Smart has taken a leap this year.

[RodyTur10]

As much as I like Brogdon (not to mention Rob and Derrick), Smart is the 3rd member of the 2022-23 Big 3.

Boston is not a big 3, it is disrespectful to both Tatum and Brown to include Smart as anywhere near them.

Robert Williams would be part of the big three if only he was available enough to show it.

Tatum > Brown > Timelord > White > Horford > Smart > Brogdon > G-Will > Hauser > Kornet

[Neurotic Guy]

As much as I like Brogdon (not to mention Rob and Derrick), Smart is the 3rd member of the 2022-23 Big 3.

Boston is not a big 3, it is disrespectful to both Tatum and Brown to include Smart as anywhere near them.

We all know the Jays are head and shoulders above any other teammate. While it pushes the envelope to include Smart in a Boston Big 3, I sincerely doubt either Jay would feel disrespected by the suggestion that Smart is #3. 

In addition to being an emotional leader and averaging 7+ assists, he’s the defending Defensive Player of the Year. Not without a resume.

I agree with Rody that a healthy Rob is a candidate for the third slot. And of course a team doesn’t require an actual Big 3, it’s just an NBA tradition to identify the core 3.  Not all that meaningful.

[Sophomore]

As much as I like Brogdon (not to mention Rob and Derrick), Smart is the 3rd member of the 2022-23 Big 3.

Boston is not a big 3, it is disrespectful to both Tatum and Brown to include Smart as anywhere near them.

We all know the Jays are head and shoulders above any other teammate. While it pushes the envelope to include Smart in a Boston Big 3, I sincerely doubt either Jay would feel disrespected by the suggestion that Smart is #3. 

In addition to being an emotional leader and averaging 7+ assists, he’s the defending Defensive Player of the Year. Not without a resume.

I agree with Rody that a healthy Rob is a candidate for the third slot. And of course a team doesn’t require an actual Big 3, it’s just an NBA tradition to identify the core 3.  Not all that meaningful.

Also, on the original big three, Ray Allen was pretty clearly on a different (lower) level than KG and Pierce. Yes he could shoot, but as a shot creator and defender? He needed a lot of help.

[PAOBoston]

As much as I like Brogdon (not to mention Rob and Derrick), Smart is the 3rd member of the 2022-23 Big 3.

Boston is not a big 3, it is disrespectful to both Tatum and Brown to include Smart as anywhere near them.

We all know the Jays are head and shoulders above any other teammate. While it pushes the envelope to include Smart in a Boston Big 3, I sincerely doubt either Jay would feel disrespected by the suggestion that Smart is #3. 

In addition to being an emotional leader and averaging 7+ assists, he’s the defending Defensive Player of the Year. Not without a resume.

I agree with Rody that a healthy Rob is a candidate for the third slot. And of course a team doesn’t require an actual Big 3, it’s just an NBA tradition to identify the core 3.  Not all that meaningful.

Also, on the original big three, Ray Allen was pretty clearly on a different (lower) level than KG and Pierce. Yes he could shoot, but as a shot creator and defender? He needed a lot of help.

That is crazy talk. The gap between KG/Pierce and Allen was significantly smaller than the gap between JT/JB and Smart. Allen was a perennial all star/all nba player. You can argue that Pierce and Allen were on the same plying field. Both were inferior to KG.

[Sophomore]

As much as I like Brogdon (not to mention Rob and Derrick), Smart is the 3rd member of the 2022-23 Big 3.

Boston is not a big 3, it is disrespectful to both Tatum and Brown to include Smart as anywhere near them.

We all know the Jays are head and shoulders above any other teammate. While it pushes the envelope to include Smart in a Boston Big 3, I sincerely doubt either Jay would feel disrespected by the suggestion that Smart is #3. 

In addition to being an emotional leader and averaging 7+ assists, he’s the defending Defensive Player of the Year. Not without a resume.

I agree with Rody that a healthy Rob is a candidate for the third slot. And of course a team doesn’t require an actual Big 3, it’s just an NBA tradition to identify the core 3.  Not all that meaningful.

