Marcus Smart and not attacking the hoop

[Tr1boy]

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.

MB was a 6'0 stocky pg . not great in any areas of the game. Mediocre feel for the game

MS is a 6'3 6'9 wingspan pg/sg.  Physical defender able to guard multiple positions  . doeant even have to score and can make an impact for the team.

[ctrey]

I think this is part of a larger, long term plan with the team and Smart. Last year Sullinger shot tons of threes in an effort to get better at them for this year and going forward. On the job training as it were. The team was going nowhere so long term plans were put in motion. I think the same applies here. I think Smart has been told to shoot threes in an effort to simply get better at them. I think he naturally attacks the basket well. He needs work on his deep shot so that is what he is doing. He drew fouls at one of the highest rates in college. He most likely will be fine doing that in the pros but needs the jumper to keep defenses honest. I honestly think he has been told to "practice" his three in games.

[Beat LA]

TP for the username, OP.   It made me laugh.

[GetLucky]

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.

I agree with your message but not your evidence. I know a fifteeen-year-old boy that can do those drills in his sleep. I think you're right that Smart has the handle, but that's not the problem. The best ball handlers use change of speed, body positioning, etc. to create space and do what they want to do. The skills are there as you pointed out; he just needs to learn to translate them to games. The problem is that Smart is not hyper-fast like a Rose or Westbrook, so he has less of a margin for error technique-wise. This is why I find the notion that "he's practicing threes and he'll drive to the hoop at will when he wants." as shortsighted I would argue that it takes just as much, if not more, time to become a good rim-attacker instead of a good three-point shooter. I hoped for Smart to be another Dwyane Wade, and Wade took years to perfect his go-to scoring moves on drives. You don't get a deadly stepback/runner without practice. 

[Eddie20]

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.

MB was a 6'0 stocky pg . not great in any areas of the game. Mediocre feel for the game

MS is a 6'3 6'9 wingspan pg/sg.  Physical defender able to guard multiple positions  . doeant even have to score and can make an impact for the team.

Smart was also 20, not nearing 22, when he was drafted and had much higher accolades in college. People seem to forget that he was the potential #1 overall pick of the 13 draft, but remained in school.

It's a poor comparison, but the only one he has because he doesn't like Smart and he and Banks share the first name.

[tarheelsxxiii]

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.

I agree with your message but not your evidence. I know a fifteeen-year-old boy that can do those drills in his sleep. I think you're right that Smart has the handle, but that's not the problem. The best ball handlers use change of speed, body positioning, etc. to create space and do what they want to do. The skills are there as you pointed out; he just needs to learn to translate them to games. The problem is that Smart is not hyper-fast like a Rose or Westbrook, so he has less of a margin for error technique-wise. This is why I find the notion that "he's practicing threes and he'll drive to the hoop at will when he wants." as shortsighted I would argue that it takes just as much, if not more, time to become a good rim-attacker instead of a good three-point shooter. I hoped for Smart to be another Dwyane Wade, and Wade took years to perfect his go-to scoring moves on drives. You don't get a deadly stepback/runner without practice.

In the beginning, I thought it was just a confidence issue. But I'm thinking he just doesn't have the speed, and can't bully his way to the bucket like he did in college.

[GreenWarrior]

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

got a link on what CBS wants him to do?

[inverselock]

Seems to be one skill at a time.  Shooting 1st.  We're too afraid to let Smart run the point in fear of losing.

Minnesota have allowed Wiggins to play 32min/g leading the team to 5 wins.

Wiggins (1097min) development seems to be ahead of Smart (397min @ 20min/g), Young (35min @ 5.8min/g)

[KeepRondo]

I've seen flashes of Smart being able to take over games. Usually after he hits a few shots, he starts loosening up and looking for his game more. Right now, he's just trying to fit in and be part of the system. And sometimes that means sitting in the corner which happens often.

The times when he does get untracked, and he gets that extra bounce in his step, I can see a player ready for greatness. I would argue during these flashes that he has shown good change of speeds, and also getting into the lane.

Smart just needs more confidence to play his style of game. Give it some time.

[Surferdad]

To me the answer is more likely that he just came off the injury and is a bit gun shy to drive to the hoop right now.

Also, notice that Smart got the green light to take threes starting right at the beginning of pre-season. In today"s NBA, having 3-point shot is almost a requirement. Players who do not develop that shot are much easier to defend. It may be the thinking that if Smart can develop that shot, then the sky is the limit. He has everything else including a good handle, decent passing skills, strong NBA body, really great defense and a good motor.   

[vinnie]

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.

