[For_Never_EverParticipant]

 Marcus Smart I’ve been critical of him being a pont guard for awhile since before he was drafted. He had a huge following of believers in college of his talents. So far this season he has had plenty of opportunity to play point, but has shown over and over bad decision making, and ball handling skills for the position. He is a plus defender, and improved shooter, streaky. Perhaps he can improve to become a point, but right now I think my comparison for him being a Wesley Mathews/Avery Bradley type player is the guage. 

[zcnumerounoParticipant]

I do think he’s better off as a combo guard that primarly plays the 2, since he doesn’t have natural floor general skills. He’ll still be a good pro, IMO, because of his potential to be an elite defender (already almost there) and his improved shooting stroke. I also love his fire, and I’d want him to play for my team if I was a coach.

[zcnumerounoParticipant]

I do think he’s better off as a combo guard that primarly plays the 2, since he doesn’t have natural floor general skills. He’ll still be a good pro, IMO, because of his potential to be an elite defender (already almost there) and his improved shooting stroke. I also love his fire, and I’d want him to play for my team if I was a coach.

[For_Never_EverParticipant]

The problem is Avery Bradley brings everything he does. The Cetlics made the wrong pick because they are the same size.

[For_Never_EverParticipant]

The problem is Avery Bradley brings everything he does. The Cetlics made the wrong pick because they are the same size.

[Lotto StudParticipant]

I highly doubt Smaht will be moved any time soon, due to lack of size in the backcourt. He’s just a rookie. At least give him an offseason or two before you completely write him off as bust material. I’m sure he will hone some type of skill after going through the bumps and bruises that come with the rookie transitional phase.

All he can do is go up from here if he’s dedicated in committing to excellence as an off-guard. Smaht already had it programmed in his head that he would be a PG from Day 1, so I highly doubt his focus was primarily on shooting. Ball handling always needs improvement, but now he must overshadow that with a touch of splash.

[Lotto StudParticipant]

I highly doubt Smaht will be moved any time soon, due to lack of size in the backcourt. He’s just a rookie. At least give him an offseason or two before you completely write him off as bust material. I’m sure he will hone some type of skill after going through the bumps and bruises that come with the rookie transitional phase.

All he can do is go up from here if he’s dedicated in committing to excellence as an off-guard. Smaht already had it programmed in his head that he would be a PG from Day 1, so I highly doubt his focus was primarily on shooting. Ball handling always needs improvement, but now he must overshadow that with a touch of splash.

[For_Never_EverParticipant]

I don’t consider him a bust as a player, but isn’t what this team needs. This team was looking for someone to replace Rondo as the future point guard. I think Turner can maybe start for a good team or come off the bench as the 6th man. He should get on a better team somehow. However, without Turner on the floor you are stuck with a 3 guard lineup that is extemely small, and limited with two of the players being very similar.

[For_Never_EverParticipant]

I don’t consider him a bust as a player, but isn’t what this team needs. This team was looking for someone to replace Rondo as the future point guard. I think Turner can maybe start for a good team or come off the bench as the 6th man. He should get on a better team somehow. However, without Turner on the floor you are stuck with a 3 guard lineup that is extemely small, and limited with two of the players being very similar.

[SgtMcSquigglesParticipant]

 I strongly disagree. Smart has drastically outperformed Bradley, especially in terms of pg skills.

Smart: 4.9 asts and 1.9 tos per 36

Bradley: 2.1 asts and 1.8 tos per 36

 

 

 

 

[SgtMcSquigglesParticipant]

 I strongly disagree. Smart has drastically outperformed Bradley, especially in terms of pg skills.

Smart: 4.9 asts and 1.9 tos per 36

Bradley: 2.1 asts and 1.8 tos per 36

 

 

 

 

[For_Never_EverParticipant]

Bradley got his chance at point already, and is now strictly playing off ball. I think if you looked pass the stats,  and on his game you’ll see Marcus Smarts isn’t a point.

[For_Never_EverParticipant]

Bradley got his chance at point already, and is now strictly playing off ball. I think if you looked pass the stats,  and on his game you’ll see Marcus Smarts isn’t a point.

