Jalen Smith news, highlights and other discussion

[bhawk]

Posted this in the Summer League thread, but it is probably better served here...

In terms of Jalen and summer league... I know our team is ****, but Jalen and Ty-Shon had a FULL year and a Finals run to get better. No more appologizing for his COVID and no summer camp last summer. Jalen is not good right now and he SHOULD BE GOOD after being drafted at 10 AND spending so much time with a Finals basketball team.

Like where is the improvement? Is he putting in the work? His shooting looks like it got worse, and that air-ball at the buzzer for the win in the 1st game?!? I know that is a tough shot for anyone, but at least hit the rim. That was a clear "you're not that guy" moment if I have ever seen one.

Sorry for the rant. Like everyone else I want Jalen to be good. I want our #10 pick to contribute. Unfortunately, he is just not ready from what I have seen in the summer league. I am a casual fan and not a pro basketball scout, so I hope that I am dead wrong about Jalen. Right now, my vote is to trade Jalen for someone who can help our core compete in next years Finals.

[bwgood77]

I think he’s a swing and a miss.... but there are not too many other bigs taken after that are studding up. (Achiuwa, Stewart, even Poku. Late pick Perry... there’s a few that would help) Obviously now, Halliburton was the prize. Perhaps was a good spot to pick and swap, to glean a late pick/asset.

Smith has been a big no show this yr, and in the limited action fulfills his nickname... but more so from having wooden legs.

We just didn’t get an upgrade. The dude can’t sniff non blow out minutes. And if you compare who we got against who we could have... Jones whiffed badly.
And it just seemed so obvious[/quote

I’m telling y’all. Drafting is Jones biggest weakness. He might be trying too hard to find Monty Williams type of players. He needs to get the best talent and worry about everything else later. Trade smith now while you still can.

Much as I want to see him develop here, I think I'm on board with moving him if we can get value.
Title window is now, for a few years (with Paul). Smith isn't likely to help us too much. He's just very raw and green. It's OK that he needs time to develop but we need him to help us now.
And the natural worry, as you suggest, is that his value goes down if he doesn't see minutes this year (or even if he does). Don't want to lose that. Let him be another teams project and if he turns into Dirk/Duncan, then you tip your cap and regret later. Lord knows we've had enough regrets in franchise history.

I seriously doubt his value goes down after most around the league thought he was a reach and didn't get playing time yet or looks good in the playoffs.

If he got us more than a 3rd string PF/C than maybe. We really like shooters, especially playing with Ayton or JaVale too, and Thad can't shoot. Jalen has a rare skill set for a big with shot blocking and 3 pointers along with rebounding that is very rare. I know he hasn't shot well but has showed he can in college and has had very little opportunity to show things. I am not so sure he is as much of a project as people think if he gets some burn with regular rotation guys.

[AtheJ415]

I don't see the point in moving Smith. I doubt that he's got much value right now. We just lost an NBA finals in part because we couldn't play any of our backup PFs or Cs at any level of NBA quality and he is supposed to be that. Not beating out Kaminsky is such a giant glaring red flag. Is our future really improved at all with the middling end of rotation player who is no better than who we could sign with one of our exceptions that he would net us?

I like Smith as a player / athleticwise / skillwise, but the only way that pick was justified was if he could play the 4 or if you were planning on moving Ayton. Hailburton, Vassell, etc. were just better players at more valuable positions. He's not playing the 4 at all and we're signing backup centers so wtf?

I'd rather just gamble on Smith's upside than get a 4th string big with an end up bench upside.

[King4Day]

The Suns filled their only hole by signing JaVale McGee, and should expect normal age-related improvement from Mikal Bridges, Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton, and Cameron Johnson. Jalen Smith has looked good in summer league. Landry Shamet brings needed quick shooting.

https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/31999577/lowe-winners-losers-everyone-a-wild-2021-offseason

[bwgood77]

The Suns filled their only hole by signing JaVale McGee, and should expect normal age-related improvement from Mikal Bridges, Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton, and Cameron Johnson. Jalen Smith has looked good in summer league. Landry Shamet brings needed quick shooting.

https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/31999577/lowe-winners-losers-everyone-a-wild-2021-offseason

Wow, Zach Lowe must be mistaken. His shooting has really been the only thing that hasn't looked good. He obviously likes the Shamet pick up too with the needed quick shooting.

He also lists us as one of the winners in FA.

[King4Day]

The Suns filled their only hole by signing JaVale McGee, and should expect normal age-related improvement from Mikal Bridges, Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton, and Cameron Johnson. Jalen Smith has looked good in summer league. Landry Shamet brings needed quick shooting.

https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/31999577/lowe-winners-losers-everyone-a-wild-2021-offseason

Wow, Zach Lowe must be mistaken. His shooting has really been the only thing that hasn't looked good. He obviously likes the Shamet pick up too with the needed quick shooting.

