words of Clyde Frazier, this is elite dishing-to-swishing.

He is oozing potential as a PG.

[nyknicks2k2]

Having the ball more now and having "pick and roll then lob to 26" helps those numbers out. That's not a slight btw. Its good that DSjr and the Knicks overall know it's a pretty simple yet borderline automatic score.

[3toheadmelo]

https://fansided.com/2019/02/26/dennis-smith-jr-changing-new-york/

A third thing, however, is also true: Smith is demonstrably better at distributing the ball. Not only are his assists up – from 4.3 per game to 6.9 just between his Mavs and Knicks stints this season, respectively – but his assist percentage is eye-popping: according to NBA.com, among players averaging 30 minutes per game, Smith’s assist percentage is 41.9 percent, which ranks sixth in that time period and would rank second in the league over the course of the season, only behind Russell Westbrook’s 44.1 percent.

In other words: there is hope that Smith can be as much a distributor as a demolisher. Among players meeting the aforementioned qualifications, Smith’s assist-to-turnover ratio ranks seventh, at 2.95. Among others, he is ahead of Westbrook, Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James. In the words of Clyde Frazier, this is elite dishing-to-swishing.

He is oozing potential as a PG.

Stud in the making. Thank you Dallas.

[Thugger HBC]

Dennis just knows how to play, has that competitive fire, and wants to see his teammates shine too.

I do want to see him work on his three ball, and tone down on the jump in the air passes.

[ny-n-md]

Having the ball more now and having "pick and roll then lob to 26" helps those numbers out. That's not a slight btw. Its good that DSjr and the Knicks overall know it's a pretty simple yet borderline automatic score.

Mitch has been here all season but that hasn’t helped “best passer on the team” Mudiay rack up assists. DSJ just runs the team like you want your PG to. The sooner we get rid of Mudiay the better.

I am not trying to argue just pointing out the difference he brings to the team when he’s the floor general.

[nyknicks2k2]

Having the ball more now and having "pick and roll then lob to 26" helps those numbers out. That's not a slight btw. Its good that DSjr and the Knicks overall know it's a pretty simple yet borderline automatic score.

Mitch has been here all season but that hasn’t helped “best passer on the team” Mudiay rack up assists. DSJ just runs the team like you want your PG to. The sooner we get rid of Mudiay the better.

I am not trying to argue just pointing out the difference he brings to the team when he’s the floor general.

I get your overall point but I don't like Mud and want nothing to do with him so bringing him up does nothing for me.

If anything, my point was more of a positive towards DSjr. I'm not his biggest fan but hes taking advantage of what he has here then what he didn't in Dallas. That's a very good sign. Not every PG would.

[ny-n-md]

Having the ball more now and having "pick and roll then lob to 26" helps those numbers out. That's not a slight btw. Its good that DSjr and the Knicks overall know it's a pretty simple yet borderline automatic score.

Mitch has been here all season but that hasn’t helped “best passer on the team” Mudiay rack up assists. DSJ just runs the team like you want your PG to. The sooner we get rid of Mudiay the better.

I am not trying to argue just pointing out the difference he brings to the team when he’s the floor general.

I get your overall point but I don't like Mud and want nothing to do with him so bringing him up does nothing for me.

If anything, my point was more of a positive towards DSjr. I'm not his biggest fan but hes taking advantage of what he has here then what he didn't in Dallas. That's a very good sign. Not every PG would.

Agreed. But for some strange reason the coach really likes Mudiay and it drives me crazy!

[Knicks Byke]

i say he’s more of a jeff teague.

[taj2133]

Read on Twitter

[2010]

Maybe that explains why it looked liked his effort level was leaving something to be desired lately.

[SmoothLefty21]

Certainly could be. I've had lower back problems for 18 years; it ended my college career prematurely. You always start off thinking you can play through back pain and back pain always wins.

[Jeff Van Gully]

Certainly could be. I've had lower back problems for 18 years; it ended my college career prematurely. You always start off thinking you can play through back pain and back pain always wins.

sorry to hear that, man.

[Phish Tank]

Maybe that explains why it looked liked his effort level was leaving something to be desired lately.

sure could be. He also had a back injury earlier in the year. Missed 5 games b/c of it. That - and the wrist injury and the trade drama - is the only reason he's only played 8 more games than Frank ironically lol. Could have flared up recently (i wondered if the dunk contest would actually re-aggravate it, but didn't).

[FlashFlood]

Up front, I didn't like Dennis Smith Jr... Rivalry feelings because we had Frank, and Lebron trash talking last year, and natural comparisons.

Analytically, he's a surprisingly smart player. He sees two to three passes ahead, recognizes rotations, and will punish the double from one pass away. He seems solid on D, but I havent seen enough to make a pronouncement. Short players can be great defenders, like Chris Paul once held down Kevin Durant in the playoffs, maybe DSJr can be something close.

The jump shot will come. I'm not even worried. Marbury became a threat and he probably was worse at the long ball than DSJ.

I have a real problem with his lack of length. Is he going to be good enough in a playoff series? Will he always come up short like Kyle Lowry always has? Today's NBA's worst defenders are at the point guard position, and it's the hardest to guard. Teams like GSW have excellent rotations and personnel to cover up for Steph, and obviously with Curry's 3pt accuracy he will win the +/- battle even if he's isolated constantly.

But all told, he is IMO the Knicks' best prototypical point guard. He's more pass-first than you'd think.

[Knicks Byke]

Certainly could be. I've had lower back problems for 18 years; it ended my college career prematurely. You always start off thinking you can play through back pain and back pain always wins.

no kidding bro. my lower back pain started after i drew a charge in a league game. next play drove for a layup and felt something pull on my lower back. never been the same since. everyday is a struggle bro lol. but i still be ballin just need to stretch daily.

[NYKHardKnock]

Certainly could be. I've had lower back problems for 18 years; it ended my college career prematurely. You always start off thinking you can play through back pain and back pain always wins.

no kidding bro. my lower back pain started after i drew a charge in a league game. next play drove for a layup and felt something pull on my lower back. never been the same since. everyday is a struggle bro lol. but i still be ballin just need to stretch daily.

Yeeep back pain sucks, especially I’m 24 and I need to watch which way I lay down, get up, or just move in general..

[mpharris36]

Maybe that explains why it looked liked his effort level was leaving something to be desired lately.

I would buy this more than him having issues playing with Mudiay, becuase he doesn't play with Mudiay to start games and he comes out real lethargic. He actually picks it up later in the game so that could mean he is finally loose. So lets hope he gets back healthy on looks like what he looked like when we first acquired him.

[NoLayupRule]

Dennis just knows how to play, has that competitive fire, and wants to see his teammates shine too.

I do want to see him work on his three ball, and tone down on the jump in the air passes.

what I've seen, and Im willing to admit I haven't seen all the games this year, is not a guy who just knows how to play

I see an alpha dog mentality for sure and a guy who knows how to get points

but I dont see a guy with BBIQ or a guy with teammates in his head

I hope Im wrong

[HarthorneWingo]

i say he’s more of a jeff teague.

He could be Derrick Rose-like with better assist stats. My only issue is his defense.