If people aren't concerned about Smart yet, than they really need to take off the green goggles. Why are the Marcus Smart lovers ignoring that he is worse than last year?
Randle is averaging a double double for the year, and is shooting 48% his last ten games. Please remember he is also in his rookie year coming off major surgery...
Smart is not worse than last year. Everyone should be concerned with his excessive 3 point shots but that's a common theme with this team. They all take untimely 3s.
As for Randle being the focus point in the paint for your team means you get yours more often. He's still not a good defender and he's still not a great passer. Also how come you use his injury as an excuse and not Smart's? Randle has had one major injury, smart a series of significant injuries and lingering pains. It's very clear that early this season his shooting form was off due to his recovery from the dislocated finger.
As I've said already, this debate is incredibly premature as neither have shown the leap forward teams hope for. After their 3rd years I'd hope to have a much clearer picture of where the two are heading
Okay dude, if you say so. I think Randle will make a jump next year and we will see how Smart improves. Also, you can't compare the two players injuries. For god sakes, Randle couldn't play basketball until this summer, literally. Smart played 67 games last year and he has played 47 so far. Smart has had time to really work on his shot too. I really didn't get your injury point. Completely different circumstances. And please stop using the 3's as an excuse dude. Rozier doesn't jack up threes when he plays. He drives, and so does Isiah Thomas. Same with Turner. Take the green goggles off and come to terms with the fact that he lacks finishing ability, as well as a first step.
I am a big Smart support and still am, but since the All-Star game, he has been playing like
Edited. Profanity and masked profanity are against forum rules and may result in discipline. offensively. Defensively he keeps on playing at an elite level which I like. My biggest problem with Smart at the moment are the excessive 3s. He had a hot 3 point shooting since that blizzard we had but since then has cooled down dramatically.
Randle on the other hand does look like he is outplaying Smart. Double double and at 48% shooting. My only "excuse" would be he is still playing on a losing team and we are winning, though the last two games doesn't shot it. It's more we miss Crowder more than ever and Smart isn't a small forward, though I wanted him to start for his defensive abilities early on. I think the decision to start Smart at SF isn't such a big issue if used right. He is facing George and Durant, arguably two top ten players, or even top 5 players. He did a fine job on George.
I think in order for Smart to be better on the offensive end is to take out his 3 point game entirely for now. Throw in some picks, or have him take care of the ball as PG when Turner is not in. Post a little, drive a little. But all in all, that's more of a head coach decision/problem to have.
While Randle looks very good on paper and I do agree he is playing better than Smart as of late, I do believe if the situation is reversed it probably be the same. Smart's main value is h is defense and his ability to play scrappy, and turn TO into offense for his teammates. His ability to come in and play hard defense and disrupt the opponent's offense is HUGE.
