Hes ahead of Marcus Smart for sure , for the position they are playing....i mean you cant really argue that. Its virtually impossible to say Marcus is a better point guard. All he does is taking three pointers, which he hasnt been that great at.
Could you please back up your assertions with empirical evidence?
If we do an apples to apples comparison based on their rookie season so far, how would their numbers look? I'll show you.
Sources -- NBA Reference.com:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/smartma01.htmlhttp://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/paytoel01.htmlKeep in mind that they have played in/started a different number of games, so we will normalize their stats to a per game basis
Rookie seasons:
Marcus Smart
54 games played 7.94 ppg 2p% 39.4 3p% 34.1 eFG% 46.3 FT% 65.7 Steals 1.33 Assists 3.4 TO 1.4 Rebounds 3.4
Elfrid Payton
71 games played 8.7 ppg 2p% 43.9 3p% 25.0 eFG% 43.5 FT% 53.2 Steals 1.6 Assists 6.2 TO 2.5 Rebounds 4.1
Just looking at the pure statistics from an impartial point of view, Payton has played in more games, but his ppg average is less than 1 point more. Payton shoots 4% better from 2 point range, but his 3 point percentage is significantly worse at 9% worse. Payton has a worse shooting stroke at the FT line by about 12%. He gets slightly more steals at .3 better, and slightly more rebounds at .7 better. He enjoys a higher assist rate, but both take care of the ball well, having about a 2 to 1 assist to TO rate.
To me, from a statistical point of view, Marcus Smart has superior accuracy from range and from the free throw line. And these numbers are improving as the season comes along. This suggest to me that Smart will be the better long range shooter. I'll take a good 3 ball over a long 2 any time. Statistics show that eFG-wise and TS% wise, that a good 3-ball is more valuable than a good 2-ball.
Those are the per-game rates. Now what if we normalize them to per 36?
The percentages don't change, but here's how the productivity would look.
Per 36 Smart 10.8 ppg 4.6 apg 1.8 spg 4.6 rpg .3 bpg 1.9 to
Per 36 Payton 10.7 ppg 7.6 apg 1.9 spg 5.1 rpg .2 bpg 3.0 to
The points scored, steals, rebounds, and blocks become virtually identical per 36. Peyton enjoys the assist advantage but also turns the ball over significantly more.
These are different players for sure, but I can't say I could give a definitive edge to either player from a statistical standpoint. Payton enjoys the assist advantage but he also turns the ball over more. Smart enjoys a shooting advantage from long range and a higher eFG and FT percentage which are both positive indicators of a better overall shooter.
To me it's pretty much a draw when you add up all their pros and cons. When the statistics match up so evenly, it's a matter of personal preference. I love the intangibles that Marcus Smart brings on top of his basketball production. Right now he is playing more off the ball and is not the main handler as much, but there is room to grow there. What I love though is the bulldog mentality he brings to the PG position and the entire team defensively.
I can respect that you love Elfrid Payton and even prefer him over Marcus Smart for the things that you like about him. But I cannot agree with your opinion that Payton is head and shoulders above Smart at this point in time. From an empirical point of view they are neck and neck, and from the standpoint that higher rates of 3p%, FT%, and eFG% are better indicators of shooting prowess than 2p% alone, I would disagree with your assessment that Payton is the better shooter. To me, Smart right now IS the better shooter, and looks more likely to become the better shooter down the road.
I'm very happy with the Marcus Smart pick and look forward to his future development as a Boston Celtic.
Topic: If I had a chance to trade Smart For Elfrid Peyton I would do it in a heartbeat (Read 114969 times)