He also lists us as one of the winners in FA.

I'm just used to negativity with the team. Nice to hear compliments like this

[bwgood77]

https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/31999577/lowe-winners-losers-everyone-a-wild-2021-offseason

Wow, Zach Lowe must be mistaken. His shooting has really been the only thing that hasn't looked good. He obviously likes the Shamet pick up too with the needed quick shooting.

He also lists us as one of the winners in FA.

I'm just used to negativity with the team. Nice to hear compliments like this

Yeah, and he's likely watching all the games and looking at the little things. I imagine outside of the high draft picks like Jalen Green and some of the 2nd year guys like Desmond Bane and others there are not a lot of guys who are playing well.

He is a 6'10 who is 2nd in all summer leagues in rebounding and has shown an ability to hit the 3, even though his % is lacking so far. As we all know he would likely look a lot better on offense if he was being utilized more inside as well. He seems to be fairly solid defensively too, or if not solid, at least better than what many thought he might be.

[King4Day]

Wow, Zach Lowe must be mistaken. His shooting has really been the only thing that hasn't looked good. He obviously likes the Shamet pick up too with the needed quick shooting.

He also lists us as one of the winners in FA.

I'm just used to negativity with the team. Nice to hear compliments like this

Yeah, and he's likely watching all the games and looking at the little things. I imagine outside of the high draft picks like Jalen Green and some of the 2nd year guys like Desmond Bane and others there are not a lot of guys who are playing well.

He is a 6'10 who is 2nd in all summer leagues in rebounding and has shown an ability to hit the 3, even though his % is lacking so far. As we all know he would likely look a lot better on offense if he was being utilized more inside as well. He seems to be fairly solid defensively too, or if not solid, at least better than what many thought he might be.

I think, after the next 2 games, the coaching staff and Jones will sit down and talk about if they think he can really contribute this season.
If they fear he can't, they'll look at the deals we're hearing about.
I just don't think they will give up on him for someone like Young. Maybe Nance..

[bwgood77]

I'm just used to negativity with the team. Nice to hear compliments like this

Yeah, and he's likely watching all the games and looking at the little things. I imagine outside of the high draft picks like Jalen Green and some of the 2nd year guys like Desmond Bane and others there are not a lot of guys who are playing well.

He is a 6'10 who is 2nd in all summer leagues in rebounding and has shown an ability to hit the 3, even though his % is lacking so far. As we all know he would likely look a lot better on offense if he was being utilized more inside as well. He seems to be fairly solid defensively too, or if not solid, at least better than what many thought he might be.

I think, after the next 2 games, the coaching staff and Jones will sit down and talk about if they think he can really contribute this season.
If they fear he can't, they'll look at the deals we're hearing about.
I just don't think they will give up on him for someone like Young. Maybe Nance..

I am not sure how much stock they will put in the summer league, but my guess is they'd be more encouraged by his play than discouraged, as they know players go in shooting slumps, and they have designed the game plan for him to launch them from the corner. As far as energy, hustle, rebounding, he looks good. Just a crap guard without much opportunity for baskets inside other than putbacks.

But sure, I think they will be open for deals. Nance would be ok if we trade Saric too, because he is very solid all around and has added a 3. His contract goes into next year, but so would have Saric's. He may not expect as many minutes as Thad who might be more coveted for a bigger role somewhere, and maybe on a team he fits better with a stretch 5.

[Saberestar]

Watch on YouTube

[Saberestar]

So far after three Summer League games (1W-2L) Jalen Smith is averaging:

16 points
12.7 rebounds
1.3 steals

7/18 in threes (39%). 6 attempts per game.
9/11 in FTs (82%).

He needs to improve his 2p percentages finishing better around the rim, but other than that he is having a pretty solid tournament. Nice development.

[sunsbg]

It's only up to him to become a good to great 3pt shooter. If he's really a hard worker he should become one in no time. Add the rebounding and he could be the starter after next season while adding some muscle in a year span.

[oddity]

I think Jalen Smith can develop a pretty great face-up game if he can build his core and lower body up a bit more. He's quick enough to blow past guys in the triple threat, and his shot isn't bad either. It's a matter of simplifying the game for him, cutting out what doesn't work, and focusing on finding the spots that he's the most dangerous at. He clearly is still feeling out how his game fits within a more competitive league. Also, gotta improve his handle.

[darealjuice]

He's looked progressively more comfortable playing on the perimeter as Summer League has gone on. Likely only going to be a straight line driver, and needs to continue working on his touch around the basket, but his comfort shooting the 3 has been encouraging. He's rough around the edges, but he can play 10 minutes if he brings energy, rebounds, and knocks down open 3s.

