I think all three of those players are incredibly different.Biff wrote:nevetsov wrote:Seems a bit redundant with Cam starting at PF and Dario backing him up. I guess Cam can play some SF and Dario some C, and you can never have too many shooters.
The Stepien has him pegged as a 1 position defender (5) so he will likely be Ayton's backup. According to them, he can't cover wings in open space very well at all. If that was the case in college, I don't see him covering the even better NBA wings. This limits his upside a bit. We needed a backup for Ayton though.
Cam is the best shooter of the three. Small enough to run around screens and guard some 3s and some 4s.
Saric is the best passer and someone capable of running an offense, at least off the bench. Bigger body who isn't the best on defense but can body up some of the bigger, but less athletic 4s.
Smith seems to be a huge and athletic big, who is deadly in the pick and pop. His rim defense looks to be solid, something Cam and Saric don't to at all (and frankly neither did Baynes - big strong guy who fouled a lot at the rim in all reality).
I understand people are thinking this pick only has high value if we can run Smith with Ayton, but I think he fits well alongside Cam and Saric too, especially defensively. A lineup with Smith and Ayton might be rough against smaller 4s who are a bit faster, but that's when Cam steps in. I do think we need a big wing (like a Jae Crowder - not saying him exactly, just his body type) to guard the really big, quick 4s like LeBron.
Just go by his measurements in shoes already and call it done. Bottomline is that he's got good size for a combo guard, is a really solid point of attack defender, and is a really good shooter too. He's got a great foundation to build upon! And with him being mentored by someone as great as Paul himself, Offers much to be excited about honestly! 
