this game put marcus in perspective

[Csfan1984]

He has to try to keep getting to the line. Limit the 3s to four a game.

[Ed Hollison]

It's not just the fact that some shots are finally falling that's encouraging. He's shooting in rhythm, driving to the basket under control, and making the right pass. He's also leaps and bounds better as a pick and roll ball handler than he used to be. Now he's coming off the pick, getting in the lane while keeping the defender at his back with that low dribble, and passing/shooting from that position. That's kind of a staple for NBA point guards these days, and he's gradually getting it.

In a nutshell, the guy is 21 and is clearly learning on the job and gradually adding to/refining his game. It's a process, just be patient. In the meantime, he's an all-league defender. Can't complain.

[KeepRondo]

He's always been a streaky shooter, he showed it last year and he showed it so far this year. In his last 8 games he's shooting 39.5% from 3.

What you have to love about him is that regardless of if his shot is falling, he's defending at a high level and doing all the little things to win games.

It's been really encouraging that he is attacking the hoop more, and getting more quality shots closer to the hoop than he was last year will decreasing the number of 3's he's taking.

He was 3 for 7 on those "quality" looks (most of them looked like pretty ugly out of control layups to me, but I digress). I'm not sure I like the new "heat-check" Marcus and his 0 assists any better. The three point shooting isn't sustainable, and our team lost the game yesterday because they stopped moving the ball.

He'd probably get more if ET wasn't the one bringing the ball up every possession.

He managed 16 shots, so I'm thinking he had the ball in his hands enough.

Yes the whole ET is hindering Smart is getting old. Anyone who has half a basketball brain can see that these guys are actually developing nice chemistry.

[Ilikesports17]

He's always been a streaky shooter, he showed it last year and he showed it so far this year. In his last 8 games he's shooting 39.5% from 3.

What you have to love about him is that regardless of if his shot is falling, he's defending at a high level and doing all the little things to win games.

It's been really encouraging that he is attacking the hoop more, and getting more quality shots closer to the hoop than he was last year will decreasing the number of 3's he's taking.

He was 3 for 7 on those "quality" looks (most of them looked like pretty ugly out of control layups to me, but I digress). I'm not sure I like the new "heat-check" Marcus and his 0 assists any better. The three point shooting isn't sustainable, and our team lost the game yesterday because they stopped moving the ball.

He'd probably get more if ET wasn't the one bringing the ball up every possession.

He managed 16 shots, so I'm thinking he had the ball in his hands enough.

Yes the whole ET is hindering Smart is getting old. Anyone who has half a basketball brain can see that these guys are actually developing nice chemistry.

Smarts passing has looked pretty good to me. I think he definitely needs to cool it on the 3s. Especially contested ones early in the shot clock. Crowder has the same problem.

That being said, even if Smart and Turner play well together doesnt mean the combo is good for development.

[Snakehead]

He's always been a streaky shooter, he showed it last year and he showed it so far this year. In his last 8 games he's shooting 39.5% from 3.

What you have to love about him is that regardless of if his shot is falling, he's defending at a high level and doing all the little things to win games.

It's been really encouraging that he is attacking the hoop more, and getting more quality shots closer to the hoop than he was last year will decreasing the number of 3's he's taking.

He was 3 for 7 on those "quality" looks (most of them looked like pretty ugly out of control layups to me, but I digress). I'm not sure I like the new "heat-check" Marcus and his 0 assists any better. The three point shooting isn't sustainable, and our team lost the game yesterday because they stopped moving the ball.

He'd probably get more if ET wasn't the one bringing the ball up every possession.

He managed 16 shots, so I'm thinking he had the ball in his hands enough.

Yes the whole ET is hindering Smart is getting old. Anyone who has half a basketball brain can see that these guys are actually developing nice chemistry.

Except it isn't either or.  I think both are true.

[Ilikesports17]

He has to try to keep getting to the line. Limit the 3s to four a game.

He should take more free throws than 3s every game.

[kozlodoev]

Smarts passing has looked pretty good to me. I think he definitely needs to cool it on the 3s. Especially contested ones early in the shot clock. Crowder has the same problem.

I agree, although I think Crowder has shown a marked improvement as compared to last season. Between a slightly improved shot selection and a slightly improved three-point shot, I no longer have to cringe every time he gets the ball.

[spikelovetheCelts]

He looks like a great SG not PG. But He did look Great.

[guava_wrench]

He's getting comfortable with playing at the level of the NBA and he is healthy. I'm actually quite excited for him in the offseason. Since he probably won't do summer league, that gives him the chance to tweak his offensive game without possibly hurting himself. His post ups and 3 pt shooting are starting to come along nicely. While he still has a bit of a ways to go, I think he's progressing better than most people on this blog think.

What is the relevance of summer league to getting hurt? The guys play games all year round. It just isn't always televised, coached, or affiliated with the team/NBA. Also, when they roll their ankles in those games, we never hear about it.

