Josh Smith
SF · 2004 NBA Draft, 1st round, pick #17 (ATL)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being undervalued: availability. Details below.
- Availability
Played 894 games over 13 NBA seasons (~84% of a full 82-game schedule each year).
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #8 (#2 at his position), close to where he went (#17). The whole market, not just his team, missed on him.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 51.8% of the time (765 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Age
18.6 years old on draft night (born 1985-12-05).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 51.7% of the time (300 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Position
SF (ESPN draft listing).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 51.2% of the time (570 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
Every line comes from data: Basketball-Reference career data; ESPN's draft profile; Wikidata birth dates. No scouting reports or quotes. Green = pointed toward a steal for him.
Career numbers
| Seasons | 13 |
| Games | 894 |
| Minutes / game | 32.4 |
| Points / game | 14.5 |
| Rebounds / game | 7.4 |
| Assists / game | 3.1 |
| Win Shares (career) | 51.0 |
| VORP | 27.2 |
| Box Plus/Minus | 1.7 |
The 2004 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2004 pick. Dashed line = typical redraft rank for each slot (2000–2021 classes). Above the line = beat his slot.
How players like him did
| Pre-draft rankings Within 10 picks of ESPN's rank | 51.8% n=765 | |
| Age Under 20 | 51.7% n=300 | |
| Position Forward | 51.2% n=570 |
Share of 2000–2021 picks with the same trait who beat their draft slot. Line = 50%.
Measurables & pre-draft
| Height / weight | 6' 8", 220 lbs |
| Age on draft night | 18.6 |
| Born | 1985-12-05 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #8 overall (#2 SF) |
Picked around him 2004 redraft
| 14 | Kris Humphries | redraft #22 |
| 15 | Al Jefferson | redraft #5 |
| 16 | Kirk Snyder | redraft #24 |
| 18 | J.R. Smith | redraft #9 |
| 19 | Dorell Wright | redraft #15 |
| 20 | Jameer Nelson | redraft #10 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 15+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.