« Reply #285 on: November 25, 2015, 12:50:35 AM »
If all the schlock of the last couple games is simply because of Smart's absence, it's time for the other players on the team to put on their big-boy pants and get to work.
But I don't think all of this has to do with Smart being out. Some of it, sure, on the defensive end, but they still have guys such as Crowder and Bradley and Amir who can do damage on D. On offense, Smart has hardly contributed this season (10 ppg, 3 apg, 33/24/68%), so his absence there doesn't hurt much.
Guys need to start making shots. I'm tired of hearing the Doc Rivers-inspired "it's a make-or-miss league" line. That logic applies if your team has an off shooting night once every half dozen games, but the Cs are shooting only 43.8% for the season, 31.3% on threes. That's a lot more than the occasional off night.
And what the heck happened in the fourth quarter tonight? I checked the score with 9 minutes left and it was 88-77 Hawks, and the Cs end up surrendering 121 points and losing by 24?
We were winning because of defense, and Marcus was clearly an integral part of that defense.
I agree that he's an integral part of the defense, but I think other guys can and should step up to help fill the void created by his absence.
Then again, his absence—and subsequent bad team defense—highlights the need for offensive improvements. It's clear this team has been relying too much on defense and needs to find a better balance.
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