Are we stunting Smart's growth?

[Eddie20]

This has been on my mind for a while, but as the thread states, are we? Obviously Smart's a streaky shooter and needs to improve his shot, but it doesn't seem like we are putting him in the best possible position to excel. At this stage in his career Smart is much better suited playing with the ball in hands and has shown a nice knack for hitting teammates on PNR's. Rather than this he seems to be relegated to playing off the ball and alongside ball dominate teammates like Thomas and Turner. You need to put guys, especially the players you're trying to develop, in positions that suits their skills. This even includes some post ups/pin downs for Smart against smaller guards.

[Rondo9]

They need to give Smart more minutes. Having players leave in free agency or trading them would be start.

[PhoSita]

I don't think Smart's future in this league is as a primary ballhandler.  So no, I don't think they're stunting his growth by playing him off the ball a lot of the time. He needs to be able to succeed off the ball and pick his spots attacking with the ball in his hands.

[Bucketgetter]

Samrt has had every opportunity to succeed. He has not progressed, and that's his fault. If he really could be the primary ball handler, we would move IT back to the bench and the lineup would be

Smart
AB
Crowder
Sully
Amir

[Eddie20]

Samrt has had every opportunity to succeed. He has not progressed, and that's his fault. If he really could be the primary ball handler, we would move IT back to the bench and the lineup would be

Smart
AB
Crowder
Sully
Amir

He's only played 80 or so injury plagued games. He's also shown a lot of improvement in generating O off PNRs.

[moiso]

I wonder the same thing as Eddie20.  When Rondo was traded I was super excited because I thought the team would be turned over to Smart. That never happened despite his court awareness and passing seem much better this year.  Whether or not he will ever be a pure point guard is still an unanswered question but having Smart receive the ball in the same spots that guys like Ray Allen and JJ Redick catch the ball definitely doesn't put Smart in the best position to succeed.

[SHAQATTACK]

Eat is the Current Brandon Bass

He needs to GO .....Danny wake up..!

[Eddie20]

I wonder the same thing as Eddie20.  When Rondo was traded I was super excited because I thought the team would be turned over to Smart. That never happened despite his court awareness and passing seem much better this year.  Whether or not he will ever be a pure point guard is still an unanswered question but having Smart receive the ball in the same spots that guys like Ray Allen and JJ Redick catch the ball definitely doesn't put Smart in the best position to succeed.

That's my point. Where would Bradley be if we continued trying to use him as a PG? Put players in position to excel, especially those that are part of your foundation/future.

[Rondo9]

Triple Double for Smart! His first for his career!

[BudweiserCeltic]

This has been on my mind for a while, but as the thread states, are we? Obviously Smart's a streaky shooter and needs to improve his shot, but it doesn't seem like we are putting him in the best possible position to excel. At this stage in his career Smart is much better suited playing with the ball in hands and has shown a nice knack for hitting teammates on PNR's. Rather than this he seems to be relegated to playing off the ball and alongside ball dominate teammates like Thomas and Turner. You need to put guys, especially the players you're trying to develop, in positions that suits their skills. This even includes some post ups/pin downs for Smart against smaller guards.

Smart is usually playing PG when he gets on the floor with those guys, so... no, we're not stunting his growth on that regard as you say.

Turner has been playing playmaker less and less, and Stevens has been using Thomas more off the ball since he's a deadlier shooter that way.

So I think the observations of this thread are a bit off, and poorly timed I guess.

[oldtype]

I think Smart's future has to be as a playmaking PG because passing is by far the most functional part of his offensive game. You're bringing out the worst in him by playing him as a spot up shooter.

[Tr1boy]

I enjoyed watching Smart finish the game tonight.

He is a beast. On offensive boards he is the anti-jeff green and is only 6'3/6'4

[KG Living Legend]

 He's 6'2" Triboy. Just extremely long at 6'9" plus wingspan, and built like a tank.

[Evantime34]

I don't think the C's are stunting his growth.

Since he's come back he's been the primary ball handler on the second unit. If he can consistently rebound, that will make our small lineups a lot better.

[trickybilly]

Eat is the Current Brandon Bass

He needs to GO .....Danny wake up..!

No idea what that means... but TP.