Help me get excited about Marcus Smart

[CM0]

Aside from leading all prospects in WARP, Smart is second only to Embiid in HUM. This projection gives Smart the same odds of becoming a "star" player as Wiggins (32%). Only Embiid is higher- and that assumes health.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Aipd_3kGfREgdHRtcThFd3ZtMlRPYldIRmdGb241RlE&usp=drive_web#gid=9

Get excited. Smart is a bulldog guard with the attitude of KG.

[Monkhouse]

Im sorry youre disappointed we didnt get Exum. But that's how tanking works (something you we're all about since the start of last season BTW), just because you tank, doesnt mean you get a sure fire top 3 (or top 5 in this case) pick.

Tanking is something I was 1000% for... and I have to imagine it will be worth it.  I'm just not seeing the reason to get excited over Marcus Smart.  It's going to really stink if Julius Randle ends up a 20-10 guy out of the gate while Smart struggles to make an impact beyond undersized defensive specialist (Bradley's replacement, basically).  And it's going to stink even more if Dante Exum becomes an iconic player and we missed out on him due to a coin flip.

The funny thing is I think Exum will be a bust, as in not exceed any of the expectations people are expecting out of him.

And Randle averaging 20-10? Sure, why not, lets entertain the thought. If people thought Kevin Love was bad on defense, Randle is just as if not worse.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

Im sorry youre disappointed we didnt get Exum. But that's how tanking works (something you we're all about since the start of last season BTW), just because you tank, doesnt mean you get a sure fire top 3 (or top 5 in this case) pick.

Tanking is something I was 1000% for... and I have to imagine it will be worth it.  I'm just not seeing the reason to get excited over Marcus Smart.  It's going to really stink if Julius Randle ends up a 20-10 guy out of the gate while Smart struggles to make an impact beyond undersized defensive specialist (Bradley's replacement, basically).  And it's going to stink even more if Dante Exum becomes an iconic player and we missed out on him due to a coin flip.

Well, cant do anything about Exum. If all indications are Exum would be a stud, then Utah did the right thing by not passing on him. We we're out of reach for Exum to begin with as he was slated to go #4 in most mocks anyway. But we got a good player in Smart. Let's not dwell on what was never supposed to happen to begin with.

Your thoughts on Randle though, that I get. I doubt that Marcus Smart will be a dud, he's too skilled. At worst he'll be an Avery type player who can get to the lane and draw fouls on his own. That's the absolute worst case scenario. But it will have to be that before Randle haunts us. Randle can be 20/10, but if Smart pans out, he can average 16/4 rebounds/6 assists on a fair shooting percentage and he will have more impact in the game than Randle will in defense, playmaking, competitiveness, BBIQ just flat out passion and fire.

[Future Celtics Owner]

Is the Wade thing legit or is it just a reach people make to compare this to the 2003 draft?

Just looked at their stats, but I understand that's probably not all that helpful considered the teams they played for and everything, right?


Wade averaged 21.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 2.2 steals, 1.3 blocks, 50%/32%/78%

Smart averaged 18 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.8 assists 2.9 steals, 0.6 blocks, 42%/30%/73%

I do not think he is wade, but I like to compare because they have some similarities. But I think Smart is in better position to improve his shot and his percentages. He attempted 5.3 3's a game and 8.1 ft, as opposed to wades 1.3 3's attempted and 7.3 ft. Basically I like how he was very close to wades % but shot wayyyy more 3's.

Its late and I think Im spacing out, just trying to help maybe c it in a more positive light

[Monkhouse]

The Lakers were also VERY hopeful that Smart would be there. My friend from LA told me a lot of radio stations, and sports FM/podcasts were hoping Smart wouldn't be taken by the Celtics/Jazz or Magic. If he was indeed picked up, Randle seemed like the most obvious choice, so anything that disrupts or hurts the Lakers is a solid note in my book

[KG Living Legend]

 LarBird,

 opponents shot 27% FG against him number one of all point guards. He can guard one through three. He's so strong and quick and long. Like Dwade. Number one in rebounds per, steals per, blocks per, Leads all PG's in five areas.

 Listen to this, the scout's love the three lane change direction drill, and they wanna see if you can move that 230 pounds back and fourth as quickly as possible. Between Smart, Chris Paul, Westbrook, and John Wall. Smart Came in first!!! This is a game changing revelation.

 And this kid is a legit two way player that will set the tone for the entire team for ten years. For half the year he was the best player in college. He can take over games. And when you see him dunk in the workouts you can see the Dwade. He also jumped 33" no step vertical which is very good. 2" higher than Wade. Wade has 1" longer arms. So he can dunk like a man from anywhere.

