Rozier is really good

[Ed Hollison]

This is the beauty of having multiple draft picks. You can be somewhat patient and see which player you like best, and can deal whoever else is left. The Celtics had this option in the 2007 trade that brought in Garnett, including Sebastian Telfair even though the Wolves wanted Rondo. Back in '99 the Lakers traded Eddie Jones (who was one of the best shooting guards in the league at the time) because they had as budding Kobe Bryant.

Let's say Rozier really develops over the next year, and it's clear he's one of the Celtics' long-term fixtures. You can then trade away Smart, or Bradley, or whoever, players you've already determined are valuable but not franchise-changers. Same could happen in reverse, of course (that is, Smart blossoms and you get something of value for as young Rozier).

You get the picture: not all of these guys will grow up with the team, which is fine because the others will be dealt away. The team just has to be patient and see who blossoms.

[lefty12]

Smart has all-NBA potential.

"Potential" - being the operative word

Reality = combo/energy 3rd guard that has terrible shot selection producing 36% FG shooting

[PhoSita]

I'll be happy to see Smart put together a single season about as good as what Patrick Beverley's done the last few years.  Maybe then I'll start thinking about whether he could be All-NBA someday.

[mctyson]

I'll be happy to see Smart put together a single season about as good as what Patrick Beverley's done the last few years.  Maybe then I'll start thinking about whether he could be All-NBA someday.

Totally different players.  Give me a break.

[Boris Badenov]

I'll be happy to see Smart put together a single season about as good as what Patrick Beverley's done the last few years.  Maybe then I'll start thinking about whether he could be All-NBA someday.

Totally different players.  Give me a break.

Whether they're similar players doesn't affect whether Pho can be right, for the record.

And even so, both Smart and Beverley are offensively challenged, defensive specialists who take half of their shots from 3.

By the numbers they actually look pretty similar too:                                                                                                                                         
Player            MP    FG FGA  FG%  3P 3PA  3P%  FT FTA  FT% TRB AST STL BLK PTS
Patrick Beverley  28.1 3.4 8.1 .422 1.7 4.2 .396 0.9 1.3 .675 3.4 2.9 1.4 0.4 9.4
Marcus Smart      27.1 3.1 8.9 .353 1.1 4.2 .265 2.1 2.8 .755 4.2 2.9 1.6 0.3 9.5

Two primary differences at this point are that Beverley shoots the 3 pretty well and has made an NBA All-Defense team. Smart has yet to reach either milestone.

[Rondo9]

Smart has all-NBA potential.

Reality = combo/energy 3rd guard that has terrible shot selection producing 36% FG shooting

An exaggeration.

[guava_wrench]

I'll be happy to see Smart put together a single season about as good as what Patrick Beverley's done the last few years.  Maybe then I'll start thinking about whether he could be All-NBA someday.

Totally different players.  Give me a break.

Whether they're similar players doesn't affect whether Pho can be right, for the record.

And even so, both Smart and Beverley are offensively challenged, defensive specialists who take half of their shots from 3.

By the numbers they actually look pretty similar too:                                                                                                                                         
Player            MP    FG FGA  FG%  3P 3PA  3P%  FT FTA  FT% TRB AST STL BLK PTS
Patrick Beverley  28.1 3.4 8.1 .422 1.7 4.2 .396 0.9 1.3 .675 3.4 2.9 1.4 0.4 9.4
Marcus Smart      27.1 3.1 8.9 .353 1.1 4.2 .265 2.1 2.8 .755 4.2 2.9 1.6 0.3 9.5

Two primary differences at this point are that Beverley shoots the 3 pretty well and has made an NBA All-Defense team. Smart has yet to reach either milestone.

Beverly shoots the 3 very well. 37% for his career.

The difference in FTA and shooting percentages seems to indicate that they are much different players on offense.

[guava_wrench]

Smart has all-NBA potential.

As do 150 other players.

[lefty12]

Smart has all-NBA potential.

Reality = combo/energy 3rd guard that has terrible shot selection producing 36% FG shooting

An exaggeration.

He shoots 36% and comes off the bench - best strength = defense and hustle

Is that better?

[Rondo9]

Smart has all-NBA potential.

Reality = combo/energy 3rd guard that has terrible shot selection producing 36% FG shooting

An exaggeration.

He shoots 36% and comes off the bench - best strength = defense and hustle

Is that better?

Now it's too simplistic.    He's a developing ball handler and passer.

[Boris Badenov]

Smart has all-NBA potential.

Reality = combo/energy 3rd guard that has terrible shot selection producing 36% FG shooting

An exaggeration.

He shoots 36% and comes off the bench - best strength = defense and hustle

Is that better?

Now it's too simplistic.    He's a developing ball handler and passer.

...with All-NBA potential.

[RockinRyA]

The point with Smart is he's already had so many opportunity's to score more baskets with the minutes and different positions he plays.

 Soon we may have to accept what he is if he doesn't get better. An Elite defending combo guard that comes off the bench and provides toughness.

 Rozier has many gifts that Smart does not, it makes sense to see if he can play the point, he can be much better than Smart on offense.

 I think Danny quickly realized Smart's weakness's in the NBA and didn't hesitate to take his personal Binkie Rozier.

 Smart is no where near as explosive, nor does he possess the first step, the ability to blow by you, and Rozier already has better handles.

 Free Terry Rozier

Agreed on pretty much all of the above.

I could see Smart + Rozier possibly becoming a nice duo 3-5 years from now, with Rozier at the PG spot and Smart at SG.  This is assuming Smart can improve his outside shooting to passable levels - if Crowder can be a 35% shooter then I'm willing to put faith in Smart.

If Smart ever develops an outside shot, then a starting five  including Rozier, Smart, Crowder and Mickey could be very interesting defensively a few years from now.

Hell even a ultra-small ball lineup of Thomas, Rozier, Smart, Crowder and Mickey could potential be interesting a few years from now.   Thomas + Rozier could develop into a seriously devastating offensive due.

yeah I think so too. If smart gets to around 35% 3 pt shooter with a better shot selection (which isnt farfetched since he shot 33% last year) he'd be able to fit right beside rozier. Smart's ability to not be a liability in switches is important. True he might not be able to guard 3s and 4s throughout the whole game but in switches here and there you wont cringe when he finds himself guarding them.

[tankcity!]

Smart has all-NBA potential.

Reality = combo/energy 3rd guard that has terrible shot selection producing 36% FG shooting

An exaggeration.

Do you have any facts or stats to backup your love for Smart?

[Evantime34]

I love how someone saying Rozier is good, lead to a referendum on Marcus' Smart's shooting.