Mannix: Marcus Smart called the “next great perimeter defender"

[Tr1boy]

Next great perimeter defender, per a couple scouts I talked to this week: Marcus Smart. All the tools. Scouts love how he embraces contact.

— Chris Mannix (@ChrisMannixSI) September 3, 2014


It looks like danny drafted tony allen part 2.  But a more offensively skilled slightly less athletic version.  He was a beast on the defensive end at the SL. His hands are very quick. 

I expect guys like dwade, westbrook will get annoyed being covered by smart. Which is a good thing

[Csfan1984]

Thought that was Olohomedepot, scouts. I have tempered expectations. While Smart looked good in college and SL he was just okay on select team.

[fairweatherfan]

One of the things I'm most excited about for the season is watching the Rondo/Bradley/Smart trio harassing opposing guards.  That could be a very tough defensive backcourt if they can play up to their potential.

[gpap]

Thought that was Olohomedepot, scouts. I have tempered expectations. While Smart looked good in college and SL he was just okay on select team.

Same here. I am excited we drafted Smart, but I also think the exepctations are becoming a bit too lofty.

I've already heard him compared to Westbrook & Wade, but that was merely based off summer league.

Let's see how he adjusts during the regular season in the NBA, first.

[Donoghus]

Wouldn't shock me on the defensive end.  I think he's a pretty terriffic defender and would be rather shocked if he wasn't at the NBA level.

My biggest question mark is how much he can carry or contribute to a team offensively.  That's where my biggest concerns lie.

That being said, I don't think we'll be looking back at Smart in 3 or 5 years and labeling him a "bust".

[obnoxiousmime]

I also thought it was significant that Coach K complimented Smart after the Team USA scrimmages. Not that Smart is any kind of lock for future consideration because there are so many good young PGs but I've always thought that Rondo missed out by not making Team USA (he left but basically it was because he found out he wasn't going to make the squad and wanted to save face). Making the team would have helped his maturity and helped him build relationships with the other top stars around the league. It's almost like an exclusive super fraternity even more exclusive than the NBA or even the All-Star team.

Alas, he was never going to make it because he can't shoot. Still, I think leaving the way he did was bad form and a sign of immaturity. After that I don't think he was even ever asked back.

If Smart can become a passable shooter maybe he has a shot at making the squad 4-6 years from now. It won't be easy but maybe one of the FIBA years when all the big stars drop out?

[manl_lui]

Thought that was Olohomedepot, scouts. I have tempered expectations. While Smart looked good in college and SL he was just okay on select team.

Same here. I am excited we drafted Smart, but I also think the exepctations are becoming a bit too lofty.

I've already heard him compared to Westbrook & Wade, but that was merely based off summer league.

Let's see how he adjusts during the regular season in the NBA, first.

that makes me even more excited for the season to start. Will we suck? most likely, but I am so excited to see Smart play, see if KO improved, see if Sully is still a fatass, will Green be inconsistent now? will Bradley live up to his contract!

so much stuff to see! Rebuild phase II let's go!

[Csfan1984]

Thought that was Olohomedepot, scouts. I have tempered expectations. While Smart looked good in college and SL he was just okay on select team.

Same here. I am excited we drafted Smart, but I also think the exepctations are becoming a bit too lofty.

I've already heard him compared to Westbrook & Wade, but that was merely based off summer league.

Let's see how he adjusts during the regular season in the NBA, first.

that makes me even more excited for the season to start. Will we suck? most likely, but I am so excited to see Smart play, see if KO improved, see if Sully is still a fatass, will Green be inconsistent now? will Bradley live up to his contract!

so much stuff to see! Rebuild phase II let's go!

I'll add C's with an all-year incredibly motivated Rondo or without Rondo will be a interesting watch for me

[Tr1boy]

Rondo is also going to get annoyed by smart and pressey hounding him at practice. Hopefully this will make rondo a better player

[GreenWarrior]

not saying he won't be the “next great perimeter defender". but it is still a little early to say anything about someone who hasn't even played a single pre-season game.

I know a lot of fans have high expectations for Smart this season, to the point they think he might be RoY or at least be in the discussion. and I know everyone seems to think Rondo getting traded isn't a matter of "if" but "when" and that may very well be the case. but as long as Rondo is here, the only way Smart may even play is at SG. and it's still a question as to weather he can do that.

but one thing everyone seems to overlook. Pressey was pretty impressive in SL and i don't see the Celtics just cutting him out of the loop. I just think everyone assumes Smart is going to be playing 30 - 35 mins a night right out of the gate and that he automatically deserves those mins. we have 18 million guards on this team most will play SG and the PG mins will be split between Rondo, Smart, Pressey. how does Smart even come close to having an impact this season? Forget being the RoY, will he even play enough mins. to be a top 10 candidate?

[Csfan1984]

not saying he won't be the “next great perimeter defender". but it is still a little early to say anything about someone who hasn't even played a single pre-season game.

I know a lot of fans have high expectations for Smart this season, to the point they think he might be RoY or at least be in the discussion. and I know everyone seems to think Rondo getting traded isn't a matter of "if" but "when" and that may very well be the case. but as long as Rondo is here, the only way Smart may even play is at SG. and it's still a question as to weather he can do that.

but one thing everyone seems to overlook. Pressey was pretty impressive in SL and i don't see the Celtics just cutting him out of the loop. I just think everyone assumes Smart is going to be playing 30 - 35 mins a night right out of the gate and that he automatically deserves those mins. we have 18 million guards on this team most will play SG and the PG mins will be split between Rondo, Smart, Pressey. how does Smart even come close to having an impact this season? Forget being the RoY, will he even play enough mins. to be a top 10 candidate?