[Celtics4ever]

and puts that bust posting in the bin till next time  and it wasn't just the three ball but ripping defensive rebounds,stealing and going the length,taking it to hoop and drawing contact,a back cut,a drive and kick-smart looked tonight like he did in college tough,confident and looking to go to hoop and draw contact-what is he 21-didn't look 2nd year to me

Until he does it every night with some consistency, I would hold off on Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame nominations.  Just like the Oly is here crowd, pretty silent after he disappeared.  I see improvement but let us temper it with realistic expectations.

[BDeCosta26]

Double post

[BDeCosta26]

and puts that bust posting in the bin till next time  and it wasn't just the three ball but ripping defensive rebounds,stealing and going the length,taking it to hoop and drawing contact,a back cut,a drive and kick-smart looked tonight like he did in college tough,confident and looking to go to hoop and draw contact-what is he 21-didn't look 2nd year to me

Until he does it every night with some consistency, I would hold off on Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame nominations.  Just like the Oly is here crowd, pretty silent after he disappeared.  I see improvement but let us temper it with realistic expectations.

I wouldn't say Olynyk disappeared last night. He may have only had 9 points, but he still was playing with confidence, which is huge for him. He kept shooting even after early misses. Was decisive when choosing to pass/drive/shoot. Made a couple nice moves toward the bucket. Normally when Kelly goes off for a few games and then vanishes, he scores like 4 points and is just tentative and lifeless. That wasn't the KO we saw last night. I see no reason to change my opinion that he's taken a noticeable step forward this year, hopefully it continues.

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

and puts that bust posting in the bin till next time  and it wasn't just the three ball but ripping defensive rebounds,stealing and going the length,taking it to hoop and drawing contact,a back cut,a drive and kick-smart looked tonight like he did in college tough,confident and looking to go to hoop and draw contact-what is he 21-didn't look 2nd year to me

Until he does it every night with some consistency, I would hold off on Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame nominations.  Just like the Oly is here crowd, pretty silent after he disappeared.  I see improvement but let us temper it with realistic expectations.

Actually, the unrealistic expectation is that these guys should do it every night. Even the best of the best can have an off night and sometimes multiple off nights. To expect the average player not to have down periods is unrealistic.

What some people call inconsistency happens to a lot of players, the difference is that we see the Celtics and follow them more often than most/all other teams so we notice it more!

[Celtics4ever]

Actually, the unrealistic expectation is that these guys should do it every night. Even the best of the best can have an off night and sometimes multiple off nights. To expect the average player not to have down periods is unrealistic.

Good players produce, I expect baby steps toward the end goal.  The great players do it every night.

Please no future all star talk, until they produce like one.

I wouldn't say Olynyk disappeared last night. He may have only had 9 points, but he still was playing with confidence, which is huge for him. He kept shooting even after early misses. Was decisive when choosing to pass/drive/shoot. Made a couple nice moves toward the bucket. Normally when Kelly goes off for a few games and then vanishes, he scores like 4 points and is just tentative and lifeless. That wasn't the KO we saw last night. I see no reason to change my opinion that he's taken a noticeable step forward this year, hopefully it continues.

3-9 from the field OMITTED
0-5 from the trey OMITTED

I think he has taken some good steps this year.

[KG Living Legend]

He's always been a streaky shooter, he showed it last year and he showed it so far this year. In his last 8 games he's shooting 39.5% from 3.

What you have to love about him is that regardless of if his shot is falling, he's defending at a high level and doing all the little things to win games.

It's been really encouraging that he is attacking the hoop more, and getting more quality shots closer to the hoop than he was last year will decreasing the number of 3's he's taking.

He was 3 for 7 on those "quality" looks (most of them looked like pretty ugly out of control layups to me, but I digress). I'm not sure I like the new "heat-check" Marcus and his 0 assists any better. The three point shooting isn't sustainable, and our team lost the game yesterday because they stopped moving the ball.

Part of being a young player in the league is learning how to finish drives consistently, especially if your game isn't based in pure athleticism. Marcus was a great scorer in college by using brut strength to bull his way to a bucket. Lot harder to do that in the NBA, but he's a guy who certainly can as he's showing this season. He's gotten to the point where he's making multiple really good drives almost every game, and as his shot improves (which it will, he's not a 20% 3pt shooter, he shot 33% last year) that will become even easier for him. He's shown a good ability to pass off the drive too. The next step is to perfect some good finishing moves to generate better shots at the rim. He's only 21.


 I mean, the team was really struggling to score from all angles in the 2nd half. He stepped up and got buckets when we needed them, keeping the game within reach, we just didn't have enough overall.

 Have to disagree that he was a great scorer in college. Hey put up 18ppg his sophmore year OK sub par percentages.

 If you watched him play though it was a struggle for him to get his points. I saw two games when he was on fire, but he really needed to get to the rim first before his hand would open up.