Yes or No? Marcus Smart Our Next Superstar?

[LarBrd33]

You guys are funny.  It's like you've never heard of Summer league before.   Joe Forte won Summer league MVP one year.  Jerryd Bayless averaged 30.3 points in 2008.  Anthony Randolph averaged 26.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 2.3 steals and 3 blocks in 2009.  Reggie Williams averaged 22.6 points in 2010.   Josh Selby avearged 24.2 points, 3.2 assists and 2.4 steals in 2012.  Jeffery Taylor averaged 20.3 points and 1.8 steals in 2013.    Glen Rice Jr dominated summer league last year... avearging 25 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.5 steals

It's freakin summer league, man.  And we've seen Smart play two games.  In half those games, he shot 30%. 

So a year ago, Smart averaged 14.8 points, 4.2 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 2 steals in 5 summerleague game (while shooting a horrid 29% and 26% from three), but he was very productive. 

So that gives you a baseline of Smart's summer league abilities.  He followed it up by averaging 6.8 points, 3.5 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 1.2 steals on 37%/35%/67% shooting over the first half of the season. 

Over the second half of the season, he showed mild improvement... averaging 9.1 points, 2.6 assists, 3.8 rebounds, 1.9 steals on 36%/32%/63%.   

For the season, he averaged 7.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.5 steals (which I've pointed out is similar to what Iman Shumpert did as a rookie... 9.5 points, 2.8 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 1.7 steals).

So fine... now let's look at his stats over 2 summer league games:  24 points, 7.5 assists, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.5 steals.   Impressive... right up there with Glen Rice Jr last year. Hopefully he keeps it up.

So if his summer league stats last year (14.8/4.2/4.2/2) resulted in him averaging (7.8/3.1/3.3/1.5), we can take the stupid 2 game sample size thus far and guesstimate what Smart's NBA stats might be this season:  12.6 points, 5.5 assists, 3.4 assists and 1.9 steals.  Here's hoping he can shoot 40% this season.

Those stats are "fine".  And I'd be "fine" with those stats.  And considering he was a #6 pick, I truly hope he shows that kind of progress from last year. 

In Tony Allen's best season he averaged 11.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.5 steals... this would be better than that.  This would put Smart right up there in Rodney Stuckey territory (13.4 points, 4.9 assists, 3.5 rebounds 1.4 steals in year 2 with 44%/30%/80% shooting)... but it still falls short of what my initial expectations of Smart were.  I thought he'd be, at worst, Tyreke Evans.  Evans averaged 20.1 points, 5.8 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals as a rookie.   Evans is a fine player, but has never made an all-star team.

But you guys are reacting to two summer league games and already asking if Smart is going to be a superstar?  C'mon, man.  I'm not even sure he'll be an all-star.  If those projected stats pan out and he puts up 12.6 points, 5.5 assists, 3.4 assists and 1.9 steals next year, it would be worth celebrating... but I don't even know if that's a lock.

I mean... Aaron Gordon's summer league stats last year:  7.8 points, 5 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0 steals, 0.4 blocks on  35% shooting and 0% from three.

A year later, Gordon is averaging 21.7 points, 11.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.7 blocks on 50% shooting/50% from three.  Does this mean that Gordon is a lock to be the next hall of famer?  I mean... maybe?

Dante Exum averaged 7.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.4 steals with 30%/17%/64% shooting...  flash forward a year later and he's averaging 20 points, 5 assists, 5 rebounds on 46%/20%/90% shooting.  Sure he's only played half as many games as Smart, but Utah should probably get ready to retire his number, right?

The real question is whether or not the progress we're seeing from Smart (assuming these big stats continue through the remainder of summer league) is a sign that Smart has improved since April 2015 when the NBA season ended.... or if it's a sign he's improved since July 2014 when he last played in Summer league.   He's spent a year playing in the NBA... he SHOULD be having a better summer league than last year.   But naturally, ya'll are gonna overreact and get angry when someone suggests he's still got a long way to go and may never get there.   

I like what I'm seeing from Smart.  I'm encouraged at the signs.  If he was having a disaster summer league like James Young, I'd be nervous.  He's clearly one of the best summer league performers so far this year... which is to be expected considering he was the 6th pick and this is his 2nd year playing in it.  It's a good thing.  This should help his trade value.  But I still doubt he'll ever make an all-star game.  And I still think his offensive game is limited.   He averaged 18, 5, 6 and 3 in College... it shouldn't come as a shock that he's one of the better players against garbage summer league competition.  Question is whether he can do it in the real league.   Last year, I was underwhelmed by his performance.

