Where does the Thomas trade leave Smart?

[ctrey]

I am curious what folks here think. I am curious to see how this will shake out. Smart seemed to be thriving as the primary ball handler and I think his driving skills are better than have been seen. He was awesome at it in college. I watched a bunch of his games. I think they will make it work but I am curious what Celticsblog thinks.

[kozlodoev]

I am curious what folks here think. I am curious to see how this will shake out. Smart seemed to be thriving as the primary ball handler and I think his driving skills are better than have been seen. He was awesome at it in college. I watched a bunch of his games. I think they will make it work but I am curious what Celticsblog thinks.

I'm not sure how he was thriving, given that Turner has been the primary ball handler on this team pretty much since they got rid of Rondo.

[piercetruth34]

I don't think it affects Smart. I think Smart is still the future and our starting pg. Isaiah Thomas is a sparkplug and backup imo. He may be the best scorer on our roster right now though and for the foreseeable future.   

Smart and Thomas are completely different players. Thomas is primarily a guy who can create his own shot and thrives in transition.  Smart is a wall on defense and is developing offensively as a pg and scorer. 

Both guys have the ability to score. MOreso than rondo could.  I think between the two we will get really good production at PG and each guy can play different positions as well.

They are so different they are going to create matchup issues and both will be utilized quite a bit.

[Meadowlark_Scal]

It seems as though for the 100th time they are admitting they drafted bad again.....yes, we got PP and rondo out of the draft, but a 100 bad choices too..!!! Maybe DITCH Bradley, keep smart.....who isn't much better than Bradley=over paid weak shooter....!!!

[LarBrd33]

Like scal said last night, it just reinforces that smart is our starting PG now since Thomas isn't a realistic solution as a starter.  He will come off the bench and give our offense a lift.

[Kane3387]

Like scal said last night, it just reinforces that smart is our starting PG now since Thomas isn't a realistic solution as a starter.  He will come off the bench and give our offense a lift.

Disagree. I think smart and Thomas can play together. But I think Thomas ends the season as the starter.

I think this move shows the celtics still believe smart has more developing to do then we all want to think he does. This move allows him to keep doing that against second unit players. That should increase his chances at success and gaining more confidence.

[loco_91]

Smart doesn't need the ball in his hands to be effective offensively, it isn't like PG skills are a major strength for him at this stage. I think a Thomas/Smart starting duo makes a great deal of sense, really all of the three pairings between Thomas, Smart and Bradley seem pretty workable.

I think it means more for ET, who should see less time as primary ballhandler, than for Smart.

[hwangjini_1]

It seems as though for the 100th time they are admitting they drafted bad again.....yes, we got PP and rondo out of the draft, but a 100 bad choices too..!!! Maybe DITCH Bradley, keep smart.....who isn't much better than Bradley=over paid weak shooter....!!!

okay, let's go over this once more on bradley and shooting.

he is the best shooting guard on the celtics in terms of fg% - 43.3%

he is second on the entire team in 3 pt % - 35%

he is second on the entire team in ft % - 81.4%

complain all you want, bradley's shooting is among the best on the team. in case you want to do some research for yourself, here is one place to start:

http://www.nba.com/celtics/stats

[Celtics4ever]

Smart will start, if he falters then you might have Thomas start.   But I think Smart is the guy for now.  If he plays badly, I could see Stevens going the other direction but all indicators are showing Smart is growing as a player.

[Donoghus]

Doesn't really change anything besides shore up the guard rotation.  Gets them a more offensive piece in that that backcourt.  Smart is still the future.  This move wasn't some referendum on Smart.  It was able continued asset acquisition and making this team better now & in the future.

[Snakehead]

Of recent improvements in Smart's game, I'd say they have been attacking the rim and getting to the line, both of which he can do playing SG.  I think he'll get the ball still and I am fine if he's playing off ball learning how to score a bit more because I think he could use that, to learn he can be aggressive.

