This is the perfect opportunity for Smart

[jpotter33]

This is the perfect opportunity for Smart to assert himself for the C's. If Rondo is gone for 8 weeks, then he'll basically have 10 games to prove himself, and I assume he'll be starting for us in Rondo's absence. In those ten games, he'll have the opportunity to face Harden, Ellis, Lowry, Rose, Westbrook, Irving, Bledsoe/Dragic, MCW, and Conley. His calling card early in his career will be his defense, and in these first ten games he'll be thrown to the fire. Smart is a competitior, so I think this will be a great opportunity for him. I think he'll excel (defensively, at least) matching up with these star guards, and we'll really get to guage where he is at in Rondo's absence.

So what do you guys think? Will he keep his reputation as a ball-stopper against the elite NBA guards, or will he fizzle under the bright lights and be exposed by these stars?

[csfansince60s]

I get your position, but I wonder with AB starting too, who guards the pg?

I think AB does and Smart being bigger and stronger guards the sg.

[jpotter33]

Forgot about DWill, too.

I don't know, it could be just how the Bradley/Rondo situation was, too. Bradley always takes the better guard, and Rondo plays the lesser of the two to save energy for offense. With Bradley being the more offensively polished of the two, I could see Smart always taking the better guy (unless there was a huge size disparity).

[Nerf DPOY]

He'll probably get "rookie treatment" and get called for a lot of touch fouls because NBA referees seem to believe it's their duty to break these guys in, so to speak. Tommy will likely break his own world record for televised use of the term "ticky tack" in the month of November.

[Future Celtics Owner]

Lets hope Rondo helps mentor him for these games. That would be best case scenario and show that Rondo is truly a leaDER and committed to this team.

As far as who should guard who.... Bradley should cover the 2 guard, thats why he got paid the big bucks. Let Smart play the point guards straight up so we can evaluate how well he does and so he can get the experience; because he will need it. No more cutting Bradley slack and having others pick up for him. Maybe I may be being too hard on AB but Smart deserves to play the point straight up. This way we can tell if he is doing well as a pg on both sides of the ball.

LET SMART PLAY POINT ON BOTH ENDS

[Future Celtics Owner]

Forgot about DWill, too.

I don't know, it could be just how the Bradley/Rondo situation was, too. Bradley always takes the better guard, and Rondo plays the lesser of the two to save energy for offense. With Bradley being the more offensively polished of the two, I could see Smart always taking the better guy (unless there was a huge size disparity).

Id rather see Smart defend the point. Bradley got paid and needs to put his big boy shorts on now. Smart is a rookie and we need to gauge just how good of a defender he is, and the best way is to have him on other points.

The first pre season game is against Philly. So Smart will be going head to head with the defending ROY, this is must watch for us. If Smart dominates him that will say a lot.

[Celtics4ever]

Rebounding translates from college to the pros.   I would say defense is a distant second but he will get no respect as a rookie.  But I think he will stay in front of his man and bully some out of position.  Smart is a warrior and we use that a lot in this day and age, but I am a former warrior (soldier) and I know that spirit when I see it.

[hwangjini_1]

Lets hope Rondo helps mentor him for these games. That would be best case scenario and show that Rondo is truly a leaDER and committed to this team.

As far as who should guard who.... Bradley should cover the 2 guard, thats why he got paid the big bucks. Let Smart play the point guards straight up so we can evaluate how well he does and so he can get the experience; because he will need it. No more cutting Bradley slack and having others pick up for him. Maybe I may be being too hard on AB but Smart deserves to play the point straight up. This way we can tell if he is doing well as a pg on both sides of the ball.

LET SMART PLAY POINT ON BOTH ENDS

Gee, wouldn't smart get tired playing for both teams? 

[pokeKingCurtis]

Lets hope Rondo helps mentor him for these games. That would be best case scenario and show that Rondo is truly a leaDER and committed to this team.

As far as who should guard who.... Bradley should cover the 2 guard, thats why he got paid the big bucks. Let Smart play the point guards straight up so we can evaluate how well he does and so he can get the experience; because he will need it. No more cutting Bradley slack and having others pick up for him. Maybe I may be being too hard on AB but Smart deserves to play the point straight up. This way we can tell if he is doing well as a pg on both sides of the ball.

LET SMART PLAY POINT ON BOTH ENDS

Gee, wouldn't smart get tired playing for both teams? 

he'd be a snitch

[Tr1boy]

This is the perfect opportunity for Smart to assert himself for the C's. If Rondo is gone for 8 weeks, then he'll basically have 10 games to prove himself, and I assume he'll be starting for us in Rondo's absence. In those ten games, he'll have the opportunity to face Harden, Ellis, Lowry, Rose, Westbrook, Irving, Bledsoe/Dragic, MCW, and Conley. His calling card early in his career will be his defense, and in these first ten games he'll be thrown to the fire. Smart is a competitior, so I think this will be a great opportunity for him. I think he'll excel (defensively, at least) matching up with these star guards, and we'll really get to guage where he is at in Rondo's absence.

So what do you guys think? Will he keep his reputation as a ball-stopper against the elite NBA guards, or will he fizzle under the bright lights and be exposed by these stars?

I estimate Rondo to be out for the rest of this year. As soon as his hands heel from the surgery, he will need to do some rehab. Also build back strength for his upper body and get into overall basketball shape. 

Marcus Smart will get about 25 games to show what he can do.

[LatterDayCelticsfan]

There might be a small chance Bradley starts as the point guard, with Smart as SG. If you rationalize enough it's very possible.

[Jailan34]

There might be a small chance Bradley starts as the point guard, with Smart as SG. If you rationalize enough it's very possible.

Bradley is a terrible ballhandler and playmaker, why on earth would we start both of those players out of position?

[Eja117]

It's a crisitunity

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a41eQIO07R4

[Donoghus]

This is the perfect opportunity for Smart to assert himself for the C's. If Rondo is gone for 8 weeks, then he'll basically have 10 games to prove himself, and I assume he'll be starting for us in Rondo's absence. In those ten games, he'll have the opportunity to face Harden, Ellis, Lowry, Rose, Westbrook, Irving, Bledsoe/Dragic, MCW, and Conley. His calling card early in his career will be his defense, and in these first ten games he'll be thrown to the fire. Smart is a competitior, so I think this will be a great opportunity for him. I think he'll excel (defensively, at least) matching up with these star guards, and we'll really get to guage where he is at in Rondo's absence.

So what do you guys think? Will he keep his reputation as a ball-stopper against the elite NBA guards, or will he fizzle under the bright lights and be exposed by these stars?

I estimate Rondo to be out for the rest of this year. As soon as his hands heel from the surgery, he will need to do some rehab. Also build back strength for his upper body and get into overall basketball shape. 

Marcus Smart will get about 25 games to show what he can do.

You think Rondo is going to be until January because of a broken hand?  Seriously?  Is that thought grounded in any sort of medical reality or your pure speculation (agenda)?

A broken hand shouldn't keep an athlete from playing for 3+ months.  No way.

Rondo might miss 2-3 weeks of the regular season.  I wouldn't expect more than that.

[LooseCannon]

and I assume he'll be starting for us in Rondo's absence.

I don't make this assumption.