Here's Marcus Smart's draft workout video

[TBreezy]

Also, the book on Smart says:

Struggles mightily on jumpers when guarded. Release slowed by bringing the ball down to his knees before rising up and releasing.

While the jumper looks smooth in this video, I don't see anything that's addressing the issues pointed out above.

This reminds me somewhat of issues with Wall.

It looks to me that the release is slow even when he doesn't bring it down.  but I guess if he is going to be guarded tightly he s going to need to get to the rim - no?  Make the open J's and get to the rim when tightly guarded is a recipe for success

[saltlover]

Smart is only an option if everything goes wrong for the Celtics

Love is NOT signed ....Rondo s future changes.....Gordon not available , Vonleh not available

I see a very slim chance for this guy being on the Celtics.....

He maybe a Timberwolf  #6

I really think Rondo's future doesn't change at all.  Bradley might have more to worry about.

There are 3 important things:

1) Smart never played point guard before college, and did so because he was his team's best ball-handler, not because he's necessarily an NBA point guard.

2) At Butler, Stevens ran a lot of lineups with two point guards on the floor.  He even did it sometimes this year with Pressey on the floor with Rondo (although that lineup gives up way too much in size).  And those two-point lineups are definitely gaining popularity in the NBA.  Phoenix ran it with Bledsoe and Dragic, when Bledsoe was healthy.  Toronto put Lowry and Vazquez out there together.  The Warriors put out Curry and Jarrett Jack a lot last year before Jack left in free agency.  The Knicks did it in 2012-2013 as well.  I'm sure there are other examples.

3) There are 96 minutes between the guard positions in a game.  That's 32 minutes per one of three guards when everyone is healthy, and if Bradley is one of those three, health can't be counted on.  Getting everyone on the court won't be a problem.

If Smart is the best player, he should be taken.  He would fit fine into the current roster.  This "Taking Smart means we're trading Rondo" line of thought just doesn't equate with either what Smart brings to the table or what the Celtics may do with their roster.

[michael 26]

Loved seeing him drain all these jump shots. I hope he can end up being a good shooter.

[kozlodoev]

Also, the book on Smart says:

Struggles mightily on jumpers when guarded. Release slowed by bringing the ball down to his knees before rising up and releasing.

While the jumper looks smooth in this video, I don't see anything that's addressing the issues pointed out above.

This reminds me somewhat of issues with Wall.

It looks to me that the release is slow even when he doesn't bring it down.  but I guess if he is going to be guarded tightly he s going to need to get to the rim - no?  Make the open J's and get to the rim when tightly guarded is a recipe for success

Yes, the release is slow. The problem is, the first step didn't look particularly explosive either. I don't think it's far-fetched to think that there may be a non-negligible chance that his game will implode against bigger, quicker NBA defenders.

[chambers]

Also, the book on Smart says:

Struggles mightily on jumpers when guarded. Release slowed by bringing the ball down to his knees before rising up and releasing.

While the jumper looks smooth in this video, I don't see anything that's addressing the issues pointed out above.

This reminds me somewhat of issues with Wall.

It looks to me that the release is slow even when he doesn't bring it down.  but I guess if he is going to be guarded tightly he s going to need to get to the rim - no?  Make the open J's and get to the rim when tightly guarded is a recipe for success

Yes, the release is slow. The problem is, the first step didn't look particularly explosive either. I don't think it's far-fetched to think that there may be a non-negligible chance that his game will implode against bigger, quicker NBA defenders.

Who's bigger and quicker than Smart in the NBA at pg or SG?
He had a lane agility speed test that was faster than Westbrook and CP3. He also benched 185 pounds 19 times which was one of the highest guard scores ever and 3rd out of every player at the combine. He's a beast.

[D.o.s.]

