When is Marcus going to break out?

[mrceltics2013]

Rozier is a better PG than Smart. He at least has the tools of an actual PG.

[alldaboston]

No need to trade Marcus.  I see the future and it is Marcus.  I think he is a pg.  He's not a guy who is going to play 45  mpg there but he can hold that position for pretty close to that someday.

Honestly, it's not going to matter as long as IT is the starting point guard. He may be an All-Star this year, but if we can trade for a Cousins or Butler type without including Smart and we pick up a free agent like Horford or Durant, I would without a doubt move IT back to the bench and start Smart. When we get another big-time scorer like a Butler, Durant, or Cousins, then IT is going to be much less effective as a starter for us and much, much more effective as a sixth man, just like Crawford and Williams. That's really the only capacity I can see wanting to keep Smart at this point, because it's going to become a Bledsoe situation all over again where we're going to have to trade him rather than pay him once his contract expires.

I'm one of Smart's biggest fans on this forum, but if we're not going to properly utilize him, then there's no point in keeping him. Ideally, I'd like to try and keep Smart in any trade for a Cousins, Butler, or Love, because I like him better at the point to give us better size and defense when scoring is less of a priority for us.

This. If possible, and if we feel Isaiah is better than smart will ever be, include him in a package while we can.

[Greyman]

While there is a lot of talk about getting a big or a scoring wing, I think options around a PG who has good hands and runs the court are still being considered. The set up Stevens is playing with now has been working, though it is about to undergo a big test.

To get to that contender level an experienced and proven PG could see Smart and/or IT as part of a package.

I agree now would be a good time for Smart to break out though the circumstances will be demanding over the next three games.

[Csfan1984]

Only when IT is gone or when Smart leaves. So no time soon.

[Otsje P]

I think it's time people stop making excuses for Marcus.

It doesn't matter if he is playing PG or SG. If he is playing of the ball or if he has the ball in his hands. If he had injuries or not.

He has to make better offensive decisions. And, if he makes the right decision, than he has to execute that decision better than he does right now.

He is taking three pointers like he is Klay, Ray, Steph or Kyle. The problem is, he is shooting them worse than Starbury. A good offensive player knows exactly what his strengths and his weaknesses are. Only take the three when wide open, and when the pass comes from in front of you. If not, than turn that shot down, until your shooting improves.

[Rosco917]

IMO it's PG or career 6th or 7th man for Smart. He'll never be enough of a prolific scorer, to be a starting 2 on a contending team. Yes, his defense has value, but unless he's paired on a team with great scorers, his D won't be enough.

He still forces his offense, taking bad shots. Marcus has to gain some patients, and let the game come to him.

 

[rollie mass]

marcus gets to offensive boards
marcus rebounds on defencive boards
marcus plays crucial part of comeback victories
marcus a major factor in celts defence
marcus is 22
marcus had serious injuries and down time as well as lingering effects
marcus is going to hoop
marcus guards multiple positions
marcus is still finding out who he is offensively and on defence
point guard is most difficult position in NBA comparisons to players of other positions or playing on losing team are suspect
intangibles outside stats
expectations and comparisions by draft number and who may or may not be better drafted later
enjoy marcus playing defence there are not many like him,offence will come
he is 22 in his 2nd year-

[showtime]

He already has!!  This is who Marcus Smart is.

[PhoSita]

Smart's a really excellent everything-but-scoring guy, and I think we'll probably just have to be OK with that.  So long as his outside shot falls often enough that the other team has to defend him, he'll be playable.

I worry about what happens when age or injury starts to sap his energy on defense and his quickness to the ball in hustle situations.