Yes or No? Marcus Smart Our Next Superstar?

[droopdog7]

If he keeps shooting under 40% in summer league, that's discouraging

Yeah, shooting under 30% like he did yesterday is not at all impressive. 

What we're seeing from Marcus in summer league is not that impressive to me.  He is extremely high usage so yeah, the counting stats will be semi impressive.  But he's chucking up threes like he's Ray Allen.  He'll be streaky at best so I don't really care whether he makes them or not; I don't want this to be a big part of his game.

And yes, he has good defense but the level of exaggeration I hear about it is incredible.  I'd stay take TA as a defender over smart (at least in his heyday).

Anyway, as I've always said, stats are not the main thing.  I still see a below average athletic with below average skills that will have to work to find a niche.  Like I said, I see him as a role player to solid starter.  The less he has to do offensively, the better.

Star?  No, not even close.

[jpotter33]

If he keeps shooting under 40% in summer league, that's discouraging

Yeah, shooting under 30% like he did yesterday is not at all impressive. 

What we're seeing from Marcus in summer league is not that impressive to me.  He is extremely high usage so yeah, the counting stats will be semi impressive.  But he's chucking up threes like he's Ray Allen.  He'll be streaky at best so I don't really care whether he makes them or not; I don't want this to be a big part of his game.

And yes, he has good defense but the level of exaggeration I hear about it is incredible.  I'd stay take TA as a defender over smart (at least in his heyday).

Anyway, as I've always said, stats are not the main thing.  I still see a below average athletic with below average skills that will have to work to find a niche.  Like I said, I see him as a role player to solid starter.  The less he has to do offensively, the better.

Star?  No, not even close.

Are you sure you're not thinking of Sully? In what world is Smart below average athletically? No, he's not supremely athletic like a Westbrook, but just because he's not a huge leaper does not make him below average athletically.

That's the big problem on this forum: people tend to suggest that one isn't good at something or adequate at something if they don't measure up to the greats, i.e. you're only a "good" shooter if you shoot like Curry or Korver. The standards people put our guys up to compared to other teams' guys here is ridiculous.

[Celtics4ever]

I still see a below average athletic with below average skills that will have to work to find a niche

Smart has linebacker athleticism!

Smart has a no step vertical of 33"

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Marcus-Smart-6284/

Dwanye Wade had a no step of 31"

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Dwyane-Wade-4726/

http://www.theworldofhoops.com/truth-about-vertical-jump-basketball/

I often harp on athletic ability but I know what is average and what is good, it is clear you do not.  Please, note these are stats, which you said mattered and cold hard facts, not an misinformed opinion which you demonstrated.

Smart is a good athlete, not elite but NBA level for certain.

[dreamgreen]

If he keeps stroking the long ball like last night he could be.

[Evantime34]

If he keeps shooting under 40% in summer league, that's discouraging

Yeah, shooting under 30% like he did yesterday is not at all impressive. 

What we're seeing from Marcus in summer league is not that impressive to me.  He is extremely high usage so yeah, the counting stats will be semi impressive.  But he's chucking up threes like he's Ray Allen.  He'll be streaky at best so I don't really care whether he makes them or not; I don't want this to be a big part of his game.

And yes, he has good defense but the level of exaggeration I hear about it is incredible.  I'd stay take TA as a defender over smart (at least in his heyday).

Anyway, as I've always said, stats are not the main thing.  I still see a below average athletic with below average skills that will have to work to find a niche.  Like I said, I see him as a role player to solid starter.  The less he has to do offensively, the better.

Star?  No, not even close.

First off don't agree about him being below average athletically. He might not be lightning quick but strength is also a form of athleticism and Smart's strength at his position is elite. Paul Pierce used has been using his elite strength to get where he wants to get on the court for most of his career.

