Yet another dissapointment in Marcus Smart thread (Bob Ryan comments)

[jpotter33]

look at the way CBS is using him

Smart is a PG and has always been used to handling the ball. He performs better as a ball handler

You expect him to be a spot up shooter and you will get an inconsistent performer

I would like to see Turner not brought back and Smart given a chance to run the show with complete confidence

Or a Smart/Rozier backcourt that will share the ball handling duties (both can also play SG at times)

TP. This is the smartest thing you've ever said on CB, Triboy!

Seriously though, when you watch Smart as the ball-handler versus him playing off of the ball, it's clear that he just doesn't really know how to play as the off-guard. He forces way fewer threes when he's the ball-handler, because he has options for his offense, e.g. drive and kick, take to the hoop, etc. Further, he looks really, really good as the main ball-handler, too, and he consistently makes good passes, hardly commits turnovers, and just makes the overall right play when he's in control of the ball-handling. I think most of his offensive struggles stem from this very fact that they're trying to play him as a 3-and-D type swingman when that's not who he is.

I'm guessing that most of this will be resolved next year when Turner makes himself too expensive to stay in Boston.

[PhoSita]

It's a lot for him to be learning how to play two NBA positions at such a young age.  I think it will end up being the right move long term, though.  It seems to me that Danny and Brad feel the same way.  That's why they have him doing it.

I understand what you're saying and I think to a large extent you're right, that's what they're trying to do.

Like I said above, though, Smart needs to increase expand his offensive game if he's going to become a significant part of the offense, which he'll need to do if he wants a large role long term.  I don't think we can expect him to suddenly turn into a 40% shooter.  His most plausible path to offensive respectability is getting inside and finishing, not taking at least half of his attempts from beyond the arc.  He needs to have the ball in his hands more to do that.  That's not gonna happen if he continues to spend all of his time playing beside Thomas or Turner.

His most plausible path to offensive respectability is to develop a repeatable delivery of his jump shot and stop playing way over his head. Well, and magically acquire a quicker first step.

I'm not optimistic.

If he keeps attempting over half his shots from deep, he'll need to realize a major improvement as a shooter, which doesn't seem likely.


If he can make the ratio more like 2/3 attempts within 10 feet and 1/3 attempts from outside, then simply getting to 33%-35% from deep, along with 4+ free throws a game and decent finishing in the paint, would make him a respectable offensive player.

That seems more likely to me than Smart turning into a consistent 38-40% three point shooter.

[kozlodoev]

If he can make the ratio more like 2/3 attempts within 10 feet and 1/3 attempts from outside, then simply getting to 33%-35% from deep, along with 4+ free throws a game and decent finishing in the paint, would make him a respectable offensive player.

Yeah, but he doesn't have decent finishing, and there's precious little indication that forcing shots inside will get him anywhere with his current approach. He just needs to get better.

[Jon]

look at the way CBS is using him

Smart is a PG and has always been used to handling the ball. He performs better as a ball handler

You expect him to be a spot up shooter and you will get an inconsistent performer

I would like to see Turner not brought back and Smart given a chance to run the show with complete confidence

Or a Smart/Rozier backcourt that will share the ball handling duties (both can also play SG at times)

TP. This is the smartest thing you've ever said on CB, Triboy!

Seriously though, when you watch Smart as the ball-handler versus him playing off of the ball, it's clear that he just doesn't really know how to play as the off-guard. He forces way fewer threes when he's the ball-handler, because he has options for his offense, e.g. drive and kick, take to the hoop, etc. Further, he looks really, really good as the main ball-handler, too, and he consistently makes good passes, hardly commits turnovers, and just makes the overall right play when he's in control of the ball-handling. I think most of his offensive struggles stem from this very fact that they're trying to play him as a 3-and-D type swingman when that's not who he is.

I'm guessing that most of this will be resolved next year when Turner makes himself too expensive to stay in Boston.

Yep.  And this stuff makes a huge difference.  Just look how much Turner struggled before Stevens put the ball back in his hands.  Or how much Pippen struggled in Houston or Payton struggled in LA at the end of their respective careers, where they were basically relegated to spot up shooters. 

[footey]

If Smart continues to decline in his shooting, he will go down as a bad pick at 6.  I love his defensive intensity, but really think he is going to be a quite limited player offensively. Shows no ability to blow by guys to the hole either.

[kozlodoev]

Yep.  And this stuff makes a huge difference.  Just look how much Turner struggled before Stevens put the ball back in his hands.  Or how much Pippen struggled in Houston or Payton struggled in LA at the end of their respective careers, where they were basically relegated to spot up shooters.

Brad S took the ball out of Turner's hands? I must have blinked.

[Evantime34]

look at the way CBS is using him

Smart is a PG and has always been used to handling the ball. He performs better as a ball handler

You expect him to be a spot up shooter and you will get an inconsistent performer

I would like to see Turner not brought back and Smart given a chance to run the show with complete confidence

Or a Smart/Rozier backcourt that will share the ball handling duties (both can also play SG at times)

TP. This is the smartest thing you've ever said on CB, Triboy!