[mgreener_34Participant]

I don’t know how I feel about this post, as it’s kind of just a reaction to your expectations to the player you thought Smart was in college, and not exactly about Smart himself. As I mentioned in a previous post a couple days ago, the Celtics blatently see what you see, and over 75% of Marcus Smarts minutes this year have been played at SG. He’s also played a lot of SF for us as well in Stevens small ball lineups. In fact the only time Smart played point this year was for a brief period after Rondo was traded and Turner was on the bench. Smart at this point in his career, physically, organizationally, and possitionally…is a SG. I don’t understand why that is so shocking to you, as we see SG’s go to PG’s every year in the NBA. Smart is just the opposite in that reguards, and his 15% usage rate and shot sellection proves it. 

As you mentioned in your post, he needs to work on his handles and descion making, but for a rookie SG they really aren’t all that bad. What’s really hindering Smart as a player is the fact that the dude is 6’3 and ways 230 pounds! The guys just a brink wall. I think once Smart gets a full NBA offseason and conditioning under his belt you’re going to see a little bit more of the player you thought you were going to see. At the combine, Smart clocked a ridiculous 11% body fat, and it’s not outlanding to think that that number will plummet. I could see Smart losing about 10 pounds of fat while gaining 5 extra pounds of muscle no problem before the start of next season, and we’ll see a compleatly different player. His athleticism/explosiveness should drasticly improve, and you’ll see a lot more drives to the lane which is a PG’s/Combo biggest stregth imo. 

I also disagree with your opinion that it was the wrong pick on draft night. Honestly, who would you have taken instead of Smart? Randle, who plays the same position as your other 2 promosing young players? Payton, who is just a worse version of the PG you already had? Saric, who you knew wasn’t coming over?The only player drafted after Smart who I would even consider over him is Jusuf Nurkic, but I think we can all agree he kind of came out of left field this year. Celtics got one of the surrest picks in the draft, and someone who at worst is going to be a lock down defender for years to come. Dude has 10 games of 3+ steals or more. As a Celtic fan, anything added onto that is just icing on the cake.

[mgreener_34Participant]

I don’t know how I feel about this post, as it’s kind of just a reaction to your expectations to the player you thought Smart was in college, and not exactly about Smart himself. As I mentioned in a previous post a couple days ago, the Celtics blatently see what you see, and over 75% of Marcus Smarts minutes this year have been played at SG. He’s also played a lot of SF for us as well in Stevens small ball lineups. In fact the only time Smart played point this year was for a brief period after Rondo was traded and Turner was on the bench. Smart at this point in his career, physically, organizationally, and possitionally…is a SG. I don’t understand why that is so shocking to you, as we see SG’s go to PG’s every year in the NBA. Smart is just the opposite in that reguards, and his 15% usage rate and shot sellection proves it. 

As you mentioned in your post, he needs to work on his handles and descion making, but for a rookie SG they really aren’t all that bad. What’s really hindering Smart as a player is the fact that the dude is 6’3 and ways 230 pounds! The guys just a brink wall. I think once Smart gets a full NBA offseason and conditioning under his belt you’re going to see a little bit more of the player you thought you were going to see. At the combine, Smart clocked a ridiculous 11% body fat, and it’s not outlanding to think that that number will plummet. I could see Smart losing about 10 pounds of fat while gaining 5 extra pounds of muscle no problem before the start of next season, and we’ll see a compleatly different player. His athleticism/explosiveness should drasticly improve, and you’ll see a lot more drives to the lane which is a PG’s/Combo biggest stregth imo. 

I also disagree with your opinion that it was the wrong pick on draft night. Honestly, who would you have taken instead of Smart? Randle, who plays the same position as your other 2 promosing young players? Payton, who is just a worse version of the PG you already had? Saric, who you knew wasn’t coming over?The only player drafted after Smart who I would even consider over him is Jusuf Nurkic, but I think we can all agree he kind of came out of left field this year. Celtics got one of the surrest picks in the draft, and someone who at worst is going to be a lock down defender for years to come. Dude has 10 games of 3+ steals or more. As a Celtic fan, anything added onto that is just icing on the cake.