If you're going to judge a player just by stats, then I think it's pointless to have this conversation. I don't care what Smart has been putting up. I've just been actually watching him play with my eyes and the dude has made improvements in his game. He is actually dribbling with his left hand now. His first step is definitely better. The only thing you can say is that we don't truly know if he has improved his shooting. He could just be hot. He is a streaky shooter after all. Anyways, I really think you are digging yourself a hole here. Cause Smart is definitely going to be better than Tony Allen, and that is your comp for him. There is no denying that, hahah. HE CAN ALREADY DO EVERYTHING A PRIME TONY ALLEN CAN.

We will see if that ends up being true. Last year he couldn't do everything that prime tony Allen could do.  I sure hope he surpasses tony someday.  He was the 6th pick in a loaded draft.

[tankcity!]

You guys are funny.  It's like you've never heard of Summer league before.   Joe Forte won Summer league MVP one year.  Jerryd Bayless averaged 30.3 points in 2008.  Anthony Randolph averaged 26.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 2.3 steals and 3 blocks in 2009.  Reggie Williams averaged 22.6 points in 2010.   Josh Selby avearged 24.2 points, 3.2 assists and 2.4 steals in 2012.  Jeffery Taylor averaged 20.3 points and 1.8 steals in 2013.    Glen Rice Jr dominated summer league last year... avearging 25 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.5 steals

It's freakin summer league, man.  And we've seen Smart play two games.  In half those games, he shot 30%. 

So a year ago, Smart averaged 14.8 points, 4.2 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 2 steals in 5 summerleague game (while shooting a horrid 29% and 26% from three), but he was very productive. 

So that gives you a baseline of Smart's summer league abilities.  He followed it up by averaging 6.8 points, 3.5 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 1.2 steals on 37%/35%/67% shooting over the first half of the season. 

Over the second half of the season, he showed mild improvement... averaging 9.1 points, 2.6 assists, 3.8 rebounds, 1.9 steals on 36%/32%/63%.   

For the season, he averaged 7.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.5 steals (which I've pointed out is similar to what Iman Shumpert did as a rookie... 9.5 points, 2.8 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 1.7 steals).

So fine... now let's look at his stats over 2 summer league games:  24 points, 7.5 assists, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.5 steals.   Impressive... right up there with Glen Rice Jr last year. Hopefully he keeps it up.

So if his summer league stats last year (14.8/4.2/4.2/2) resulted in him averaging (7.8/3.1/3.3/1.5), we can take the stupid 2 game sample size thus far and guesstimate what Smart's NBA stats might be this season:  12.6 points, 5.5 assists, 3.4 assists and 1.9 steals.  Here's hoping he can shoot 40% this season.

Those stats are "fine".  And I'd be "fine" with those stats.  And considering he was a #6 pick, I truly hope he shows that kind of progress from last year. 

In Tony Allen's best season he averaged 11.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.5 steals... this would be better than that.  This would put Smart right up there in Rodney Stuckey territory (13.4 points, 4.9 assists, 3.5 rebounds 1.4 steals in year 2 with 44%/30%/80% shooting)... but it still falls short of what my initial expectations of Smart were.  I thought he'd be, at worst, Tyreke Evans.  Evans averaged 20.1 points, 5.8 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals as a rookie.   Evans is a fine player, but has never made an all-star team.

But you guys are reacting to two summer league games and already asking if Smart is going to be a superstar?  C'mon, man.  I'm not even sure he'll be an all-star.  If those projected stats pan out and he puts up 12.6 points, 5.5 assists, 3.4 assists and 1.9 steals next year, it would be worth celebrating... but I don't even know if that's a lock.

I mean... Aaron Gordon's summer league stats last year:  7.8 points, 5 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0 steals, 0.4 blocks on  35% shooting and 0% from three.

A year later, Gordon is averaging 21.7 points, 11.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.7 blocks on 50% shooting/50% from three.  Does this mean that Gordon is a lock to be the next hall of famer?  I mean... maybe?

Dante Exum averaged 7.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.4 steals with 30%/17%/64% shooting...  flash forward a year later and he's averaging 20 points, 5 assists, 5 rebounds on 46%/20%/90% shooting.  Sure he's only played half as many games as Smart, but Utah should probably get ready to retire his number, right?

The real question is whether or not the progress we're seeing from Smart (assuming these big stats continue through the remainder of summer league) is a sign that Smart has improved since April 2015 when the NBA season ended.... or if it's a sign he's improved since July 2014 when he last played in Summer league.   He's spent a year playing in the NBA... he SHOULD be having a better summer league than last year.   But naturally, ya'll are gonna overreact and get angry when someone suggests he's still got a long way to go and may never get there.   

