I like Marcus Smart

[Ed Hollison]

I think the fundamental problem in terms of expectations is that he was the product of a tanking year. In the 2013-2014 season most of us were rooting for the team to lose (let's face it) for a shot at Wiggins, Parker, Embiid, Exum, etc. We got the consolation prize in the 6th pick, which became Smart. But I think since we all went through the pain of losing big time for that year, our expectation was that we'd be rewarded with an all-star.

Well, 6th picks don't typically become all-stars. They might, and Smart certainly has a chance to. But right now you have to be happy for what you have: one of the best defensive guards in the league (already), and a guy who's clearly working his tail off to improve his offensive game.

[timpiker]

I'm not ready to give up on him.  I just want him to drive to the basket a LOT more.

[obnoxiousmime]

I think the fundamental problem in terms of expectations is that he was the product of a tanking year. In the 2013-2014 season most of us were rooting for the team to lose (let's face it) for a shot at Wiggins, Parker, Embiid, Exum, etc. We got the consolation prize in the 6th pick, which became Smart. But I think since we all went through the pain of losing big time for that year, our expectation was that we'd be rewarded with an all-star.

Well, 6th picks don't typically become all-stars. They might, and Smart certainly has a chance to. But right now you have to be happy for what you have: one of the best defensive guards in the league (already), and a guy who's clearly working his tail off to improve his offensive game.

HOW COULD YOU FORGET 3X NBA ALL-STAR ANTOINE "EMPLOYEE NO. 8" WALKER???

[obnoxiousmime]

I think that yeah, his draft slot raised expectations. You expect somebody drafted that high not necessarily to be a superstar, but to be a solid starter on a good team and maybe occasionally make the all-star team when there are lots of injuries. There's also the problem of none of our other draft picks showing star potential so we pretty much have to rest our hopes on Smart. I mean, who else is there?

His injuries have also been a big drag, and the fact that he stayed in school an extra year probably made people think he should have been a year ahead of the one-and-dones.

[Ed Hollison]

HOW COULD YOU FORGET 3X NBA ALL-STAR ANTOINE "EMPLOYEE NO. 8" WALKER???

Shame on me!!! Loved me some Antoine back in the day.

[Evantime34]

Tp for the the thread I also like Marcus Smart.

I like him because more often than not when Smart is on the court we outscore the other team.

I like him because I've never seen as good a perimeter defender that is as young as smart.

I like him because in college he was successful by getting to the Free throw line a ton. I expect this to happen in the nba once he has played long enough to gain the refs respect.

I like him because he shoots better in crunch time than he does regularly.

[ekosins3]

Aside from how much points Smart scores or what flaws he might have in his game, he is one of a few players that seems to have the leadership gene in his game. Going back before the injury what I saw in his game was a player who was more mature for his age in terms of effort and the way he interacted with players on the court.

Only other player on the roster that shows any leadership skills might be Crowder.