Around the NBA: Week 17 (2/12/24 - 2/18/24)

[Superbone]

Come home, Mikal. We'll keep the seat warm for you.

We'll keep the light on. And he won't have to stay at a Motel 6.

[In2ition]

In case you were wondering how it's going for everyone's favorite back up PG

Isn't Payne one of the main reasons James Jones decided to draft Jalen Smith and not a future replacement for CP3?

[TOO]

In case you were wondering how it's going for everyone's favorite back up PG

Isn't Payne one of the main reasons James Jones decided to draft Jalen Smith and not a future replacement for CP3?

Honestly have no idea why Jones did what he did.

[rhylek]

In case you were wondering how it's going for everyone's favorite back up PG

Isn't Payne one of the main reasons James Jones decided to draft Jalen Smith and not a future replacement for CP3?

I think he was already searching for a DA replacement, that's why they tried to play him as a C.

[Split T]

I’ve stopped trying to make sense of the Jalen Smith pick. We botched it in every way imaginable

[Mori Chu]

James Jones was high on himself after finding Cam Johnson at #11. He thought he saw another similar player in Jalen Smith and fell in love. He probably thought he was going to find another hidden gem and be praised again by all the draftniks. He really blew it.

[ShelC]

I think there were a number of factors, the main one being we had just come off the Finals loss where we didn't have the size up front to defend. Even with Saric, we lacked length and athleticism with just Craig and Crowder. Stix fit the bill physically but also had the outside shot to spread the floor and from what Monty said comparing him to Jerami Grant, they probably thought they could develop him as a 4 with some smallball 5 ability.

[Shabazz]

I think there were a number of factors, the main one being we had just come off the Finals loss where we didn't have the size up front to defend. Even with Saric, we lacked length and athleticism with just Craig and Crowder. Stix fit the bill physically but also had the outside shot to spread the floor and from what Monty said comparing him to Jerami Grant, they probably thought they could develop him as a 4 with some smallball 5 ability.

You’re mixing your years up. We drafted Smith after the bubble and had him available during the finals. Monty just didn’t play him.

Jones probably thought he had his starter and backup PGs in place with the CPs, so why draft another.

[ShelC]

Thanks for clarifying. I do remember Monty comparing Stix to Grant in OKC, which made me think Monty had a lot of say in the pick. Makes it that much worse that he wouldn't play him.