Also, on the original big three, Ray Allen was pretty clearly on a different (lower) level than KG and Pierce. Yes he could shoot, but as a shot creator and defender? He needed a lot of help.

That is crazy talk. The gap between KG/Pierce and Allen was significantly smaller than the gap between JT/JB and Smart. Allen was a perennial all star/all nba player. You can argue that Pierce and Allen were on the same plying field. Both were inferior to KG.

Ray Allen was on the same level as Paul Pierce?! No.

In the championship year, Allen shot .398 from 3. Pierce shot .392. Barely better, and that was *easily* Allen’s best skill. Pierce also created his own shot and played much better defense, taking on the other team’s top scorer. Allen had to he hidden and protected on D.  More assists more rebounds too. He was better on both sides of the ball, and I don’t think there was any doubt. Which is why Paul Pierce was all-NBA and Ray Allen was not. Allen was definitely the third amigo - a complementary piece.

[Celtics2021]

As much as I like Brogdon (not to mention Rob and Derrick), Smart is the 3rd member of the 2022-23 Big 3.

Boston is not a big 3, it is disrespectful to both Tatum and Brown to include Smart as anywhere near them.

We all know the Jays are head and shoulders above any other teammate. While it pushes the envelope to include Smart in a Boston Big 3, I sincerely doubt either Jay would feel disrespected by the suggestion that Smart is #3.

In addition to being an emotional leader and averaging 7+ assists, he’s the defending Defensive Player of the Year. Not without a resume.

I agree with Rody that a healthy Rob is a candidate for the third slot. And of course a team doesn’t require an actual Big 3, it’s just an NBA tradition to identify the core 3.  Not all that meaningful.

To this point, SI wanted to put Tatum and Brown on the cover of their NBA preview issue this year, but they would only agree to do it if Smart were included too.

[PAOBoston]

As much as I like Brogdon (not to mention Rob and Derrick), Smart is the 3rd member of the 2022-23 Big 3.

Boston is not a big 3, it is disrespectful to both Tatum and Brown to include Smart as anywhere near them.

We all know the Jays are head and shoulders above any other teammate. While it pushes the envelope to include Smart in a Boston Big 3, I sincerely doubt either Jay would feel disrespected by the suggestion that Smart is #3. 

In addition to being an emotional leader and averaging 7+ assists, he’s the defending Defensive Player of the Year. Not without a resume.

I agree with Rody that a healthy Rob is a candidate for the third slot. And of course a team doesn’t require an actual Big 3, it’s just an NBA tradition to identify the core 3.  Not all that meaningful.

Also, on the original big three, Ray Allen was pretty clearly on a different (lower) level than KG and Pierce. Yes he could shoot, but as a shot creator and defender? He needed a lot of help.

That is crazy talk. The gap between KG/Pierce and Allen was significantly smaller than the gap between JT/JB and Smart. Allen was a perennial all star/all nba player. You can argue that Pierce and Allen were on the same plying field. Both were inferior to KG.

Ray Allen was on the same level as Paul Pierce?! No.

In the championship year, Allen shot .398 from 3. Pierce shot .392. Barely better, and that was *easily* Allen’s best skill. Pierce also created his own shot and played much better defense, taking on the other team’s top scorer. Allen had to he hidden and protected on D.  More assists more rebounds too. He was better on both sides of the ball, and I don’t think there was any doubt. Which is why Paul Pierce was all-NBA and Ray Allen was not. Allen was definitely the third amigo - a complementary piece.

I don’t get why people belittle Allen so much. Out of all the Cs, he sacrificed the most of his game to make it work during his time in Boston. Allen was as accomplished as Pierce was going to into the 07 season. He was a prolific scorer and the best shooter in the NBA. Neither Pierce nor Allen were known as defenders leading up to the 07-08 season. I’d say they were on the same pedestal going into that championship year.

[Goldstar88]

As much as I like Brogdon (not to mention Rob and Derrick), Smart is the 3rd member of the 2022-23 Big 3.

Boston is not a big 3, it is disrespectful to both Tatum and Brown to include Smart as anywhere near them.

