This "second round grade" talk in reference to Jalen Smith is just silly.
Yeah and when some people look at that and call him stiff? Like what? Stiff is Jake Tsakalidas. Not Jalen Smith. He might not be Amare but he’s going to dunk on a lot of folks.
The stiff talk is because his lateral movement is so poor. He can be a bit mechanical on offense if it isn't a strictly catch and dunk situation or catch and shoot.
That's what I'm seeing as well. I wouldn't call him stiff, just a well lubricated, young Kurt Thomas.
Maybe we can trade him with 2 first round picks to dump his salary in the last year of his rookie deal!
Re: Who is Jalen Smith?
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 9:48 pm
by ShelC
Maybe a little McDyess there defensively. Mechanical is a good word for his offense and he's not a run-jump athlete or super bouncy but he's more than fine at 6-10 with a 7-2 wingspan.
You know who is a good comp for Jalen Smith (and his upside)? Christian Wood.
Good point.
It frustrates me to listen to and read opinions from people who were big on going after Christian Wood yet quickly pan the Jalen Smith pick.
Take a guy more than 3 spots ahead of the consensus spot and people will ignore the prospect and just trash the value of the pick. I think the suns did try and trade down, but had no biters. At least not in a position where we felt comfortable we’d still get Smith. This draft is a big enough crapshoot, that I’m fine taking him where we did. Haliburton being there is the only part that stings, but I think Jalen can be a really nice player for us.
Re: Who is Jalen Smith?
Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2020 9:14 am
by O_Gardino
Haliburton really slipped from where I thought he might go. Maybe we over valued him on this board. He's a 3&D prospect who can pass. Smith can rebound.
I wanted Haliburton, but I'm not going to lose my lunch until January.
Re: Who is Jalen Smith?
Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2020 9:18 am
by Split T
I wonder if there was concern Haliburton wouldn’t defend at the next level. He’s a smart team defender, he’s got size at 6’5, but very skinny and not a great athlete. That plus concerns he wouldn’t be able to be an on ball scoring threat might have dropped him.
I wonder if there was concern Haliburton wouldn’t defend at the next level. He’s a smart team defender, he’s got size at 6’5, but very skinny and not a great athlete. That plus concerns he wouldn’t be able to be an on ball scoring threat might have dropped him.
Or maybe something completely different from his basketball talent drove teams away from him.
I wonder if there was concern Haliburton wouldn’t defend at the next level. He’s a smart team defender, he’s got size at 6’5, but very skinny and not a great athlete. That plus concerns he wouldn’t be able to be an on ball scoring threat might have dropped him.
Or maybe something completely different from his basketball talent drove teams away from him.
Yep, we really don’t know. Or maybe teams just messed up and he’s gonna have a 15 year highly productive career.
