Lowe is a Marcus Smart Believer

[Big333223]

From his 10 Things column today:

9. Marcus Smart, apparating

Folks within the Boston Celtics boast that it's impossible to screen Smart. That's obviously not true. What is true: If someone manages to lay the wood on him, Smart's recovery speed is ludicrous.

...

He is a ****ned phantom -- back inside your jersey before you've even processed that you are open.

Smart has been a beacon amid a strange, inconsistent Boston season. He deserves a starting spot that seemed temporary when he got it. He is one of the league's half-dozen best perimeter defenders -- and one of the only ones strong enough to stone all but the beefiest post brutes.

Almost 65 percent of Smart's shots have come from deep, up from about 45 percent in each of the past three seasons. He has hit 36.5 percent on 3s. If that holds, Smart is a different player -- and a more attractive trade chip.

He's even shooting a career-best 70 percent (!) in the restricted area, a byproduct of clever cutting for more assisted buckets from Al Horford and Kyrie Irving. I was once a semi-Marcus Smart skeptic. I worried his bricky jumper would make him a liability in the playoffs. I am here to repent. I am a believer.

I'd really like to see some narrative swell around Smart for DPOY or, at least, an All Defense team selection.

[Sophomore]

From his 10 Things column today:

9. Marcus Smart, apparating

Folks within the Boston Celtics boast that it's impossible to screen Smart. That's obviously not true. What is true: If someone manages to lay the wood on him, Smart's recovery speed is ludicrous.

...

He is a ****ned phantom -- back inside your jersey before you've even processed that you are open.

Smart has been a beacon amid a strange, inconsistent Boston season. He deserves a starting spot that seemed temporary when he got it. He is one of the league's half-dozen best perimeter defenders -- and one of the only ones strong enough to stone all but the beefiest post brutes.

Almost 65 percent of Smart's shots have come from deep, up from about 45 percent in each of the past three seasons. He has hit 36.5 percent on 3s. If that holds, Smart is a different player -- and a more attractive trade chip.

He's even shooting a career-best 70 percent (!) in the restricted area, a byproduct of clever cutting for more assisted buckets from Al Horford and Kyrie Irving. I was once a semi-Marcus Smart skeptic. I worried his bricky jumper would make him a liability in the playoffs. I am here to repent. I am a believer.

I'd really like to see some narrative swell around Smart for DPOY or, at least, an All Defense team selection.

If he isn’t an all-defense team selection it’s a shame. I don’t see a lot of non-Celtics games, but none of the guards on the teams we play seem able to do what he does.

For example, Klay is a very nice defensive player. I would love to see him try to stone power forwards the way Marcus does. 

[RodyTur10]

Of course Smart should be on the NBA all defensive first team. No question.

[jpotter33]

Nice to see Smart finally getting the recognition he deserves. Not flashy by any means, but he's long impacted winning in a significant way.

Selfishly, it's also good to have others on this blog also come around so that I'm not consistently pinned as just being a Smart homer 

[GreenFaith1819]

I think it was Grant Hill or Steve Smith on NBATV that gave Smart some respect and nods for Defensive Team votes just a few weeks ago.

His impact on the game cannot be overstated.

He is that proverbial Leprechaun in Celtics Green - it is nearly impossible to predict or assess just HOW he will impact a game or a series until AFTER the damage is done to our opponents.

They are then left oftentimes picking up the pieces - looking at film - and seeing every little floor burn, loose ball, deflection, intimidation - that he has inflicted on them.

This THEN leaves them with the probability that he WILL impact the game for BOSTON again. This is a chip - an advantage - that great Boston Celtics Teams have had in the past and what we have right now.

I Love Marcus Smart.

[PhoSita]

Who makes a larger defensive impact at either guard spot than Marcus Smart?

[SparzWizard]

Not a Marcus Smart believer when he attempts to shoot a 3.

[Silky]

Smart is one of only a handfull of guys in the nba that can impact and change a game defensively.

He is a beast and the  heart of this team....under no circumstances do I even offer Smart right now honestly.

[RodyTur10]

Smart is one of only a handfull of guys in the nba that can impact and change a game defensively.

He is a beast and the  heart of this team....under no circumstances do I even offer Smart right now honestly.

Smart is a dealbreaker for me as well. We have enough other assets available to New Orleans.

We have to be careful by the way to not make every topic about Davis. He isn't a Celtic yet.

[apc]

I don't if i rather keep Smart or Brown if one must be included in a trade.

[liam]

I don't if i rather keep Smart or Brown if one must be included in a trade.

I think Smart's contract makes it so he'd almost have to be in a Davis trade. That would be really unfortunate as I think Smart is a great high energy player and he will only get better.

[Big333223]

Nice to see Smart finally getting the recognition he deserves. Not flashy by any means, but he's long impacted winning in a significant way.

Selfishly, it's also good to have others on this blog also come around so that I'm not consistently pinned as just being a Smart homer 

He's not totally devoid of flash.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_S25OFNTcJ0

[Monkhouse]

Not a Marcus Smart believer when he attempts to shoot a 3.

At 36.3%, I am now.