We all know the Jays are head and shoulders above any other teammate. While it pushes the envelope to include Smart in a Boston Big 3, I sincerely doubt either Jay would feel disrespected by the suggestion that Smart is #3. 

In addition to being an emotional leader and averaging 7+ assists, he’s the defending Defensive Player of the Year. Not without a resume.

I agree with Rody that a healthy Rob is a candidate for the third slot. And of course a team doesn’t require an actual Big 3, it’s just an NBA tradition to identify the core 3.  Not all that meaningful.

Also, on the original big three, Ray Allen was pretty clearly on a different (lower) level than KG and Pierce. Yes he could shoot, but as a shot creator and defender? He needed a lot of help.

That is crazy talk. The gap between KG/Pierce and Allen was significantly smaller than the gap between JT/JB and Smart. Allen was a perennial all star/all nba player. You can argue that Pierce and Allen were on the same plying field. Both were inferior to KG.

Ray Allen was on the same level as Paul Pierce?! No.

In the championship year, Allen shot .398 from 3. Pierce shot .392. Barely better, and that was *easily* Allen’s best skill. Pierce also created his own shot and played much better defense, taking on the other team’s top scorer. Allen had to he hidden and protected on D.  More assists more rebounds too. He was better on both sides of the ball, and I don’t think there was any doubt. Which is why Paul Pierce was all-NBA and Ray Allen was not. Allen was definitely the third amigo - a complementary piece.

The year before Ray was traded to the C’s, he averaged 26.4pts, 4.5rebs, 4.1ast. His role changed when he joined Boston, but let’s not confuse that with him not being a great player. He was a first ballot HOFer.

[SHAQATTACK]

A leap of faith 

[bogg]

Wasn't that long ago people wanted to package Smart with some picks for Lonzo Ball. That would have been ugly. Long-term it might have cost the team Jaylen.

[Sophomore]

As much as I like Brogdon (not to mention Rob and Derrick), Smart is the 3rd member of the 2022-23 Big 3.

Boston is not a big 3, it is disrespectful to both Tatum and Brown to include Smart as anywhere near them.

We all know the Jays are head and shoulders above any other teammate. While it pushes the envelope to include Smart in a Boston Big 3, I sincerely doubt either Jay would feel disrespected by the suggestion that Smart is #3. 

In addition to being an emotional leader and averaging 7+ assists, he’s the defending Defensive Player of the Year. Not without a resume.

I agree with Rody that a healthy Rob is a candidate for the third slot. And of course a team doesn’t require an actual Big 3, it’s just an NBA tradition to identify the core 3.  Not all that meaningful.

Also, on the original big three, Ray Allen was pretty clearly on a different (lower) level than KG and Pierce. Yes he could shoot, but as a shot creator and defender? He needed a lot of help.

That is crazy talk. The gap between KG/Pierce and Allen was significantly smaller than the gap between JT/JB and Smart. Allen was a perennial all star/all nba player. You can argue that Pierce and Allen were on the same plying field. Both were inferior to KG.

Ray Allen was on the same level as Paul Pierce?! No.

In the championship year, Allen shot .398 from 3. Pierce shot .392. Barely better, and that was *easily* Allen’s best skill. Pierce also created his own shot and played much better defense, taking on the other team’s top scorer. Allen had to he hidden and protected on D.  More assists more rebounds too. He was better on both sides of the ball, and I don’t think there was any doubt. Which is why Paul Pierce was all-NBA and Ray Allen was not. Allen was definitely the third amigo - a complementary piece.

The year before Ray was traded to the C’s, he averaged 26.4pts, 4.5rebs, 4.1ast. His role changed when he joined Boston, but let’s not confuse that with him not being a great player. He was a first ballot HOFer.

Allen was a fine player - and clearly the third best of the big 3. Wherever he did when he was younger doesn’t change what he was in Boston. I don’t see how it’s even an argument. Why was Pierce all-NBA the title year and Allen not?

[Goldstar88]

As much as I like Brogdon (not to mention Rob and Derrick), Smart is the 3rd member of the 2022-23 Big 3.

Boston is not a big 3, it is disrespectful to both Tatum and Brown to include Smart as anywhere near them.

