Basbabe or Tyler Smith?

Basabe. More well-rounded. And I do not think he is a one and done player like I felt about Tyler all year. I just thought he'd be one and done to NBA, not to TN.
 
Basabe...bigger body, better rebounder, shot blocking ability, solid FT shooter. If he continues to develop he could be a multi-year all conference player.
 
Jridder10 said:
which player would you take as a freshman at iowa?
Click to expand...


Using my 20/20 hindsight and seeing what ended up happening with Smith (both on and off court) and trying to compare that with where I see Mel in three years, I'll take Mel.


Trying to look at them only based on where they were at this point their FR year, it's close, but I'd take Smith.


I do think that Mel could progress into a beast, though, which is why I mentioned the first comment.
 
I was thinking this the other day.. Basabe reminds me a lot of Tyler Smith. Smith was much better athlete I believe. He was better at creating his own shot and dribble penetration, fast breaks, speed/explosiveness.. Where Basabe plays more like a big man.. Better post up game and better shot blocker & rebounder.. I would take Basabe though, not enough difference in talent to make up for the character difference. Plus Basabe better teammate and probably better upside overall.
 
FRESHMAN STATS:
BASABE:
Season AveragesSEASONTEAMMINPTSREBASTTOA/TSTLBLKPFFG%FT%3P%PPS2010-2011IOWA24.010.76.9.32.1.12.41.42.6.563.717.0001.54

Smith:
2006-2007IOWA33.714.94.93.63.01.211.5.32.5.442.727.2541.17

Both are same size pretty much... Smith 6-7 215lbs..Basabe 6-7 225lbs.. Just shows what a great athlete Smith really was his first year at IA.. Basabe needs to thicken up a bit and he can be a dominate 4..
 
Since I have no clue who Basbabe is, I'd have to take Smith ;)

Kidding aside, it's dang close for me. I'd lean Basabe since he's a big. Can I have both, please? Hopefully the program gets to the point where we can have two guys like that...
 
Basabe for sure. His understanding of the game is terrific, great body control and excellent fundamentals. He isn't the high flying athlete Smith was but if you take out that excitement factor of Smith's dunking then Basabe wins.
 
rodg12 said:
Since I have no clue who Basbabe is, I'd have to take Smith ;)

Kidding aside, it's dang close for me. I'd lean Basabe since he's a big. Can I have both, please? Hopefully the program gets to the point where we can have two guys like that...
Click to expand...
haha okay my bad on the spelling smart @$$ ;)
 
Hawkeye34 said:
Basabe for sure. His understanding of the game is terrific, great body control and excellent fundamentals. He isn't the high flying athlete Smith was but if you take out that excitement factor of Smith's dunking then Basabe wins.
Click to expand...

Reading comments like this make me think a lot of people have forgot how good Smith was. He was far from just high flying dunks. Take away his dunks and he would still be a good ball player. He was a good ball handler, excellent passer, had a real nice midrange game, especially for a freshman. He was a streaky outside shooter but his play making ability made up for that.

It's a tough choice to make though, I'm very excited for Basabe's future but I think I'd lean with Smith because having a guy who can get his own shot and create for others can make the whole team better.
 
Smith was a better all around player when he came in. He had a nice mid range shot and could stretch it out to 3 pt land occasionally. Off the top of my head I think Smith was pretty close to having some triple doubles because he could handle the rock so well.

That being said, I think Basabe has more room to improve than Smith did. I think Smith was closer to peaking when he was a freshman (which isn't a slight on him because he was very good). Basabe can put on weight and work on his outside shot and if he can do those two things, he will be very hard to stop.

I'd like to have both on the court at the same time.
 
I would really like to see Smith play in this offense. Smith had Haluska getting most of the shots in that offense to it would have been interesting to see if he had less talent around him a la Basabe this year. I would take Smith.
 
Not a knock on Basabe, but Tyler Smith was better than Basabe as a freshmen. The reason was that extra year in prep school. He was one of the best freshman to come through Iowa in the last 10-15 years.

I'd take Smith because that's what this team needs, a slasher/scorer, someone who can take over the game.
 
I guess there's some fun in having a bar-type discussion but honestly Smith left after a year, Mel Basabe's here and now and leading Iowa's resurgence, and I think he'll be here at least another year or two. I'll take that any time.
 
tweeterhawk said:
I guess there's some fun in having a bar-type discussion but honestly Smith left after a year, Mel Basabe's here and now and leading Iowa's resurgence, and I think he'll be here at least another year or two. I'll take that any time.
Click to expand...

I don't think hindsight is applicable here.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Share this page

Top