Tyler Ennis, Syracuse's freshman point guard, is the latest name to enter next year's NBA draft.
"It'll probably come down to him and Marcus Smart as far as the top point guard taken in the draft," one NBA general manager told ESPN.
The giver of that quote either hasn't watched UCLA point guard Kyle Anderson play or considers him so large as to be a forward. Nbadraft.net actually has Anderson in the 5th spot right now, one place ahead of Smart. To be fair to the GM, mynbadraft.com has Anderson in the 20's.
Between Smart and Ennis, the Syracuse guard is the smoother, more skilled player. Smart, however, is the larger, more emotional one. Though that part about him has also caused concern, it's been a better reason for Smart's current high projection. On nbadraft.net, Ennis is slated in the 18th spot; on mynbadraft.com, Ennis is expected 10th.
Similar to Anderson, a knock against Ennis is his lack of athleticism. Unlike Anderson, Ennis isn't 6-foot-9. He is, however, quicker -- in a more fluid way than Smart's jerky game. Still, in a league stockpiled with athletic point guards, scouts wonder if he'll have enough other qualities to keep up.
NBA personnel also hold their usual defensive concerns about Syracuse products. They don't know yet if Ennis can play or learn to play man-to-man.
Perhaps 76ers point guard (and former Syracuse Orange) Michael Carter Williams will help Ennis' case. Though he hasn't shown exceptional defense and plays on one of the worst teams in NBA history, he'll probably win the Rookie of the Year award on the heels of a 16, 6, 6 line in terms of points, assists, and rebounds.
"I'd like to thank Coach Boeheim, the coaching staff, my teammates and the amazing fans for the opportunity to play at a great university like Syracuse," Ennis said in a statement released by the school. "This experience has helped prepare me to fulfill my lifelong dream to play in the NBA."
My take: I wouldn't take either Smart or Ennis with a top-10 pick. After that I'd take Smart, but with the concern that he becomes one of those 15 year veterans that only begins to figure it out in year 8 or 9. Ennis is safer in terms of team chemistry and public relations, but he also reminds me of too many point guards who never made it. Such is the NBA draft.
