Is Smart really the future?

[SCeltic34]

I expected Smart to continue to struggle offensively, especially so over the last few games, coming from a long layoff from injury.  So I'm not surprised he's looked atrocious over the past few games.  I do hope he can find a rhythm and sense of confidence soon though.  I also want him the starting lineup.  I haven't looked at the advanced stats, but we seem to play the best team basketball when he's on the floor - this seemed true in his rookie season as well.

[__ramonezy__]

Our logjam at specific positions is hurting the development of key players and Smart may be the most notably affected.

Smart simply doesn't strike me as a PG by nature. Can he learn to be one... maybe. But why are we asking that of him. He seems to be a SG in the vein of Dwyane Wade (they're actually listed at the exact same height and weight) that can bring the ball up on occasion but should live on a steady diet of slashing and mid-range jump shots. Wade was also known as a perimeter defensive stopper too and might be the best ceiling we can hope for from Smart.

It seems to me that Smart is labelled as a PG simply to get him on the court because Bradley's offensive game is more polished and defensive prowess is comparable. So really Smart should either be Bradley's backup or replacement.

There are similar decisions like this that needs to be made all over this team and until they are we'll just be mediocre, but never championship contenders.

[Chris22]

Smart Bradley is a backup two guard.
His shooting is terrible.

said so many celtics fans about avery bradley after his first season.

patience and let's wait and see whether or not smart develops a good shot. no need to reach a final verdict right now.

Neither will ever be a star.

[Rondo9]

Smart Bradley is a backup two guard.
His shooting is terrible.

said so many celtics fans about avery bradley after his first season.

patience and let's wait and see whether or not smart develops a good shot. no need to reach a final verdict right now.

Neither will ever be a star.

 

[guava_wrench]

Smart Bradley is a backup two guard.
His shooting is terrible.

said so many celtics fans about avery bradley after his first season.

patience and let's wait and see whether or not smart develops a good shot. no need to reach a final verdict right now.

Bradley didn't come with a reputation of being a bad shooter. Smart did. Not fair to compare them apart from just the general 'young guy' similarity.

[guava_wrench]

I love Smart and would love to see him turn into a star in green, but Crowder's emergence has made that less of a necessity and more of a luxury if that happens.

What "emergence" are you talking about? Averaging less than Bradley did last season? I like Crowder, but how does his becoming a decent starter make it a "luxury" for Smart to become a star?

It is nice to see Crowder shooting a better percentage (though for less points) and rebounding more than Jeff Green did, but he is still around that caliber at the moment. We still desperately need someone who is a top talent at his position, and we don't yet have it.

[walker834]

I still Smart should be a guy we build around.  I just wrote a long thing about how I feel about players around the league and a breakdown and maybe I'll post it but guys like Smart and Bradley are good character guys and not as easy to find in the nba either.  Ainge made a mistake with Tony allen and defensive minded guards are also hard to find. Smart really has a chance to be a leader on this team as well.

We really have to be careful who we are trading off though.  Especially a guy like Smart.

I did just write a thing thinking about players I really like around the nba though and it's not as simple as saying we just get rid of this guy and trade him for that guy.  Or sign someone else. There is something to be said for the celtics as far as how they are trying to build.

[Neurotic Guy]

I love Smart and would love to see him turn into a star in green, but Crowder's emergence has made that less of a necessity and more of a luxury if that happens.

What "emergence" are you talking about? Averaging less than Bradley did last season? I like Crowder, but how does his becoming a decent starter make it a "luxury" for Smart to become a star?

It is nice to see Crowder shooting a better percentage (though for less points) and rebounding more than Jeff Green did, but he is still around that caliber at the moment. We still desperately need someone who is a top talent at his position, and we don't yet have it.

There is possibly a Jae Crowder "emergenge", we just don't know for sure yet.   Last 10 games = 18 points, 7 rebounts and 1.5 steals.  That's a player who may be breaking out. Regardless, I'd hate to lose Smart -- unless in a package for a bona-fide star.