He has the potential to be a great fit next to Ayton. A legit 6'10", athletic, floor stretching power forward that rebounds very well, defends the perimeter, and helps protect the paint would be great for this team.

[grumpysaddle]

Stix needs to become Thix. He's got the tools, just needs to keep building muscle and girth. And obviously work on his 2pt game.

[RunDogGun]

Stix needs to become Thix. He's got the tools, just needs to keep building muscle and girth. And obviously work on his 2pt game.

Yep, he needs to get on the roids Giannis is on.

[bwgood77]

Stix needs to become Thix. He's got the tools, just needs to keep building muscle and girth. And obviously work on his 2pt game.

A little shorter Tyson Chandler who can shoot 3s and guard better on perimeter. Tyson was strong up top, but remember his legs? I think he was DPOY and muscled for rebounds inside.

Sure I want him to add weight, but some guys have done well with those skinny legs.

[oddity]

Stix needs to become Thix. He's got the tools, just needs to keep building muscle and girth. And obviously work on his 2pt game.

A little shorter Tyson Chandler who can shoot 3s and guard better on perimeter. Tyson was strong up top, but remember his legs? I think he was DPOY and muscled for rebounds inside.

Sure I want him to add weight, but some guys have done well with those skinny legs.

To be fair some people just have skinny-looking calves no matter what you do to try and build them.

[thamadkant]

Stix needs to become Thix. He's got the tools, just needs to keep building muscle and girth. And obviously work on his 2pt game.

Yep, he needs to get on the roids Giannis is on.

Honestly though, Giannis built is freakish, he has David Robinson like deltoids but difference is Giannis entered the league super skinny and by year 3 he was jacked.

David Robinson entered Navy in college where there is a daily requirement to lift weights, run and basically get in tip-top shape. So Robinson was muscular as a college player already. He got even more jacked when he took that 2 years off to be a Navy officer where again, hitting the gym is a daily thing for members. So Robinson being so jacked by the time he was 23-24 years old entering the league has some sort of logic behind it.

Giannis... he was a stick figure as an 18 year old, where basketball is primarily cardio work out so any gym weight lifting he did would be neutralized by cardio... to develop muscle you need to preserve calories for post-gym recovery so the body uses it to get big. But cardio after gym neutralizes it as calories are expended... but you get stronger and also better heart condition. Giannis getting so jacked in a short time frame while doing cardio is most likely due to high testosterone boost. Now, this can be natural... but unlikely as he would need to dead lift or squat super heavy to force the body to exert testosterone, sure he can be naturally high testosterone but it would have been apparent by the time he was 16 years old... there are 16 year old boys with natural high testosterone and they are BIG bodied and frame, you can tell.
So natural testosterone is unlikely for Giannis.

Second option is... supplements. Boost testosterone by about 300%, means you get muscular super quick if you start lifting. So a 3 month cycle would yield 10-15 pounds of muscle. And to maintain it you would just need to continue lifting heavy... combined with cardio he can maintain muscularity.

So in short... Giannis most likely got unnatural "help" to get his body like that.

[MrMiyagi]

Stix needs to become Thix. He's got the tools, just needs to keep building muscle and girth. And obviously work on his 2pt game.

Yep, he needs to get on the roids Giannis is on.

Honestly though, Giannis built is freakish, he has David Robinson like deltoids but difference is Giannis entered the league super skinny and by year 3 he was jacked.

David Robinson entered Navy in college where there is a daily requirement to lift weights, run and basically get in tip-top shape. So Robinson was muscular as a college player already. He got even more jacked when he took that 2 years off to be a Navy officer where again, hitting the gym is a daily thing for members. So Robinson being so jacked by the time he was 23-24 years old entering the league has some sort of logic behind it.

Giannis... he was a stick figure as an 18 year old, where basketball is primarily cardio work out so any gym weight lifting he did would be neutralized by cardio... to develop muscle you need to preserve calories for post-gym recovery so the body uses it to get big. But cardio after gym neutralizes it as calories are expended... but you get stronger and also better heart condition. Giannis getting so jacked in a short time frame while doing cardio is most likely due to high testosterone boost. Now, this can be natural... but unlikely as he would need to dead lift or squat super heavy to force the body to exert testosterone, sure he can be naturally high testosterone but it would have been apparent by the time he was 16 years old... there are 16 year old boys with natural high testosterone and they are BIG bodied and frame, you can tell.
So natural testosterone is unlikely for Giannis.

Second option is... supplements. Boost testosterone by about 300%, means you get muscular super quick if you start lifting. So a 3 month cycle would yield 10-15 pounds of muscle. And to maintain it you would just need to continue lifting heavy... combined with cardio he can maintain muscularity.

So in short... Giannis most likely got unnatural "help" to get his body like that.

k