We all know the Jays are head and shoulders above any other teammate. While it pushes the envelope to include Smart in a Boston Big 3, I sincerely doubt either Jay would feel disrespected by the suggestion that Smart is #3. 

In addition to being an emotional leader and averaging 7+ assists, he’s the defending Defensive Player of the Year. Not without a resume.

I agree with Rody that a healthy Rob is a candidate for the third slot. And of course a team doesn’t require an actual Big 3, it’s just an NBA tradition to identify the core 3.  Not all that meaningful.

Also, on the original big three, Ray Allen was pretty clearly on a different (lower) level than KG and Pierce. Yes he could shoot, but as a shot creator and defender? He needed a lot of help.

That is crazy talk. The gap between KG/Pierce and Allen was significantly smaller than the gap between JT/JB and Smart. Allen was a perennial all star/all nba player. You can argue that Pierce and Allen were on the same plying field. Both were inferior to KG.

Ray Allen was on the same level as Paul Pierce?! No.

In the championship year, Allen shot .398 from 3. Pierce shot .392. Barely better, and that was *easily* Allen’s best skill. Pierce also created his own shot and played much better defense, taking on the other team’s top scorer. Allen had to he hidden and protected on D.  More assists more rebounds too. He was better on both sides of the ball, and I don’t think there was any doubt. Which is why Paul Pierce was all-NBA and Ray Allen was not. Allen was definitely the third amigo - a complementary piece.

The year before Ray was traded to the C’s, he averaged 26.4pts, 4.5rebs, 4.1ast. His role changed when he joined Boston, but let’s not confuse that with him not being a great player. He was a first ballot HOFer.

Allen was a fine player - and clearly the third best of the big 3. Wherever he did when he was younger doesn’t change what he was in Boston. I don’t see how it’s even an argument. Why was Pierce all-NBA the title year and Allen not?

He averaged those numbers the year before he joined the C’s. It wasn’t in his younger years. Pierce averaged 2pts per game more than Ray did the year they won the championship. Not sure why you are trying to make it sound like there is a massive talent gap between the two. I Think PAO said it best with the above.

[Neurotic Guy]

As much as I like Brogdon (not to mention Rob and Derrick), Smart is the 3rd member of the 2022-23 Big 3.

Boston is not a big 3, it is disrespectful to both Tatum and Brown to include Smart as anywhere near them.

We all know the Jays are head and shoulders above any other teammate. While it pushes the envelope to include Smart in a Boston Big 3, I sincerely doubt either Jay would feel disrespected by the suggestion that Smart is #3. 

In addition to being an emotional leader and averaging 7+ assists, he’s the defending Defensive Player of the Year. Not without a resume.

I agree with Rody that a healthy Rob is a candidate for the third slot. And of course a team doesn’t require an actual Big 3, it’s just an NBA tradition to identify the core 3.  Not all that meaningful.

Also, on the original big three, Ray Allen was pretty clearly on a different (lower) level than KG and Pierce. Yes he could shoot, but as a shot creator and defender? He needed a lot of help.

That is crazy talk. The gap between KG/Pierce and Allen was significantly smaller than the gap between JT/JB and Smart. Allen was a perennial all star/all nba player. You can argue that Pierce and Allen were on the same plying field. Both were inferior to KG.

Ray Allen was on the same level as Paul Pierce?! No.

In the championship year, Allen shot .398 from 3. Pierce shot .392. Barely better, and that was *easily* Allen’s best skill. Pierce also created his own shot and played much better defense, taking on the other team’s top scorer. Allen had to he hidden and protected on D.  More assists more rebounds too. He was better on both sides of the ball, and I don’t think there was any doubt. Which is why Paul Pierce was all-NBA and Ray Allen was not. Allen was definitely the third amigo - a complementary piece.

The year before Ray was traded to the C’s, he averaged 26.4pts, 4.5rebs, 4.1ast. His role changed when he joined Boston, but let’s not confuse that with him not being a great player. He was a first ballot HOFer.

