Interesting Article About Tyler Smith, 2009 NBA Draft and Patrick Patterson

[marcusvol]

NBA Draft 2009: Who Are the Players to Keep an Eye On? | Bleacher Report

[ivtec_jrod]

A good 6th man. Basically meaning he will ride the pine in the NBA and give starters a rest.

[Jaytrain5]

Originally Posted by ivtec_jrod

A good 6th man. Basically meaning he will ride the pine in the NBA and give starters a rest.

That's an important role in the NBA.

[marcusvol]

I think he could be a solid starter if he develops a consistent jump shot...but he can't play PF, and some SF's like LeBron would be too much for him...Ginobli is a 6th man

[ivtec_jrod]

Originally Posted by Jaytrain5

That's an important role in the NBA.

Still a big paycheck. I would be the 12th man if i still got paid the league minimum

[lacrossepro70]

Jerry Stackhouse is a 6th man, and he's a pretty darn good player. A lot of players who are tweeners between SF and SG start as 6th men. Then again, IMO Tyler could have an impact like Corey Brewer in his first season.

[NEW COACH]

Smith is an interesting case on several fronts. He was an outstanding freshman at Iowa, transferred to Tennessee and was granted immediate eligibility due to medical issues with his father. Tennessee was already pretty darn good, but Smith became a focal point in their offense, which to Tennessee fans was somewhat odd considering Chris Lofton was still around.

Now that we know Lofton was battling cancer and strength issues all season, the emergence of Smith as a go-to guy on offense makes sense. Smith made the biggest difference on the defensive end. He made key blocks every game, could rebound, and his toughness was unparalleled. He has the look of a guy you don't want to mess with, and his game should equate interestingly to a Joakim Noah-type player.

I don't think Smith will be a great NBA scorer, but I think he will go in the late lottery next season and become a solid NBA sixth man. For a more established comparison, I'm thinking in the mold of Quentin Richardson, minus the long-range distance. All three players are athletic and can rebound well. Richardson became a good shooter, something that will never happen for Smith, but Smith could become a hybrid of both players.

nm

[wfordiii]

I think if Smith were to get on a team that likes to run he could be similar to Josh Howard.

[TheVol]

Really bad comparisons, Smith is in no way similar to Noah.

[BigPapaVol]

I donamt understand the big debate about Smith's shooting.

He can shoot, but is reluctant to do so from beyond 15. He's got great touch 15 and in and looks relatively pure even beyond that.

The article itself was silly. Brewer is a much, much better defender and Noah is a much larger player. Richardson isn't even close.

[TennesseeFan07]

Originally Posted by wfordiii

I think if Smith were to get on a team that likes to run he could be similar to Josh Howard.

agree 100%

[ukvols]

I found it odd that the author found it odd that Tyler was a focal point last year. He would have been a focal point even if Lofton were himself.

[Rasputin_Vol]

Originally Posted by ivtec_jrod

A good 6th man. Basically meaning he will ride the pine in the NBA and give starters a rest.

He would be a starter for the Knicks.

[dickens821]

Originally Posted by ivtec_jrod

A good 6th man. Basically meaning he will ride the pine in the NBA and give starters a rest.

Uh...

Being a 6th man is an incredibly important role on any NBA team. There's a reason they give out a 6th man of the yr award every year.

[lacrossepro70]

The article is also making the point that Smith can't score, comparing him to Joakim Noah, which is presumptuous at best. Smith will be able to take most NBA SG's down low and post them up. He is a matchup nightmare, and unlike Noah, he has an outstanding turnaround jumper from 10 ft.