Jabari Smith Jr. - Auburn

[clyde21]

lol yall dont make any sense. would you rather him sit in dunker spot all game and just catch lobs/putbacks so his FG% goes up instead?

this is not how evals are done.

[SeattleJazzFan]

lol yall dont make any sense. would you rather him sit in dunker spot all game and just catch lobs/putbacks so his FG% goes up instead?

this is not how evals are done.

not sure i understand what the heck you're talking about. you certainly either didn't read my post or at the very least understand my point at all.

I don't think i said anywhere i'd rather him sit in the dunker spot all game (unless i forgot and you can point me to where i said that?)

but yeah, i wouldn't mind him at least mix a driving dunk in there on occasion. a jump hook from the low block while being guarded by a 6'6" dude wouldn't be a bad idea at times. a spin move resulting in a layup off the glass might be prudent at times. keep shooting jumpers as that is a major strength. but mix it up, make people think there is a threat of something else and those jumpers will be even easier to get.

so yes, i'm asking that he mix it up a little - that he use his size and athleticism to do more than just shoot a variety of jumpers.

KD had similar size and shooting ability as a frosh at Texas - dude mixed it up and scored at all three levels. just because you can shoot jumpers doesn't mean that's all you should be doing out there.

again, i should note - the kid is 19. he can and probably will get it at some point which is why i'd absolutely consider taking him #1 overall. we should always keep in mind how young these guys are when evaluating them - but let's not pretend his inefficiency isn't an issue at least at this point in his young career. he has room for improvement - and that's okay. but you can only improve if you recognize the areas where you need to improve.

[mattao313]

Having a good frame, being a really good shooter for your size and being young doesn't suffice for me to be picked 1st overall.

Is he the perfect archetype?

He is 6'10" but he doesn't offer much in the form of rim protection.
He shoots the ball well but he seems to take alot of contested shots and have a pretty low fg% for a guy that size.
He doesn't seem to get many east baskets or to the rim.
I don't see him having the ability to handle the ball like a point forward now or ever or being particularly good at creating offense for others or passing.
He is not particularly good at rebounding for his size.

But maybe I am missing something.

- yea, he's doesn't offer rim protection, but he's also not a center, and out of the top 5 (chet/paolo/ivey/whoever), he's by far the best defender overall

- i guess you can make an argument that he needs to shoot better shots, but his FG% argument is nonsense because no one in this draft takes the types of shots that he takes at his size especially, pull ups, jabs, sides, off-dribbles, turnarounds, fadeaways, he has a complete scoring arsenal and isn't afraid to use it. he's not just getting his points off dunks and put backs so you can't comp his FG% to any other big

- i dont know what this means

- okay, he's not a point forward. and Paolo isn't a PG. what's your point?

- pretty false. averaging over 8rebs per 36 and that's while playing next to a center (Kessler) and being a primarily perimeter player essentially.

sorry clyde, on the bolded, you miss the mark. you say the FG% argument is nonsense because no one takes those kinds of shots. dude it's his fault he's only taking those shots. it's his fault he does nothing in the post. it's his fault he can't or wont get to the rim. the fact he only takes those shots is a problem, but you seem to want to use it as a way to excuse the fact he's an inefficient scorer. that doesn't make sense.

but worse, you say he has a complete scoring arsenal - ha. no, he doesn't. if taking tough jump shots and fadeaways from 18 to 22 feet from all over the court means he has a complete arsenal, then sure he has a complete scoring arsenal. his arsenal consists of three pointers and difficult long twos. if he had a complete arsenal, oh i don't know, he might get to the rim, he might take advantage of matchups and do some damage in the low post and as a result his efficiency would improve. but no, he has an aversion to paint scoring so that arsenal consists of different ways of taking long range jumpers.

i like jabari - i might take him #1, but there is a reason he's not more efficient and he has only himself to blame for that. a TS% of 56% and FG% of 43% is not good for a guy of his skill level and size. you can't spin it any other way.

clyde: well, it's that bad because he only takes hard shots! uh yeah, that's the problem, my friend.

That's exactly how I feel nicely put. He's in the same range of Chet, banchero, and Ivey he's far from a lock for #1.

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[clyde21]

i really don't understand what this fud is all about, yes, a pull up 3 is harder than a dunk, and he takes a lot of pull up 3s, this isn't that complicated. like no **** his FG% won't be that of Jalen Duren's.

if you guys are suggesting he should stop taking pull up and fadeaway Js then the answer is no, he shouldn't. if you're not looking for that kinda 6-10 dude go take Jalen Duren.

