For someone who supposedly is a great defender, we get lit up by opposing guards over and over.
Opponents shoot 34.7% from 3pt against us, that's tied for 4th best in the league. When Smart is on the court that percentage drops to 32%. He improves our 3pt defense, which is already great.
When Smart is on the court, opponent eFG% is 49%. That's good enough for best in the league.
(Overall we are 2nd best)
In terms of defensive win shares per 48 Smart is 6th in the league.
Crawford gives us instant offense off the bench which we need terribly.
Crawford is a NET NEGATIVE on offense. This year, Minnesota scores 108 points per 100 with him on the court - and 115 with him off. He's a -7 offensively for them.
And sometimes numbers lie. Can someone explain to me then when we have supposed great defenders in Smart, Brown, and now Semi that almost every game we get LIT UP by opposing guards.
No need to explain, because you are just wrong. See above.
The league is really going to one of "who outscores who" and Smart is definitely is not that kind of player. You won't beat the Warriors, Cavs, Rockets etc with a guy like Smart getting big minutes on the floor. We are anemic off the bench. We need scoring from that unit.
Actually Smart is exactly that kind of player. The Celtics are 8 points better with him on the floor. The team overall shoots a better percentage (+2%) with him on the floor. The team shoots a better 3pt% (+3%) with him on the floor.
Jamal Crawford is NOT that kind of player. The Wolves shoot worse with him on the floor (-4%). They shoot worse from 3 with him on the floor (-6%). They score less with him on the floor (-7 pts).