 And a bowling ball that you can't knock off his path, and he can finish and pass. He will be awesome. I promise you will grow to love him.

[Jailan34]

Randle is who I was worried we would pick, not athletic, injury history, typical college big man just strong and tall enough to push around college kids but lacks the length to be an all star in the NBA.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

Is the Wade thing legit or is it just a reach people make to compare this to the 2003 draft?

Just looked at their stats, but I understand that's probably not all that helpful considered the teams they played for and everything, right?


Wade averaged 21.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 2.2 steals, 1.3 blocks, 50%/32%/78%

Smart averaged 18 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.8 assists 2.9 steals, 0.6 blocks, 42%/30%/73%

I do not think he is wade, but I like to compare because they have some similarities. But I think Smart is in better position to improve his shot and his percentages. He attempted 5.3 3's a game and 8.1 ft, as opposed to wades 1.3 3's attempted and 7.3 ft. Basically I like how he was very close to wades % but shot wayyyy more 3's.

Its late and I think Im spacing out, just trying to help maybe c it in a more positive light

I was playing around on the Wade comparisons as well.

But now that I think about it, he's more Russel Westbrook IMO than Wade. Skills (well, not as good a shooter yet), mentality, playmaking (probably a little better playmaker) and defense, he's Rus. He's probably not as explosive, but he's in that Westbrook mold of athletic SG in a PG body.

[blink]

The fact that we were a coin toss away from landing Dante Exum... who everyone raves about and I recently heard compares well with Kobe Bryant at the same age...   This seems like a brutally disappointing outcome, isn't it?

And I heard that Marcus Smart compares favorably with Dwyane Wade when he was the same age.

Just one point about Exum. Most of the people who "rave" about Exum have probably seen as much Exum as you've seen college ball last season. That is all.

Interesting.  So Dwayne Wade is the comp?  Is that realistic?

During the NBA Draft if you were watching, the announcers brought up a interesting point.

Smart had the best statistical categories of all prospects in PPG, RPG, and especially SPG. Smart in my opinion from his highlights, and because my friend is a fan of Oklahoma State, we sometimes smoke/drink while watching his games, and Smart just has non-stop motor. He anticipates the passes, and is a dynamic interceptor.

I don't think their stats were completely accurate considering that Deandre Kane was better than Smart in 4 out of the 6 catagories below.  Smart was only slightly better in points per game, and a ways in front on steals.  I don't know if because Kane wasn't considered a lock to get drafted that he wasn't compared to Smart, but his overall numbers were better.
Played in the same league, 1st team all big 12, mvp of the conference tourney.

Smart is a great prospect, but there wasn't a lot of critical analysis by the guys on espn at the draft.  they basically said everyone is awesome and everyone will be a good fit for the team that drafted them.

Deandre Kane
17.1 ppg
6.8 rpg
5.9 apg
1.2 spg
.483 fg %
.398 3 point fg%


Marcus Smart
18.0 ppg
5.9 rpg
4.8 apg
2.9 spg
.42 fg %
.30 3 point fg%

[LarBrd33]

Aside from leading all prospects in WARP, Smart is second only to Embiid in HUM. This projection gives Smart the same odds of becoming a "star" player as Wiggins (32%). Only Embiid is higher- and that assumes health.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Aipd_3kGfREgdHRtcThFd3ZtMlRPYldIRmdGb241RlE&usp=drive_web#gid=9

Get excited. Smart is a bulldog guard with the attitude of KG.

Interesting link.  Is there a history of these type of projections panning out?

[Monkhouse]

The fact that we were a coin toss away from landing Dante Exum... who everyone raves about and I recently heard compares well with Kobe Bryant at the same age...   This seems like a brutally disappointing outcome, isn't it?

And I heard that Marcus Smart compares favorably with Dwyane Wade when he was the same age.

Just one point about Exum. Most of the people who "rave" about Exum have probably seen as much Exum as you've seen college ball last season. That is all.

Interesting.  So Dwayne Wade is the comp?  Is that realistic?

During the NBA Draft if you were watching, the announcers brought up a interesting point.

Smart had the best statistical categories of all prospects in PPG, RPG, and especially SPG. Smart in my opinion from his highlights, and because my friend is a fan of Oklahoma State, we sometimes smoke/drink while watching his games, and Smart just has non-stop motor. He anticipates the passes, and is a dynamic interceptor.

I don't think their stats were completely accurate considering that Deandre Kane was better than Smart in 4 out of the 6 catagories below.  Smart was only slightly better in points per game, and a ways in front on steals.  I don't know if because Kane wasn't considered a lock to get drafted that he wasn't compared to Smart, but his overall numbers were better.
Played in the same league, 1st team all big 12, mvp of the conference tourney.

