2014 NBA Draft Scouting Report: Marcus Smart



Written by Paul Banks of the Washington Times, and David Kay of the The Sports Bank.
Send Paul an e-mail here: paulb05 AT hotmail DOT com.
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2014 NBA Draft Scouting Report: Marcus Smart


Position: Point Guard

Size: 6-4, 220

School: Oklahoma State, Sophomore


Strengths:
  • Competitive fire/a winner
  • Can play either guard position
  • Attacking the basket
  • Awesome in transition
  • Strength
  • Physicality
  • Athleticism
  • Aggressive defender
  • Rebounds well for his position
  • Pullup jumper
  • Leadership
  • High-character kid




  • Weaknesses:
  • Inconsistent three-point shooting
  • Shot selection
  • Ball handling could improve
  • Not a true distributor
  • Is he a one or a two at the next level?


  • Summary: Smart surprised many by returning for his sophomore season considering he would have been a top-five pick in the 2013 NBA Draft. He doesn’t fit the mold of a true point guard at the NBA level, but because of his ability to impact the game in a number of ways and how hard he plays on both ends, he appears to be a top-seven lock for the 2014 NBA Draft. Part of the reason Smart came back to Stillwater was to improve his outside shooting. He also needs to become more of a true distributor, but NBA teams will covet his competitiveness and desire to win.

    Player Comparison: Tyreke Evans. There are a lot of similarities here; size, strength, ability to attack the tin, struggles with outside shooting, versatility, lack of a true position. What separates Smart from Evans is his competitive fire and effort on the defensive end. I’m not sure Smart will ever be a 20-point-per-night type of guy like Evans was during his rookie year, but I wouldn’t rule it out down the road.







    RELATED LINKS:


    2014 NBA Mock Draft


    2015 NBA Mock Draft


    2014 NBA Draft Prospect Rankings


    2014 NBA Draft Scouting Reports








    Written by Paul Banks of the Washington Times, and David Kay of the The Sports Bank.
    Send Paul an e-mail here: paulb05 AT hotmail DOT com.
    All other e-mail, including advertising and link proposals, send to: [email protected]




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