the next progression for Smart and Young?

[Rosco917]

I'm interested in what some of you feel we should see out of Smart and Young by seasons end, next year.

I have certain realistic expectations for both, barring an injury.

We know what we will get from Smart on the defensive end, I really feel he will begin to get serious  attention for his defensive from the league next year, more than Bradley, one because of where he was drafted, and two because of his better size.

On the offensive end, I want to know if he is this teams future PG or not. I need to see him take the ball into the paint and score and or dish/create regularly. As a starter, I would be happy with 11-12 ppg, 5-6 assists, 1.5 steals, 4-5 rebounds.

As for Young, with all the rumors of add muscle, I would like to see him at least be an up and coming rotational player. (No trips to the D-League). I would like to see more confidense when he's on the floor, better passing, and scoring, and at this point able to play decent defense.
I would like to see 17-18 minutes per game,  9-10 ppg, 4-5 rebounds, and glimpses of what the future should hold.   

[Future Celtics Owner]

I think James Young should be getting 26min a game. Obviously if we trade Avery that opens up time for him but James is a special player and could actually bump Avery from the starting lineup later this season.

I agree with Marcus Smart. He needs to play pg full time for us. Also I hope he dropped body fat , cuz at the combine he was almost 11% I think. 11% or anything close to that is way too much for a pg in the NBA. Maybe that was a big factor in his penetrating because his athletic tests at the NBA combine were great and I thought he had/has potential to be Dwayne Wade type ATHLETE but he has to cut down a bit and get cut up.

If these two players are having a great start to the season and look like future all stars, then I would have no problem going youth movement/ trading IT and ET....obv we would get a lot for IT. If Ainge sees this happening I would support trading IT on draft night for the 4th pick.

[Denis998]

Every thing you said about Smart I agree with, maybe bump up the PPG to about 14-15. With young I want to see his 3's to start falling, he has the ability to make them, just a matter of playing time so he can get those shots up in game.

[footey]

I can't wait to watch them play together in summer league. 

[Future Celtics Owner]

Young should space the floor so Marcus can make cuts and post up his guy. Also Marcus usually picks up the sg on defense, thats not very far to him because he should be getting more steals and dominating more defensively.

Lets hope James Young can be a true 2 way player and defend the sg on D. It def takes time to be a great defender if you have not had any practice playing D over your career, but wouldn't it be something if James could truly be a great defender. We would have a BIG and LONG back court. Also since James has his 7' wingspan and 8'8'' standing reach those tools should help him defensively, especially if a man is too quick or very experienced.

[Maurice98]

Nice article.
It's tough to predict how James and Marcus will develop in the next season. But I'll give it a try.

Marcus Smart
PPG: 12-15
APG: 4-6
RPG: 3-5
SPG: 1.5 - 2
BPG: 0.3-0.6
FG%: 46
3pt%: 36%
Min: 30-32
James Young
PPG: 7-12
APG: 1-2.5
RPG: 3-5
SPG: 0.5-1
FG%: 43
3pt%: 38
Min: 15-20
 
I think that if Turner still plays major minutes as a pseudo PG, Smart's stats will be lower and they'll be higher if Smart plays more minutes as the PG.

Other Predictions
Marcus: he will have 10-15 double doubles in the season with 2 triple doubles. He'll have a career high of 14 assists. He will shut down one of the elite guards (Westbrook, Curry, Harden...) while also defending Durant effectively. He's gonna lead the sophomores in steals and top 5 in steals. MIP candidate. He'll attempt 4-6 free throws per game.

James: he'll have at least a 30 point game (maybe I'm going to far). He'll start 10-15 games due to injuries. In the last month of the season he'll average 18/6/3/1. He's gonna play more minutes at the 3 (60%) than at the 2 (40%). He will be in the Rookie Challenge. He'll show flashes of being a valuable contributor down the line.

[Celtics4ever]

It def takes time to be a great defender if you have not had any practice playing D over your career, but wouldn't it be something if James could truly be a great defender.

If this is true, how come some guys are good like MS from the get go?

He has the tools( and by these I mean physical length, athletic ability and footspeed), he just has to get the mindset.

[max215]

I'd love to see Smart be aggressive and really attack the hoop. CBS should give him true starter minutes and hand him the reigns on offense. Hopefully we wind up having a nasty duo of Smart and Young in the backcourt for the next decade.

[Future Celtics Owner]

It def takes time to be a great defender if you have not had any practice playing D over your career, but wouldn't it be something if James could truly be a great defender.

If this is true, how come some guys are good like MS from the get go?

He has the tools( and by these I mean physical length, athletic ability and footspeed), he just has to get the mindset.

Well before Marcus joined the celtics he was one of the best defenders in the country and even averaged 3 steals a game one year in college. I think you may have mis understood what I meant. James Young has stated he never even played defense or thought too much about it until he got to Kentucky. I agree with you and have said that if anyone has the tools to be a great defender its James Young. His length gives him an advantage over almost every sg in the league and if he is beat off the dribble his athleticism and length will help him. So I think we agree. I was just saying how great it would be if he was a fast learner and picked up how to defend on ball and through screens, on top of the news that he has gained 15lbs, 3inches on vertical, and still has a super low body fat %.

[Future Celtics Owner]

I'd love to see Smart be aggressive and really attack the hoop. CBS should give him true starter minutes and hand him the reigns on offense. Hopefully we wind up having a nasty duo of Smart and Young in the backcourt for the next decade.

tp. Thats my dream.

[konkmv]

Next year
smart 12p4r 6as 2st
young 7p 2r 2as 1st 1bl
they will both become 20p players

[max215]

I'd love to see Smart be aggressive and really attack the hoop. CBS should give him true starter minutes and hand him the reigns on offense. Hopefully we wind up having a nasty duo of Smart and Young in the backcourt for the next decade.

tp. Thats my dream.

Thanks, your avatar is awesome by the way.

[LarBrd33]

i hope smart works on his shot and studies a lot of tape of Gary Payton.  He's doesn't seem that explosive/athletic.  He can't handle the ball that well.  He can't create his shot or shoot well.   He's a pretty below average offensive player.   He does have decent size for a guard, though... so maybe he can learn how to post up like Payton did in his day. 

[Who]

Smart = show he can drive and get into the paint to score or pass
Young = work his way into a bench role and play regular minutes

[Bucketgetter]

I think James Young should be getting 26min a game. Obviously if we trade Avery that opens up time for him but James is a special player and could actually bump Avery from the starting lineup later this season.

I agree with Marcus Smart. He needs to play pg full time for us. Also I hope he dropped body fat , cuz at the combine he was almost 11% I think. 11% or anything close to that is way too much for a pg in the NBA. Maybe that was a big factor in his penetrating because his athletic tests at the NBA combine were great and I thought he had/has potential to be Dwayne Wade type ATHLETE but he has to cut down a bit and get cut up.

If these two players are having a great start to the season and look like future all stars, then I would have no problem going youth movement/ trading IT and ET....obv we would get a lot for IT. If Ainge sees this happening I would support trading IT on draft night for the 4th pick.

It doesn't matter if Marcus Smart shows up with a body looking like Sully, you trade IT for the 4th pick. No questions asked. That's crazy value. That has nothing to do with Smart, you do that trade no matter what.