I thought Smart was a SG coming in and I've been impressed with his PG skills.  He's better there than I thought.  But at the end of the day I think he can play SG still.  He can play either position and not change his game a whole lot.  Stevens system isn't designed for just one guy to handle the ball.

Bottom line is we need people who can get their own shot off the dribble and break down a defense.  That's why we've been playing Turner.  If we can have Thomas take Turner's role I don't see Smart's role actually changing much from now.  He'll still have the ball in his hands and the chance to do his thing.

I don't think the fit was perfect but the value was too great to pass up as far as Thomas goes.  I see it working well.

[KeepRondo]

It seems as though for the 100th time they are admitting they drafted bad again.....yes, we got PP and rondo out of the draft, but a 100 bad choices too..!!! Maybe DITCH Bradley, keep smart.....who isn't much better than Bradley=over paid weak shooter....!!!

okay, let's go over this once more on bradley and shooting.

he is the best shooting guard on the celtics in terms of fg% - 43.3%

he is second on the entire team in 3 pt % - 35%

he is second on the entire team in ft % - 81.4%

complain all you want, bradley's shooting is among the best on the team. in case you want to do some research for yourself, here is one place to start:

http://www.nba.com/celtics/stats

The Avery Bradley from last night was the guy I was hoping to see this year. Maybe he felt some extra motivation with Thomas being signed.

[Snakehead]

It seems as though for the 100th time they are admitting they drafted bad again.....yes, we got PP and rondo out of the draft, but a 100 bad choices too..!!! Maybe DITCH Bradley, keep smart.....who isn't much better than Bradley=over paid weak shooter....!!!

okay, let's go over this once more on bradley and shooting.

he is the best shooting guard on the celtics in terms of fg% - 43.3%

he is second on the entire team in 3 pt % - 35%

he is second on the entire team in ft % - 81.4%

complain all you want, bradley's shooting is among the best on the team. in case you want to do some research for yourself, here is one place to start:

http://www.nba.com/celtics/stats

The Avery Bradley from last night was the guy I was hoping to see this year. Maybe he felt some extra motivation with Thomas being signed.

As far as Avery's shooting goes... there will be those that say he can't shoot.  I don't know why but he is a player some just say that about.  I've given up arguing about it.

It's worth noting that Thomas and Bradley are actually really good friends.  They are both from the Washington area.  I think that'll help the situation.

[Meadowlark_Scal]

It seems as though for the 100th time they are admitting they drafted bad again.....yes, we got PP and rondo out of the draft, but a 100 bad choices too..!!! Maybe DITCH Bradley, keep smart.....who isn't much better than Bradley=over paid weak shooter....!!!

okay, let's go over this once more on bradley and shooting.

he is the best shooting guard on the celtics in terms of fg% - 43.3%

he is second on the entire team in 3 pt % - 35%

he is second on the entire team in ft % - 81.4%

complain all you want, bradley's shooting is among the best on the team. in case you want to do some research for yourself, here is one place to start:

http://www.nba.com/celtics/stats

Bradley SUCKS and is over paid.....how is THAT for research..?

[Meadowlark_Scal]

It seems as though for the 100th time they are admitting they drafted bad again.....yes, we got PP and rondo out of the draft, but a 100 bad choices too..!!! Maybe DITCH Bradley, keep smart.....who isn't much better than Bradley=over paid weak shooter....!!!

okay, let's go over this once more on bradley and shooting.

he is the best shooting guard on the celtics in terms of fg% - 43.3%

he is second on the entire team in 3 pt % - 35%

he is second on the entire team in ft % - 81.4%

complain all you want, bradley's shooting is among the best on the team. in case you want to do some research for yourself, here is one place to start:

http://www.nba.com/celtics/stats

The Avery Bradley from last night was the guy I was hoping to see this year. Maybe he felt some extra motivation with Thomas being signed.

I love how these guys are always searching for "motivation".....maybe we could pay them also..? Like KO, who played one great game because his father was there.....the woulda, shoulda, coulda crowd....!!!