Here's Westbrook's DraftExpress profile from 2008; eerily similar to Smart's:
STRENGTHS:
- Executes offensively
- Transition play
- Excellent hands
- Outstanding defender
- Versatility to defend multiple positions
- Energy/Intensity
- Late bloomer
- Role-player potential
- Strong Intangibles
- Work ethic
- Athleticism
- Excellent first step
- Freakish athleticism
- Wingspan
WEAKNESSES:
- All-around offensive polish
- Mid-range game
- Not a true point guard
- Ability to create own shot
- Average ball-handler
- Not ready to contribute immediately
- Tweener?
- Size for position
- Undersized
- Average shooter

From DraftExpress.com http://www.draftexpress.com#ixzz336XkYLTY
http://www.draftexpress.com

At pick #6, if the Celtics could end up with a reasonable facsimile of Westbrook's impact on the game, then they should be thrilled.

The Celtics might be thrilled, but a lot of the posters here seem like they'd revolt.

[MetroGlobe]

Who's bigger and quicker than Smart in the NBA at pg or SG?
He had a lane agility speed test that was faster than Westbrook and CP3. He also benched 185 pounds 19 times which was one of the highest guard scores ever and 3rd out of every player at the combine. He's a beast.

Ummm, lots of people.  Rondo is quicker at PG.  So is Westbrook, Curry, Rose, MCW, Kyrie, Wall, etc.  And lots of guys are bigger at SG as well.

I'm still not getting it with this guy.  So he benched pressed more times than other guards in the draft.  Ok.  How does that make him an elite basketball player?  He didn't shoot or score at an elite level.

People comparing his college stats to Westbrook are fooling themselves.  Westbrook was on a fantastic UCLA team where he had to share the ball with other good players.  So his 12ppg were hard to come by.  He wasn't even the starter on that team - Darren Collison was.  But Smart was his team's entire offense.  That being the case, he should have put up 25+ ppg like McDermott or Durant or other elite scorers.

[knuckleballer]

Who's bigger and quicker than Smart in the NBA at pg or SG?
He had a lane agility speed test that was faster than Westbrook and CP3. He also benched 185 pounds 19 times which was one of the highest guard scores ever and 3rd out of every player at the combine. He's a beast.

Ummm, lots of people.  Rondo is quicker at PG.  So is Westbrook, Curry, Rose, MCW, Kyrie, Wall, etc.  And lots of guys are bigger at SG as well.

I'm still not getting it with this guy.  So he benched pressed more times than other guards in the draft.  Ok.  How does that make him an elite basketball player?  He didn't shoot or score at an elite level.

People comparing his college stats to Westbrook are fooling themselves.  Westbrook was on a fantastic UCLA team where he had to share the ball with other good players.  So his 12ppg were hard to come by.  He wasn't even the starter on that team - Darren Collison was.  But Smart was his team's entire offense.  That being the case, he should have put up 25+ ppg like McDermott or Durant or other elite scorers.

You say Westbrook wasn't the starter, but he played 34 minutes per game which is slightly more than Smart.  Smart averaged 18 points, more rebounds, more assists, more steals, more blocks and about the same number of turnovers.  Their athleticism and length measurements were similar with Smart weighing 30 more pounds and much stronger.  I don't think anyone is suggesting Smart will be better, but there's a reasonable chance he could be close or at least a very good player.

Sure McDermott was a better scorer in college, but Smart does so many more things on the court to help his team.  Durant is an all time great player.  And we're talking about the 6th pick, not the number one.  Anyone would prefer Embiid, Wiggins, or Parker.

[Galeto]

Also, the book on Smart says:

Struggles mightily on jumpers when guarded. Release slowed by bringing the ball down to his knees before rising up and releasing.

While the jumper looks smooth in this video, I don't see anything that's addressing the issues pointed out above.

This reminds me somewhat of issues with Wall.

It looks to me that the release is slow even when he doesn't bring it down.  but I guess if he is going to be guarded tightly he s going to need to get to the rim - no?  Make the open J's and get to the rim when tightly guarded is a recipe for success

Yes, the release is slow. The problem is, the first step didn't look particularly explosive either. I don't think it's far-fetched to think that there may be a non-negligible chance that his game will implode against bigger, quicker NBA defenders.

Why are you so hung up about the speed of his release?  That just doesn't really come into play.  Pierce has a slow release.  Alan Anderson has a glacial release.  Heck, Rondo's very deliberate as well.  So on and so on.  Chris Paul has a set shot when he spots up and it's not quick either.  Smart's not going to be the first player in the NBA with solid athleticism and ballhandling ability, with lift on his jumper who can't get his shot off.  He'll be able to use a lot of screens to create space for himself anyway.

