Are Smart and White compatible?

[Goldstar88]

They don’t compliment each other, that’s for sure. Very similar skill sets.

[gouki88]

Not unless either can reliably shoot over 36% from deep. They are very similar, which is good on D but on offence it's a problem.

[CelticSooner]

The elephant in the room is that Smart just isn’t a very good point guard. He’s a good player but he still tries to run the offense like a combo guard. Then you have to ask Tatum to facilitate more which can hurt his offensive rhythm. This is the first year that I’ve come around to actually trading him. C’s now have a coach with a system to help elevate what would be missing if he left. Scream about defense all you want, when games are tight in the playoffs you gotta be able to score.

[KG Living Legend]

The elephant in the room is that Smart just isn’t a very good point guard. He’s a good player but he still tries to run the offense like a combo guard. Then you have to ask Tatum to facilitate more which can hurt his offensive rhythm. This is the first year that I’ve come around to actually trading him. C’s now have a coach with a system to help elevate what would be missing if he left. Scream about defense all you want, when games are tight in the playoffs you gotta be able to score.

 Absolutely agree.  I said all Finals long. When the going gets tough we get going. We have no Chris Paul type,  or Luka Or LeBron type. 

 We have mo reliable decision maker. Tatum was that guy and he's gotten better,  but he's no Rondo.

[#1P4P]

Smart was the PG on the best 5-player lineup in the NBA this season, the #1 defense, two wins away from the Finals. While other PG’s get targeted on defense, Marcus is avoided. He captains the defense and switches 1-4 at an elite level.

“Replace Player X with Player Y, look at all of Player Y’s perceived strengths and all of X’s weaknesses!”. It seems people don’t get it until they see a player in a Celtics uniform being targeted, abused, and the demands of the defense affect their offensive efficiency.

White was acquired because he’s similar to Smart with his own strengths that make him a good fit alongside the core. He’s part of what made us the most versatile team in the NBA, going small without being small. We easily matched 3 guard lineups and deterred opponents from playing theirs when they needed offense because of him.

And for reference, not every pairing is built to share the floor, Curry and Poole will continue to thrive while playing most of their minutes apart because they (the coaching staff and personnel) make it work.

[Big333223]

I'm surprised by this thread. I think they're the perfect fit.

Both can guard 1-3 (Marcus can guard 1-5, of course) and both can handle the ball. White is better at moving off the ball and Smart was a terrific pg in the second half of the season. I know everyone has forgotten that time existed before this finals series, but Smart was actually an excellent pg for the majority of the year. He'll be better next year.

I love their fit.