Marcus Smart thinks he’s a great shooter....

[Goldstar88]

Shortly after Stevens spoke, Smart was asked why he sees shot selection as an important focus. Smart didn’t seem to entirely appreciate the question.

“Because when I take great shots, I’m a great shooter,” he said shortly.

“If I’m open, I’m definitely shooting the ball,” Smart said. “My teammates, the coaches staff, definitely told me catch and shoot. If you’re open, shoot it.”

https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-celtics/2020/12/21/celtics-marcus-smart-great-shooter-great-shots


I like Smart, but someone really needs to give him a reality check and it doesn’t seem like Brad will be the one to do it. Marcus, you are a career FG: 37%, 3pt: 31.8% and FT: 77.5%. Shooting was worse last year than the prior season. His shooting form isn’t great and he’s going into his 7th season. Guess it’s going to be more of the same with him this year.

[gouki88]

I don't mind him shooting them if they're open and as a product of good offence.

It's when he takes 3s off the dribble, or takes them instantly after an offensive rebound, that annoys me. He can't be a guy taking 6+ threes a game

[Ogaju]

I don't mind him shooting them if they're open and as a product of good offence.

It's when he takes 3s off the dribble, or takes them instantly after an offensive rebound, that annoys me. He can't be a guy taking 6+ threes a game

does he not own some laudable three point shooting records

[CelticsElite]

I’d rather Tatum take a contested 3 than smart taking an open 3

[dannyboy35]

Brad says conversations are ongoing about smart’s shot selection. Pathetic. Grow some, Brad.

[Goldstar88]

I don't mind him shooting them if they're open and as a product of good offence.

It's when he takes 3s off the dribble, or takes them instantly after an offensive rebound, that annoys me. He can't be a guy taking 6+ threes a game

They are open 3’s and he just keeps missing. Teams are going to treat him like Rondo and intentionally leave him open to fire away.

[Jvalin]

I don't mind him shooting them if they're open and as a product of good offence.

It's when he takes 3s off the dribble, or takes them instantly after an offensive rebound, that annoys me. He can't be a guy taking 6+ threes a game

Here are 2 interesting stats from the 2019/20 regular season regarding Smart's 3P%.

Catch and Shoot
3P%: 31.4 in 4 attempts per game

Pull Up Shooting
3P%: 40.1 in 2.5 attempts per game

Go figure!

[ChillyWilly]

I personally think he's going to take more shots and more 3 per game this season. 11.4 shots and 6.6 threes per game last season.

[gouki88]

I don't mind him shooting them if they're open and as a product of good offence.

It's when he takes 3s off the dribble, or takes them instantly after an offensive rebound, that annoys me. He can't be a guy taking 6+ threes a game

They are open 3’s and he just keeps missing. Teams are going to treat him like Rondo and intentionally leave him open to fire away.

If they want to leave a league average 3PT shooter open they're welcome to

[Goldstar88]

I don't mind him shooting them if they're open and as a product of good offence.

It's when he takes 3s off the dribble, or takes them instantly after an offensive rebound, that annoys me. He can't be a guy taking 6+ threes a game

They are open 3’s and he just keeps missing. Teams are going to treat him like Rondo and intentionally leave him open to fire away.

If they want to leave a league average 3PT shooter open they're welcome to

League average is 36%. That would be terrific if he was average. I just don’t think he ever will be.

[gouki88]

I don't mind him shooting them if they're open and as a product of good offence.

It's when he takes 3s off the dribble, or takes them instantly after an offensive rebound, that annoys me. He can't be a guy taking 6+ threes a game

They are open 3’s and he just keeps missing. Teams are going to treat him like Rondo and intentionally leave him open to fire away.

If they want to leave a league average 3PT shooter open they're welcome to

League average is 36%. That would be terrific if he was average. I just don’t think he ever will be.

Over his last two seasons he has been a 35.5% shooter. Ie, a 36% 3PT shooter.

[RJ87]

Brad says conversations are ongoing about smart’s shot selection. Pathetic. Grow some, Brad.

Do you expect Brad to publicly call him out or disclose private discussions with him? He's never going to be the type of coach who needles his players through the press. People need to realize that and get over it.

[footey]

He's actually better in pull up 3s and than catch and shoot 3s. He is below average from the corners. He's become such a good free throw shooter, so it's a bit puzzling.

[gouki88]

He's actually better in pull up 3s and than catch and shoot 3s. He is below average from the corners. He's become such a good free throw shooter, so it's a bit puzzling.

Really does surprise me how significant the difference is between his pull-up % and his catch and shoot %. Weird.

He does always seem to hit the bailout 3 as the shot-clock is running down

[blink]

I don't mind him shooting them if they're open and as a product of good offence.

It's when he takes 3s off the dribble, or takes them instantly after an offensive rebound, that annoys me. He can't be a guy taking 6+ threes a game

They are open 3’s and he just keeps missing. Teams are going to treat him like Rondo and intentionally leave him open to fire away.

If they want to leave a league average 3PT shooter open they're welcome to

League average is 36%. That would be terrific if he was average. I just don’t think he ever will be.

Over his last two seasons he has been a 35.5% shooter. Ie, a 36% 3PT shooter.

Smart is really streaky.  He will hit 4 in a row, and then miss 10-12 in a row.  Hard to get a handle on if he is really a bad 3 point shooter or not. Obviously the stats say he shoots in the mid 30's which is fine.  It just feels like he takes a lot of bad 3s.  When he misses, he misses a lot of them really badly.  I still don't know what to think when he shoots the ball, and I have watched him closely since he was drafted.  I actually watched him a lot at OkState too.  Bewildering.