I like what I'm seeing from Smart.  I'm encouraged at the signs.  If he was having a disaster summer league like James Young, I'd be nervous.  He's clearly one of the best summer league performers so far this year... which is to be expected considering he was the 6th pick and this is his 2nd year playing in it.  It's a good thing.  This should help his trade value.  But I still doubt he'll ever make an all-star game.  And I still think his offensive game is limited.   He averaged 18, 5, 6 and 3 in College... it shouldn't come as a shock that he's one of the better players against garbage summer league competition.  Question is whether he can do it in the real league.   Last year, I was underwhelmed by his performance.

If you're going to judge a player just by stats, then I think it's pointless to have this conversation. I don't care what Smart has been putting up. I've just been actually watching him play with my eyes and the dude has made improvements in his game. He is actually dribbling with his left hand now. His first step is definitely better. The only thing you can say is that we don't truly know if he has improved his shooting. He could just be hot. He is a streaky shooter after all. Anyways, I really think you are digging yourself a hole here. Cause Smart is definitely going to be better than Tony Allen, and that is your comp for him. There is no denying that, hahah. HE CAN ALREADY DO EVERYTHING A PRIME TONY ALLEN CAN.

We will see if that ends up being true. Last year he couldn't do everything that prime tony Allen could do.  I sure hope he surpasses tony someday.  He was the 6th pick in a loaded draft.

It's like you haven't seen Tony Allen play??? Tony Allen can't dribble or nail a three?? And he is in his prime. Like a more fair comp would be Aaron Affalo or even Avery Bradley. But calling him Tony Allen makes no sense at all. Even Wes Matthews would be understandable. But Tony Allen? Tony Allen wouldn't even start on most teams.

[Ilikesports17]

You guys are funny.  It's like you've never heard of Summer league before.   Joe Forte won Summer league MVP one year.  Jerryd Bayless averaged 30.3 points in 2008.  Anthony Randolph averaged 26.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 2.3 steals and 3 blocks in 2009.  Reggie Williams averaged 22.6 points in 2010.   Josh Selby avearged 24.2 points, 3.2 assists and 2.4 steals in 2012.  Jeffery Taylor averaged 20.3 points and 1.8 steals in 2013.    Glen Rice Jr dominated summer league last year... avearging 25 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.5 steals

It's freakin summer league, man.  And we've seen Smart play two games.  In half those games, he shot 30%. 

So a year ago, Smart averaged 14.8 points, 4.2 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 2 steals in 5 summerleague game (while shooting a horrid 29% and 26% from three), but he was very productive. 

So that gives you a baseline of Smart's summer league abilities.  He followed it up by averaging 6.8 points, 3.5 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 1.2 steals on 37%/35%/67% shooting over the first half of the season. 

Over the second half of the season, he showed mild improvement... averaging 9.1 points, 2.6 assists, 3.8 rebounds, 1.9 steals on 36%/32%/63%.   

For the season, he averaged 7.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.5 steals (which I've pointed out is similar to what Iman Shumpert did as a rookie... 9.5 points, 2.8 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 1.7 steals).

So fine... now let's look at his stats over 2 summer league games:  24 points, 7.5 assists, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.5 steals.   Impressive... right up there with Glen Rice Jr last year. Hopefully he keeps it up.

So if his summer league stats last year (14.8/4.2/4.2/2) resulted in him averaging (7.8/3.1/3.3/1.5), we can take the stupid 2 game sample size thus far and guesstimate what Smart's NBA stats might be this season:  12.6 points, 5.5 assists, 3.4 assists and 1.9 steals.  Here's hoping he can shoot 40% this season.

Those stats are "fine".  And I'd be "fine" with those stats.  And considering he was a #6 pick, I truly hope he shows that kind of progress from last year. 

In Tony Allen's best season he averaged 11.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.5 steals... this would be better than that.  This would put Smart right up there in Rodney Stuckey territory (13.4 points, 4.9 assists, 3.5 rebounds 1.4 steals in year 2 with 44%/30%/80% shooting)... but it still falls short of what my initial expectations of Smart were.  I thought he'd be, at worst, Tyreke Evans.  Evans averaged 20.1 points, 5.8 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals as a rookie.   Evans is a fine player, but has never made an all-star team.

But you guys are reacting to two summer league games and already asking if Smart is going to be a superstar?  C'mon, man.  I'm not even sure he'll be an all-star.  If those projected stats pan out and he puts up 12.6 points, 5.5 assists, 3.4 assists and 1.9 steals next year, it would be worth celebrating... but I don't even know if that's a lock.