I didn't think much about Pressey in SL. He looks like an 3 PG at best to me. I think he gets time if there is foul trouble only.

[ddb]

IMO, Marcus Smart is a hybrid of current NBA players.  To me, he has some Lance Stephenson in him with a touch of DRose.  Smart looked a lot better playing the point in SL but that's because Pressey stinks.  Pair him with Rondo and he will be fine.  Pair with him Bradley and Turner and he will share PG duties with Turner and he'll be fine.  I really like Smart.  He's going to be a stud

[fairweatherfan]

we have 18 million guards on this team most will play SG and the PG mins will be split between Rondo, Smart, Pressey. how does Smart even come close to having an impact this season? Forget being the RoY, will he even play enough mins. to be a top 10 candidate?

I believe Smart will play a lot at SG opposite Rondo/Pressey.  I think he will be higher in the rotation at 2 than Bogans and Babb (who will both likely be gone before long), Young (spot minutes and/or D-league) and Turner (who I expect to supplant Wallace as the primary backup 3).  Thornton is a wild card but I think he's likely to be traded sooner or later.

SG minutes will probably be split between Bradley, Smart, and Thornton if he sticks around, with dabs of Turner and Young mixed in.  Don't know if that'll add up to 30-35 for Marcus, but he'll be squarely in the rotation at least, and probably our #3 guard overall.

[CFAN38]

we have 18 million guards on this team most will play SG and the PG mins will be split between Rondo, Smart, Pressey. how does Smart even come close to having an impact this season? Forget being the RoY, will he even play enough mins. to be a top 10 candidate?

I believe Smart will play a lot at SG opposite Rondo/Pressey.  I think he will be higher in the rotation at 2 than Bogans and Babb (who will both likely be gone before long), Young (spot minutes and/or D-league) and Turner (who I expect to supplant Wallace as the primary backup 3).  Thornton is a wild card but I think he's likely to be traded sooner or later.

SG minutes will probably be split between Bradley, Smart, and Thornton if he sticks around, with dabs of Turner and Young mixed in.  Don't know if that'll add up to 30-35 for Marcus, but he'll be squarely in the rotation at least, and probably our #3 guard overall.

The rotation will be an absolute mess barring a trade. But I would be shocked to see Smart play less then 20mpg.

I expect something along these lines to start the season.

PG Rondo 35mpg, Smart 10 min, Pressey 3min

SG AB 30min, Smart 10min, Thorton 8 min

SF Green 30min, Turner 18min

PF Sully 20min, Bass 15min, KO 10min

C  Zeller 20min, Sully 10min, KO 10min, Fav 5min

That leaves Wallace, Young (D-League) and Anthony totally out of the rotation. Thorton will not be happy with only 8min per and Bass deserves more then 15min on a non-playoff team. It also leave Sully playing to much center. I think the logical move is for Bass to be traded and at the very least more min for Anthony and Fav allowing Sully and KO more time at the 4. Also If Green is moved the team could then play more 3 guard lineup and get wallace some minutes.

[manl_lui]

we have 18 million guards on this team most will play SG and the PG mins will be split between Rondo, Smart, Pressey. how does Smart even come close to having an impact this season? Forget being the RoY, will he even play enough mins. to be a top 10 candidate?

I believe Smart will play a lot at SG opposite Rondo/Pressey.  I think he will be higher in the rotation at 2 than Bogans and Babb (who will both likely be gone before long), Young (spot minutes and/or D-league) and Turner (who I expect to supplant Wallace as the primary backup 3).  Thornton is a wild card but I think he's likely to be traded sooner or later.

SG minutes will probably be split between Bradley, Smart, and Thornton if he sticks around, with dabs of Turner and Young mixed in.  Don't know if that'll add up to 30-35 for Marcus, but he'll be squarely in the rotation at least, and probably our #3 guard overall.

The rotation will be an absolute mess barring a trade. But I would be shocked to see Smart play less then 20mpg.

I expect something along these lines to start the season.

PG Rondo 35mpg, Smart 10 min, Pressey 3min

SG AB 30min, Smart 10min, Thorton 8 min

SF Green 30min, Turner 18min

PF Sully 20min, Bass 15min, KO 10min

C  Zeller 20min, Sully 10min, KO 10min, Fav 5min

That leaves Wallace, Young (D-League) and Anthony totally out of the rotation. Thorton will not be happy with only 8min per and Bass deserves more then 15min on a non-playoff team. It also leave Sully playing to much center. I think the logical move is for Bass to be traded and at the very least more min for Anthony and Fav allowing Sully and KO more time at the 4. Also If Green is moved the team could then play more 3 guard lineup and get wallace some minutes.

I agree with this

Rondo and Bradley are all set in the rotation

That leaves Smart, Young, Pressey, Babbs and Thorton fighting for the backup guard rotation. I think initially Pressey will still play backup until Smart officially beats him into the rotation. I do not think Babbs is a threat. Thorton is good, but also think he will get garbage minutes and probably eventually traded.