After losing in the first round to Gonzaga, sophomore Marcus Smart announced that he'll be leaving Oklahoma State to enter the 2014 NBA Draft.
“I had a great season here at Oklahoma State,” Smart said. “It’s weird, because I didn’t go to the NBA draft last year, I chose to come back – which I do not regret at all. A lot of people say I made the wrong decision. But who are they to tell me what I should have done? It’s me, not them. I believe I made the right decision. I get to do what I love to do.”
After Smart was projected as a 2013 lottery pick, he decided to come back. While Marcus's draft stock hasn't dropped many, people still think Smart's 2014 campaign was a waste of time.
The question remains: just how good can Smart be in the NBA? Here's his 2014 NBA Draft player profile.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzCncu4-Imw
Pre-Draft Measurements and Stats
- Age: 20 (born 03/06/94)
- Class: Sophomore
- Height: 6-foot-4
- Weight: 225 pounds
- Wingspan: 6-foot-8
2013-14 Season Stats
- 32.7 Minutes per game
- 18.9 Points per game
- 5.9 Rebounds per game
- 4.8 Assists per game
- 2.7 Turnovers per game
- 2.9 Steals per game
- 42.2 Field goal %
- 29.9 3-PT%
- 72.8 FT%
Strengths
Marcus Smart has a NBA ready body, Smart is 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, which is bigger and stronger than most NBA guards. Smart knows how to use his size to his advantage and that's why he's so effective in the post.
Smart is also a great finisher. With his size and strength in transition, Smart has the ability to draw fouls and get to the free throw line. Smart is a tough person to guard on the fast break, and that's one of his many skills that will translate well to the next level.
Smart is also a great rebounder for his size, Smart averaged nearly six rebounds for Oklahoma State this year. It's always great when your point guard does the little things and Smart does that with his rebounding and his defense (2.9 steals per game).
Another good part of Smart's game is his effectiveness in pick-and-roll opportunities. 21 percent of Smart's points came off pick and roll plays.
Weaknesses
While Smart is a great finisher at the rim, He struggles to hit perimeter shots consistently.
He shot under 30 percent from 3 this year, so he needs to fix his shot mechanics at the next level. (Look at the video above, Smart puts the ball to his knees before going into his shooting motion)
Smart may never become a great shooter but he still needs to improve his shot to at least keep the defense honest and make the easy shot.
Another weakness that Smart has is that he has terrible shot selection. He takes way too many 3's to shoot under 30 percent and he forces bad shots in the paint as well. Smart needs to do a better job at picking his shots and not settle as much at the next level.
Standing at 6-foot-4 (6-foot-2 without shoes), Smart does have a position crisis. Marcus is a good defender but he's isn't the fastest guy on the court so quick point guards could give him trouble. Smart will also have trouble guarding some of the taller shooting guards as well.
Will Smart even play the point guard in the NBA?
Synopsis
Marcus Smart is a solid prospect with superstar potential. However, it is risky if you want to draft him,
We all know about the Marcus Smart incident where he pushed a fan. Yahoo! Sports NBA writer Marc J. Spears expressed his concern as well
"He has shown in the past few months that he is prone to outbursts. He kicked a chair (against West Virginia). He's under a lot of pressure. The team is not doing well, struggling ... Fans say things in the NBA every day. He has a history of letting people get under his skin. The NBA fans will test him."
Personally I think Smart won't have any issues going into the NBA with his maturity. Smart is a great athlete and leader and his weakness can easily be fixed with proper coaching and players around him.
If you want a good player that can possibly be an All-Star in the NBA, take Marcus Smart. With draft day approaching, Smart can possibly end up in California (Kings or Lakers).
Wherever Smart goes, I feel like he'll be a solid player for years to come.
NBA Comparison: Dwyane Wade, Jason Kidd , James Harden and Tyreke Evans
Projected NBA Role: Starting Point Guard, Shooting Guard
Projected Pick: Lottery Pick