Secondly, I think his shooting numbers have been skewed in summer league. Anytime the offense bogs down and the C's have needed a shot late in the shot clock Smart has taken that shot. If someone else was taking those shots his numbers look better. That being said, what he has done in with getting to the line in summer league is the stuff of a potential go to scorer. All the top scorers in the league get to the line a lot. If he can do that in the NBA, he can shoot a low percentage and still have a high eFG%. It might not be visually pleasing but what he's averaging 8-10 FT attempts a game in the coming years his offense will lead us.

Could not disagree more on his defense. Allen came into the pros as an uber athletic defender who could play some great man defense. During his entire time with the C's he regularly over committed went for pump fakes and messed up rotations. Smart stopped making those same mistakes a couple months into his rookie year. Smart is better because he rarely makes the mistakes Allen did, plays great position defense and essentially can't be screened.

[droopdog7]

Regarding athleticism, I call it as I see it.  Jumping ability is one thing but it isn't just that.  It seems to really elevate, smart needs to gather and jump with two feet.  That's just not going to work if he's going to be driving and finishing consistently.  Kendrick Brown (who remembers that name?) was the exact same way. 

Smart is also not particularly quick or fast.  I've seen him in 1 v 1 breakaways and he doesn't finish because he doesn't have the speed to outrun the defender of the dexterity or athleticism to make a move at full speed.

I'll give the strength component but even that will not be a something he can consistently exploit in the league.

So yes, below average athlete is my evaluation.

[max215]

Regarding athleticism, I call it as I see it.  Jumping ability is one thing but it isn't just that.  It seems to really elevate, smart needs to gather and jump with two feet.  That's just not going to work if he's going to be driving and finishing consistently.  Kendrick Brown (who remembers that name?) was the exact same way. 

Smart is also not particularly quick or fast.  I've seen him in 1 v 1 breakaways and he doesn't finish because he doesn't have the speed to outrun the defender of the dexterity or athleticism to make a move at full speed.

I'll give the strength component but even that will not be a something he can consistently exploit in the league.

So yes, below average athlete is my evaluation.

Why can't he use his strength? Why can't he build his offensive game around a physical attribute which he excels in compared to his peers? If Smart is being guarded by 200 pound PGs all the time and he is 220+ pounds, he absolutely can use his strength to bully his defenders. LeBron James, for example, uses his linebacker-like build to bully people on the offensive end. Or a tall PG, like Shaun Livingston, can use his height to post up average sized PGs. Smart has a distinct physical advantage that can absolutely be utilized in the NBA, dismissing his strength is laughable.

[droopdog7]

Regarding athleticism, I call it as I see it.  Jumping ability is one thing but it isn't just that.  It seems to really elevate, smart needs to gather and jump with two feet.  That's just not going to work if he's going to be driving and finishing consistently.  Kendrick Brown (who remembers that name?) was the exact same way. 

Smart is also not particularly quick or fast.  I've seen him in 1 v 1 breakaways and he doesn't finish because he doesn't have the speed to outrun the defender of the dexterity or athleticism to make a move at full speed.

I'll give the strength component but even that will not be a something he can consistently exploit in the league.

So yes, below average athlete is my evaluation.

Why can't he use his strength? Why can't he build his offensive game around a physical attribute which he excels in compared to his peers? If Smart is being guarded by 200 pound PGs all the time and he is 220+ pounds, he absolutely can use his strength to bully his defenders. LeBron James, for example, uses his linebacker-like build to bully people on the offensive end. Or a tall PG, like Shaun Livingston, can use his height to post up average sized PGs. Smart has a distinct physical advantage that can absolutely be utilized in the NBA, dismissing his strength is laughable.

Because strength plus athleticism/explosivmess is what really give you the edge you are describing.  Lebron is both strong and supremely athletic.  Shaq was both strong and supremely athletic.  Barkley was  both strong and supremely athletic. 

Strength is good but strength alone won't do it.

[Maurice98]

Regarding athleticism, I call it as I see it.  Jumping ability is one thing but it isn't just that.  It seems to really elevate, smart needs to gather and jump with two feet.  That's just not going to work if he's going to be driving and finishing consistently.  Kendrick Brown (who remembers that name?) was the exact same way. 

