Marcus Smart and not attacking the hoop

[DemCelticsTho]

He's been taking more & more jumpshots every game and I have just been wondering why no driving towards the hoop?

[MarcusStart]

For the same reason Bradley takes so many long twos.

Because his coach wants him to take jump shots.

[shrinkage36]

None of the offense runs through Smart, he takes the open jumper. But I recall watching him at OKST, he would drive to the basket all the time.

He's starting to shoot the 3 really well, and that's what I think Stevens wants at this time. Seems like if Smart goes in there and does anything wrong, he'll get yanked.

[DemCelticsTho]

For the same reason Bradley takes so many long twos.

Because his coach wants him to take jump shots.

I kind of wish Avery would cut more also because both players are very talented at the rim

[TwinTower14]

he is gradually getting more aggressive, when the season first started he would only launch three's but now he is getting to the elbow's and foul line and taking some shots.  He is 20 years old and learning to run the PG position.  I think he has played really well the last few games.  Plus, he is still not 100% from the high ankle sprain, that stuff lingers for a long time and probably zapped his leaping ability and his explosion.  I am a Marcus Smart guy, I think if he continues to knock down three's like he has, he is going to be a very good PG in this league, something along the lines of Kyle Lowry but it's going to take some time....

[clover]

Tommy said last night that Smart has to improve his ball handling to be able to put the ball on the floor going to the hoop without getting stripped--but he thought he could and would make that improvement in his game.

[TheFlex]

Someone posted something similar on this forum before and I thought it was interesting:

76ers coach Brett Brown breaks the NBA season into three segments.The first third is from the start of the season to Christmas. The second third began Friday and will run to the all-star break. The final third of the season runs from the all-star break to the end of the regular season.

After focusing on defense in the first third, Brown said the team's goal for the second third is offensive improvement.

"We are always going to try to pick on the areas that we are not so good at," said Brown, whose squad faced the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on Friday night. "When you look at it, we are amongst the last offensively in turnovers and field-goal percentage and free-throw percentage and three-point percentage.

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20141227_Brown_pressing_Sixers_to_get_better_on_offense.html#kvDD63PvtTzKmWjd.99

Maybe Stevens just uses games as practice and tells Smart to work on his shot.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

He's been taking more & more jumpshots every game and I have just been wondering why no driving towards the hoop?

Because this is the Boston Celtics, who for years have vastly preferred jump shots to driving and drawing fouls. As true under Doc as it is under Brad.

[DemCelticsTho]

he is gradually getting more aggressive, when the season first started he would only launch three's but now he is getting to the elbow's and foul line and taking some shots.  He is 20 years old and learning to run the PG position.  I think he has played really well the last few games.  Plus, he is still not 100% from the high ankle sprain, that stuff lingers for a long time and probably zapped his leaping ability and his explosion.  I am a Marcus Smart guy, I think if he continues to knock down three's like he has, he is going to be a very good PG in this league, something along the lines of Kyle Lowry but it's going to take some time....

good point. I'm just hoping that when He's fully healthy and develops a bit more He'll start to play like how he did at Oklahoma except with a better FG%

[Rosco917]

I think Marcus is figuring things out little by little. He show promise in many ways, his shot is improving, his passing is too, his over all confidence on offense looks better. He will figure a way to get into the paint when he needs to, as he puts his total game together.
He needs a lane created for him, as opposed to being quick enough to create one for himself. He's not that quick.

If I remember right Dennis Johnson wasn't much of a penetrator either, and he was part of multiple championship teams.

[DemCelticsTho]

I think Marcus is figuring things out little by little. He show promise in many ways, his shot is improving, his passing is too, his over all confidence on offense looks better. He will figure a way to get into the paint when he needs to, as he puts his total game together.
He needs a lane created for him, as opposed to being quick enough to create one for himself. He's not that quick.

If I remember right Dennis Johnson wasn't much of a penetrator either, and he was part of multiple championship teams.

I just hope when fully healthy He gets some open lanes towards the hoop so He can show off his skills

[GreenWarrior]

I remember watching the summer league games and it seemed every time Smart drove to the basket he had a hard time finishing.

[PickNRoll]

Tommy said last night that Smart has to improve his ball handling to be able to put the ball on the floor going to the hoop without getting stripped--but he thought he could and would make that improvement in his game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMrDjJz6ugU

Check out this pre-draft video.  It seems like his handle is just fine.  I think it's just a confidence and adjustment issue.

[Tr1boy]

Cbs wants him to concentrate on the defensive end. He has become a very decent jump shooter .   he will drive in more next season or maybe he wont. Ad long as his shot is falling, doesnt matter to me.  Maybe will become like a derek fisher type offensively but more involved in the fastbreak

[cb8883]

I remember watching the summer league games and it seemed every time Smart drove to the basket he had a hard time finishing.

His predecessor Marcus Banks had an issue with this too. Banks 2.0 imitates the original. Such a bad pick.