Marcus Smart

[Chris22]

In his last five games, Smart is shooting 29% from the field and 18% on threes.
Yikes!

[KeepRondo]

His offensive shooting has been dreadful.

I'm hoping I was wrong but I don't see him being a 400 shooter this year that a lot of posters predicted. But hey it's still early. Let's not completely give up. He does have good mechanics.

[Sketch5]

I think him being taken out of the PG roll has hurt a lot. IT has the ball in his hands too long most times, which is fine when he's coming off the bench in short spurts, but Smart is better when he brings the ball up him self.

He was great against OKC. I like when he gets into the paint and his those 10 footers. He needs to do more of that and less contested threes.

[Rosco917]

I've been waiting for this to be brought up.

The kid is a terror on D, but he has to find a way to become a reliable two way player. I understand he's only been in the league one year plus. But, I'm struggling to see just what his offensive game will be in the future.

He shot selection is suspect, (that will change in time) his outside shot is erratic, he struggles to get to the rim. For me, he is still a "think long and hard before trading player" but it's getting difficult to maintain that thought.   

This Celtic team is full of players that excel on one side of the ball, but suffer on the other side. It must be driving Stevens crazy with his substitution patterns. Last night against Dallas we needed another player that could create his own shot, besides IT. 

[konkmv]

I think smart will be ok...he just has 2 more experienced players at the guard position taking shots and minutes from him... payton and lillard and wall and and and.. did not have such problems

[Chris22]

I think him being taken out of the PG roll has hurt a lot. IT has the ball in his hands too long most times, which is fine when he's coming off the bench in short spurts, but Smart is better when he brings the ball up him self.

He was great against OKC. I like when he gets into the paint and his those 10 footers. He needs to do more of that and less contested threes.

TP. One thing I notice is that the Celtics don't use fakes very much. A nice up fake and go from the three point line would be nice. Larry Bird lived by the fake.

[manl_lui]

I think him being taken out of the PG roll has hurt a lot. IT has the ball in his hands too long most times, which is fine when he's coming off the bench in short spurts, but Smart is better when he brings the ball up him self.

He was great against OKC. I like when he gets into the paint and his those 10 footers. He needs to do more of that and less contested threes.

TP. One thing I notice is that the Celtics don't use fakes very much. A nice up fake and go from the three point line would be nice. Larry Bird lived by the fake.

+2 on that...but so far it has worked, with exception with yesterday, 2nd half was very sloppy...we cooled down and still opted to bomb 3s...we stopped driving until the 4th. I am fine for now with IT4 starting at PG and Smart being at SG, the OKC game, it was the same lineup more or less. But yes, I agree 100%, I enjoy seeing Smart drive, and shoot those 10-15 ft jumpers. He needs to drive and lay it up, drive and dish or drive and pop

I honestly think the reason why is because he's not being used a lot on the offensive end. I think BS wants to utilize Smart more as a pass first guard, defensive first guard than to be a scoring one. Somewhat the same as Jae Crowder...the 3 and D guy. Most of our scoring is coming from IT, Bradley or Sully imo.

I hope we start expanding on Smart's offensive game

[coffee425]

Frankly, his only good shot selections thus far have been when the offense is ran through him in the post.
Other than that, he just stands in the corner waiting for a catch and shoot from ET or IT.

Sounds like the first 2 years of Kwahi and Butler. Maybe this is the way to develop him.

[Csfan1984]

Smart and JBJ teasers

[TheFlex]

Smart is great! Smart is terrible!

It's pretty hard not to react on a game-by-game basis, but let's temper our scrutiny. I would guess only 10x All-Stars show star-level consistency in their sophomore year. I peg Smart to be a 3-6x All-Star.

Also, despite a couple of bad offensive performances after the OKC game, last night was the first game that I could clearly see Smart was hurting his team. Even in the Houston game, as most agree, he was arguably our most impactful player regardless of a horrid shooting night.

[ssspence]

Smart is a pretty average penetrater, passer and shooter. He's really unlikely to ever be well above average at any of them. But his intelligence and fearlessness are awesome assets, to go along with his bulldog defense.

I think he'd absolutely excel as a PG adjacent to a wing whose an initiator -- a point forward (or off guard) type on the wing -- and a nice wing shooter. No small feat finding those elements.

As it is, he's forcing his offense -- shooting to many difficult shots and 3s he shouldn't.

[droopdog7]

I think smart will be ok...he just has 2 more experienced players at the guard position taking shots and minutes from him... payton and lillard and wall and and and.. did not have such problems

Except that Smart has nowhere near the talent or offensive potential than any of these guys.

Basically, the debate regarding Smart will go exactly as the Rondo debates.  You have staunch supporters that insist that he is young or hurt or unselfish or whatever.  They rely on ifs and buts and maybes and never on any solid evidence or skills.  These folks will wait it out as long as they can and frankly will not admit anything until long after smart is gone (if then).

Smart is an outstanding defensive player and a pretty terrible offensive player.  I see no skill that will allow him to change on offense in any significant way.  He is average to below average in every offensive skill.  People are asking for way too much if they expect him to be even a decent player offensively.  Or they are wishing, hoping, and praying.

[CelticGuardian]

I love Smart's game, truly I do. He's a defensive genius. BUT we missed out on Zach Lavine.... I'm just saying... JUST SAYING ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[Quetzalcoatl]

I love Smart's game, truly I do. He's a defensive genius. BUT we missed out on Zach Lavine.... I'm just saying... JUST SAYING ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Ha read this thread: http://forums.celticsblog.com/index.php?topic=70893.msg1662685#msg1662685

People thought we should get him at 17, but it was going to be a reach (he was ultimately drafted 13th)

[CelticGuardian]

I love Smart's game, truly I do. He's a defensive genius. BUT we missed out on Zach Lavine.... I'm just saying... JUST SAYING ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Ha read this thread: http://forums.celticsblog.com/index.php?topic=70893.msg1662685#msg1662685

People thought we should get him at 17, but it was going to be a reach (he was ultimately drafted 13th)

They wanted Clint Capela? Seriously?! This organization as a whole needs to learn how to evaluate talent. I love the fight in Smart, but he's turning out to be Tony Allen without the finishing ability. While Zach Lavine would've given us something we need now, a scoring wing that can convert on spot ups/cuts/lobs.

I just don't understand the lack of aggression on offense. Brad needs to pull him by the collar and have a heart to heart with him. He's too big and too talented to be settling for all of these contested 3 pointers. He's a big boy and needs to throw that body at people on offense not just defense for this great franchise to pick itself up from the ground.

It's only Year 2 so I'll refrain from using the B word.