Smart is also not particularly quick or fast.  I've seen him in 1 v 1 breakaways and he doesn't finish because he doesn't have the speed to outrun the defender of the dexterity or athleticism to make a move at full speed.

I'll give the strength component but even that will not be a something he can consistently exploit in the league.

So yes, below average athlete is my evaluation.

Why can't he use his strength? Why can't he build his offensive game around a physical attribute which he excels in compared to his peers? If Smart is being guarded by 200 pound PGs all the time and he is 220+ pounds, he absolutely can use his strength to bully his defenders. LeBron James, for example, uses his linebacker-like build to bully people on the offensive end. Or a tall PG, like Shaun Livingston, can use his height to post up average sized PGs. Smart has a distinct physical advantage that can absolutely be utilized in the NBA, dismissing his strength is laughable.

Because strength plus athleticism/explosivmess is what really give you the edge you are describing.  Lebron is both strong and supremely athletic.  Shaq was both strong and supremely athletic.  Barkley was  both strong and supremely athletic. 

Strength is good but strength alone won't do it.

What about players such as Pierce, Melo, Artest, Andre Miller? All of them are strong but they ain't "supremely" athletic although they were successful in the NBA.

[Evantime34]

Regarding athleticism, I call it as I see it.  Jumping ability is one thing but it isn't just that.  It seems to really elevate, smart needs to gather and jump with two feet.  That's just not going to work if he's going to be driving and finishing consistently.  Kendrick Brown (who remembers that name?) was the exact same way. 

Smart is also not particularly quick or fast.  I've seen him in 1 v 1 breakaways and he doesn't finish because he doesn't have the speed to outrun the defender of the dexterity or athleticism to make a move at full speed.

I'll give the strength component but even that will not be a something he can consistently exploit in the league.

So yes, below average athlete is my evaluation.

Why can't he use his strength? Why can't he build his offensive game around a physical attribute which he excels in compared to his peers? If Smart is being guarded by 200 pound PGs all the time and he is 220+ pounds, he absolutely can use his strength to bully his defenders. LeBron James, for example, uses his linebacker-like build to bully people on the offensive end. Or a tall PG, like Shaun Livingston, can use his height to post up average sized PGs. Smart has a distinct physical advantage that can absolutely be utilized in the NBA, dismissing his strength is laughable.

Because strength plus athleticism/explosivmess is what really give you the edge you are describing.  Lebron is both strong and supremely athletic.  Shaq was both strong and supremely athletic.  Barkley was  both strong and supremely athletic. 

Strength is good but strength alone won't do it.

What about players such as Pierce, Melo, Artest, Andre Miller? All of them are strong but they ain't "supremely" athletic although they were successful in the NBA.

Pierce and Miller are great comparisons on offense (I think Smart is a smaller Artest on defense but not what you want on offense).

Pierce shot poorly early in his career but eventually used his strength combined with excellent footwork to get his mid range jumper anytime he wants. I'm not sure Smart has the same court vision as Miller, but he has shown stretches of plus vision that gives me hope he will be able to run the team as soon as next year.

[max215]

Regarding athleticism, I call it as I see it.  Jumping ability is one thing but it isn't just that.  It seems to really elevate, smart needs to gather and jump with two feet.  That's just not going to work if he's going to be driving and finishing consistently.  Kendrick Brown (who remembers that name?) was the exact same way. 

Smart is also not particularly quick or fast.  I've seen him in 1 v 1 breakaways and he doesn't finish because he doesn't have the speed to outrun the defender of the dexterity or athleticism to make a move at full speed.

I'll give the strength component but even that will not be a something he can consistently exploit in the league.

So yes, below average athlete is my evaluation.

