1 Dream, 1 realistic and 1 floor NBA player comparison for Bucks’ Tyler Smith
It has just been over a month since the NBA Draft, where the Milwaukee Bucks added two 19-year-old talents to a roster that was in desperate need of getting younger. AJ Johnson was a shock pick in the first-round, and the second-round saw the Bucks add forward Tyler Smith from the G-League Ignite.
He brings much needed athleticism and mobility to the ageing Milwaukee roster, possessing a fluidity to his game that is different to the other frontcourt players the Bucks already have. At 6-foot-9, he adds versatility and allows Doc Rivers to try various combinations of lineups to outwit opponents.
Why Milwaukee Bucks fans should be excited about Tyler Smith
In 27 games with the Ignite, Smith averaged a solid 13.4 points and five rebounds on shooting splits of .476/.364/.725. The ability to stretch the floor and shoot consistently is another desirable attribute of his that he can bring to Milwaukee. He is far from the finished article, but the frame, athleticism and talent are already there. Piecing it together at the next level is now the challenge.
His defense is the big question mark that will control his time on the court in this rookie season. His frame is a nice base to start, but it could be the defining factor to when and how long he stays on the floor in Milwaukee. Athletically, he is exactly what the Bucks have lacked at the forward position when Giannis Antetokounmpo isn't on the floor, so if he improves that part of his game early, he can be a really key piece of the Milwaukee Bucks and any success they have.
His ability to stretch the floor is perfect alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton, allowing him to keep defenders occupied and open up the paint for the ball-handlers to create opportunities for themselves and others.
Milwaukee's Summer League roster struggled as they lost all five games they played. Smith played 22 minutes per game and showed glimpses of his talents, averaging nine points, seven rebounds and a block per game. His shooting did dip to 40.4 percent from the field and 28 percent from three, but hopefully the continuity of being with the Bucks NBA roster will help him return to his Ignite averages.
Smith has a great skill set and frame that certainly has NBA comparisons, so let's take a look at a dream, realistic and floor scenario for the second-round pick.