Help me get excited about Marcus Smart

[BigAlTheFuture]

Most of their comps were for the ESPN/NBA hype machine.  I mean really really foolish.  Elfrid Payton to Gary Payton.  Just plain silly.

So you mean that the hype machine saying Smart is somewhere between Tony Allen and Eric Bledsoe is too generous?

Should we be lowering our expectations even more?   Rich man's Marcus Banks?

Weren't you the same guy that earlier in the season said you would be satisfied with a top-8 pick because there were 8 possible franchise guys? Why so negative now when we did land one of those top 8 guys?

[slamtheking]

As for Smart, I think he was BPA at the time of the pick.  I think he's going to be a very good pro based on his mental attitude and the anticipation his currently-solid skills will continue to develop.  this kid will turn into the kind of player C's fans will be glad to have on the team.  I don't think this kid will be a bust at all just based on his defensive effort, physical size for a guard and his ability to drive to the rim and finish.  if he continues to develop his shot, he'll be fantastic.

[LarBrd33]

(edited)

BigAlTheFuture -  If you check the earlier pages on this thread, I already answered this question.  I was 1000% in support of tanking and it clearly was the best choice.  I'd much rather have pick #6 heading forward on this mediocre team... than pick 15 heading forward on this mediocre team.  It was the right move. 

Still, I have frequently admitted that I don't follow college ball.  I read a lot of articles and listened to a lot of podcasts, and my impression of this draft heading into it was that it was 8 players deep and Smart was the 8th best prospect.  I was under the impression that Vonleh and Randle had significantly higher ceilings.  So my immediate reaction was one of disappointment that we drafted for "need" over best player available.  Of the 8 guys, Smart was the one I was least interested in getting.  6'3 shooting guard who can't shoot... supposedly compares to Tony Allen.   Needs the ball to be effective.   I wasn't sure how that could fit with Rondo.  Mildly disappointed we didn't trade up or out using the asset (which again... was by far the best asset on the team and totally worth tanking for).

Hence my reason for posting this thread.  I wanted clarification on Smart specifically.  So far, I've seen plenty of responses that give me reason to be optimistic.  But first and foremost, I have complete faith in Danny Ainge... so if he likes Smart, Smart must have been the best option here.  I'm just a little concerned what this means for Bradley and Rondo's future and wondering what the next move is.  And even if Smart ends up the next Tony Allen... Allen is someone who at his peak could be an elite defender on a title contender.   I'd rather have Tony Allen than not have Tony Allen. 

[Yoki_IsTheName]

The "cant shoot" thing with Smart is being overblown.

Ask Memphis, Butler and Purdue from last year if Marcus Smart cant shoot when he lit them up. He's probably not a consistent and/or an efficient shooter and that something he can improve (he actually improved his shot from frosh to soph season). Part of his bad percentages are also bad shot selection, which he can also change and improve. But he's not a "cant shoot" guy.

[Mr October]

The "cant shoot" thing with Smart is being overblown.

Ask Memphis, Butler and Purdue from last year if Marcus Smart cant shoot when he lit them up. He's probably not a consistent and/or an efficient shooter and that something he can improve (he actually improved his shot from frosh to soph season), but he's not a "cant shoot" guy.

Yeah, Smart is a better shooter than Rondo or Tony Allen. He is streaky. He can have games where he drops in 4 or 5 threes.

The guy is very competetive and coachable. I would be shocked if he didn't get his shooting to a respected level like Wade or Parker. ......he wont score like them, as he doesn't have the elite athleticism of young Wade or elite speed of Parker, or the craftiness of both, but he should be good enough to get the open shots when needed.

[Mr October]

As for the future of the team, i could see a 3 guard rotation of Rondo at the 1, Smart at the 2 and Bradley as the combo guard off the bench.

I like Bradley better when he is playing 24 minutes a night of hard nosed defense. And he doesn't do enough other things well enough to be a starter on a contender.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

The "cant shoot" thing with Smart is being overblown.

Ask Memphis, Butler and Purdue from last year if Marcus Smart cant shoot when he lit them up. He's probably not a consistent and/or an efficient shooter and that something he can improve (he actually improved his shot from frosh to soph season), but he's not a "cant shoot" guy.

Yeah, Smart is a better shooter than Rondo or Tony Allen. He is streaky. He can have games where he drops in 4 or 5 threes.

The guy is very competetive and coachable. I would be shocked if he didn't get his shooting to a respected level like Wade or Parker. ......he wont score like them, as he doesn't have the elite athleticism of young Wade or elite speed of Parker, or the craftiness of both, but he should be good enough to get the open shots when needed.

And this is the NBA, they are getting the best coaching available on the planet to fix their shots.

Avery came in with the same tag, "cant shoot" and developed a decent mid range game. Kawhi Leonard, "cant shoot" and worked his way to a solid shooter. Heck, LeBron James' weakness from the beginning is a streaky jumper, and look at him now.

