What I want to know is this - why hasn't Smart done this type of aggressive taking it to the rim his entire career? His offense would have been so much better all those years if he just did this more consistently. No idea what changed for him this year, other than the fact that he's the actual designated point guard now.
Because he is basically a dumb player. An attack dog full of competitiveness, an elite athlete, but lacking in basketball intelligence.
Brad Stevens refused to be tough with him. Maybe Stevens was afraid he would lose some of his natural aggressiveness if he restrained his bad habits - or maybe Stevens was just plain afraid of Marcus.
I don't think he's a dumb player. That's too harsh IMO. His defensive instincts are as good as anybody in the league, and he has very good court vision with the ball in his hands. That doesn't happen if you're a stupid basketball player.
I do think he struggles to know his own limitations. There was a point early in this season when I was about done with him because of his constant attempts to force his own offense at the expense of the team. He's been a LOT better about that over the past couple months though.
Topic: Celtics (39-27) at Hornets (32-33) Game #67 3/9/22 (Read 24263 times)