It was bad enough

[SuperHoops]

https://mobile.twitter.com/OSUAthletics/status/324577441379127296/photo/1

 

[skyvue]

He is quicker and has better hops right now than Jason Kidd

Quicker and better hops than an oft-injured 40-year-old -- high praise, indeed!

 

[Dignon003]

I'm sure Ford will run off his big men. Soucek and Gardner are prolly gone.

I would imagine that Gardner would be the first guy to transfer.

 

[propoke]

Quicker and better hops than an oft-injured 40-year-old -- high praise, indeed!

Only quoting half a sentence to make your point more valid...:clap. Well done

If you take into account Smart's size and strength, his overall athleticism is very comparable to some of the better PG in the NBA.

 

[steverocks35]

Only quoting half a sentence to make your point more valid...:clap. Well done

If you take into account Smart's size and strength, his overall athleticism is very comparable to some of the better PG in the NBA.

Ok, but I doubt that he can play PG in the NBA. He doesn't handle the ball well enough or shoot well enough.

 

[bballfan2012]

Ok, but I doubt that he can play PG in the NBA. He doesn't handle the ball well enough or shoot well enough.

That's why he could have gone #2 or #3 as a PG in the NBA draft.

Or he was NCAA FOY while playing PG.

He hardly ever loses the ball off the dribble. I would say 90% of his turnovers are forced passes where he is trying to do to much.

Shoot well enough to play PG? So he can't shoot well enough to play PG so you are going to put him at what position exactly....Shooting Guard? Really?
Let's think before we type...

 

[skyvue]

Only quoting half a sentence to make your point more valid...:clap. Well done

You're right. I actually didn't read his post carefully enough. It wasn't an intentional thing.

I retract that statement with apologies, and offer this instead: Was athleticism ever Kidd or Nash's stock in trade? Aren't they mostly guys who rely on court savvy and passing skills? I have never watched the NBA much, so perhaps I'm way off, but that's been my perhaps-mistaken impression.

But I've never heard anyone else compare Smart's game to theirs. They just don't strike me as the same kind of players.

 

[propoke]

Ok, but I doubt that he can play PG in the NBA. He doesn't handle the ball well enough or shoot well enough.

He does need to improve his assist to turnover ratio, and outside shot to excel at the PG position. We also need to remember that this was his first year running the point. I would bet that both of those improve a lot before he ever plays an NBA game.

 

[propoke]

You're right. I actually didn't read his post carefully enough. It wasn't an intentional thing.

I retract that statement with apologies, and offer this instead: Was athleticism ever Kidd or Nash's stock in trade? Aren't they mostly guys who rely on court savvy and passing skills? I have never watched the NBA much, so perhaps I'm way off, but that's been my perhaps-mistaken impression.

But I've never heard anyone else compare Smart's game to theirs. They just don't strike me as the same kind of players.

I agree Smart's game is nothing like Nash's game, but I have heard several comparisons to Kidd coming out of college. I think Smart's athleticism is in par with the better PG's in the league, but he definitely needs to sharpen his skills to be a great NBA PG. I am most concerned about his assist to turnover ratio. Coming back for one more year IMO is better for his game, but worse on his wallet.

 

[steverocks35]

That's why he could have gone #2 or #3 as a PG in the NBA draft.

Or he was NCAA FOY while playing PG.

He hardly ever loses the ball off the dribble. I would say 90% of his turnovers are forced passes where he is trying to do to much.

Shoot well enough to play PG? So he can't shoot well enough to play PG so you are going to put him at what position exactly....Shooting Guard? Really?
Let's think before we type...

Right, which is why someone upthread stated that he didn't have a position in the NBA. That's my point also. He would be drafted on potential in a very weak draft, if he doesn't improve noticeably next season he will drop significantly because that potential won't be perceived to be as great. Just my humble opinion.

 

[coolm]

I lived in Alameda and watched Jason Kidd play in HS.

Smart may be a physical specimen but he is nothing like Kidd. Not even close.

In some ways thats a good thing. He shoots better than Kidd and does have more physical skills. But, he's no Kidd. NO comparison.

 

[TheGimper]

I think Smart's athleticism is in par with the better PG's in the league.

Smart has a lot of strengths that will translate to the NBA game, but do say his athleticism is on par with Russell Westbrook and Ty Lawson is seeing it with orange-colored glasses.

