Ainge , Brad Celtics organization and Jay

[rollie mass]

The learning curve .I actually think injuries delayed Marcus  and also people got some fixed ideas. His rookie year that high ankle sprain effected his lift and bothered him well into offseason..He had dislocated fingers and a dislocated knee.

Also the coaching a huge part of Marcus's maturing leadership
.The patience and lack of any outbursts as Marcus found his way.. The time put in with Jay Laranaga  in Miami. For a whole summer Brads assistant coach worked with Marcus on his shot and to improve his game .Jay truly likes and admires Marcus Smart and it has paid dividends.
The addition of Kemba and their summer together playing with Pop
Marcus was really lucky to wind up with Celtics organization and the crew that is now assembled.
Imagine the opposition facing Brown, Tatum and Marcus.

[BitterJim]

The learning curve .I actually think injuries delayed Marcus  and also people got some fixed ideas. His rookie year that high ankle sprain effected his lift and bothered him well into offseason..He had dislocated fingers and a dislocated knee.

Also the coaching a huge part of Marcus's maturing leadership
.The patience and lack of any outbursts as Marcus found his way.. The time put in with Jay Laranaga  in Miami. For a whole summer Brads assistant coach worked with Marcus on his shot and to improve his game .Jay truly likes and admires Marcus Smart and it has paid dividends.
The addition of Kemba and their summer together playing with Pop
Marcus was really lucky to wind up with Celtics organization and the crew that is now assembled.
Imagine the opposition facing Brown, Tatum and Marcus.

Smart also gave a lot of credit to working out with Chauncey Billups a few summers ago changing his mindset (from his interview with the TNT guys last night)

[johnnygreen]

Marcus was interviewed last night by the TNT crew towards the end of their show. I believe he mentioned two summers ago, that he practiced with Chauncey Billups out in Colorado. He credited Billups with helping him out a lot.

I feel like a lot of fans and analysts (I'm looking at you, Stan Van Gundy) haven't changed their perception of Marcus. They still see him as a flopper and who can't shoot, both of which are reputations based on his first few years in the league. As you mentioned, he had a hand injury that effected his ability to shoot during his early years. He has put it a ton of work to improve his shot. I thought I remember seeing a stat, towards the end of the regular season, where Marcus was top five or so, in 3 point shooting percentage on fast breaks. Also, by cutting down on his flopping, he has been rewarded with being named to two consecutive all defensive first teams.

[nickagneta]

Let's not go crazy thinking Smart is some great shooter. Except for the 2018-19 season his shooting percentages have been terrible. Even this year his FG% was just 37.5% which is truly awful. His 3PT% was just 34.7%, more than a point below league average, and his TS% a paltry 51.8%.

Yeah, he can put up games like the 5 3's in a quarter or the game he hit 11 threes, but then he'll go a couple weeks where he can't hit the water if he was shooting from a boat.

Don't get me wrong, I love Marcus. His defense is some of the best in the league. His passing, when he isn't trying to get way too cute with behind the back passes and such, is great. He has a clutch gene in him and is a plus rebounder for his size. Overall, a player you want on your team. But his shooting is still pretty terrible overall with some, at times, really bad decision making about when to shoot.

[gift]

I think his shot selection is worse than his shooting now. His form looks fine and he goes stretches with very good percentages. He's not a guy who can't shoot, that's for sure. He does take some bad shots and hits a low percentage of those overall.

[BE-Celtic]

The thing with Smart is that even if his shooting is average, this is enough, because of what he brings on the defensive end so I'm fine with that.

About his injuries, I agree, and considering he jumps on every lose ball, he will always be injury prone in a way. He still sells fouls with a lot of energy from time to time, and I feel like he needs to take care of his body 

[KGs Knee]

I think his shot selection is worse than his shooting now. His form looks fine and he goes stretches with very good percentages. He's not a guy who can't shoot, that's for sure. He does take some bad shots and hits a low percentage of those overall.

Yeah, if Smart was more judicious with his shot selection he'd have a much better shooting percentage. But Smart also isn't afraid to take difficult shots which can be beneficial when an offense stalls and the clock is running out.

I do wish he'd reign it in a bit in terms of shot selection but it's not a primary gripe of mine.

[Ogaju]

Smart needs to get paid more money....

Interesting the Bilups issue came up...That is who his game reminds me of, and he is going to continue to get better and better.

[td450]

Marcus worries me a bit.

His ability on offense to be effective is very situational, but his competitiveness is never situational. My concern is that the team, as structured, is going to need less from him on offense in the next couple of years, and I hope he accepts that.

[Scottiej23]

I think of him as our Jackie Bradley Jr. All league defender but notoriously streaky on offence.