Yes or No? Marcus Smart Our Next Superstar?

[D.o.s.]

I don't think he'll reach superstardom, but I won't discount it either. His impact defensively is legit, and if he can establish himself as a pick and roll player with a 3-ball he can become very dangerous.

He needs to begin driving more though and get to the line, that's the key to being a superstar.

Agreed. There is a massive gulf between being an NBA superstar and a solid starter.

[PhoSita]

And quite frankly, I am shocked at how un-explosive he is. 

Then you must not have read any scouting reports on him coming out of college.

Not specifically no; just celtic fans comparing him to Westbrook and Dwayne Wade, which is quite laughable now.

The Westbrook comparison all along, I think, was his aggressive shot selection and willingness to attack the rim and get to the line.  Not to mention his competitive fire.

The Wade comparison was those things plus his physical build and his defense.  Like Wade, Smart has shown an ability to guard much larger players.

Athletically, the comparisons I read noted that Smart was similar to James Harden.  Meaning he's a good athlete, but not very explosive and not much of a leaper.  Needs to leverage his strength and coordination to get inside and finish or draw contact.

[PhoSita]

I don't think he'll reach superstardom, but I won't discount it either. His impact defensively is legit, and if he can establish himself as a pick and roll player with a 3-ball he can become very dangerous.

He needs to begin driving more though and get to the line, that's the key to being a superstar.

Agreed. There is a massive gulf between being an NBA superstar and a solid starter.

There's a space in between there, though (cue Dave Matthews), where on the right team you can be a really important nightly contributor and have huge value despite not being a two-way star.

Again, I want to point out the numbers I quoted earlier:

15 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, ~42/35/70 shooting.

The list of guys who have done that at the guard position is filled with very, very valuable players.  I think Smart can reach those numbers if he continues to improve at a reasonable rate and plays starter minutes.  Maybe not this year, but within the next couple of years.  And since he doesn't rely overmuch on athleticism, he could do it for a long while.

[Forza Juventus]

I think he will be a very good player and maybe an all star. I don't know about super star but it's possible. I'm high on him.

[beantownboy171]

I think he has the mental make-up, work ethic and skill-set to be a superstar play. I think by the end of this season he will have an elevated status around the league as one of the best young players in the league.

He is showing signs that he is a quick learner, and he is always looking to expand his game.

His defense and leadership are what make him so special. But his offense and feel for the game have been improving steadily.

Yes

[bdm860]

Depends on the definition of superstar.

Were prime Andre Iguodala or Ron Artest superstars (one All-Star game and a few All-Defensive appearances each)?

That's the hopeful ceiling I currently see now for Smart.

[BlackCeltic]

I think Smarts Star calibur all depends on his ability to hit jumpers consistantly. if he stays money, he will be a superstar. If not he will just be a low level star for his all around game.

[MetroGlobe]

I see a lot of comparisons thrown out there for Marcus.  But to me the player I am most reminded of is Tim Hardaway.  Timmy wasn't explosive athletically either.  To compensate, he developed certain "hesitation moves" as Marv Albert would say.  Namely his killer crossover.  I really believe Marcus will also find a way to overmatch opponents with certain signature moves.  He just needs to develop them.  And right now he's ten times the defensive player that Tim was.

But watch this highlight reel of a classic Hardaway game from '96 and tell me he doesn't move the same, have similar shot selection, shooting form, play style, etc.:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_9bJhZtdrs&list=PLs_schQ10D5K0uKNqaiYqQgutHZVOuu44&index=8

[max215]

There's a whole lot of people around here who would certainly include Smart AND other assets in a trade to get Nerlens Noel. I totally get why. But, depending on what else happens this summer and how Stevens goes forward with our offense, I could very much see a scenario where literally no one would even consider a straight up 1 for 1 trade of those guys and Be saying "Hinkie needs to give us more than just a "defensive role player" like Noel to get Marcus Smart. Especially with Okafor there now, that's very possible.

My goal would be to wait for Hinkie to arrive at the conclusion that Noel can't play with Okafor and Embiid long term and make him a major offer that doesn't include Smart.

