Right, because nobody on this board ever doubted say, Rondo or Tony Allen when they were hampered with injuries, just to be proven wrong at a later date.
Are injuries a valid for disregarding Smart has performed through his first 100 games? It hasn't been all bad, after all. He just hasn't looked like a future two-way star scorer type.
No, I certainly wouldn't entirely disregard Smart's first 100 games due to his injuries.
I would, however, take them with that exact grain of salt.
He hasn't looked like a future two-way star, but he also hasn't looked like a future one-way only player.
That alone is saying a lot (most of the NBA's best defenders were one-way players).
Regardless, he's a future defensive star no matter what.
I think his ability to take it to the basket, while still reading the defense, will open up his offensive game, even if he never becomes a "good" shooter (and I don't think that's definitely out of the question).
When I think of Smart's prime, I think of a Ron Artest type prime.
