[JNixonParticipant]

24: Nolan Smith. 6’3 188, PG/SG, Duke, Sr.

After a great career for Duke and developing his game the way coaches love to see guys grow, Nolan Smith has a legit chance at being a 1st round draft choice. A classic overachiever and an extremely productive player, Smith gets underrated and overlooked as a prospect and can be written off as a great college player who may or may not succeed in the NBA. Physically, Smith is average or even slightly below for NBA standards as a combo guard. He has solid height at 6’3.5 and an average 6’5 wingspan, and his wiry frame is also only OK as is his strength. Athletically, Smith is a little underrated. He’s not super explosive and has good but not great quickness and speed, but if he gets a running start he is capable of playing above the rim.

On the offensive end, Smith developed every year in college and added a new element to his game. His shot is much better than it was when he came to Duke, and he’s effective with his feet set. Shows a compact motion that is easy and quick, as well as nice touch, and consistent range out to about 23 feet. Has to work on expanding his range consistently to NBA range, but that appears likely to come. Also shows a solid mid-range game pulling up. Smith is alright as a slasher, but nothing extraordinary. His 1st step is only OK as are his overall ball-handling skills. Has some basic crossovers to set up his 1st step and a few hesitation moves, but he’s not going to break many guys down off the dribble and get to the rim consistently in the NBA in half-court situations. Struggles to finish against longer and more athletic bigs at the rim, but tries to use the rim to shield from shot-blockers. Does utilize pick and rolls very well and can create offense for himself and others in these situations. Has a reasonably effective floater. Although Smith is capable of playing some PG and making good basic plays, he doesn’t have the playmaking instincts of a true PG and will always be limited running offense. Got to play PG at Duke, and was much more effective looking for his own shots than he was distributing. Was TO prone and a bit ball-dominant. Did a respectable job of making basic passes in the flow of the offense. Likes to look for his own shot in transition, but is an effective finisher who can get bove the rim with a head of steam. Will probably have to play a role similar to Mario Chalmers’ in Miami where he plays with guys who need the ball, so he’ll only handle the ball sometimes to set up the offense and play off ball a huge bit of the time.

Smith has the ability to defend PG’s in the NBA with effectiveness. He will probably be good on this end as he gets experience, but he’s not going to be great. Moves his feet and maintains consistent effort. Is capable of getting about a steal a night despite his average length and quickness because of his activity level. S

mith’s got some tools that suggest he can be a solid backup combo guard since he can play on or off ball, plays smart D and is decent in pick and roll situations. He’s a bit prone to shooting slumps and turnovers when he handles the ball a lot as he showed last season, but I could definitely see him as a Mario Chalmers-type who plays best alongside some ball-dominant players and won’t be asked to do much more than make basic plays on both ends.

23: Klay Thompson, 6’7 206, SG, Washington State, Jr.

A prospect who has been a high scorer for Washington State since he was a Fr., Thompson has been on scouts radar for a while now. The son of former NBA player Mykhal Thompson, Thompson has very clear cut strengths and weaknesses. Minor character concerns revolve around his marijuana arrest, but nothing serious at all. Physically, Thompson has prototypical size for a either wing position and especially the SG spot he’ll play most. His 6’9 wingspan is average for his height and he’s could stand to get a bit stronger, but I don’t think he’ll have any problems adding strength. Athletically, Thompson is average for NBA standards. He’s not very quick or explosive, but he does shows OK leaping ability if he gets a head of steam.

It’s pretty well-known to those who really follow college basketball that Thompson’s biggest strength as a player is his shooting ability. He possesses a beautifully soft touch, possesses textbook form and has a quick release. Likes to shoot spotting up and is also very good coming off screens. Moves extremely well without the ball. Didn’t need to dominate or handle the ball a lot to be effective at Washington St. Was extremely lethal when left open. Has NBA range. His shot sets up the rest of his game, and he’s heavily reliant on his shot. As a slasher, Thompson is a mixed bag. Below average 1st step, although he possesses average ball-handling skills. He is decisive enough when he receives passes to make a quick move to get himself in good position against his man. Handled the ball a lot more as a Jr. then he will in the NBA. Not very strong or tough though, and struggles to get all the way to the rim against athletic defenders. Much rather shoot floaters than finish at the rim, although his floater is good. Needs a head of steam to play above the rim. A pretty good passer. Not going to rebound much. A bit turnover prone due his role at WSU. A bit one-dimensional offensively, although he has a good shot. Was gameplanned against in the Pac-10, and struggled with efficiency both years he was the focal point of the offense in the conference slate.

Thompson isn’t a very good defender. His lateral quickness is pretty iffy, and his strength, toughness and energy also are below par. Doesn’t really try that hard on this end, and must do so to compete in the NBA for time. Gambles, but not likely to get many steals. If his man gets a step on him, he’s not going to recover most likely.

Overall, Thompson shooting and ability to play off-ball are great. His shot is beautiful to watch, but he’s fairly one-dimensional. Although he possesses great shooting skills he’s not an elite guy like Kyle Korver, who always has had even better size and at least competes on D. I’m concerned that Thompson’s efficiency often goes down when he faces a tough matchup or in the conference slate, and that WSU didn’t make the tourney despite having some decent talent. I think Thompson has a nice skill, but I don’t feel confident that he’ll be as great as other spot-up guys. I see a lot of Morris Almond in his game honestly, and just like Almond teams are higher on him after workouts than they should be. He’s not a lottery prospect, even in this weak draft.

[llperez]

I agree with basically everything you said about klay and think early 20’s is a good spot for him. He showed an improved ball handling game as a junior and made some nice plays bringing it up in transition from time to time. But I just have seen him straight up get locked down too many times to be super excited about him. I do think he has a great basketball mind though where he comes from an NBA father and pushes himself like a gym rat.

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