I mean... Aaron Gordon's summer league stats last year:  7.8 points, 5 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0 steals, 0.4 blocks on  35% shooting and 0% from three.

A year later, Gordon is averaging 21.7 points, 11.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.7 blocks on 50% shooting/50% from three.  Does this mean that Gordon is a lock to be the next hall of famer?  I mean... maybe?

Dante Exum averaged 7.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.4 steals with 30%/17%/64% shooting...  flash forward a year later and he's averaging 20 points, 5 assists, 5 rebounds on 46%/20%/90% shooting.  Sure he's only played half as many games as Smart, but Utah should probably get ready to retire his number, right?

The real question is whether or not the progress we're seeing from Smart (assuming these big stats continue through the remainder of summer league) is a sign that Smart has improved since April 2015 when the NBA season ended.... or if it's a sign he's improved since July 2014 when he last played in Summer league.   He's spent a year playing in the NBA... he SHOULD be having a better summer league than last year.   But naturally, ya'll are gonna overreact and get angry when someone suggests he's still got a long way to go and may never get there.   

I like what I'm seeing from Smart.  I'm encouraged at the signs.  If he was having a disaster summer league like James Young, I'd be nervous.  He's clearly one of the best summer league performers so far this year... which is to be expected considering he was the 6th pick and this is his 2nd year playing in it.  It's a good thing.  This should help his trade value.  But I still doubt he'll ever make an all-star game.  And I still think his offensive game is limited.   He averaged 18, 5, 6 and 3 in College... it shouldn't come as a shock that he's one of the better players against garbage summer league competition.  Question is whether he can do it in the real league.   Last year, I was underwhelmed by his performance.

The Shumpert thing is a misleading comparison because that rookie season ended up being his best season in the NBA which is a pretty rare phenomenon.

After his rookie year there was a lot of excitement surrounding Iman Shumpert.

I mean, take Wiggins.

Wiggins averaged 17 points 5 boards 2 assists a game. However if I told TWolves fans they were getting a poor mans Tyreke Evans I think theyd be a whole lot less excited about the KLove trade. Tyreke Evans' rookie line was 20 6 and 5.

[Ilikesports17]

You guys are funny.  It's like you've never heard of Summer league before.   Joe Forte won Summer league MVP one year.  Jerryd Bayless averaged 30.3 points in 2008.  Anthony Randolph averaged 26.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 2.3 steals and 3 blocks in 2009.  Reggie Williams averaged 22.6 points in 2010.   Josh Selby avearged 24.2 points, 3.2 assists and 2.4 steals in 2012.  Jeffery Taylor averaged 20.3 points and 1.8 steals in 2013.    Glen Rice Jr dominated summer league last year... avearging 25 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.5 steals

It's freakin summer league, man.  And we've seen Smart play two games.  In half those games, he shot 30%. 

So a year ago, Smart averaged 14.8 points, 4.2 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 2 steals in 5 summerleague game (while shooting a horrid 29% and 26% from three), but he was very productive. 

So that gives you a baseline of Smart's summer league abilities.  He followed it up by averaging 6.8 points, 3.5 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 1.2 steals on 37%/35%/67% shooting over the first half of the season. 

Over the second half of the season, he showed mild improvement... averaging 9.1 points, 2.6 assists, 3.8 rebounds, 1.9 steals on 36%/32%/63%.   

For the season, he averaged 7.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.5 steals (which I've pointed out is similar to what Iman Shumpert did as a rookie... 9.5 points, 2.8 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 1.7 steals).

So fine... now let's look at his stats over 2 summer league games:  24 points, 7.5 assists, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.5 steals.   Impressive... right up there with Glen Rice Jr last year. Hopefully he keeps it up.

So if his summer league stats last year (14.8/4.2/4.2/2) resulted in him averaging (7.8/3.1/3.3/1.5), we can take the stupid 2 game sample size thus far and guesstimate what Smart's NBA stats might be this season:  12.6 points, 5.5 assists, 3.4 assists and 1.9 steals.  Here's hoping he can shoot 40% this season.

Those stats are "fine".  And I'd be "fine" with those stats.  And considering he was a #6 pick, I truly hope he shows that kind of progress from last year. 

In Tony Allen's best season he averaged 11.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.5 steals... this would be better than that.  This would put Smart right up there in Rodney Stuckey territory (13.4 points, 4.9 assists, 3.5 rebounds 1.4 steals in year 2 with 44%/30%/80% shooting)... but it still falls short of what my initial expectations of Smart were.  I thought he'd be, at worst, Tyreke Evans.  Evans averaged 20.1 points, 5.8 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals as a rookie.   Evans is a fine player, but has never made an all-star team.