[EvanZ]

sorry clyde, on the bolded, you miss the mark. you say the FG% argument is nonsense because no one takes those kinds of shots. dude it's his fault he's only taking those shots. it's his fault he does nothing in the post. it's his fault he can't or wont get to the rim. the fact he only takes those shots is a problem, but you seem to want to use it as a way to excuse the fact he's an inefficient scorer. that doesn't make sense.

Yeah man, you need to have some baseline idea of what "an efficient scorer" means for an 18-year old Freshman. He's currently shooting 56.6% TS on 26% USG. I'm not sure on what planet that is not considered efficient. Unless you're making the mistake of comparing him to centers like Zach Edey or something (which would be a weird thing to do).

You're making some huge mistakes here if this is how you evaluate college talent.

[SeattleJazzFan]

sorry clyde, on the bolded, you miss the mark. you say the FG% argument is nonsense because no one takes those kinds of shots. dude it's his fault he's only taking those shots. it's his fault he does nothing in the post. it's his fault he can't or wont get to the rim. the fact he only takes those shots is a problem, but you seem to want to use it as a way to excuse the fact he's an inefficient scorer. that doesn't make sense.

Yeah man, you need to have some baseline idea of what "an efficient scorer" means for an 18-year old Freshman. He's currently shooting 56.6% TS on 26% USG. I'm not sure on what planet that is not considered efficient. Unless you're making the mistake of comparing him to centers like Zach Edey or something (which would be a weird thing to do).

You're making some huge mistakes here if this is how you evaluate college talent.

56% TS is a mediocre scoring efficiency number. period. regardless of usage. if you think otherwise, you don't even have a basic understanding of the stat. ftr, banchero at about that same number and he needs to be better as well. 56.4% on 28% usg. it's not terrible, but it is mediocre - that's not even arguable, but it's funny that you are trying to go that route.

Ivey is at 60% on 28% usg, Holmgren is at 73% on 22% usg, keegan murray 63% on 30% usg, ben mathurin at 57% on 25% usg. these are all guys who shoot jump shots, but they still are more efficient than smith.

[jman3134]

- yea, he's doesn't offer rim protection, but he's also not a center, and out of the top 5 (chet/paolo/ivey/whoever), he's by far the best defender overall

- i guess you can make an argument that he needs to shoot better shots, but his FG% argument is nonsense because no one in this draft takes the types of shots that he takes at his size especially, pull ups, jabs, sides, off-dribbles, turnarounds, fadeaways, he has a complete scoring arsenal and isn't afraid to use it. he's not just getting his points off dunks and put backs so you can't comp his FG% to any other big

- i dont know what this means

- okay, he's not a point forward. and Paolo isn't a PG. what's your point?

- pretty false. averaging over 8rebs per 36 and that's while playing next to a center (Kessler) and being a primarily perimeter player essentially.

sorry clyde, on the bolded, you miss the mark. you say the FG% argument is nonsense because no one takes those kinds of shots. dude it's his fault he's only taking those shots. it's his fault he does nothing in the post. it's his fault he can't or wont get to the rim. the fact he only takes those shots is a problem, but you seem to want to use it as a way to excuse the fact he's an inefficient scorer. that doesn't make sense.

but worse, you say he has a complete scoring arsenal - ha. no, he doesn't. if taking tough jump shots and fadeaways from 18 to 22 feet from all over the court means he has a complete arsenal, then sure he has a complete scoring arsenal. his arsenal consists of three pointers and difficult long twos. if he had a complete arsenal, oh i don't know, he might get to the rim, he might take advantage of matchups and do some damage in the low post and as a result his efficiency would improve. but no, he has an aversion to paint scoring so that arsenal consists of different ways of taking long range jumpers.

i like jabari - i might take him #1, but there is a reason he's not more efficient and he has only himself to blame for that. a TS% of 56% and FG% of 43% is not good for a guy of his skill level and size. you can't spin it any other way.

clyde: well, it's that bad because he only takes hard shots! uh yeah, that's the problem, my friend.

That's exactly how I feel nicely put. He's in the same range of Chet, banchero, and Ivey he's far from a lock for #1.

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Come on guys. He's 18!! (and just fine as he is from an efficiency standpoint as Evan pointed out) Is it conceivable that he adds weight/muscle at ages 19/20/21/22 with NBA training? Would that in and of itself help him finish better at the rim? Yes and yes. Also, he might be helped by better floor spacing.

