Wiggins
Jabari
Exam
Embiid
Randle
Gordon
Vonleh
Ennis
Yes - in a tie-breaker between Smart vs Ennis, I'm going with Tyler Ennis to run my team, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Randle isn't athletic enough, nor does he have the wingspan to be an above-average PF.
Gordon is a worse shooter than Smart, more of a tweener, shows considerably less offensive skills and is about the same impact wise defensively.
Vonleh is raw, hasn't exactly showed much of anything this year. No post moves, average shooter, turnover prone, not a leader, and in his last 3 games had 17 points….total. Smart averages that per game.
Ennis isn't worth mentioning. You put Smart on him, and he doesn't do anything.
Marcus Smart may be the best defender in college right now, and he's certainly the best guard defender. While his shooting may not be great, it has improved while last year. Increased his assists while decreasing his turnovers, in addition to taking a larger role on the team. He is that teams heart and soul. He gets to the line easily, that's a skill that translates. He finishes at the rim, that's a skill that translates. He rebounds very well for a guard, that's a skill that translates. He defends his *** off, and he hustles more than any elite college player I've seen in a long time, that's a skill that translates. Put him in the open spacing of the NBA, and he's easily averaging 12/5/4 as a rookie, while providing excellent defense. That's a guarantee…you can quote me on that.
You also have to remember his intangibles. He's a leader, he hustles…what happens when other players see the best player on the court diving around for loose balls? They're gonna dive around for loose balls. His playing style is contagious. While I would prefer Wiggins/Parker/Embiid, and I'm still 50/50 on Smart and Exum…I would not be disappointed at all in getting Marcus Smart.