Smart and Noel together would give us the basis of a very good defensive team.  Add a wing defender / shooter along the lines of Ariza or Carroll and some solid two way players at PG and PF and we'd have something.

If we ever get Nerlens without losing Smart, we could possibly have both the best defensive guard and big in the NBA.

[max215]

My definition of superstar is a perennial MVP candidate, so I doubt that Smart will ever meet my definition of 'superstar'. However, I think Smart IS our next captain and has potential to be a star, meaning perennial all-star contender.

[beantownboy171]

I see a lot of comparisons thrown out there for Marcus.  But to me the player I am most reminded of is Tim Hardaway.  Timmy wasn't explosive athletically either.  To compensate, he developed certain "hesitation moves" as Marv Albert would say.  Namely his killer crossover.  I really believe Marcus will also find a way to overmatch opponents with certain signature moves.  He just needs to develop them.  And right now he's ten times the defensive player that Tim was.

But watch this highlight reel of a classic Hardaway game from '96 and tell me he doesn't move the same, have similar shot selection, shooting form, play style, etc.:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_9bJhZtdrs&list=PLs_schQ10D5K0uKNqaiYqQgutHZVOuu44&index=8

That's the best player comparison i've seen for smart. I didn't notice the similarities, but after watching the clip you posted your definitely right. Very similar.

[coffee425]

I see a lot of comparisons thrown out there for Marcus.  But to me the player I am most reminded of is Tim Hardaway.  Timmy wasn't explosive athletically either.  To compensate, he developed certain "hesitation moves" as Marv Albert would say.  Namely his killer crossover.  I really believe Marcus will also find a way to overmatch opponents with certain signature moves.  He just needs to develop them.  And right now he's ten times the defensive player that Tim was.

But watch this highlight reel of a classic Hardaway game from '96 and tell me he doesn't move the same, have similar shot selection, shooting form, play style, etc.:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_9bJhZtdrs&list=PLs_schQ10D5K0uKNqaiYqQgutHZVOuu44&index=8

this comparison is new... minus the crossover, he does have the same stance/style. nice job.

[LarBrd33]

I wouldn't even bet on Smart becoming an all-star let alone a superstar.  He looks like he's made some progress in summer league, though.  I still don't think he's a good offensive player yet.

[D.o.s.]

I see a lot of comparisons thrown out there for Marcus.  But to me the player I am most reminded of is Tim Hardaway.  Timmy wasn't explosive athletically either.  To compensate, he developed certain "hesitation moves" as Marv Albert would say.  Namely his killer crossover.  I really believe Marcus will also find a way to overmatch opponents with certain signature moves.  He just needs to develop them.  And right now he's ten times the defensive player that Tim was.

But watch this highlight reel of a classic Hardaway game from '96 and tell me he doesn't move the same, have similar shot selection, shooting form, play style, etc.:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_9bJhZtdrs&list=PLs_schQ10D5K0uKNqaiYqQgutHZVOuu44&index=8

Pre ACL tear Tim Hardaway was arguably the best court-to-court player in the league, as far as his command over his body and what he was able to do with the ball in transition. edit: in terms of handling the ball, before anyone gleefully misconstrues that.

I don't think that's a fair comparison to Smart, although I also think of Penny when you say "Classic Hardaway Game from 1996"

[MetroGlobe]

Pre ACL tear Tim Hardaway was arguably the best court-to-court player in the league, as far as his command over his body and what he was able to do with the ball in transition. edit: in terms of handling the ball, before anyone gleefully misconstrues that.

I don't think that's a fair comparison to Smart, although I also think of Penny when you say "Classic Hardaway Game from 1996"

Court-to-court?  I'm not sure what that means.  But you're right in that Tim put up some monster seasons, especially in '92 & '93 when he was putting up 22+ ppg and 10+ apg.  I don't think Marcus will ever peak quite that high.

What I was trying to illustrate though, was that players with his playstyle have succeeded and become stars in the NBA.  I think a lot of fans are having trouble visualizing what that would look like with Marcus.  I think Tim Hardaway is a pretty good representation of that.