I agree with your message but not your evidence. I know a fifteeen-year-old boy that can do those drills in his sleep. I think you're right that Smart has the handle, but that's not the problem. The best ball handlers use change of speed, body positioning, etc. to create space and do what they want to do. The skills are there as you pointed out; he just needs to learn to translate them to games. The problem is that Smart is not hyper-fast like a Rose or Westbrook, so he has less of a margin for error technique-wise. This is why I find the notion that "he's practicing threes and he'll drive to the hoop at will when he wants." as shortsighted I would argue that it takes just as much, if not more, time to become a good rim-attacker instead of a good three-point shooter. I hoped for Smart to be another Dwyane Wade, and Wade took years to perfect his go-to scoring moves on drives. You don't get a deadly stepback/runner without practice.

In the beginning, I thought it was just a confidence issue. But I'm thinking he just doesn't have the speed, and can't bully his way to the bucket like he did in college.

This is exactly what I fear. Doesn't seem to have a quick enough first step.

[inverselock]

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.

I agree with your message but not your evidence. I know a fifteeen-year-old boy that can do those drills in his sleep. I think you're right that Smart has the handle, but that's not the problem. The best ball handlers use change of speed, body positioning, etc. to create space and do what they want to do. The skills are there as you pointed out; he just needs to learn to translate them to games. The problem is that Smart is not hyper-fast like a Rose or Westbrook, so he has less of a margin for error technique-wise. This is why I find the notion that "he's practicing threes and he'll drive to the hoop at will when he wants." as shortsighted I would argue that it takes just as much, if not more, time to become a good rim-attacker instead of a good three-point shooter. I hoped for Smart to be another Dwyane Wade, and Wade took years to perfect his go-to scoring moves on drives. You don't get a deadly stepback/runner without practice.

In the beginning, I thought it was just a confidence issue. But I'm thinking he just doesn't have the speed, and can't bully his way to the bucket like he did in college.

This is exactly what I fear. Doesn't seem to have a quick enough first step.

Maybe.  I would like to see him try a drive.  At least once in his career.

[SHAQATTACK]

Worry about nothing.

He is a rookie , learning , recovering from a very bad sprang .....which he may be trying to nurse and not mess up again .....which most likely caused the other stress on the Achilles in the same leg.

Plus nobody here knows what is exactly being asked of him every night......I suspect they are working on specific areas with each player ....according to HOW they see his development .....not what the Celtic blog thinks 

They wanted Sully on the court shooting threes , so I imagine it's the same for Marcus , they want him to be a decent THREE point threat ...to do that he needs to take them in a REAL game.

Driving to the bucket may be easier for him to learn or ajust      I think they want him to practice the three and get confidence ...like KO and Sully too.

It seems the powers at be want to develop the players first and win second .

I think in years ahead we'll get to see plenty of Marcus driving the lane.

I never seen such a panic as people have .    He isn't Fab Melo .

Give the man a chance to learn and grow up ......of course if your only 14 teen yourself then you wouldn't understand

[Surferdad]

Worry about nothing.

He is a rookie , learning , recovering from a very bad sprang .....which he may be trying to nurse and not mess up again .....which most likely caused the other stress on the Achilles in the same leg.

Plus nobody here knows what is exactly being asked of him every night......I suspect they are working on specific areas with each player ....according to HOW they see his development .....not what the Celtic blog thinks 

They wanted Sully on the court shooting threes , so I imagine it's the same for Marcus , they want him to be a decent THREE point threat ...to do that he needs to take them in a REAL game.

Driving to the bucket may be easier for him to learn or ajust      I think they want him to practice the three and get confidence ...like KO and Sully too.

It seems the powers at be want to develop the players first and win second .

I think in years ahead we'll get to see plenty of Marcus driving the lane.

I never seen such a panic as people have .    He isn't Fab Melo .

Give the man a chance to learn and grow up ......of course if your only 14 teen yourself then you wouldn't understand

TP for you. Exactly my point above too.   

[manl_lui]

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.

I agree with your message but not your evidence. I know a fifteeen-year-old boy that can do those drills in his sleep. I think you're right that Smart has the handle, but that's not the problem. The best ball handlers use change of speed, body positioning, etc. to create space and do what they want to do. The skills are there as you pointed out; he just needs to learn to translate them to games. The problem is that Smart is not hyper-fast like a Rose or Westbrook, so he has less of a margin for error technique-wise. This is why I find the notion that "he's practicing threes and he'll drive to the hoop at will when he wants." as shortsighted I would argue that it takes just as much, if not more, time to become a good rim-attacker instead of a good three-point shooter. I hoped for Smart to be another Dwyane Wade, and Wade took years to perfect his go-to scoring moves on drives. You don't get a deadly stepback/runner without practice.

In the beginning, I thought it was just a confidence issue. But I'm thinking he just doesn't have the speed, and can't bully his way to the bucket like he did in college.

This is exactly what I fear. Doesn't seem to have a quick enough first step.

Maybe.  I would like to see him try a drive.  At least once in his career.

he did drive a bit this season but rare. I remember there were a couple of plays where he was driving and got fouled.

I agree with all of you guys though, his speed is definitely an issue. He is strong and bulky so that's not a problem when bullying his way through even against SG. Hopefully he can get a bit quicker