Started the game late due to being on-call with a late consult this afternoon, but it seems clear that we look so much better with Smart and Morris in the starting lineup. Having another playmaker has allowed Kyrie to play off the ball more, which he excels in. Until Hayward is fully back, I like starting Smart over Brown in the starting lineup, as it makes us that much more dynamic on both offense and defense.
Agree. If it's good enough for Gordon to come off the bench right now it should be good enough for Jaylen as well.
I agree that in the last 2 games while playing against pathetic defenses, the Kyrie Smart tandem has looked good. But that was against dreadful defenses.
Brown was coming out of his doldrums the four games before getting hurt hitting 19 of 31 for 12 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block and 1 steal per game in just 24 MPG.
I would have no problem with Stevens starting Brown again trying to build off what he was doing before the bump, but I would have no problem with going with Smart either.
I just think making a judgment on Smart's impact to the starters is probably hard to quantify given it's just two games, both against atrocious defensive teams. And, the Celtics seemed to start getting off to much faster starts in Brown's last 4 starts. So Stevens has two things to decide whether he wants to build on: Smart's performances in the last two games or Brown's improved play the 4 games before then.
I am good with either though prefer Smart off the bench.
I think Smart on the starting team will eventually limit Tatum's touches and I am not crazy about that. With Kyrie, Smart and Horford starting they will play the three man game from the top of the key while Tatum sits in a corner. With Smart on the bench and Brown starting, Tatum will be in that three man game and Brown will be the one sitting in the corner. I think that best for Tatum's development long term.