How does Marcus fit in when he comes back?

[jpotter33]

This thread is so predictable. Bloggers freak out when it's suggested a guy should come off the bench (oh no!) or maybe even be traded, if the right deal could be struck, in a league where roster turnover is more typical than any other major sport.

There's also the typical 'intangibles are more important than results' posts. Seems like we should just cut-and-paste these threads from previous players but fill "Smart" in the blank where a departed player has been.

I get it -- Marcus is a guy who folks like to identify with. But he's hardly above being a bench player in the NBA at this point, especially considering he's struggled to stay on the court for a team that's playing very good basketball.

He's the third best guard on this team right now. It might actually HELP his development to only be tasked with 22-24 minutes a night.

In what fantasy world are you getting this from?? He was a starter on our team and playing some of the most minutes on our team. There's absolutely no justification for saying this outside of his injury, which doesn't affect his quality of play or him "hardly above being a bench player."

[jpotter33]

SMH at people always wanted to trade guys they are down on.  Honestly, Smart is not a very good player.  If he wasn't the sixth pick in the draft, we would not be trying to find ways fit him into the lineup.  We would not give a second thought about a defensive role player with no offensive position or skill.

Guys bust all the time in the NBA.  Just because a guy was picked high does not mean he will be a good player.  Fans will have to come to the realization at some point that Smart is a bust in waiting.  He is indeed Marcus Banks 2.0 and will never even be a starter in this league.

Hyperbole?  That's what you think.  But we shall find out soon enough.

Ouch!!  Somebody's clearly not a fan.

Love his defense and passion.  But skill level on offense is atrocious.  That will keep him off the court in crucial situations and prevent him from ever being anything more than a role player.

Sorry to say.

I wonder where we'd be today if we judged Bradley by his second year offense...

[kozlodoev]

I wonder where we'd be today if we judged Bradley by his second year offense...

Probably discussing how to give him a max deal. He shot 50% from the field and 40% from three. But even his horrible third year wasn't as bad as the season Smart has had so far. Small sample, of course...but still.

[kozlodoev]

In what fantasy world are you getting this from?? He was a starter on our team and playing some of the most minutes on our team.

Eh. He was playing 29 minutes... because everyone on this team is playing 29 minutes unless someone is injured.

[jpotter33]

I wonder where we'd be today if we judged Bradley by his second year offense...

Probably discussing how to give him a max deal. He shot 50% from the field and 40% from three. But even his horrible third year wasn't as bad as the season Smart has had so far. Small sample, of course...but still.

He had the benefit of playing with three, possibly four, future Hall-of-Famers, too. He was the classic example of the guy getting looks because everyone else was focused on the stars. He also shot less than one three per game, so his percentages are a little skewed. Where is Dos with the small sample size monster when you need him?!

And actually, Smart's stats are better across the board this year than Bradley's first three years, outside of shooting percentages of course. Yes, his percentages are worrisome, especially because this year it's been less due to poor shot selection and more due to him just missing. But outside of shooting and scoring, which admittedly are big parts of the game, I think he's been fantastic all-around, even with his other offense, i.e. passing, controlling turnovers, etc.

By the way, I always forget that it was Bradley's second year that he broke out. I always seem to think it was his third year, which is why I pointed towards his second year meaning his first.

[jpotter33]

In what fantasy world are you getting this from?? He was a starter on our team and playing some of the most minutes on our team.

Eh. He was playing 29 minutes... because everyone on this team is playing 29 minutes unless someone is injured.

Actually, only Crowder, Bradley, and IT are getting more minutes than him, and most of that has come since Smart was out due to fewer reliable guards to work with. Everyone else has 26 minutes or less, so there's absolutely no justification to saying he was struggling to stay on the court for a good team.

[BDeCosta26]

SMH at people always wanted to trade guys they are down on.  Honestly, Smart is not a very good player.  If he wasn't the sixth pick in the draft, we would not be trying to find ways fit him into the lineup.  We would not give a second thought about a defensive role player with no offensive position or skill.

Guys bust all the time in the NBA.  Just because a guy was picked high does not mean he will be a good player.  Fans will have to come to the realization at some point that Smart is a bust in waiting.  He is indeed Marcus Banks 2.0 and will never even be a starter in this league.

Hyperbole?  That's what you think.  But we shall find out soon enough.

Ouch!!  Somebody's clearly not a fan.

Love his defense and passion.  But skill level on offense is atrocious.  That will keep him off the court in crucial situations and prevent him from ever being anything more than a role player.

Sorry to say.

I wonder where we'd be today if we judged Bradley by his second year offense...