Smart is a great prospect, but there wasn't a lot of critical analysis by the guys on espn at the draft.  they basically said everyone is awesome and everyone will be a good fit for the team that drafted them.

Deandre Kane
17.1 ppg
6.8 rpg
5.9 apg
1.2 spg
.483 fg %
.398 3 point fg%


Marcus Smart
18.0 ppg
5.9 rpg
4.8 apg
2.9 spg
.42 fg %
.30 3 point fg%

At the end of the day, I would take Smart over Kane any day and not even due to the age difference. Kane doesn't particularly strike me as a player that could ever have the ceiling as Smart does.

[Future Celtics Owner]

Is the Wade thing legit or is it just a reach people make to compare this to the 2003 draft?

Just looked at their stats, but I understand that's probably not all that helpful considered the teams they played for and everything, right?


Wade averaged 21.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 2.2 steals, 1.3 blocks, 50%/32%/78%

Smart averaged 18 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.8 assists 2.9 steals, 0.6 blocks, 42%/30%/73%

I do not think he is wade, but I like to compare because they have some similarities. But I think Smart is in better position to improve his shot and his percentages. He attempted 5.3 3's a game and 8.1 ft, as opposed to wades 1.3 3's attempted and 7.3 ft. Basically I like how he was very close to wades % but shot wayyyy more 3's.

Its late and I think Im spacing out, just trying to help maybe c it in a more positive light

I was playing around on the Wade comparisons as well.

But now that I think about it, he's more Russel Westbrook IMO than Wade. Skills (well, not as good a shooter yet), mentality, playmaking (probably a little better playmaker) and defense, he's Rus. He's probably not as explosive, but he's in that Westbrook mold of athletic SG in a PG body.

I forgot about Westbrook! Once this kid gets his jumper situated he will be unstoppable

[blink]

The fact that we were a coin toss away from landing Dante Exum... who everyone raves about and I recently heard compares well with Kobe Bryant at the same age...   This seems like a brutally disappointing outcome, isn't it?

And I heard that Marcus Smart compares favorably with Dwyane Wade when he was the same age.

Just one point about Exum. Most of the people who "rave" about Exum have probably seen as much Exum as you've seen college ball last season. That is all.

Interesting.  So Dwayne Wade is the comp?  Is that realistic?

During the NBA Draft if you were watching, the announcers brought up a interesting point.

Smart had the best statistical categories of all prospects in PPG, RPG, and especially SPG. Smart in my opinion from his highlights, and because my friend is a fan of Oklahoma State, we sometimes smoke/drink while watching his games, and Smart just has non-stop motor. He anticipates the passes, and is a dynamic interceptor.

I don't think their stats were completely accurate considering that Deandre Kane was better than Smart in 4 out of the 6 catagories below.  Smart was only slightly better in points per game, and a ways in front on steals.  I don't know if because Kane wasn't considered a lock to get drafted that he wasn't compared to Smart, but his overall numbers were better.
Played in the same league, 1st team all big 12, mvp of the conference tourney.

Smart is a great prospect, but there wasn't a lot of critical analysis by the guys on espn at the draft.  they basically said everyone is awesome and everyone will be a good fit for the team that drafted them.

Deandre Kane
17.1 ppg
6.8 rpg
5.9 apg
1.2 spg
.483 fg %
.398 3 point fg%


Marcus Smart
18.0 ppg
5.9 rpg
4.8 apg
2.9 spg
.42 fg %
.30 3 point fg%

At the end of the day, I would take Smart over Kane any day and not even due to the age difference. Kane doesn't particularly strike me as a player that could ever have the ceiling as Smart does.

my point was more about the inaccuracies of the information that was thrown out, not really who deserved to be drafted where.  obviously, kane didn't even get drafted.  there was a reason for it, but it wasn't his resume from last year, because it was better than smart's. 

I guess I am just trying to temper the optimism a bit.  I saw a lot of smart's games last season.  I don't see him as this transcendent player that people are describing.  he will be a good player, but he wasn't as dominant as all the hype would have you believe.

[LarBrd33]

Alright, I'll get on board with Maaahcus Smaht.  I actually just realized part of my hesitance is probably a deep-seeded subconscious thing related to Marcus Banks... another undersized pit bull who couldn't shoot named Marcus that Ainge drafted in the lotto.  I should get over that.

When's summer league start?

[beklog]

Yeah I actually see more of Westbrook rather than Wade...
Poor shooter and questionable shot decision at first
but a beast in defense and in the paint

Shooting can be trained as you can see Russ' improvement on that area...
I can't comment on Russ' shot decision though