[For_Never_EverParticipant]

Smarts played point a lot in tonights game. He actually gets a bit of minutes at the PG spot whenever he plays, but majority is at the other position. It has become clear to them he isn’t PG since having him thats why he is playing other position even SF, but they were hoping for something else. How many times did you hear this phrase in the beginning Rondo replacer ? I wanted Efrid Payton he can get to where he wants on the court, brake down the defense, attack the basket, good defender and gets good assist numbers. Also Zach Lavine because the potential he presents. Yeah, the Celtics already 6’3 guard that is a lock down defender for year to come his name is Avery Bradly. 

[benny15Participant]

i actually think he fits under brad stevens better than rondo did. defensively, he’s giving more effort this season than rondo and has been more productive on that end, offensively he doesnt keep the ball in hands as long which allows stvens’ system to be ran more. and brad stevens has shown that he has no problem utelizing a scoing guard at the point when he started Jordan Crawford as his PG for the bulk of last season. now smart’s offensive ability may not be in that level yet but his ceiling is much higher.

with the celtics moving the ball around and running their offense at chunks of a time through their front court, i dont really mind that the starting point guard isnt averaging great assist numbers. end of the day, its how the team performs thats more important than a player. i mean, people like to talk about how dynamic point guards today are and that they can really light up the score board, to me that just makes having a great defensive back-court that more important. 

 

[benny15Participant]

i actually think he fits under brad stevens better than rondo did. defensively, he’s giving more effort this season than rondo and has been more productive on that end, offensively he doesnt keep the ball in hands as long which allows stvens’ system to be ran more. and brad stevens has shown that he has no problem utelizing a scoing guard at the point when he started Jordan Crawford as his PG for the bulk of last season. now smart’s offensive ability may not be in that level yet but his ceiling is much higher.

with the celtics moving the ball around and running their offense at chunks of a time through their front court, i dont really mind that the starting point guard isnt averaging great assist numbers. end of the day, its how the team performs thats more important than a player. i mean, people like to talk about how dynamic point guards today are and that they can really light up the score board, to me that just makes having a great defensive back-court that more important. 

 

[For_Never_EverParticipant]

Smarts played point a lot in tonights game. He actually gets a bit of minutes at the PG spot whenever he plays, but majority is at the other position. It has become clear to them he isn’t PG since having him thats why he is playing other position even SF, but they were hoping for something else. How many times did you hear this phrase in the beginning Rondo replacer ? I wanted Efrid Payton he can get to where he wants on the court, brake down the defense, attack the basket, good defender and gets good assist numbers. Also Zach Lavine because the potential he presents. Yeah, the Celtics already 6’3 guard that is a lock down defender for year to come his name is Avery Bradly. 

[Andrew1984Participant]

 As a Brad Stevens/Danny Ainge fan more so than a Celtics fan, I was hoping Boston would draft Doug McDermott. He seemed like a Stevens guy because of his high IQ (being a D1 college coach’s son), just not really the defender that Stevens would prefer. No. 6 would’ve been a little high, but he went only five picks later. It might’ve been a bit of a reach, but after the top 3 or so, the slot is pretty irrelevant.

Before the season, I was thinking that if Rondo could get healthy and if they could get some promise that he’d stay, he would be able to eventually set up McBuckets for tons of open looks. 

With Rondo disgruntled, however, they had to find a plan of succession.

I know Douglas hasn’t done much his rookie year, but I’m convinced that within a few years, he’ll be among the top handful of players from this class.

 

[Andrew1984Participant]

 As a Brad Stevens/Danny Ainge fan more so than a Celtics fan, I was hoping Boston would draft Doug McDermott. He seemed like a Stevens guy because of his high IQ (being a D1 college coach’s son), just not really the defender that Stevens would prefer. No. 6 would’ve been a little high, but he went only five picks later. It might’ve been a bit of a reach, but after the top 3 or so, the slot is pretty irrelevant.

Before the season, I was thinking that if Rondo could get healthy and if they could get some promise that he’d stay, he would be able to eventually set up McBuckets for tons of open looks. 

With Rondo disgruntled, however, they had to find a plan of succession.

