Long term plan for Smart

[PickNRoll]

There's a player who was exactly the guy you guys were all describing coming out of college last summer: Gary Harris. If we wanted that, we should have just traded down and picked Gary Harris and another guy instead of forcing Marcus Smart to turn himself into that.

I really like Gary Harris but it's striking to watch him now in NBA games and see just how small he is.  His size stands out -- not quite Phil Pressey level, but the guy looks smaller than Bradley.  I've seen measurements from 6'2" to 6'4", but he looks to be on the low end.

[PickNRoll]

There's a player who was exactly the guy you guys were all describing coming out of college last summer: Gary Harris. If we wanted that, we should have just traded down and picked Gary Harris and another guy instead of forcing Marcus Smart to turn himself into that.

With less talent.



Smart developing a respectable jump shot is the right thing to do with his talent.  Many players had to do that.

Many players have done that, but I can't remember one who was as good as Smart at the other stuff who literally stopped doing what he was good at and shot threes until he became good at it. Developing a three point shot often takes years.

Jason Kidd?

but Kidd kept doing the stuff he was great at while developing the 3

[rondohondo]

There's a player who was exactly the guy you guys were all describing coming out of college last summer: Gary Harris. If we wanted that, we should have just traded down and picked Gary Harris and another guy instead of forcing Marcus Smart to turn himself into that.

With less talent.



Smart developing a respectable jump shot is the right thing to do with his talent.  Many players had to do that.

Many players have done that, but I can't remember one who was as good as Smart at the other stuff who literally stopped doing what he was good at and shot threes until he became good at it. Developing a three point shot often takes years.

Jason Kidd?

but Kidd kept doing the stuff he was great at while developing the 3

Rondo is closer to being J Kidd than Smart will ever be. Not to say he is a bad player, but he will never be a PG on Rondo's level .  He could be a great trade chip though or even a very good sg next to Rondo if he develops his shooting skills .

[PickNRoll]

There's a player who was exactly the guy you guys were all describing coming out of college last summer: Gary Harris. If we wanted that, we should have just traded down and picked Gary Harris and another guy instead of forcing Marcus Smart to turn himself into that.

With less talent.



Smart developing a respectable jump shot is the right thing to do with his talent.  Many players had to do that.

Many players have done that, but I can't remember one who was as good as Smart at the other stuff who literally stopped doing what he was good at and shot threes until he became good at it. Developing a three point shot often takes years.

Jason Kidd?

but Kidd kept doing the stuff he was great at while developing the 3

Rondo is closer to being J Kidd than Smart will ever be. Not to say he is a bad player, but he will never be a PG on Rondo's level .  He could be a great trade chip though or even a very good sg next to Rondo if he develops his shooting skills .

Somebody on here described Smart's position as "Destroyer".  I'm not sure exactly what that means, but it fits.  Rugged scrapper who can finish strong and play elite D.  Dumars, as somebody else said.  The Kidd reference was simply that smart needs to work on his jumper.

[wdleehi]

There's a player who was exactly the guy you guys were all describing coming out of college last summer: Gary Harris. If we wanted that, we should have just traded down and picked Gary Harris and another guy instead of forcing Marcus Smart to turn himself into that.

With less talent.



Smart developing a respectable jump shot is the right thing to do with his talent.  Many players had to do that.

Many players have done that, but I can't remember one who was as good as Smart at the other stuff who literally stopped doing what he was good at and shot threes until he became good at it. Developing a three point shot often takes years.

Jason Kidd?

but Kidd kept doing the stuff he was great at while developing the 3

Because Kidd was a better PG coming out of college.


I think Smart will still end up as the starting SG before the season is over. 

[Gari]

There's no problem with him shooting threes, but the problem is his decisions on whether to shoot a three or not. Many of his threes are rushed and require quick releases, which is a skill that is not encouraged for someone who's not a good shooter. Instead, he should look to shoot more open threes, like the ones sully shoot when he's left open outside the arc, giving him ample time to aim his shot. He's way too aggressive in shooting threes, both in nba games and in maine. He should try to take more high percentage and uncontested ones first before trying difficult contested shots in order to improve his jumper.

Another thing I'm worried about is whether his strong finishes around the rim games that he excelled in college can translate to the nba. Even though he has a large body, he doesn't have the handle to get past defenders. And even if he is able to perform layups, he doesn't seem to finish well and at times getting erased by opposing rim protectors. There are multiple occasions that during transition fastbreaks,Smart tried to finish strong with a dunk over his defender, but all these dunking attempts failed miserably. I know I'm a bit hard on Smart (bcuz I have high expectations of him), but I think he's driving game is a bit overrated as he hasn't shown he can consistently do that yet except launching three after three.

[CelticsFanFromNYC]

There's no problem with him shooting threes, but the problem is his decisions on whether to shoot a three or not. Many of his threes are rushed and require quick releases, which is a skill that is not encouraged for someone who's not a good shooter. Instead, he should look to shoot more open threes, like the ones sully shoot when he's left open outside the arc, giving him ample time to aim his shot. He's way too aggressive in shooting threes, both in nba games and in maine. He should try to take more high percentage and uncontested ones first before trying difficult contested shots in order to improve his jumper.