But you guys are reacting to two summer league games and already asking if Smart is going to be a superstar?  C'mon, man.  I'm not even sure he'll be an all-star.  If those projected stats pan out and he puts up 12.6 points, 5.5 assists, 3.4 assists and 1.9 steals next year, it would be worth celebrating... but I don't even know if that's a lock.

I mean... Aaron Gordon's summer league stats last year:  7.8 points, 5 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0 steals, 0.4 blocks on  35% shooting and 0% from three.

A year later, Gordon is averaging 21.7 points, 11.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.7 blocks on 50% shooting/50% from three.  Does this mean that Gordon is a lock to be the next hall of famer?  I mean... maybe?

Dante Exum averaged 7.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.4 steals with 30%/17%/64% shooting...  flash forward a year later and he's averaging 20 points, 5 assists, 5 rebounds on 46%/20%/90% shooting.  Sure he's only played half as many games as Smart, but Utah should probably get ready to retire his number, right?

The real question is whether or not the progress we're seeing from Smart (assuming these big stats continue through the remainder of summer league) is a sign that Smart has improved since April 2015 when the NBA season ended.... or if it's a sign he's improved since July 2014 when he last played in Summer league.   He's spent a year playing in the NBA... he SHOULD be having a better summer league than last year.   But naturally, ya'll are gonna overreact and get angry when someone suggests he's still got a long way to go and may never get there.   

I like what I'm seeing from Smart.  I'm encouraged at the signs.  If he was having a disaster summer league like James Young, I'd be nervous.  He's clearly one of the best summer league performers so far this year... which is to be expected considering he was the 6th pick and this is his 2nd year playing in it.  It's a good thing.  This should help his trade value.  But I still doubt he'll ever make an all-star game.  And I still think his offensive game is limited.   He averaged 18, 5, 6 and 3 in College... it shouldn't come as a shock that he's one of the better players against garbage summer league competition.  Question is whether he can do it in the real league.   Last year, I was underwhelmed by his performance.

If you're going to judge a player just by stats, then I think it's pointless to have this conversation. I don't care what Smart has been putting up. I've just been actually watching him play with my eyes and the dude has made improvements in his game. He is actually dribbling with his left hand now. His first step is definitely better. The only thing you can say is that we don't truly know if he has improved his shooting. He could just be hot. He is a streaky shooter after all. Anyways, I really think you are digging yourself a hole here. Cause Smart is definitely going to be better than Tony Allen, and that is your comp for him. There is no denying that, hahah. HE CAN ALREADY DO EVERYTHING A PRIME TONY ALLEN CAN.

We will see if that ends up being true. Last year he couldn't do everything that prime tony Allen could do.  I sure hope he surpasses tony someday.  He was the 6th pick in a loaded draft.

didnt you say the draft was disspointing?

[Big333223]

If Smart starts this season and averages 12-5 with solid defense and even slightly improved shooting numbers, I'll be really happy.

[jpotter33]

You guys are funny.  It's like you've never heard of Summer league before.   Joe Forte won Summer league MVP one year.  Jerryd Bayless averaged 30.3 points in 2008.  Anthony Randolph averaged 26.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 2.3 steals and 3 blocks in 2009.  Reggie Williams averaged 22.6 points in 2010.   Josh Selby avearged 24.2 points, 3.2 assists and 2.4 steals in 2012.  Jeffery Taylor averaged 20.3 points and 1.8 steals in 2013.    Glen Rice Jr dominated summer league last year... avearging 25 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.5 steals

It's freakin summer league, man.  And we've seen Smart play two games.  In half those games, he shot 30%. 

So a year ago, Smart averaged 14.8 points, 4.2 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 2 steals in 5 summerleague game (while shooting a horrid 29% and 26% from three), but he was very productive. 

So that gives you a baseline of Smart's summer league abilities.  He followed it up by averaging 6.8 points, 3.5 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 1.2 steals on 37%/35%/67% shooting over the first half of the season. 

Over the second half of the season, he showed mild improvement... averaging 9.1 points, 2.6 assists, 3.8 rebounds, 1.9 steals on 36%/32%/63%.   

For the season, he averaged 7.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.5 steals (which I've pointed out is similar to what Iman Shumpert did as a rookie... 9.5 points, 2.8 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 1.7 steals).

So fine... now let's look at his stats over 2 summer league games:  24 points, 7.5 assists, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.5 steals.   Impressive... right up there with Glen Rice Jr last year. Hopefully he keeps it up.