I know Douglas hasn’t done much his rookie year, but I’m convinced that within a few years, he’ll be among the top handful of players from this class.

 

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

 They need to be starting Thomas. Marcus cant penetrate. His handle is not up to the standards to even penetrate and then make decisions. He cant finish near the rim and is not a acrobatic finisher. Has no floaters,or even a nice touch on his lay up attempts. He is a streaky shooter who will go 3 for 12 with 3 threes hit in 10 attempts. He will improve but Marcus is best suited as first guard off the bench to bring defensive pressure. He cant get pass anyone do to him just not having the handle as well as the explosion to do so. Thomas has clearly proven to be even a better future prospect than a developed Smart. Randle,Lavine,Peyton I agree would all have been better picks. Bradley has a much better mid range jumper so i would keep Bradley and Bradley is a better athelete plain and simple.

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

 They need to be starting Thomas. Marcus cant penetrate. His handle is not up to the standards to even penetrate and then make decisions. He cant finish near the rim and is not a acrobatic finisher. Has no floaters,or even a nice touch on his lay up attempts. He is a streaky shooter who will go 3 for 12 with 3 threes hit in 10 attempts. He will improve but Marcus is best suited as first guard off the bench to bring defensive pressure. He cant get pass anyone do to him just not having the handle as well as the explosion to do so. Thomas has clearly proven to be even a better future prospect than a developed Smart. Randle,Lavine,Peyton I agree would all have been better picks. Bradley has a much better mid range jumper so i would keep Bradley and Bradley is a better athelete plain and simple.

[Rip255]

I’m still taking exum ahead of him. + to agree, neg to disagree

[tblazer_NZParticipant]

Just curious, Is it because you are a Exum homer due to both of you being Aussies?

[tblazer_NZParticipant]

Just curious, Is it because you are a Exum homer due to both of you being Aussies?

[Rip255]

I’m still taking exum ahead of him. + to agree, neg to disagree

[natevalParticipant]

Smart is already great defensively, his high energy is contagious. If you just look at the box score Smart doesn’t jump off the page but he makes a big impact. Smart was Feb Eastern rookie of the month. He’s not going to be an MVP but will be a very important piece to the Celtics future. If the Celtics could go back to the draft I don’t think they do anything diffrent.

[oc1234Participant]

 You are literally describing everything that is good in a role player?? You always hear about players that come off the bench that "don’t affect the box score" and almost all the players that are described by this are average players with heart. LaVine would have fit better into Ainge’s plan because of his versatility. We could have plugged Lavine into the 2 position and chose not to resign Avery Bradley or we could have played LaVine as the 1 off the bench like Smart in the beginning of the year and then slipped him into the starting lineup after we traded Rondo. Not only is LaVine younger, but he is way more athletic with tons of potential that I believe he can reach if given a starting opportunity. He’s also not a bad defender and I could easily see him developing into a very good defender in the league. Also it was not a big stretch to draft Nurkic at 6th overall because he was being projected into the lottery and he would also have been a 20 times better pick. 

[oc1234Participant]

 You are literally describing everything that is good in a role player?? You always hear about players that come off the bench that "don’t affect the box score" and almost all the players that are described by this are average players with heart. LaVine would have fit better into Ainge’s plan because of his versatility. We could have plugged Lavine into the 2 position and chose not to resign Avery Bradley or we could have played LaVine as the 1 off the bench like Smart in the beginning of the year and then slipped him into the starting lineup after we traded Rondo. Not only is LaVine younger, but he is way more athletic with tons of potential that I believe he can reach if given a starting opportunity. He’s also not a bad defender and I could easily see him developing into a very good defender in the league. Also it was not a big stretch to draft Nurkic at 6th overall because he was being projected into the lottery and he would also have been a 20 times better pick. 

[natevalParticipant]

Smart is already great defensively, his high energy is contagious. If you just look at the box score Smart doesn’t jump off the page but he makes a big impact. Smart was Feb Eastern rookie of the month. He’s not going to be an MVP but will be a very important piece to the Celtics future. If the Celtics could go back to the draft I don’t think they do anything diffrent.

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

 Role player.

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

 Role player.

[Author]

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