Why can't he use his strength? Why can't he build his offensive game around a physical attribute which he excels in compared to his peers? If Smart is being guarded by 200 pound PGs all the time and he is 220+ pounds, he absolutely can use his strength to bully his defenders. LeBron James, for example, uses his linebacker-like build to bully people on the offensive end. Or a tall PG, like Shaun Livingston, can use his height to post up average sized PGs. Smart has a distinct physical advantage that can absolutely be utilized in the NBA, dismissing his strength is laughable.

Because strength plus athleticism/explosivmess is what really give you the edge you are describing.  Lebron is both strong and supremely athletic.  Shaq was both strong and supremely athletic.  Barkley was  both strong and supremely athletic. 

Strength is good but strength alone won't do it.

What about players such as Pierce, Melo, Artest, Andre Miller? All of them are strong but they ain't "supremely" athletic although they were successful in the NBA.

Pierce and Anthony are good examples. Anthony's max vert is the same as Smart's no step, so Smart is probably a superior athlete to this elite scorer. Strength is a huge advantage in the NBA. Most of these guys are so lanky and undefined that the DE/OLBs among them can dominate.

[droopdog7]

Regarding athleticism, I call it as I see it.  Jumping ability is one thing but it isn't just that.  It seems to really elevate, smart needs to gather and jump with two feet.  That's just not going to work if he's going to be driving and finishing consistently.  Kendrick Brown (who remembers that name?) was the exact same way. 

Smart is also not particularly quick or fast.  I've seen him in 1 v 1 breakaways and he doesn't finish because he doesn't have the speed to outrun the defender of the dexterity or athleticism to make a move at full speed.

I'll give the strength component but even that will not be a something he can consistently exploit in the league.

So yes, below average athlete is my evaluation.

Why can't he use his strength? Why can't he build his offensive game around a physical attribute which he excels in compared to his peers? If Smart is being guarded by 200 pound PGs all the time and he is 220+ pounds, he absolutely can use his strength to bully his defenders. LeBron James, for example, uses his linebacker-like build to bully people on the offensive end. Or a tall PG, like Shaun Livingston, can use his height to post up average sized PGs. Smart has a distinct physical advantage that can absolutely be utilized in the NBA, dismissing his strength is laughable.

Because strength plus athleticism/explosivmess is what really give you the edge you are describing.  Lebron is both strong and supremely athletic.  Shaq was both strong and supremely athletic.  Barkley was  both strong and supremely athletic. 

Strength is good but strength alone won't do it.

What about players such as Pierce, Melo, Artest, Andre Miller? All of them are strong but they ain't "supremely" athletic although they were successful in the NBA.

Pierce and Anthony are good examples. Anthony's max vert is the same as Smart's no step, so Smart is probably a superior athlete to this elite scorer. Strength is a huge advantage in the NBA. Most of these guys are so lanky and undefined that the DE/OLBs among them can dominate.

I think this is a good point.  And perhaps these comps are what smart can become.  But see, each of these players have skills that separate them from smart at the moment.  Except for miller, they are all better shooters.  A few of them (Carmelo and PP) are born scorers.  And miller and pierce have a sopiEdited.  Profanity and masked profanity are against forum rules and may result in discipline.ication to the game that is difficult to describe or copy.  Stop and go, just very slick.  Those aren't things you can just copy.  They had that when they came into the league.

So again, smart will need to figure it out.  He isn't going to be Lebron dominant because he lacks the explosiveness (along with a whole lot of other things but that no slight).

[JR4]

my vote ... I'll wait another year maybe two before saying he'll not be a top 10 PG.
He still lacks NBA experience. Not all Top NBA PGs come into the league shooting well
from the the getgo.

[Big333223]

This is silly. Smart is a good athlete with a good vertical leap. He's already had some highlight dunks and that highlight block he had in summer league this year was an incredibly athletic play.

[droopdog7]

Sitting in the third row in the Cox Pavilian and I'm afraid my impression of smart is spot on.  Looks very slow to the naked eye.  Waiting to see if he has another gear.