Smart is a better shooter coming in to the draft than AB and Kawhi were coming in. Give those shooting coaches some respect and trust that they can make Smart a better shooter. And you can guarantee that Smart will work hard to do so.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

As for the future of the team, i could see a 3 guard rotation of Rondo at the 1, Smart at the 2 and Bradley as the combo guard off the bench.

I like Bradley better when he is playing 24 minutes a night of hard nosed defense. And he doesn't do enough other things well enough to be a starter on a contender.

Take Bradley out, and put James Young in as the 6th man. That should be our 3 guard rotation moving forward.

[SHAQATTACK]

I like Smart because some of my friends and associates online and in real life were very adamant about how they didn't want him, and I'm enjoying being on the right side of the ledger.

Not a huge fan myself, but I can see why others like him so I'm hoping for the best. I worry about guys who use their frame/strength to bully people in college. That's something that doesn't always translate, though typically with older players its the worse and Smart is plenty young.

I'm sure I'll be on board after a full off-season of hype. Position-wise he makes sense because it protects the C's from Bradley and/or Rondo's departure.

This accurately describes how I feel about the pick .  I'm hoping it all works out for Boston.

[saltlover]

As for the future of the team, i could see a 3 guard rotation of Rondo at the 1, Smart at the 2 and Bradley as the combo guard off the bench.

I like Bradley better when he is playing 24 minutes a night of hard nosed defense. And he doesn't do enough other things well enough to be a starter on a contender.

I think I like Smart better as the combo guard.  I really don't like Bradley running the point -- Smart can have that job when it's he an Bradley.

I'd love for the Celtics to get to the point where no one plays more than 30 minutes a game, like the Spurs.  Not there yet.  In the meanwhile,  Bradley should get 28-32, until James Young shows that he's ready for real minutes.

[saltlover]

As for the future of the team, i could see a 3 guard rotation of Rondo at the 1, Smart at the 2 and Bradley as the combo guard off the bench.

I like Bradley better when he is playing 24 minutes a night of hard nosed defense. And he doesn't do enough other things well enough to be a starter on a contender.

Take Bradley out, and put James Young in as the 6th man. That should be our 3 guard rotation moving forward.

No thanks.  Young isn't ready.  I'd like to see the minutes go to the players who are ready to play.

[Smokeeye123]

As for the future of the team, i could see a 3 guard rotation of Rondo at the 1, Smart at the 2 and Bradley as the combo guard off the bench.

I like Bradley better when he is playing 24 minutes a night of hard nosed defense. And he doesn't do enough other things well enough to be a starter on a contender.

Take Bradley out, and put James Young in as the 6th man. That should be our 3 guard rotation moving forward.

No thanks.  Young isn't ready.  I'd like to see the minutes go to the players who are ready to play.

Why? Next season we are clearly tankin again. Might as well develop the youngins and lose a whole bunch of games

[LooseCannon]

As for the future of the team, i could see a 3 guard rotation of Rondo at the 1, Smart at the 2 and Bradley as the combo guard off the bench.

I like Bradley better when he is playing 24 minutes a night of hard nosed defense. And he doesn't do enough other things well enough to be a starter on a contender.

Take Bradley out, and put James Young in as the 6th man. That should be our 3 guard rotation moving forward.

No thanks.  Young isn't ready.  I'd like to see the minutes go to the players who are ready to play.

Why? Next season we are clearly tankin again. Might as well develop the youngins and lose a whole bunch of games

Young is still only 18.  In terms of mental/emotional development, it may make the most sense to bring him along slowly instead of just throwing him to the wolves.  He's been described as needing to work on defensive fundamentals, so I would not be shocked to see him spend some time in the D-League doing exactly that.  I can see a plan for him involving having his minutes increase based on how well he is learning defense. 

[Celtics39]

Marcus Smart is a ferocious competitor who wants to win badly. You will never have to question his intensity or will. If his shot isn't falling he can force his way to the basket and draw fouls and score that way. He has the ability to take over games, but is also unselfish and will make the pass if it is open. Very good defensive player, hard to beat off the dribble 1 on 1, can fight through screens, can jump passing lanes, quick hands. Rebounds the basketball.

[Kane3387]

Posted this in another thread.

I think smart will be very good. All star caliber. Hall of fame? Not saying that.

Living in Texas I've seen a lot of coverage for the big 12. I grew up in Oklahoma and several of my friends went to Ok St. Based on what ive seen and heard the Westbrook and rose comparisons are off. Smart isn't that level of athlete.

The comparison he mostly gets and i agree with as well is a young baron Davis. Davis was ridiculed for his shot entering the league too. He developed it pretty well in the nba.

The difference is smart is hungrier and more competitive then baron. When baron was locked in he was arguably the best pg in the nba. Ask the 67-15 2007 Mavs.

Smart is always locked in. I think that his potential. A super competitive and focused version of baron Davis.