[jman3134]

sorry clyde, on the bolded, you miss the mark. you say the FG% argument is nonsense because no one takes those kinds of shots. dude it's his fault he's only taking those shots. it's his fault he does nothing in the post. it's his fault he can't or wont get to the rim. the fact he only takes those shots is a problem, but you seem to want to use it as a way to excuse the fact he's an inefficient scorer. that doesn't make sense.

Yeah man, you need to have some baseline idea of what "an efficient scorer" means for an 18-year old Freshman. He's currently shooting 56.6% TS on 26% USG. I'm not sure on what planet that is not considered efficient. Unless you're making the mistake of comparing him to centers like Zach Edey or something (which would be a weird thing to do).

You're making some huge mistakes here if this is how you evaluate college talent.

56% TS is a mediocre scoring efficiency number. period. regardless of usage. if you think otherwise, you don't even have a basic understanding of the stat. ftr, banchero at about that same number and he needs to be better as well. 56.4% on 28% usg. it's not terrible, but it is mediocre - that's not even arguable, but it's funny that you are trying to go that route.

Ivey is at 60% on 28% usg, Holmgren is at 73% on 22% usg, keegan murray 63% on 30% usg, ben mathurin at 57% on 25% usg. these are all guys who shoot jump shots, but they still are more efficient than smith.

And Jaden Ivey is 20 in a few days, Holmgren 19, Mathurin 19, and Murray 21. Age matters. More efficient by 0.4% in one case? Come on. Also, there is nothing to be said about Auburn being a top 3 team in the country with Smith as their leader? Winning also matters.

[clyde21]

sorry clyde, on the bolded, you miss the mark. you say the FG% argument is nonsense because no one takes those kinds of shots. dude it's his fault he's only taking those shots. it's his fault he does nothing in the post. it's his fault he can't or wont get to the rim. the fact he only takes those shots is a problem, but you seem to want to use it as a way to excuse the fact he's an inefficient scorer. that doesn't make sense.

Yeah man, you need to have some baseline idea of what "an efficient scorer" means for an 18-year old Freshman. He's currently shooting 56.6% TS on 26% USG. I'm not sure on what planet that is not considered efficient. Unless you're making the mistake of comparing him to centers like Zach Edey or something (which would be a weird thing to do).

You're making some huge mistakes here if this is how you evaluate college talent.

56% TS is a mediocre scoring efficiency number. period. regardless of usage. if you think otherwise, you don't even have a basic understanding of the stat. ftr, banchero at about that same number and he needs to be better as well. 56.4% on 28% usg. it's not terrible, but it is mediocre - that's not even arguable, but it's funny that you are trying to go that route.

Ivey is at 60% on 28% usg, Holmgren is at 73% on 22% usg, keegan murray 63% on 30% usg, ben mathurin at 57% on 25% usg. these are all guys who shoot jump shots, but they still are more efficient than smith.

congrats, you listed 3 sophomores, one of them senior aged, and the fourth a C that plays for Gonzaga, against much weaker comp and doesn't take nearly the amount of perimeter shots that Bari takes.

[jman3134]

Also, let's just put it out there that the SEC is the best conference in the country this season.

[NO-KG-AI]

There has to be some sort of middle ground between taking and making difficult shots, and the ability to both create and convert on the easiest looks in basketball. I honestly prefer the guys that lean more to the latter. Comparing it to guys like Duren isn't fair, because he's not a creator, but being able to create dunks, layups, and free throws on your own is the most important skill in basketball and always will be(Not to mention how much that pressure creates easy spot up opportunities for teammates), no matter how pretty it is to take fadeaways and contested 3 pointers.

Smith definitely leans too far to the jumper side right now to me. The question is does he have the athleticism and physicality to thrive at the other one too? I'm not sure he has enough juice there to propel himself into MVP level territory down the line, but he certainly looks like he's going to be a damn good scorer even if he's only elite at the traditionally less efficient shots, and has the athleticism to be a switchable defender as well. Seems like he has a pretty safe floor and high ceiling, all things considered.

[EMG518]

Yeah man, you need to have some baseline idea of what "an efficient scorer" means for an 18-year old Freshman. He's currently shooting 56.6% TS on 26% USG. I'm not sure on what planet that is not considered efficient. Unless you're making the mistake of comparing him to centers like Zach Edey or something (which would be a weird thing to do).

You're making some huge mistakes here if this is how you evaluate college talent.

56% TS is a mediocre scoring efficiency number. period. regardless of usage. if you think otherwise, you don't even have a basic understanding of the stat. ftr, banchero at about that same number and he needs to be better as well. 56.4% on 28% usg. it's not terrible, but it is mediocre - that's not even arguable, but it's funny that you are trying to go that route.

