Marcus Smart and the losing streak

[ScoobyDoo]

Is it a stretch to say the losing streak is not coincidental. That Smart's toughness on D and leadership when on the floor may have made the difference in at least 3-4 of these games?

I'm starting to think so - some guys just have that "it factor", leadership, everyone on my back mentality. His college coaches said it, the select team coaches said it...

thoughts?

[Chris22]

Smart's it factor is an NFL body and a wiliness to do the dirty work on defense.

I love this guy.

[KingofDaPlayazBall]

Is it a stretch to say the losing streak is not coincidental. That Smart's toughness on D and leadership when on the floor may have made the difference in at least 3-4 of these games?

I'm starting to think so - some guys just have that "it factor", leadership, everyone on my back mentality. His college coaches said it, the select team coaches said it...

thoughts?

I believe its very possible we would of won 3-4 more games if he wasn't hurt considering how he seems to thrive in tight games in the 4th quarter. 

He's leadership reminds me of KG and Pierce

[cons]

yeah i think he'd make a difference
that really reflects very poorly on the rest of the team and our coach though, i think , that a rookie pg w offensive limitations is like so vital to our success. but hoping he comes back soon, then we'll know if we're right about this theory i guess.

[pokeKingCurtis]

He has infectious KG intensity.

[Beat LA]

Is it a stretch to say the losing streak is not coincidental. That Smart's toughness on D and leadership when on the floor may have made the difference in at least 3-4 of these games?

I'm starting to think so - some guys just have that "it factor", leadership, everyone on my back mentality. His college coaches said it, the select team coaches said it...

thoughts?

Zoinks , I do think it's a stretch, because we still couldn't close teams out when he was playing.  Do I think he would have helped over the past several games - yeah, some, but he's not a game changing player.  At least, not yet.

[mr. dee]

We need to draft this type of guy. Stanley Johnson and Montrezl Harrell would get along with Smart.

[BDeCosta26]

This team was built as simply a collection of assets and talent that Ainge believes has a chance to make us a better team in the future. It wasn't built as a winner or even, really, a cohesive unit. There's redundancy all over the roster, everybody sans Wallace is under 30. No one to close games, or score no matter what when we really need a basket. Were not just a defensive center or big time scorer away from contention, yet we surely don't suck. This team was built very carefully just for that purpose. Because we won't outright tank, and Danny wants there to be tangible evidence of progress to point to, to help keep Rondo and pursue other top tier guys. But he wants talent, and were gonna get some through our picks. We want the best possible asset we can get everytime. Just relax and enjoy the roller coaster. We're set up really well for the future. We have talent, cap room coming, a trove of picks at our disposal. Can't ask for more than that. The losses are just part of the path.

That said , Marcus Smart really does have infectious energy that shows itself when he's there. And his defense would have been big in a few of these games. We just can't stop anybody , anytime, anyhow. That pit bull defensive monster might have turned one or two of the Ls into Ws. But we're much farther away than a healthy Smart. And it's on purpose.

[ScoobyDoo]

I agree with your post BDecosta26 - TP

I like most of the young pieces that we have and believe the following from a positional standpoint.

What we need is a defensive anchor at center, a go to scorer at the SF position. So if you had an elite, consistent two guard scorer, Jeff Green might still work at SF.

So the work to be done is at Center, SF and Off Guard, though a combo of Bradley and Young may be working quite well by mid next year if Young progresses well....

How much better would this team be if we added Hibbert and an elite scorer / go to guy at SF?

How much better would it be with just Hibbert or Gasol and a couple good young draft picks in this year's draft - for example, Stanley Johnson backing up Green and another solid pick using the Clipper's choice?

The team is obviously struggling but I also think we are a key move or two away from being very, very competitive.

As for Marcus Smart, I think he just gives us that mental edge as a team. He brings that toughness and swagger. I like the kid. 


 

[Evantime34]

I think Smart would have probably helped us win 1-3 more games but maybe I'm being optimstic. It is not a good idea to put that on a rookie, because it will leave me disapointed when he comes back.

The thing is his effort hustle and energy would be huge when we go on those stretches of poor play in the second half. He also has shown the ability to knock down big shots in the fourth. Two things that will really help this team.

Apparently he is probable tonight.