So if his summer league stats last year (14.8/4.2/4.2/2) resulted in him averaging (7.8/3.1/3.3/1.5), we can take the stupid 2 game sample size thus far and guesstimate what Smart's NBA stats might be this season:  12.6 points, 5.5 assists, 3.4 assists and 1.9 steals.  Here's hoping he can shoot 40% this season.

Those stats are "fine".  And I'd be "fine" with those stats.  And considering he was a #6 pick, I truly hope he shows that kind of progress from last year. 

In Tony Allen's best season he averaged 11.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.5 steals... this would be better than that.  This would put Smart right up there in Rodney Stuckey territory (13.4 points, 4.9 assists, 3.5 rebounds 1.4 steals in year 2 with 44%/30%/80% shooting)... but it still falls short of what my initial expectations of Smart were.  I thought he'd be, at worst, Tyreke Evans.  Evans averaged 20.1 points, 5.8 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals as a rookie.   Evans is a fine player, but has never made an all-star team.

But you guys are reacting to two summer league games and already asking if Smart is going to be a superstar?  C'mon, man.  I'm not even sure he'll be an all-star.  If those projected stats pan out and he puts up 12.6 points, 5.5 assists, 3.4 assists and 1.9 steals next year, it would be worth celebrating... but I don't even know if that's a lock.

I mean... Aaron Gordon's summer league stats last year:  7.8 points, 5 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0 steals, 0.4 blocks on  35% shooting and 0% from three.

A year later, Gordon is averaging 21.7 points, 11.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.7 blocks on 50% shooting/50% from three.  Does this mean that Gordon is a lock to be the next hall of famer?  I mean... maybe?

Dante Exum averaged 7.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.4 steals with 30%/17%/64% shooting...  flash forward a year later and he's averaging 20 points, 5 assists, 5 rebounds on 46%/20%/90% shooting.  Sure he's only played half as many games as Smart, but Utah should probably get ready to retire his number, right?

The real question is whether or not the progress we're seeing from Smart (assuming these big stats continue through the remainder of summer league) is a sign that Smart has improved since April 2015 when the NBA season ended.... or if it's a sign he's improved since July 2014 when he last played in Summer league.   He's spent a year playing in the NBA... he SHOULD be having a better summer league than last year.   But naturally, ya'll are gonna overreact and get angry when someone suggests he's still got a long way to go and may never get there.   

I like what I'm seeing from Smart.  I'm encouraged at the signs.  If he was having a disaster summer league like James Young, I'd be nervous.  He's clearly one of the best summer league performers so far this year... which is to be expected considering he was the 6th pick and this is his 2nd year playing in it.  It's a good thing.  This should help his trade value.  But I still doubt he'll ever make an all-star game.  And I still think his offensive game is limited.   He averaged 18, 5, 6 and 3 in College... it shouldn't come as a shock that he's one of the better players against garbage summer league competition.  Question is whether he can do it in the real league.   Last year, I was underwhelmed by his performance.

If you're going to judge a player just by stats, then I think it's pointless to have this conversation. I don't care what Smart has been putting up. I've just been actually watching him play with my eyes and the dude has made improvements in his game. He is actually dribbling with his left hand now. His first step is definitely better. The only thing you can say is that we don't truly know if he has improved his shooting. He could just be hot. He is a streaky shooter after all. Anyways, I really think you are digging yourself a hole here. Cause Smart is definitely going to be better than Tony Allen, and that is your comp for him. There is no denying that, hahah. HE CAN ALREADY DO EVERYTHING A PRIME TONY ALLEN CAN.

We will see if that ends up being true. Last year he couldn't do everything that prime tony Allen could do.  I sure hope he surpasses tony someday.  He was the 6th pick in a loaded draft.

didnt you say the draft was disspointing?

It changes depending upon which argument he's trying to spin 

[D.o.s.]

^ Lazy. It's very possible for a draft to be loaded (particularly when talking about selection) and still be disappointing. Particularly a draft like 2014, which was decimated by injuries.

[jpotter33]

^ Lazy. It's very possible for a draft to be loaded (particularly when talking about selection) and still be disappointing. Particularly a draft like 2014, which was decimated by injuries.

Except that's not what he was referring to. LarBrd33 expected Smart to come out and put up 15-5-5 in his rookie year. No wonder it was disappointing to him given that little gem.

[D.o.s.]

^ Lazy. It's very possible for a draft to be loaded (particularly when talking about selection) and still be disappointing. Particularly a draft like 2014, which was decimated by injuries.

Except that's not what he was referring to. LarBrd33 expected Smart to come out and put up 15-5-5 in his rookie year. No wonder it was disappointing to him given that little gem.

