The 2014 Draft Combine Numbers Breakdown (Guards)
By Mike Garcia
Mar 20, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Marcus Smart (right) dunks over guard Markel Brown (22) during practice before the second round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Marcus Smart did very well at the NBA combine. He was one of the players on the Lakers’ interview list. Size-wise, he compares closely to Derrick Rose in terms of height and wingspan. Smart is actually taller, with a longer wingspan by 1/2 an inch and 1.25″ respectively. However, there simply is no guard out there with Marcus Smart’s size. All other guards of similar height and wingspan, simply do not have the extra 20lbs. of bulk that he carries. How strong is he? He completed 18 reps at the 185lb. bench press test. That kind of result is reserved for power forwards and centers. Add to the fact that he has over 10% body fat, there’s still further refinement that could be done in order to gain quickness and vertical ability.
Athletically, his results are likened to a much younger Randy Foye. Foye was considered a power guard in his own right out of Villanova, but he had great test results as well. Both players hover around the 33″ in mark with the no-step vert., the 36″ mark with the two-step vert., and mid-10 second range for lateral agility. Both players have equal times with the 3/4 court sprint.
Foye was not the aggressor with the basketball that Marcus Smart is. Smart does a good job of attacking the basket, getting into the paint, and using his strength and wingspan to finish through contact. There are times when Smart doesn’t exhibit his full vertical ability, which actually scored better than Dwyane Wade. Both players are just 2″ apart in standing reach. While Smart did very well in the combine, athletically, there is still room to grow.
Foye wasn’t known as an elite level defender that his lateral agility test may show. Marcus Smart, on the other hand, not only reads offenses well, but he reacts quickly and uses his lateral agility to help out on defense or get into passing lanes. His steal rate is no fluke, at nearly three steals per-40 minutes of play.