Ivey is at 60% on 28% usg, Holmgren is at 73% on 22% usg, keegan murray 63% on 30% usg, ben mathurin at 57% on 25% usg. these are all guys who shoot jump shots, but they still are more efficient than smith.

And Jaden Ivey is 20 in a few days, Holmgren 19, Mathurin 19, and Murray 21. Age matters. More efficient by 0.4% in one case? Come on. Also, there is nothing to be said about Auburn being a top 3 team in the country with Smith as their leader? Winning also matters.

Every game I have seen Walker Kessler was the best player on the court for them.

[clyde21]

[CptCrunch]

Jabari Smith has no legit case for #1 based on his play.

He is only potentially #1 due to the fact that Chet and Paolo have stronger cases of not being #1.

If he is drafted #1, it will be one of the weakest #1 picks in a while on the tier of Edwards/Bennett. I would be very happy to take him as a #4-6 pick kind of player in an average year with a true #1 pick franchise tier player. Jabari is sadly third best player on a team hard ceiling-ed in any average case developmental path.

I personally rate the talent level of this year as tragic at the top.

[EMG518]

:lol:

You laugh but it's true. Kessler has been their anchor and disruptive on both ends impacting the game far more than Jabari.

[EvanZ]

sorry clyde, on the bolded, you miss the mark. you say the FG% argument is nonsense because no one takes those kinds of shots. dude it's his fault he's only taking those shots. it's his fault he does nothing in the post. it's his fault he can't or wont get to the rim. the fact he only takes those shots is a problem, but you seem to want to use it as a way to excuse the fact he's an inefficient scorer. that doesn't make sense.

Yeah man, you need to have some baseline idea of what "an efficient scorer" means for an 18-year old Freshman. He's currently shooting 56.6% TS on 26% USG. I'm not sure on what planet that is not considered efficient. Unless you're making the mistake of comparing him to centers like Zach Edey or something (which would be a weird thing to do).

You're making some huge mistakes here if this is how you evaluate college talent.

56% TS is a mediocre scoring efficiency number. period. regardless of usage. if you think otherwise, you don't even have a basic understanding of the stat. ftr, banchero at about that same number and he needs to be better as well. 56.4% on 28% usg. it's not terrible, but it is mediocre - that's not even arguable, but it's funny that you are trying to go that route.

Ivey is at 60% on 28% usg, Holmgren is at 73% on 22% usg, keegan murray 63% on 30% usg, ben mathurin at 57% on 25% usg. these are all guys who shoot jump shots, but they still are more efficient than smith.

You must have had Okafor #1. Is Zach Edey a top 5 pick? He's super efficient!

[EvanZ]

BTW, Anthony Edwards shot 52% TS at Georgia. Undraftable right?! LMAO

This isn't a POY award being handed out. It's predicting who is going to be the best player in the NBA in 5-10 years. I've got news for you, it's not Walker Kessler.

[EMG518]

BTW, Anthony Edwards shot 52% TS at Georgia. Undraftable right?! LMAO

This isn't a POY award being handed out. It's predicting who is going to be the best player in the NBA in 5-10 years. I've got news for you, it's not Walker Kessler.

Nobody thinks it's going to be Walker Kessler but to say Jabari is the leader and the best player on that team is just not the case.

Jabari in conference play
11 games
Fg% 41.5
2p% 47.1
3p% 34.5
Ft% 76.7
Reb 5.8
Ast 1.2
Stl .7
Blk 1.2
To 2.0
Pts 14.0

Walker Kessler in conference play
11 games
Fg% 68.2
2p% 77
3p% 21.4
Ft% 71.4
Reb 9.5
Ast 0.7
Stl.1.0
Blk 4.9
TO 1.6
Pts 13.0

The guy is averaging 6.9.blks per 40 and 13.2 reb with 18.3 pts per 40 on over 68% from the field.

[mattao313]

I don't think anyone is arguing jabari smith shouldn't be a top pick or in the race to be #1. The question is what makes him so much better than Chet, banchero, and Ivey when he has his fair share of warts. Everyone may have their favorites but it's really close. Pick 1-4 is all in the same tier imo this year.

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[MemphisX]

I don't think anyone is arguing jabari smith shouldn't be a top pick or in the race to be #1. The question is what makes him so much better than Chet, banchero, and Ivey when he has his fair share of warts. Everyone may have their favorites but it's really close. Pick 1-4 is all in the same tier imo this year.

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Agreed. I would not quibble with Jabari, Paolo, Ivey, Chet or Sharpe at #1.