Whoops. My b. I stand corrected.

[LarBrd33]

^ Lazy. It's very possible for a draft to be loaded (particularly when talking about selection) and still be disappointing. Particularly a draft like 2014, which was decimated by injuries.

Except that's not what he was referring to. LarBrd33 expected Smart to come out and put up 15-5-5 in his rookie year. No wonder it was disappointing to him given that little gem.

I wasn't the only one who was disappointed by Smart's rookie season.  I've already pointed out that if you go back to the thread about Smart prior to last season, there were several people who thought he'd put up numbers similar to Tyreke Evans... and when someone name-dropped Iman SHumpert, people explicitly said they'd be disappointed if Smart put up Shumpert-esque numbers.  Turns out, that'e exactly what he did.  I figured on a lotto team like ours, he'd have no trouble putting up 15, 5 and 5.  Solid poor man's Tyreke Evans.   He was labelled an NBA-ready player.  HIs offensive game was nowhere near what I expected.   I hope his progress in summer league carries over into the regular season, but I'm thinking it's the other way around... his progress in the regular season has carried over into the summer league.  Whether or not he's developed beyond the player who averaged 9.1 points, 2.6 assists, 3.8 rebounds, 1.9 steals during the second half of the season... that's what I'm curious about.   Perhaps his stats would have been higher if Boston played a different style.  Evan Turner was basically playing point-forward.  So perhaps those 12.6 points, 5.5 assists, 3.4 rebound, 1.9 steal projections for next season will come true if Smart is the primary ball-handler next year.    I still doubt Smart develops into an all-star.  A superstar seems highly unlikely.   

But what do I know?  I"m already eating crow over the Embiid thing.  I don't mind eating more.

[atlantaceltic]

^ Lazy. It's very possible for a draft to be loaded (particularly when talking about selection) and still be disappointing. Particularly a draft like 2014, which was decimated by injuries.

Except that's not what he was referring to. LarBrd33 expected Smart to come out and put up 15-5-5 in his rookie year. No wonder it was disappointing to him given that little gem.

I wasn't the only one who was disappointed by Smart's rookie season.  I've already pointed out that if you go back to the thread about Smart prior to last season, there were several people who thought he'd put up numbers similar to Tyreke Evans... and when someone name-dropped Iman SHumpert, people explicitly said they'd be disappointed if Smart put up Shumpert-esque numbers.  Turns out, that'e exactly what he did.  I figured on a lotto team like ours, he'd have no trouble putting up 15, 5 and 5.  Solid poor man's Tyreke Evans.   He was labelled an NBA-ready player.  HIs offensive game was nowhere near what I expected.   I hope his progress in summer league carries over into the regular season, but I'm thinking it's the other way around... his progress in the regular season has carried over into the summer league.  Whether or not he's developed beyond the player who averaged 9.1 points, 2.6 assists, 3.8 rebounds, 1.9 steals during the second half of the season... that's what I'm curious about.   Perhaps his stats would have been higher if Boston played a different style.  Evan Turner was basically playing point-forward.  So perhaps those 12.6 points, 5.5 assists, 3.4 rebound, 1.9 steal projections for next season will come true if Smart is the primary ball-handler next year.    I still doubt Smart develops into an all-star.  A superstar seems highly unlikely.   

But what do I know?  I"m already eating crow over the Embiid thing.  I don't mind eating more.

Your Wrong,

Smart Will be an All-Star for years to come. He can already get to the line and score at will now.  You forget this dude is a point guard in an outside linebackers body and once his mental footing on the came catches up to his athletic ability. He will be scary.  There is a reason the he is the future of usa basketball and you know he was the captain of the national team and all. He is a ray lewis type teammate on the court. Paired with hunter this backcourt is gonna be scary for years to come.

[max215]

^ Lazy. It's very possible for a draft to be loaded (particularly when talking about selection) and still be disappointing. Particularly a draft like 2014, which was decimated by injuries.

Except that's not what he was referring to. LarBrd33 expected Smart to come out and put up 15-5-5 in his rookie year. No wonder it was disappointing to him given that little gem.

