Concerned about Smart's inability to penetrate and create.

[BDeCosta26]

I've said this before and I'll say it again. The more you do something, the better you get at it. Marcus Smart has no plays run for him in the offense. All the plays go through Isaiah, Turner or Bass, and sometimes Zeller. So how then you learn the speed of penetrating to the basket with very little opportunities? Not to mention, the refs aren't calling all the bumping he gets going to the basket as they do the other guys. Smart gets mauled going to the basket, but if you breathe on Wade, they darn near call a tech.

 I had a pretty decent first step, but for the most part, I got to the basket at will because of spin moves, and sudden movements.

You don't have to be super quick to beat your man off the dribble. Cousins is not terribly quick or fast, and gets to the basket.

I know we want Smart to be Michael Jordan year one, it's not going to happen. If you want to jump off the band wagon, go right ahead, but I just watched him play, and although he fouled out, he absolutely changed that game with his pesky play. He's going to be a stud in this league, no comparisons, he's going to have a style all his own.

I'd give you 100 TPs if I could. People just don't seem to get that CBS clearly has Smart out there for his defense. We hardly ever run a play for him. It's pretty obvious that up until the past few games his offensive role has been limited to taking every 3 pointer that's remotely open and anything else is just gravy. He doesn't even have the ball in his hands most of the time and he's the point guard! I went to the Utah game and he had a couple nice drives that showed what he could do. Had a few in Orlando and one last night too. Seems like a timing thing.

He's an absolute defensive savant. At the very least he's a Tony Allen like 2 guard with good enough offense to stick as a starter and what will end up being better defense than TA has. Plus his hustle, determination and dedication is downright infectious. I think he's one of the main reasons why we've overachieved so much this year. Sure, I thought he'd be producing more on offense, but I thought he was gonna have to, because I figured with Rondo and Jeff gone it was gonna be all about development. Who knew we were gonna actually win games? I wanna see progress, but if we're trying to make the playoffs Smart can't shoot 15-20 times a game and learn on the fly.

[Celtics4ever]

Marcus Banks 2.0?  3 and D point guard?

  He is a way better defender than Marcus ever was IMHO.

[tstorey_97]

I think the boss told him to work on other parts of his game.

Seriously, his stats this season say..."work on your 3pt and stay out of the lane..."
The Boston Celtics do not NEED Marcus Smart crashing the boards this year.

He was quite effective in college on the drive and...he better be effective here as the team needs this part of his game when the time comes. Also, agree with doubts about his handle...he has a ways to go there also.

Has he had 15 NBA starts yet?

Good player, I'm glad he's here and yes, he will need good players on the court with him. Cousy isn't walking through that door.

[ebonilla34]

Let's not forget about his ankle injury from earlier in the year. That injury alone slowed him down quite a bit and yes it's been half the season removed from the injury, but mentally those injuries still linger.

I've severely sprained my ankle a few times and it definitely changed the way I play after getting back on the court. It takes time to feel comfortable again penetrating to the basket.

Wait until this guy reaches the offseason and is able to focus on his weaknesses. Smart is going to rip this league with his determination to win. Smart is a winner and you can't teach that.

[Celtics4ever]

I've severely sprained my ankle a few times and it definitely changed the way I play after getting back on the court. It takes time to feel comfortable again penetrating to the basket.

It didn't affect me that much the times I have done it getting back on the court.   I could still dunk it very easy even off one leg even with a class three sprain.   I know I am pretty tough from my Army days and I would wager Smart is too from what I have seen from him.   I doubt it would affect him as much as you think.   It hurts when you push off certainly but you can grit through it.

He plays D with abandon and if what you said was true, don't you think it would affect his D.  Every time he slides laterally he is pushing off with his ankle.

[celtics2030]

He aint Elfrid Payton 

[iadera]

Smart is like a taller Derek Fisher imo.

little flash. But tough as nails kind of players.

Good comparison. First I saw Smart and his phisiognomie, I noticed another pit bull, just like Bradley. He just doesn't look like a PG, so I expect him soon to compete with Bradley for position 2.