Who is Jalen Smith?

[Oatmeal]

Jalen Smith is Deandre Aytons eventual replacement.

[Split T]

Jalen Smith is Deandre Aytons eventual replacement.

This year will tell us a lot about that idea. I think Jones would like to develop Ayton, but I’m not convinced he’s a Jones guy and wouldn’t be surprised if he gets moved sometime before his rookie contract is up.

[3rdside]

Jalen Smith is Deandre Aytons eventual replacement.

This year will tell us a lot about that idea. I think Jones would like to develop Ayton, but I’m not convinced he’s a Jones guy and wouldn’t be surprised if he gets moved sometime before his rookie contract is up.

In Premier League football the best teams always have two people for every position to act as motivator - I can totally see that here.

So JJ is not saying he'll trade Ayton but it does look like he's giving him direct competition and if a cheaper Smith is effective vs an underachieving Ayton and his potentially huge contract demands, he'll have no problem showing Ayton the door.

It's on Ayton to justify himself iow.

The pick makes more sense now if looked at through that lens.

[Flagrant Fowl]

I don't think Ayton will ever be the competitive killer that players need to be to lead a team to a title. But I also believe there's a chance that he proves me wrong and this will be the season we find out.

[virtual9mm]

A lot is riding on Ayton's development this season. For both Ayton and the Suns.

[3rdside]

A lot is riding on Ayton's development this season. For both Ayton and the Suns.

Would it surprise anyone that another of McD's picks goes bust as he never understood the importance of character and definitely didn't know how to spot it.

[Superbone]

A lot is riding on Ayton's development this season. For both Ayton and the Suns.

Would it surprise anyone that another of McD's picks goes bust as he never understood the importance of character and definitely didn't know how to spot it.

Maybe not but it would piss me off that it was at the expense of Doncic.

[3rdside]

A lot is riding on Ayton's development this season. For both Ayton and the Suns.

Would it surprise anyone that another of McD's picks goes bust as he never understood the importance of character and definitely didn't know how to spot it.

Maybe not but it would piss me off that it was at the expense of Doncic.

Really I'm at peace with the pick as I don't know that I could have picked Doncic over Ayton, and Ayton does have talent .. but that depends on Ayton getting a pay day from us and me being happy about it.

If he gets traded (to become McD's final humiliation..) at least he'll have trade value which team MVP James Jones can leverage into something better.

But not ruling him out just yet - his motivation is obviously the worry but JJ has done a sterling job to address that.

[O_Gardino]

Today's Stix:

Rebounding, boxing out, fighting for the rebound even when he gets boxed out, floating to the right spot for the lob, and check out that dribble drive to attack the close out.

(poor video editing but a good game)

[Wormwood]

Jalen Smith is a James Jones guy through and through:

Jones values the following highly:

1. Shooting
2. Character / coachability / willingness to play inside a system / focus on winning / desire and willingness to improve their game / dedication to their craft / HATES losing
3. Defense

He's willing to sacrifice athleticism, playmaking, slashing, and size to get the things above.

People forget, Jones' father was career military. Jalen Smith's father was that as well.

His shooting and shooting mechanics are very solid.

Smith was willing to do things in work outs that he WASN'T good at, indicating coachability, desire to improve, and has a track record of dedication to his craft. He's also shown a willingness to admit flaws (flexibility, bulk, strength) and address them. All indications are that he doesn't need to be "the man", but rather he's more interested in winning than filling a stat sheet.

I suspect his ceiling is a bit higher than people expect based on this: the only thing here that is tough to fix is lateral mobility on the perimeter. But, he's a smart, coachable kid. He'll figure out ways to work around it. He also has a lot of the mental tools to be a good to great team defender (that one's all about dedication to the craft). Kurt Thomas is an example of a guy who mastered footwork and anticipation to anchor a defense, rather than speed and athleticism. I'm not saying he's going to be KT, but he has the potential.

Part of the focus on winning is that he HATES losing. He won't do well in a losing culture. In one where everyone is playing to win every night? He'll try to up his game.

He would have been a bad choice a few years ago. The culture would have crushed him. Hopefully CP3 is a good enough leader to recognize you teach this kid, not berate him; he's motivated enough you don't have to ride him into the ground every time he screws up. He's the type that feels AWFUL when he fails or disappoints teammates; you don't need to pile drive him verbally to make him accept that he needs to do better next time. Military culture really drills into you the idea of ship, shipmates, self. He'll take it on board, and try to figure out how to do better next time, then practice implementing it into his game.

Overall, I think we'll like him. He's the antithesis of a Chriss or a Josh Jackson.

[O_Gardino]

More Stix

This video is a little more balanced and you can see the good along with the bad. He stays with it and makes both the winning basket and the final defensive assignment.

[INFORMER]

They must believe they he can play the 4. We will see when the season starts, but I am 100% certain he will see some time next to Ayton.

I mean they played Ayton and Baynes together, so sure, I don't see why they wouldn't try it with Smith.

[Flagrant Fowl]

I haven't seen this posted anywhere. Not much new to take from it other than getting to hear him speak in a longer form.

He seems like a bright kid. Not a lot of hyperbole coming out of his mouth. (Looking at you, Deandre.)

[Superbone]

And I guess this must be Lindsay’s replacement interviewing.

[Mori Chu]

And I guess this must be Lindsay’s replacement interviewing.

Booooooo

[Indy]

And I guess this must be Lindsay’s replacement interviewing.

Booooooo

I thought she did fine.

[Mori Chu]

And I guess this must be Lindsay’s replacement interviewing.

Booooooo

I thought she did fine.

She did, but I'm just bummed they let Lindsay go. I liked her.

[Superbone]

And I guess this must be Lindsay’s replacement interviewing.

Booooooo

I thought she did fine.

She did, but I'm just bummed they let Lindsay go. I liked her.

I agree. Why replace her?

[Split T]

And I guess this must be Lindsay’s replacement interviewing.

Booooooo

I thought she did fine.

She did, but I'm just bummed they let Lindsay go. I liked her.

I agree. Why replace her?

$$$

[Indy]

Booooooo

I thought she did fine.

She did, but I'm just bummed they let Lindsay go. I liked her.

I agree. Why replace her?

$$$

Or the fact their entire broadcast team that you see in front of a camera (or hear on the radio) are all white except Eddie. Maybe her contract was up, and instead of renegotiating it they went with someone that has a different background than all the other white folks and connect with the audience in a new way.