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2014 NBA Draft: Oklahoma State’s Marcus Smart Player Profile

By Nathan Giese

Jan 27, 2014; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Marcus Smart (33) reacts during the game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Lloyd Noble Center. Oklahoma won 88-76. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 27, 2014; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Marcus Smart (33) reacts during the game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Lloyd Noble Center. Oklahoma won 88-76. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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Strengths:

Mar 21, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Marcus Smart (33) shoots between Gonzaga Bulldogs center Przemek Karnowski (24) and guard David Stockton (11) in the first half of a men
Mar 21, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Marcus Smart (33) shoots between Gonzaga Bulldogs center Przemek Karnowski (24) and guard David Stockton (11) in the first half of a men /

At 6’4″ Smart is a solid height for his natural point guard acumen he’s displayed in two years at Oklahoma State, and at 220lbs Smart’s bigger than most floor runners. His size mixed with his aggressiveness is part of his successful ways.  Smart loves to work in transition, converting 53 percent of his transition baskets and getting to the free throw line another 31 percent.

While he likes to get out in transition Smart spent most of this past year working in the half court. Smart spent 80 percent of all offensive possessions working in the half court, converting on 42 percent of his shot attempts. A point guard has to be abel to convert off of ball screens and pick-and-roll situations, both of which Smart is very good at. Smart scored on 41 percent of all pick-and-roll opportunities and 46 percent of  plays off of ball screens.

Smart’s not just a good offensive player but his defense is tops among the higher ranked draft prospects. Smart held opponents to 26 percent shooting against him this season, one of the best individual marks in the nation. Opponents also only scored on 29 percent of possessions with Smart playing defense on them. He’s quick, agile and aggressive and few players have been able to figure out how to score on him.

Weaknesses: 

While his defense is his biggest asset, he has trouble stopping guys that drive to the right, forcing him to go to his left. Opponents scored on 46 percent of plays where they drove to the right against him. Considering the NBA is all about the drive to the right, Smart will have to get stronger at stopping the drive to the right.

Smart succeeds in scoring mostly when it’s around the basket as he only shoots 28 percent on jump shots. His catch-and-shoot ability isn’t much better as he’s only been able to convert on 30 percent of those opportunities and only 20 percent when he is being guarded. His three-point shooting is also something that needs to improve. It did jump up from 20 percent in his freshman year to 29 in his sophomore year but there’s still room to grow with it.

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