Author Topic: Is Marcus Smart's Defense Good?  (Read 2522 times)

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Is Marcus Smart's Defense Good?
« on: October 30, 2020, 03:47:58 PM »

Offline DefenseWinsChamps

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I know this is click-baity. It is good--very good. All-NBA defense good.

Still, games like the 37 point Tyler Herro game got me wondering if Smart is really a lock-down defender. Also, remember who was guarding Booker when he put up 70+ against us a year ago. It seems like we've had a lot of games against opposing guards where they went off. Remember the Denver game last year with Jamal Murray?

There's no doubt he is a really good defender. He excels at making timely momentum-shifting defensive plays. He is an excellent helpside defender and one of the most heady defensive players in the NBA.

However, is he elite in one-on-one defense against perimeter players? Is he good? Is he average?

Re: Is Marcus Smart's Defense Good?
« Reply #1 on: October 30, 2020, 03:55:45 PM »

Offline Ilikesports17

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Yes Jesus Christ

I’m glad Tyler Herro’s 37 got you thinking about this because he scored 5 point while guarded by Marcus.

A step back three from 5 feet behind the three point line and a mid range jumper wHere smart knocked the ball loose but Herro got a nice bound and was able to pick it up and take an open jumper.
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Re: Is Marcus Smart's Defense Good?
« Reply #2 on: October 30, 2020, 04:37:03 PM »

Offline liam

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You're right it is click-baity.

Re: Is Marcus Smart's Defense Good?
« Reply #3 on: October 30, 2020, 06:52:33 PM »

Online Roy H.

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No player in history has locked down his opponent in every game.  It doesn’t happen at the NBA level.


I'M THE SILVERBACK GORILLA IN THIS MOTHER——— AND DON'T NONE OF YA'LL EVER FORGET IT!@ 34 minutes

Re: Is Marcus Smart's Defense Good?
« Reply #4 on: October 30, 2020, 07:57:37 PM »

Offline CFAN38

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No it’s great
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Re: Is Marcus Smart's Defense Good?
« Reply #5 on: October 30, 2020, 08:34:43 PM »

Offline SteveD

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There's no questioning Smart's defensive effectiveness in my mind. He can improve though by passing the ball more and shooting less on offense.
Marcus, please pass the ball to Jaylen !

Re: Is Marcus Smart's Defense Good?
« Reply #6 on: October 30, 2020, 09:53:49 PM »

Offline mr. dee

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Booker scored majority of his points on Crowder and most of it are garbage points anyway.

Re: Is Marcus Smart's Defense Good?
« Reply #7 on: October 30, 2020, 10:18:30 PM »

Online Roy H.

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There is a legit question here:  despite his propensity to make big plays, is Marcus a bit overrated on a play to play basis? 

I don’t think you find the answer to that in anecdotes or individual game performances. Rather, it makes sense to look at the entire season:

https://www.nba.com/stats/players/defense-dash-overall/?sort=PCT_PLUSMINUS&dir=-1&Season=2019-20&SeasonType=Regular%20Season&CF=GP*GE*40:PLAYER_NAME*E*&StarterBench=Starters

That’s just looking at starters who played 40 games last year.  By FG% differential, Marcus was excellent (29th) but ranked behind perimeter players like Jrue Holiday, Gary Harris, Avery Bradley and several others.  He’s nowhere close to the dominant big man defenders, like Giannis and Gobert.

FG% differential isn’t the end all and be all, but it helps answer the OP’s question.


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Re: Is Marcus Smart's Defense Good?
« Reply #8 on: October 31, 2020, 12:06:40 AM »

Offline Somebody

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This video would answer your question: https://youtu.be/3IWiADg7IiU

TL;DR: he is a lock-down defender.
Jaylen Brown for All-NBA

Re: Is Marcus Smart's Defense Good?
« Reply #9 on: October 31, 2020, 12:39:04 AM »

Offline gouki88

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No.

It’s epic.
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C: Chris Webber (00-01) / Ralph Sampson (83-84) / Andrew Bogut (09-10)

Re: Is Marcus Smart's Defense Good?
« Reply #10 on: October 31, 2020, 01:05:49 AM »

Offline Moranis

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The problem with Marcus Smart is on the other end of the floor. 
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Re: Is Marcus Smart's Defense Good?
« Reply #11 on: October 31, 2020, 01:37:16 AM »

Offline Somebody

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The problem with Marcus Smart is on the other end of the floor.
First time I've heard that a slight positive on offence is a problem :laugh:
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Re: Is Marcus Smart's Defense Good?
« Reply #12 on: October 31, 2020, 02:09:07 AM »

Online Roy H.

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The problem with Marcus Smart is on the other end of the floor.
First time I've heard that a slight positive on offence is a problem :laugh:

Eh.  Some nights he’s a positive, others he’s a negative.  The offense occasionally is so bad that it negates the positive defense.


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Re: Is Marcus Smart's Defense Good?
« Reply #13 on: October 31, 2020, 02:55:11 AM »

Offline GreenEnvy

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No player in history has locked down his opponent in every game.  It doesn’t happen at the NBA level.

I don’t know, I think OP’s logic is irrefutable: three opposing guards in 4 seasons had set career highs in games in which Smart played. If that doesn’t prove his defense is overrated, what does?
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Re: Is Marcus Smart's Defense Good?
« Reply #14 on: October 31, 2020, 03:23:57 AM »

Offline Somebody

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The problem with Marcus Smart is on the other end of the floor.
First time I've heard that a slight positive on offence is a problem :laugh:
Eh.  Some nights he’s a positive, others he’s a negative. The offense occasionally is so bad that it negates the positive defense.
Eh he's a positive in the long run on good teams. Occasional stinkers don't worry me that much when he's usually a slight positive with the upside of having an amazing offensive night to more than balance those bad games out (he's our record holder for most threes in a game iirc, here's an example of Smart getting really hot lol).
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