 

[HoHum]

I see Andre Miller, or a better Eric Snow has a NBA comparison.

 

[propoke]

Smart has a lot of strengths that will translate to the NBA game, but do say his athleticism is on par with Russell Westbrook and Ty Lawson is seeing it with orange-colored glasses.

I'm not saying he is as athletic as Westbrook. Westbrook is one of the most athletic PG to ever play the game. I'm just saying Smarts athleticism is not what will keep him from excelling as an NBA pg. No one really knows what kind of NBA pg he will be. I do know he has enough athletic ability, work ethic, and heart to be a very good NBA pg.

 

[SuperHoops]

Westbrook is an interesting comparison because no one thought he would be a good NBA PG. In a lot of ways he isn't, turns it over a bunch and shoots way too much but he's just a baller and makes things happen. Smart is like that in that he makes bad decisions and forces shots but he's not the consummate athlete that Westbrook is.

 

[DenverSooner]

I agree Smart's game is nothing like Nash's game, but I have heard several comparisons to Kidd coming out of college. I think Smart's athleticism is in par with the better PG's in the league, but he definitely needs to sharpen his skills to be a great NBA PG. I am most concerned about his assist to turnover ratio. Coming back for one more year IMO is better for his game, but worse on his wallet.

Really? You think he is like Rando, Paul, Westbrook, Parker, etc.? I don't see that at all. I see a good basketball player but I do not see the speed that the currernt top NBA pgs have. I think he is slower and less athletic than those guys but that doesn't remotely mean he cannot be effective.

Marcus Smart needs to improve his outside shooting and ball handling but anyone that thinks he isn't a really good basketball player is likely basing that opinion mostly on the color of his jersey. The kid had a great season and will probably be a better college player next year. My concern is that he is taking a big risk with little opportunity for reward. I hope it works out for him but I think he made the wrong decision based on his projected draft position.

 

[DenverSooner]

I'm not saying he is as athletic as Westbrook. Westbrook is one of the most athletic PG to ever play the game. I'm just saying Smarts athleticism is not what will keep him from excelling as an NBA pg. No one really knows what kind of NBA pg he will be. I do know he has enough athletic ability, work ethic, and heart to be a very good NBA pg.

I think Smart is going to be a very good bench player in the NBA. A poor man's version of James Hardin when he was with OKC. I think he will come off the bench and produce a lot of points but not be an elite pg. With that said, I am typically completely wrong when it comes to NBA talent.

 

[skyvue]

anyone that thinks he isn't a really good basketball player is likely basing that opinion mostly on the color of his jersey.

Has anyone on this board ever said Smart's not a good basketball player? Not that I've seen or heard.

 

[Salt City Sooner]

From the kinda sorta related category, a couple of Lunardi takes from his chat today:

Bay (FL)


If Smart, Nash and Brown do return for OKstate where do you put them in your way to early rankings.

Joe Lunardi (2:06 PM)


Have the Cowboys as a No. 4 seed (15th overall) in the first 2014 bracket.

Jason (Germany)


Can you clarify? With Smart returning, along with Nash and Brown, you are saying they project as a #4 seed, no higher? In other words, you took that into account when building your bracket projection?

Joe Lunardi (2:18 PM)


Yes.

Adam (Denver)


This past year many analysts said around a dozen teams could win the national title. How many teams do you think are in the title conversation next year? Any darkhorse contenders?

Joe Lunardi (2:31 PM)


Sounds about right, Adam. My dark horses would include Oklahoma State, UConn, Memphis and Tennessee.

http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/chat/_/id/47710/bracketologist-joe-lunardi

His just released Bracketology for '14 includes 5 Big 12 teams:

KU (3 seed)
OSU ( 4 )
Baylor ( 6 )
KSU ( 8 )
ISU ( 12 ) in a play-in game vs. San Diego St.

 

[KCRuf/Nek]

Really? You think he is like Rando, Paul, Westbrook, Parker, etc.?

Irving, Wall, Rose, Beal.

I lived in Alameda and watched Jason Kidd play in HS.

Smart may be a physical specimen but he is nothing like Kidd. Not even close.

In some ways thats a good thing. He shoots better than Kidd and does have more physical skills. But, he's no Kidd. NO comparison.

I remember him at Cal and how he was head and shoulders above anyone else on the court. I can remember him driving the lane and cramming it in over whoever was there - making we go :woot - who is this kid?