[esel1000]

Here's Westbrook's DraftExpress profile from 2008; eerily similar to Smart's:
STRENGTHS:
- Executes offensively
- Transition play
- Excellent hands
- Outstanding defender
- Versatility to defend multiple positions
- Energy/Intensity
- Late bloomer
- Role-player potential
- Strong Intangibles
- Work ethic
- Athleticism
- Excellent first step
- Freakish athleticism
- Wingspan
WEAKNESSES:
- All-around offensive polish
- Mid-range game
- Not a true point guard
- Ability to create own shot
- Average ball-handler
- Not ready to contribute immediately
- Tweener?
- Size for position
- Undersized
- Average shooter

From DraftExpress.com http://www.draftexpress.com#ixzz336XkYLTY
http://www.draftexpress.com

At pick #6, if the Celtics could end up with a reasonable facsimile of Westbrook's impact on the game, then they should be thrilled.

The Celtics might be thrilled, but a lot of the posters here seem like they'd revolt.

Yeah I'd probably side with the opinions of a front office paid to do this over the opinions of some of the posters on a forum...

[byennie]

He's not quite a #1 overall talent, but look at the last 5 drafts plus this one and count the number of point guards rated higher than him coming out of college. I got:

Derrick Rose
John Wall
Kyrie Irving
(mayyybe) Russell Westbrook

That's pretty good company. Doesn't prove anything, but he's a [dang] good prospect and the Westbrook upside is quite fair.

Guys who likely would have gone after him in a draft coming out of school include Lillard, Curry, Jennings, Holiday, Rubio, Holiday, Bledsoe, Knight, Walker...

[byennie]

Heck, I'd say you have to stretch it to 10 years to get 2 more better prospects (Deron Williams and Chris Paul in 2005).

So in the past 9 drafts, I count him as around the 4th-5th best PG prospect coming out of school.

[NorthernLightning]

Smart doesn't need to be the fastest player in the league, because he is so strong. Are 180-200 pound guards going to stop him from going wherever he wants to go? No.

[MetroGlobe]

Smart doesn't need to be the fastest player in the league, because he is so strong. Are 180-200 pound guards going to stop him from going wherever he wants to go? No.

Dude, this ain't football.  The stronger guy can't just bowl over the weaker guy.  Faster guards will simply get in front of him and draw the offensive foul.  This happened to him at a very high rate in college.  Imagine how much more frequently it will happen at the pro level.

[Mr October]

Here's Westbrook's DraftExpress profile from 2008; eerily similar to Smart's:
STRENGTHS:
- Executes offensively
- Transition play
- Excellent hands
- Outstanding defender
- Versatility to defend multiple positions
- Energy/Intensity
- Late bloomer
- Role-player potential
- Strong Intangibles
- Work ethic
- Athleticism
- Excellent first step
- Freakish athleticism
- Wingspan
WEAKNESSES:
- All-around offensive polish
- Mid-range game
- Not a true point guard
- Ability to create own shot
- Average ball-handler
- Not ready to contribute immediately
- Tweener?
- Size for position
- Undersized
- Average shooter

From DraftExpress.com http://www.draftexpress.com#ixzz336XkYLTY
http://www.draftexpress.com

At pick #6, if the Celtics could end up with a reasonable facsimile of Westbrook's impact on the game, then they should be thrilled.

The Celtics might be thrilled, but a lot of the posters here seem like they'd revolt.

Yeah I'd probably side with the opinions of a front office paid to do this over the opinions of some of the posters on a forum...

I have to throw some cold water on the Westbrook Smart comparison. Westbrook's athleticism is his most outstanding weapon. In some ways he is a 6-4 version of Lebron James. He just lacks Lebron's discipline on defense.

Marcus smart doesn't have anything remotely freakishly athletic about his game. Take away Lebron or Westbrook's athleticism and what do you have? At least those two players can shoot it OK.

I like Smart. But he is no Westbrook. He doesn't have the speed and hops.