Hmm. I know.

Marcus is literally halfway through his second year. Things from his offense have been improving this  year. Especially his ball-handling and passing skills. He's a future DPOY candidate, already one of the best back-court defenders in the entire NBA. Just think what he can be in three years when he's like Bradley's age now.

An immediate superstar.? No. But a bust? God no.

[kozlodoev]

In what fantasy world are you getting this from?? He was a starter on our team and playing some of the most minutes on our team.

Eh. He was playing 29 minutes... because everyone on this team is playing 29 minutes unless someone is injured.

Actually, only Crowder, Bradley, and IT are getting more minutes than him, and most of that has come since Smart was out due to fewer reliable guards to work with. Everyone else has 26 minutes or less, so there's absolutely no justification to saying he was struggling to stay on the court for a good team.

Depends on what you define as a good team. He can probably start on 40-45 win teams, sure. On better teams, he's probably strictly a defensive specialist, likely off the bench. There are limits to getting away with being a 36% shooter.

[kozlodoev]

He's a future DPOY candidate, already one of the best back-court defenders in the entire NBA. Just think what he can be in three years when he's like Bradley's age now.

Ground control to Major Tom... there hasn't been a guard that's won the DPOY for the last 20 years, and there's a good reason for that.

[Ed Hollison]

The point is, he's unlikely to keep shooting 36% for his career. Dude's 21 and has played basically one season in the league. Give him some time.

[kozlodoev]

The point is, he's unlikely to keep shooting 36% for his career. Dude's 21 and has played basically one season in the league. Give him some time.

Except you don't know whether this is true. Some players improve, some players don't. So far, he's been trending in the wrong direction. And even if he improves his jump shot, that's not going to do much about his first step.

[Vox_Populi]

In what fantasy world are you getting this from?? He was a starter on our team and playing some of the most minutes on our team.

Eh. He was playing 29 minutes... because everyone on this team is playing 29 minutes unless someone is injured.

Actually, only Crowder, Bradley, and IT are getting more minutes than him, and most of that has come since Smart was out due to fewer reliable guards to work with. Everyone else has 26 minutes or less, so there's absolutely no justification to saying he was struggling to stay on the court for a good team.

Depends on what you define as a good team. He can probably start on 40-45 win teams, sure. On better teams, he's probably strictly a defensive specialist, likely off the bench. There are limits to getting away with being a 36% shooter.

A 45 win team isn't good? I have my dictionary ready.

[jpotter33]

In what fantasy world are you getting this from?? He was a starter on our team and playing some of the most minutes on our team.

Eh. He was playing 29 minutes... because everyone on this team is playing 29 minutes unless someone is injured.

Actually, only Crowder, Bradley, and IT are getting more minutes than him, and most of that has come since Smart was out due to fewer reliable guards to work with. Everyone else has 26 minutes or less, so there's absolutely no justification to saying he was struggling to stay on the court for a good team.

Depends on what you define as a good team. He can probably start on 40-45 win teams, sure. On better teams, he's probably strictly a defensive specialist, likely off the bench. There are limits to getting away with being a 36% shooter.

Tony Allen was a starter on a good Memphis team, which I think is a safe description of a good team, and I think Smart is every bit as good if not better than Tony Allen right now, let alone where he will be at his peak.

[MJohnnyboy]

He's a future DPOY candidate, already one of the best back-court defenders in the entire NBA. Just think what he can be in three years when he's like Bradley's age now.

Ground control to Major Tom... there hasn't been a guard that's won the DPOY for the last 20 years, and there's a good reason for that.

Hence the word "candidate". Tony Allen has been in the DPOY conversation for years even though he's never won.

[kozlodoev]

Tony Allen was a starter on a good Memphis team, which I think is a safe description of a good team, and I think Smart is every bit as good if not better than Tony Allen right now, let alone where he will be at his peak.

I would be ecstatic if Marcus Smart turns into Tony Allen. In fact, if Smart becomes anything close to Allen, he'll probably be a 12-year starter on any team he goes to. To do this, he needs to learn how to make a bucket of some sort, because having a PG who can't make a jump shot or a layup is not a good start.

Hence the word "candidate". Tony Allen has been in the DPOY conversation for years even though he's never won.

Tony Allen has seriously been in the DPOY conversation once (in 2011, his first year with the Grizzlies). He got one first-place vote last year, and has largely been an afterthought in other years, too.

It's very rare to get DPOY unless (1) you guard the the most dynamic scorers in the game effectively and on a regular basis (this generally means you're a wing), or (2) you alter everyone's game with your defense (generally means you're a big).