I say this all the time in the college threads, never had to say it here:
None of us have any idea what makes these kids tick. None of us know their family/financial situation or what they enjoy or what their life is like in school or the NBA or what they want to do with their lives. How can you pass judgment on their career decisions one way or another without knowing that stuff? It's kinda arrogant, to be honest.
From a personal standpoint sure, it's probably not fair to criticize. But from a purely basketball standpoint I think it's fair to say this is dumb. More than likely he's costing himself a few million and a more than a few spots in the draft. If he's fine with that then whatever, certainly that's his right. Who knows, maybe he'll drastically under the expert tutelage of the brilliant Travis Ford (lol) and he'll actually improve his draft position.
More than likely he's costing himself more than a few spots? That's a bit much, no? I'd say it's possible he's costing himself a few spots. He's probably not #1 this year and there's no reason he shouldn't be Top 5 in 2014. The only real risk is his health, and as Noel has shown even that isn't a significant risk. We're not talking about a big man whose 2013 draft spot is based entirely on raw talent and potential.
Smart's skills are already evident, another year of exposure isn't gonna expose him the way it did, say, McAdoo.
Seems to me that the risk usually outweighs the rewards at this point w/re to additional tape. Another year shooting the basketball this poorly will likely lower his ceiling in many scouts eyes. It's easy to overlook his jumper after 1 season and think he'll improve it once he gets a bit older and puts in more work. Two years of poor shooting on tape and he starts turning into a Tony Allen type prospect - still a valuable piece but not someone who you roll the dice on with a top 5-10 pick in a loaded draft.
Ferris makes solid points as well - Smart may improve his game and thus be a better overall player and wind up as a better fit in 2014. But from a risk analysis standpoint, if you were advising Smart, I think you'd be borderline negligent not advising him to turn pro now.
The only chance they have is if Steve Blake catches fire from outside and Jamison finds the fountain of youth.
... regardless of the kind of odds we'll have to lay?
Just gotta risk that much more.
on harden getting called for a foul when Blake fell over without being touched.
