The 7th Pick in the Draft: Marcus Smart or Julius Randle?
The Mock Draft season is upon us. A survey of several mock drafts show a split on the Lakers 7th Pick in the draft. Either it is Marcus Smart (Yahoo Sports, Fox Sports, CBS Sports) or Julius Randle (Sports Illustrated, ESPN). A distant third is Noah Vonleh (Draft Express). Here is a look at all three.
Marcus Smart:
Strengths: He would have been a top three pick had he come out as a freshman. He returned for his sophomore year to improve his three point shooting. It went unchanged (29%). But he still averaged 18 points a game. He is the most intense player in the lottery and the toughest competitor. After the NBA Combine was over he didn’t hang out at the hotel, he went back to the gym to work out. His work ethic is unparalleled. He is a strong (bruising) point guard who can finish through contact and set powerful screens. He is explosive and never takes a play off. He can post up smaller, less physical guards and draw fouls. He can get into the paint and once he is there make quick decisions, pass or continue to the rim and elevate and finish at the basket. His game has been compared to Eric Bledsoe or Russell Westbrook. He can play in the NBA right away.
Weakness: His competitive nature works against him at times. He can be too intense and loses perspective. His perimeter shoot needs a lot of work. He can have a short fuse and needs to work on his temper.
Julius Randle
Apr 7, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Julius Randle (30) reacts on the sideline against the Connecticut Huskies in the second half during the championship game of the Final Four in the 2014 NCAA Mens Division I Championship tournament at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Strengths: He played in the pressurized atmosphere of the University of Kentucky, an obsessive fan market similar to the Lakers. He averaged a double double, 15 points, 10 rebounds. He consistently found ways to score even as Kentucky did not have an elite point guard to get him the ball. He is a rebound chaser and is aggressive on put backs. He does not hesitate. He has a NBA body and 7 foot wingspan. He plays through contact. He has good footwork around the basket and can also create his own offense off the dribble. He is unselfish and looks for his teammates. He is comfortable and confident in the low post and has an array of moves for a freshman player. He can play in the NBA right away.
Weakness: He is not an explosive power forward, not a Blake Griffin. He doesn’t block shots. He drifts in and out of games at times and doesn’t demand the ball even when he has the physical advantage over his defender. His defense is a work in progress. He is not particularly athletic and doesn’t run the floor with any sort of speed or consistency.
Noah Vonleh:
Strengths: He has an incredible wingspan and huge hands. He can stretch the defense and shoot threes. He can handle the ball and is efficient when he goes to his right. He can finish with either hand once he is at the rim. He is a good defender in the paint and on the perimeter and has shown potential at shot blocking. He chases rebounds effectively and he can run the floor on the break.
Weaknesses: He is not a good passer and has one of the worst assist/turnover ratios of all the lottery players. He is not particularly athletic and his passivity is an issue. He is not a good mid range shooter; he hesitates. His team did not make the NCAA tournament this year and he is only 18 years old. He doesn’t have much in the way of post moves and doesn’t screen the ball very well. He is a project, someone who does not have the skill to contribute right away on the offense side of the ball. But in the future, if he develops, and depending on work ethic and desire, he may develop into a quality player.