I wasn't the only one who was disappointed by Smart's rookie season.  I've already pointed out that if you go back to the thread about Smart prior to last season, there were several people who thought he'd put up numbers similar to Tyreke Evans... and when someone name-dropped Iman SHumpert, people explicitly said they'd be disappointed if Smart put up Shumpert-esque numbers.  Turns out, that'e exactly what he did.  I figured on a lotto team like ours, he'd have no trouble putting up 15, 5 and 5.  Solid poor man's Tyreke Evans.   He was labelled an NBA-ready player.  HIs offensive game was nowhere near what I expected.   I hope his progress in summer league carries over into the regular season, but I'm thinking it's the other way around... his progress in the regular season has carried over into the summer league.  Whether or not he's developed beyond the player who averaged 9.1 points, 2.6 assists, 3.8 rebounds, 1.9 steals during the second half of the season... that's what I'm curious about.   Perhaps his stats would have been higher if Boston played a different style.  Evan Turner was basically playing point-forward.  So perhaps those 12.6 points, 5.5 assists, 3.4 rebound, 1.9 steal projections for next season will come true if Smart is the primary ball-handler next year.    I still doubt Smart develops into an all-star.  A superstar seems highly unlikely.   

But what do I know?  I"m already eating crow over the Embiid thing.  I don't mind eating more.

Your Wrong,

Smart Will be an All-Star for years to come. He can already get to the line and score at will now.  You forget this dude is a point guard in an outside linebackers body and once his mental footing on the came catches up to his athletic ability. He will be scary.  There is a reason the he is the future of usa basketball and you know he was the captain of the national team and all. He is a ray lewis type teammate on the court. Paired with hunter this backcourt is gonna be scary for years to come.

I'm a huge Smart fan and have defended him multiple times in this thread, but blanket statements like this should not be used in support of Smart nor to detract from him. He's shown promise in SL, he's dominated it, but we don't know if he can 'score at will' at the NBA level.

[LarBrd33]

^ Lazy. It's very possible for a draft to be loaded (particularly when talking about selection) and still be disappointing. Particularly a draft like 2014, which was decimated by injuries.

Except that's not what he was referring to. LarBrd33 expected Smart to come out and put up 15-5-5 in his rookie year. No wonder it was disappointing to him given that little gem.

I wasn't the only one who was disappointed by Smart's rookie season.  I've already pointed out that if you go back to the thread about Smart prior to last season, there were several people who thought he'd put up numbers similar to Tyreke Evans... and when someone name-dropped Iman SHumpert, people explicitly said they'd be disappointed if Smart put up Shumpert-esque numbers.  Turns out, that'e exactly what he did.  I figured on a lotto team like ours, he'd have no trouble putting up 15, 5 and 5.  Solid poor man's Tyreke Evans.   He was labelled an NBA-ready player.  HIs offensive game was nowhere near what I expected.   I hope his progress in summer league carries over into the regular season, but I'm thinking it's the other way around... his progress in the regular season has carried over into the summer league.  Whether or not he's developed beyond the player who averaged 9.1 points, 2.6 assists, 3.8 rebounds, 1.9 steals during the second half of the season... that's what I'm curious about.   Perhaps his stats would have been higher if Boston played a different style.  Evan Turner was basically playing point-forward.  So perhaps those 12.6 points, 5.5 assists, 3.4 rebound, 1.9 steal projections for next season will come true if Smart is the primary ball-handler next year.    I still doubt Smart develops into an all-star.  A superstar seems highly unlikely.   

But what do I know?  I"m already eating crow over the Embiid thing.  I don't mind eating more.

Your Wrong,

Smart Will be an All-Star for years to come. He can already get to the line and score at will now. 

... against summer league talent... in which he shot 30% in half his games... 

Sorry, but you're missing my point.   Second year players are usually the ones who dominate summer league action.  It's to be expected considering they have just spent a year playing against NBA talent.   

Let me explain it in terms that some of my fellow couch potatoes can understand.   Imagine you're playing an online video game that has a match-making feature that pairs you up with players of your level.  A game like Mario Kart or something...   You start playing against level 1 players... you're alright, but not great.   Eventually the more you play, the more you level up... level 2... you're alright... level 3, you're alright... eventually you're all the way up to level 10 and playing against other level 10 players.  You're not great, but you're holding your own... you spend a whole year playing against level 10 players, but you're still finishing middle of the pack in your Mario Kart race.    Then after a year, you decide to create a brand new account and play against some level 1 players.  What do you expect will happen? 

Does that make sense?  I can't lose my mind over Smart dominating against level 1 talent.  I still don't know if he's going to ever be anything more than middle of the pack against level 10 talent.   The assumption in this thread is that because Smart is now dominating against level 1 talent (which I'm not disputing), it means he obviously progressed wildly since we last saw him struggling against level 10 talent... and it means that as soon as he jumps back into his original Mario Kart account in November, he'll be an unstoppable legend against his fellow level 10 players.  I'm not sure that assumption is accurate. 

[TheFlex]

[droopdog7]

In Vegas now!  Thinking about walking over to watch.