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Texas Tech Basketball: Possible Landing Sports For Zhaire Smith

By Matthew Conner

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 23: Zhaire Smith
BOSTON, MA - MARCH 23: Zhaire Smith /
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WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 27: Head coach Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs looks on against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on March 27, 2018 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 27: Head coach Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs looks on against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on March 27, 2018 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

San Antonio Spurs

The franchise that would likely be the best fit for Zhaire Smith would make a great number of Texas Tech fans delirious should it select him.  However, that move would cause the other half of the Red Raider fan base to experience quite the conflict of interest.

Many publications have linked the San Antonio Spurs to Zhaire Smith and for good reason.  As a low-key, hard-nosed, defense-first player, Smith appears to be a perfect fit for legendary Spurs’ coach Greg Popovich.

The Spurs have built their franchise on unassuming superstars like Tim Duncan and Kawhi Leonard for two decades with magnificent results.  And ironically, there could be a need for Smith in San Antonio thanks to the discontent of Leonard who reportedly wants to be traded.

The Spurs are a team in need of an infusion of athleticism and youth, especially on the wing where long-time stalwarts like Tony Parker, Danny Green and Manu Ginobli are all over 30.  As a result, the Spurs were one of the most deliberate teams in the league on offense ranking second-to-last this season in pace of play.

Much of that was due to San Antonio’s lack of fast break points.  The Spurs put up just 10.1 points per game on the break, 23rd out of 30 teams in the NBA.

Zhaire Smith could be an answer to that problem given his defensive prowess.  Smith is an electric defender who has the quickness to get into passing lanes and finish on the break.

However, the Spurs could be looking to add a more proven three-point shooter as they ranked 28th in the league in three-pointers made per game.  Smith shot over 40% from deep at Texas Tech but is far from being considered a reliable deep threat at this point given the limited number of attempts he had.

The Spurs sit at No. 18 in the draft.  Smith is projected to be taken somewhere from 14-22 so there is a realistic chance that he could stay in Texas for his NBA career.  That would certainly cause the throngs of Red Raider fans who are also Dallas Mavericks or Houston Rockets or Oklahoma City Thunder fans to have quite the conundrum on their hands for the foreseeable future.

As a fan of an Eastern Conference team, I can’t help but hope this happens.  It would be the best organization and coach for Zhaire Smith to play for and I would love to see how Tech fans who hate the Spurs handle seeing the first Texas Tech basketball star in a generation torment them for years to come.

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