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

[Future Celtics Owner]

I think Marcus Smart is going to be a beast at the point. Also lets not forget James Young. I get the feeling that many think of him as an afterthought, but he compares right up there with guys that are all stars. Also he was the 2nd youngest in the draft class and has the same length as Tyler Zeller.

I believe James will be playing shooting guard for his career, which is great because he will give other 2 guards matchup problems and will be able to get his shot off over defenders...Even though Ainge has stated James will prob play the 3, which he can and will...sometimes) James believes he will be better at the 2 and I believe Ainge feels the same way. Its just a guess but I think Ainge is saying James is a 3 because we have so many 2's on the team and does not want to give the impression that there is a sale , also because he is saying that Marcus will be playing off guard . ....IMO Ainge is saying one thing and completely plans on doing another (which is good)in order to keep people happy before he trades to balance out the team.

[Celtics4ever]

I want to see Smart post up the other teams's PG.

[LooseCannon]

How good can Marcus Smart be if he never becomes as good of a shooter as Rondo is now?

[Tr1boy]

How good can Marcus Smart be if he never becomes as good of a shooter as Rondo is now?

Smart is already a better shooter at the same age.  Smart already has more range than Rondo.

Rondo has become an ok open jump shooter.  He still can't dribble, stop and shoot though.

Smart can do this as he showed us at SL.  He is very good at it actually

in my books already a better overall jump shooter.

[Tr1boy]

I want to see Smart post up the other teams's PG.

Me too with an evil grin.  He is going to punish you. I don't know any other pg in the league who is 225-230 pounds

[D.o.s.]

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.

"Merely based off summer league"?  The kid has long been considered one of the top five or six prospects in what many were calling one of the most loaded drafts of all time. 

Now that he's a Celtic we need to temper our expectations, though?  His ceiling is probably as a solid role player.

Too bad we couldn't land a surefire superstar like Dante Exum, Julius Randle, Aaron Gordon, or Noah Vonleh.

If I recall correctly some posters advocated that the C's shouldn't have bothered to tank last season because that draft class has always been massively overrated, and that we shouldn't expect any of these guys to be more than solid role players. Why the switch? Because now Smart's a Celtic?

[BballTim]

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.

"Merely based off summer league"?  The kid has long been considered one of the top five or six prospects in what many were calling one of the most loaded drafts of all time. 

Now that he's a Celtic we need to temper our expectations, though?  His ceiling is probably as a solid role player.

Too bad we couldn't land a surefire superstar like Dante Exum, Julius Randle, Aaron Gordon, or Noah Vonleh.

If I recall correctly some posters advocated that the C's shouldn't have bothered to tank last season because that draft class has always been massively overrated, and that we shouldn't expect any of these guys to be more than solid role players.

  That pretty much sums up Ainge's comments on the draft.

 

[Celtics18]

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.

"Merely based off summer league"?  The kid has long been considered one of the top five or six prospects in what many were calling one of the most loaded drafts of all time. 

Now that he's a Celtic we need to temper our expectations, though?  His ceiling is probably as a solid role player.

Too bad we couldn't land a surefire superstar like Dante Exum, Julius Randle, Aaron Gordon, or Noah Vonleh.

If I recall correctly some posters advocated that the C's shouldn't have bothered to tank last season because that draft class has always been massively overrated, and that we shouldn't expect any of these guys to be more than solid role players. Why the switch? Because now Smart's a Celtic?

If you are referring to me, you are misremembering my position on this year's draft.  I did think it would be an excellent draft and very deep. 

I did also however warn that I thought the hyperbole about it, including phrases like "seven or eight franchise talents," was over the top and unrealistic.

I didn't advocate tanking, but that wasn't because I thought it was a lousy draft, rather because I think it's a lousy, unsportsmanlike strategy. 

[Yoki_IsTheName]

I wont be surprised if he does turn into one.

His ultra competitive nature will make him do so. He's athletic enough to catch up to quicker opponents and is strong for his position so it's hard to break him down physically.

