Is Smart really the future?

[walker834]

Ainge apparently offered him up for Noel. I don't necessarily buy these rumors as done deals though. I think ainge talks to team but until it's done it's not done.  But at least Ainge kicked around the idea of trading Smart.  Isaiah and Crowder are our main cogs though.  Turner is a serviceable player off the bench.  Avery and Rozier are quick tough defenders who can really stay with guys.  Smart really is that enigma and defensive guy who can be a game changer though. I think he is. I think he is a difference maker  but I can also see where Ainge would consider something like that.

[positivitize]

Is Smart really the future?

Yes.

/thread

[walker834]

He is my favorite Celtic and I hear you but makes me wonder sometimes.  He is that guy who sets the tone with our perimeter defense. I think he needs to be but could be wrong.

I think the whole purpose of what Ainge is trying to do is have Smart start and have isaiah off the bench. And get a star in the draft ala Simmons.  It isnt to have mediocre roleplayers like golden state does with Barbosa and Livingston.  It's to get rid of Turner and get a guy like Simmons.

 I'd be upset if we traded Smart. Ainge would go down a notch in my book. If we really want to do this right it's keeping smart and doing it that way.

I think Smart and Sully actually are our two dogs and difference makers as far as guys like that go.  Isaiah and Crowder.  then we have a bunch of really good more specialized players.

Turner needs to go.  And David Lee. That's about it. Zeller. Period.  End of story. Ainge has to be looking to consolidate picks and move up this draft or make a trade.  This is really it.

[walker834]

What if Ainge is forced to decide between Smart and moving up to get Simmons though or a player like that?

I would keep smart and tell them to keep simmons if it came down to that and take our picks and find someone else. I bet there are people who wouldn't though and would trade Smart if it came down to that.

[LarBrd33]

There's a really good chance he's not even a Celtic a couple months from now. 

I think he still has a lot of potential.  He should have a long career because of his defense, but I'm skeptical he'll ever be more.

[guava_wrench]

I am fine with Smart's development, but he is far from being hard to part with. The Celtics would flip him in a second for enough talent that they like. Maybe he can make an all star game down the road, but you flip him for a potential dominant player.

[mr. dee]

Danny have huge love for great defensive guards. He was hesistant to include Rondo and TA for KG deal. I doubt it would change soon. And he already signed Bradley for a long term.

[Neurotic Guy]

I am fine with Smart's development, but he is far from being hard to part with. The Celtics would flip him in a second for enough talent that they like. Maybe he can make an all star game down the road, but you flip him for a potential dominant player.

No doubt you'd flip him for a star in a minute.  But I do think Marcus is going to be a valuable player.   Unique skills, unique body, unique energy.

[oldtype]

The sort of leap Crowder has made on the offensive end this year makes me a bit more optimistic about Smart.

If 25-year-old 2nd-rounder Jae Crowder can go from one-way defensive specialist to two-way stud in one year, you have to assume 21-year-old lottery pick Marcus Smart can as well.

[moiso]

I think Smart has a lot more offensive potential than Crowder.

[chambers]

Smart's had 55 injury riddled games in his short career. About half a season of play.

So the answer is 'who knows'.
All we know so far is that in 55 games:
- he's shown All NBA caliber defense (first team) and can change any game's flow with his defense.
-his style of play is conducive to getting hurt
-he displays the character and work ethic of a multiple All Star
- his offensive potential has barely been scratched, but his shot selection needs serious work.

Personally I think Smart is the future. He's 21 and he's barely played half a season. The injuries are the major concern for me.

[PhoSita]

He's still got plenty of time to develop and a good amount of potential.

I'm growing increasingly concerned about his ability to ever be a consistent enough offensive player to really be relied upon as a starter.  Might end up as more of a utility sub providing energy and defense 20-25 minutes a night.

Would be disappointing if that's all the Celts get out of a top 6 pick but hey, many teams use top 5 picks and get guys who can't even help the team on one end of the floor.


I'm holding out hope he can turn into a 14-5-5-2 guy.  With decent shooting percentages that's not an All-Star but with his defense that'd be really good nonetheless.  He hasn't really gotten the chance to get into rhythm yet this year.  He's had his moments, even so.

If he gets to the end of this year after playing 50+ games and he's still shooting well below 40% overall and below 35% from three, then it's time to get really worried about his future.

[tankcity!]

There's a really good chance he's not even a Celtic a couple months from now. 

I think he still has a lot of potential.  He should have a long career because of his defense, but I'm skeptical he'll ever be more.

I'm praying to god it's for Okafor.

[konkmv]

He is a starter...he needs a scoring point guard next to him...not bradley

[csfansince60s]

He is a starter...he needs a scoring point guard next to him...not bradley

I was at the game tonight and we would've won the game had Bradley been there and Smart not.

Bradley was sorely missed guarding Jackson and for his 3 ball. At the end and for long stretches of the game, IT was the only 3,point threat on the floor

I love Smart's hard-nosed play, but I had some big concerns after watching him tonight.

Bad shot selection, unsure handle and losing both the psychological as well as physical war with Stanley Johnson all concern me. His durability given his intense style of play also concerns me.

If a star becomes available, I wouldn't hesitate for a second to make him the centerpiece of the trade.