Another thing I'm worried about is whether his strong finishes around the rim games that he excelled in college can translate to the nba. Even though he has a large body, he doesn't have the handle to get past defenders. And even if he is able to perform layups, he doesn't seem to finish well and at times getting erased by opposing rim protectors. There are multiple occasions that during transition fastbreaks,Smart tried to finish strong with a dunk over his defender, but all these dunking attempts failed miserably. I know I'm a bit hard on Smart (bcuz I have high expectations of him), but I think he's driving game is a bit overrated as he hasn't shown he can consistently do that yet except launching three after three.

Definitely agree with your Smart-Sully Analogy.. pretty spot on

[littleteapot]

Another thing I'm worried about is whether his strong finishes around the rim games that he excelled in college can translate to the nba. Even though he has a large body, he doesn't have the handle to get past defenders. And even if he is able to perform layups, he doesn't seem to finish well and at times getting erased by opposing rim protectors. There are multiple occasions that during transition fastbreaks,Smart tried to finish strong with a dunk over his defender, but all these dunking attempts failed miserably. I know I'm a bit hard on Smart (bcuz I have high expectations of him), but I think he's driving game is a bit overrated as he hasn't shown he can consistently do that yet except launching three after three.

I actually agree with this, but I just think the C's management isn't letting him run the offense and make plays when necessary as the backup PG. I think he's a guy where when you put a point guard on him, he just blows right by him and is living in the lane. When you put a bigger defender on him, he can't cross them up like you said, but he plays it more like a traditional point guard and just runs a play and delivers the ball to a secondary ball handler. And you're 100% right about finishing at the rim, he needs to play WAY more under control and get good shots at the rim. He's not Westbrook where he can just jump over whoever is trying to block his shot.

My larger concern is that these are things he needs to work on against real nba competition. If he just takes threes until he's good at it, he may never have the physical presence offensively that guys like Kyle Lowry have, which to me is what made him a high draft pick.

[Gari]

Another thing I'm worried about is whether his strong finishes around the rim games that he excelled in college can translate to the nba. Even though he has a large body, he doesn't have the handle to get past defenders. And even if he is able to perform layups, he doesn't seem to finish well and at times getting erased by opposing rim protectors. There are multiple occasions that during transition fastbreaks,Smart tried to finish strong with a dunk over his defender, but all these dunking attempts failed miserably. I know I'm a bit hard on Smart (bcuz I have high expectations of him), but I think he's driving game is a bit overrated as he hasn't shown he can consistently do that yet except launching three after three.

I actually agree with this, but I just think the C's management
 isn't letting him run the offense and make plays when necessary as the backup PG. I think he's a guy where when you put a point guard on him, he just blows right by him and is living in the lane. When you put a bigger defender on him, he can't cross them up like you said, but he plays it more like a traditional point guard and just runs a play and delivers the ball to a secondary ball handler. And you're 100% right about finishing at the rim, he needs to play WAY more under control and get good shots at the rim. He's not Westbrook where he can just jump over whoever is trying to block his shot.

My larger concern is that these are things he needs to work on against real nba competition. If he just takes threes until he's good at it, he may never have the physical presence offensively that guys like Kyle Lowry have, which to me is what made him a high draft pick.

This is where I see problem with the coach. Before developing a three point shot, isn't it much more sensible to let him get comfortable with finishing against nba defense, which best utilizes his strengths of his quickness and body size? If he continues to solely depend his offense on threes, which is an uncertainty of success, his probably existing attack the basket game will soon disappear.  Kyle Lorwy's game is what I think Smart should try to mold into. Both are very strong and can attack the paint with a tank-like body. If Smart can do 80% of what Lowry can do on offense, coupling it with his elite defense, no doubt he can be a star.

[Celtics4ever]

I do not think Marcus Smart is an elite NBA athlete.   I think he is a good athlete  with a high motor but I think this is the reason he does not blow by people.   He has grit and toughness galore though.

[PickNRoll]

I do not think Marcus Smart is an elite NBA athlete.   I think he is a good athlete  with a high motor but I think this is the reason he does not blow by people.   He has grit and toughness galore though.

how do you account for his lateral quickness on defense?  He appears to be the quickest guy in the league when the ball isn't in his hands.  Do you think his instincts are just that good? (not being sarcastic)

[obnoxiousmime]

I do not think Marcus Smart is an elite NBA athlete.   I think he is a good athlete  with a high motor but I think this is the reason he does not blow by people.   He has grit and toughness galore though.

how do you account for his lateral quickness on defense?  He appears to be the quickest guy in the league when the ball isn't in his hands.  Do you think his instincts are just that good? (not being sarcastic)

It could be the ballhandling slowing him down. Having to dribble the ball under control and protected from defenders affects your speed on offense. Also, until he proves he can shoot defenders will give him some space and guard against the drive.