I'm really looking forward to this kid. I hope he gets to be very special.

[D.o.s.]

"Merely based off summer league"?  The kid has long been considered one of the top five or six prospects in what many were calling one of the most loaded drafts of all time. 

Now that he's a Celtic we need to temper our expectations, though?  His ceiling is probably as a solid role player.

Too bad we couldn't land a surefire superstar like Dante Exum, Julius Randle, Aaron Gordon, or Noah Vonleh.

If I recall correctly some posters advocated that the C's shouldn't have bothered to tank last season because that draft class has always been massively overrated, and that we shouldn't expect any of these guys to be more than solid role players. Why the switch? Because now Smart's a Celtic?

If you are referring to me, you are misremembering my position on this year's draft.  I did think it would be an excellent draft and very deep. 

I did also however warn that I thought the hyperbole about it, including phrases like "seven or eight franchise talents," was over the top and unrealistic.

I didn't advocate tanking, but that wasn't because I thought it was a lousy draft, rather because I think it's a lousy, unsportsmanlike strategy.
[/quote]

TP for the clarification.

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.

"Merely based off summer league"?  The kid has long been considered one of the top five or six prospects in what many were calling one of the most loaded drafts of all time. 

Now that he's a Celtic we need to temper our expectations, though?  His ceiling is probably as a solid role player.

Too bad we couldn't land a surefire superstar like Dante Exum, Julius Randle, Aaron Gordon, or Noah Vonleh.

If I recall correctly some posters advocated that the C's shouldn't have bothered to tank last season because that draft class has always been massively overrated, and that we shouldn't expect any of these guys to be more than solid role players.

  That pretty much sums up Ainge's comments on the draft.

Yeah but that's the guy who drafted J.R. Giddens. Zero Credibility.

[TwinTower14]

How good can Marcus Smart be if he never becomes as good of a shooter as Rondo is now?

Smart is already a better shooter at the same age.  Smart already has more range than Rondo.

Rondo has become an ok open jump shooter.  He still can't dribble, stop and shoot though.

Smart can do this as he showed us at SL.  He is very good at it actually

in my books already a better overall jump shooter.

Smart is already a better shooter than Rondo and a much better free throw shooter as well.  So the C's will have a PG, that isn't afraid to go to the line in the 4th quarter....

Smart will never be the play maker Rondo is but Smart will be a better defender, shooter, scorer and leader than him IMO....

[Evantime34]

We could play some elite perimeter defense, if we can ever get a good interior defender we could have a really good defense for a long time.

The bonus of guys like Smart and Bradley, their consistent defensive effort shames teammates who don't try on defense.

[hpantazo]

If Smart is the real deal, and if we could trade Rondo for Hibbert, who else would you realistically want to add to a core of Smart, Bradley, Sullinger, and Hibbert? The defense would be outstanding.

[manl_lui]

If Smart is the real deal, and if we could trade Rondo for Hibbert, who else would you realistically want to add to a core of Smart, Bradley, Sullinger, and Hibbert? The defense would be outstanding.

if Smart was the real deal and we do trade Rondo for Hibbert, I want a wing that can score, maybe even a go-to-scorer. I cannot think of a wing at the moment that is feasible for us to grab and can also be our go-to-scorer for the future.

Paul George is off limits, let alone anyone in his tier. Not a fan of Rudy Gay. Kahwi Leonard is most likely off limits as well....

[hpantazo]

If Smart is the real deal, and if we could trade Rondo for Hibbert, who else would you realistically want to add to a core of Smart, Bradley, Sullinger, and Hibbert? The defense would be outstanding.

if Smart was the real deal and we do trade Rondo for Hibbert, I want a wing that can score, maybe even a go-to-scorer. I cannot think of a wing at the moment that is feasible for us to grab and can also be our go-to-scorer for the future.

Paul George is off limits, let alone anyone in his tier. Not a fan of Rudy Gay. Kahwi Leonard is most likely off limits as well....

Yeah, and Jeff Green is still , well, Jeff Green