This is the perfect opportunity for Smart

[BballTim]

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.

  Rondo's already mentoring Smart. Just like he seems to with all the younger guys.

[playdream]

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.

  Rondo's already mentoring Smart. Just like he seems to with all the younger guys.

You mean by showing the importance of protecting yourself from injury?

[Who]

It would be nice to see Smart get a good long run as starting PG. I am kinda hoping Rondo comes off the bench for a short period while he is playing himself back into shape (game-condition) after returning from injury.

[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.

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.

Yes i do. Rondo does not need to be rushed back and needs to get back to to basketball shape.

Last year he cameback later than scheduled. Most athletes do after surgery

[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.

Yes i do. Rondo does not need to be rushed back and needs to get back to to basketball shape.

Last year he cameback later than scheduled. Most athletes do after surgery

From a carido-vascular standpoint, how is a broken hand going to do much to keep him from getting in "basketball shape"?

This isn't a knee or leg injury we're dealing with here.  Simply a broken hand.  There is a big difference and there is absolutely no way in hell that Rondo will be until the rest of the year as you forsee.

[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.

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.

Yes i do. Rondo does not need to be rushed back and needs to get back to to basketball shape.

Last year he cameback later than scheduled. Most athletes do after surgery

From a carido-vascular standpoint, how is a broken hand going to do much to keep him from getting in "basketball shape"?

This isn't a knee or leg injury we're dealing with here.  Simply a broken hand.  There is a big difference and there is absolutely no way in hell that Rondo will be until the rest of the year as you forsee.

You dont think to maintain /build upper body muscles are important?

It doesnt matter that he is a pg and not a linebacker.

[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.

Yes i do. Rondo does not need to be rushed back and needs to get back to to basketball shape.

Last year he cameback later than scheduled. Most athletes do after surgery

From a carido-vascular standpoint, how is a broken hand going to do much to keep him from getting in "basketball shape"?

This isn't a knee or leg injury we're dealing with here.  Simply a broken hand.  There is a big difference and there is absolutely no way in hell that Rondo will be until the rest of the year as you forsee.

You dont think to maintain /build upper body muscles are important?

It doesnt matter that he is a pg and not a linebacker.

You're grasping at straws here. 

[Tr1boy]

When Marcus Smart and AB start, this is also going mean good news for guys like Green, KO, Sully on occasion to be facilitators on the court.

Smart can pass it to KO at the three pt line (bringing pf/c out to the perimeter) , then Smart can post up and punish pg's in the post.  Can't see many pgs and even sgs be able to handle Smart's bulk. You can tell he has worked on his post up game and understandings how and when to use his size adv underneath the basket

[Nerf DPOY]

I only expect Rondo to miss the better part of November, but besides Smart possibly being thrust into a starting role, there's also a trickle down effect. Considering we're likely to get our doors blown off by some of those WC teams, maybe Young hangs around and gets some burn for the first month before heading up to Maine....

[Mr October]

There is a big old silver lining here for Smart, Stevens, the front office and the fans here for sure. A full camp as the starting PG for smart is going to help his development, and he should start the first couple of games.

If Smart cant beat out Pressey for the starting spot after a month of camp/preseason, then we have a problem.

[Csfan1984]

Pressey will start the whole time Rondo is out I believe. Not because he is better but because C's likely want Smart to be comfortable in the off the bench role. So when Rondo returns it doesn't effect Smart's mind set or the team strategy.

[Tr1boy]

Pressey will start the whole time Rondo is out I believe. Not because he is better but because C's likely want Smart to be comfortable in the off the bench role. So when Rondo returns it doesn't effect Smart's mind set or the team strategy.

your probably right. But as soon as Pressey starts to struggle with the jump shot and Smart plays well off the bench, Smart will get the start

[Fred Roberts]

No Pressey

[tstorey_97]

The commitment to Smart as the Celtic's #1 pick along with the money they're paying him would suggest he'll start. He will defend his position and run the floor...imo.

I simply don't see Ainge as desperate to win games here. I'm also stumped as to why available starting point guard minutes would be committed to Pressey the projected third stringer. He did well last year and the Celtics know what they have with Phil. 

This will be viewed as an opportunity to evaluate Smart before Rondo returns.

[Csfan1984]

The commitment to Smart as the Celtic's #1 pick along with the money they're paying him would suggest he'll start. He will defend his position and run the floor...imo.

I simply don't see Ainge as desperate to win games here. I'm also stumped as to why available starting point guard minutes would be committed to Pressey the projected third stringer. He did well last year and the Celtics know what they have with Phil. 

This will be viewed as an opportunity to evaluate Smart before Rondo returns.

I honestly hate that Pressey is on our roster. But it's not about what I think about a player it's what I think C's will do. If I had my choice he would be cut. Rondo, Smart, Thornton and AB would get all the PG minutes.