Allen was a fine player - and clearly the third best of the big 3. Wherever he did when he was younger doesn’t change what he was in Boston. I don’t see how it’s even an argument. Why was Pierce all-NBA the title year and Allen not?

He averaged those numbers the year before he joined the C’s. It wasn’t in his younger years. Pierce averaged 2pts per game more than Ray did the year they won the championship. Not sure why you are trying to make it sound like there is a massive talent gap between the two. I Think PAO said it best with the above.

Not trying to argue that Smart is to Jays as RA was to PP/KG. Or Parrish was to Bird/McHale (the real original BIG 3). But one thing to consider in the argument is DPOY.  Defense is what separated KG from Pierce and Allen.  It’s also a factor in considering the 3rd most valuable Celtic in 2022-23. 

[Goldstar88]

As much as I like Brogdon (not to mention Rob and Derrick), Smart is the 3rd member of the 2022-23 Big 3.

Boston is not a big 3, it is disrespectful to both Tatum and Brown to include Smart as anywhere near them.

We all know the Jays are head and shoulders above any other teammate. While it pushes the envelope to include Smart in a Boston Big 3, I sincerely doubt either Jay would feel disrespected by the suggestion that Smart is #3. 

In addition to being an emotional leader and averaging 7+ assists, he’s the defending Defensive Player of the Year. Not without a resume.

I agree with Rody that a healthy Rob is a candidate for the third slot. And of course a team doesn’t require an actual Big 3, it’s just an NBA tradition to identify the core 3.  Not all that meaningful.

Also, on the original big three, Ray Allen was pretty clearly on a different (lower) level than KG and Pierce. Yes he could shoot, but as a shot creator and defender? He needed a lot of help.

That is crazy talk. The gap between KG/Pierce and Allen was significantly smaller than the gap between JT/JB and Smart. Allen was a perennial all star/all nba player. You can argue that Pierce and Allen were on the same plying field. Both were inferior to KG.

Ray Allen was on the same level as Paul Pierce?! No.

In the championship year, Allen shot .398 from 3. Pierce shot .392. Barely better, and that was *easily* Allen’s best skill. Pierce also created his own shot and played much better defense, taking on the other team’s top scorer. Allen had to he hidden and protected on D.  More assists more rebounds too. He was better on both sides of the ball, and I don’t think there was any doubt. Which is why Paul Pierce was all-NBA and Ray Allen was not. Allen was definitely the third amigo - a complementary piece.

The year before Ray was traded to the C’s, he averaged 26.4pts, 4.5rebs, 4.1ast. His role changed when he joined Boston, but let’s not confuse that with him not being a great player. He was a first ballot HOFer.

Allen was a fine player - and clearly the third best of the big 3. Wherever he did when he was younger doesn’t change what he was in Boston. I don’t see how it’s even an argument. Why was Pierce all-NBA the title year and Allen not?

He averaged those numbers the year before he joined the C’s. It wasn’t in his younger years. Pierce averaged 2pts per game more than Ray did the year they won the championship. Not sure why you are trying to make it sound like there is a massive talent gap between the two. I Think PAO said it best with the above.

Not trying to argue that Smart is to Jays as RA was to PP/KG. Or Parrish was to Bird/McHale (the real original BIG 3). But one thing to consider in the argument is DPOY.  Defense is what separated KG from Pierce and Allen.  It’s also a factor in considering the 3rd most valuable Celtic in 2022-23.

I’m not sure Smart is the 3rd most valuable player on the team. It’s a tough call, but if I had to choose between Marcus, Rob and Al, I’m taking one of the bigs(likely Rob). That’s not a shot at Smart, either. Just feel like he’s more replaceable.

[KG Living Legend]

He had the best year of his career last year. I was a bit worried he wouldn't be able to repeat it, but he continues to trend very positively.

Remember when ppl debated that he was a shooting guard and not a point guard? Clearly a more effective passer than a shooter, his passing actually opens up his driving and shooting. Anyone still think Smart is a SG?

 Smart has been great, but let's not forget it took him a long time to get here,  he was a suspect pg for many years.

 However i always thought of Billups with Smart. Don't trade this guy, he will get it 8 to 10 years in the league,  and boy i was right about that.