Seriously though, when you watch Smart as the ball-handler versus him playing off of the ball, it's clear that he just doesn't really know how to play as the off-guard. He forces way fewer threes when he's the ball-handler, because he has options for his offense, e.g. drive and kick, take to the hoop, etc. Further, he looks really, really good as the main ball-handler, too, and he consistently makes good passes, hardly commits turnovers, and just makes the overall right play when he's in control of the ball-handling. I think most of his offensive struggles stem from this very fact that they're trying to play him as a 3-and-D type swingman when that's not who he is.

I'm guessing that most of this will be resolved next year when Turner makes himself too expensive to stay in Boston.

I agree that he looks a ton better offensively when he has the ball in his hands a lot. THe way he has played the pick and roll this year has been a huge improvement from what he did last year.

My only issue with him when he runs the point is that he doesn't push the pace. I believe this is because he's trying to get comfortable running the offense. Once you see him push the ball up the court consistently I think that will be a sign that he is ready to be the primary 2nd unit ball handler.

Smart's biggest problem in transitioning from college to the pros is his inability to get to the free throw line. In college he shot some poor percentages but he made up for it by taking a ton of free throws that upped his efficiency.

[CFAN38]

I am not giving up hope on Smart but like Ryan I find myself reevaluating my stance on Smart. Early this season and last off-season I was in the mind frame that long term Smart was the long term answer starting at either the 1 or the 2 and that the lack of height between Smart, AB and IT would mean that one would have to be traded in order to add size to the 3 guard rotation. I took the drafting of Rozier as a signal that DA may have also been on that path.

Now I have started to question if the relationship between IT and AB,  the rise of Crowder (who plays a similar style to Smart), and the promise that Rozier has shown may push Smart out the door. My gut feeling is that the Cs would be much more willing to move Smart now then they would IT or AB.   

[rollie mass]

let me ask all of you , what would happen if you tasked anothe 6-4 guard to take on,westbrook,durant, george,derozan and lowry-i would expect smart had to be positive and physical and even tricky-all those years of experience,height and athleticism and crowders points have to be made up
 jerebko is out, kelly is out-you would assume smart had to dig deep into tyson mode and then the losses piling up
smart and isaiah were perculating ready to blow and playing their buts off-smart can't smile and say f off like isaiah
 smart has to play defence with menace and any sort off intimidation-he is a 22 year old almost rookie-tasked with guarding the best-has there ever been a rookie that had to have guarded in 3/4 straight games and a back to back that talent-how do you expect smart not to make errors of aggression,how do you expect him not to take a open shot- he has to switch from insane defence,rebounding and boxing out to bringing the ball up and everything that goes with offence,-i hope you disappointed fans hear what i'm trying to say and it is not too cryptic-

[Moranis]

you mean the guy that had a lot of immaturity issues in college is immature in the pros.  Stop the presses, this is the story of the century.

[showtime]

Marcus is as good as he's ever going to get. We should have taken Randle!!

[86MaxwellSmart]

Danny needs to STOP drafting guards--it's really insane when you look at all the quality big men he has passed up since he took over---get Somebody in who knows how to evaluate talent---let Danny make trades....He's known as Trader Danny--and not Drafter Danny for a reason.

[gamehead36]

Everybody is forgetting he shot 33% from 3 last year. He's had some struggles from 3, including being streaky and becoming injured, but I'm positive he'll be a 35% 3 point shooter in the near future. He almost did it last year!

We complain about his shot selection, but I think it is obvious Brad Stevens is directing him to shoot the ball in the manner that he is. Similarly to how he did with Sully. Shooting these "bad" shots is part of playing with pace. If we get many more shots up than the other team, then we can suffer a dip in percentages. This is part of the ideology in playing with pace.

If his current numbers continue throughout next year, Stevens will likely direct him to be more selective. Either way, I'm confident he'll turn into a 35% 3 point shooter.

Relax everybody.

On a semi-related note, ET has removed a lot, if not all, of the hitch from his 3. If he can shoot at a reasonable percentage, then that opens the door for Smart to handle the ball more, particularly in the pick and role, where Smart has already shown his proficiency. Then we would be able to see Smart flourish.

Trust in PBS!

[KG Living Legend]

Smart's return to poor shooting is definitely disappointing, but only in the sense of having to wait longer to see him become a consistent good shooter. No one should be permanently declaring him a bad shooter. His stretch of great shooting this season was not a random fluke. It was a clear demonstration of potential. He's still figuring things out. He'll get it soon enough.

I agree.  My agreement is not really based on statistical evidence, but rather on eye ball evidence.  The kid can shoot; I can tell by looking at his stroke. 

He hasn't found a rhythm as a shooter in the NBA yet, but I'm confident that he will . . . or maybe I'm just kidding myself?

We'll see.

 The kid can shoot? You can tell by looking at his shot? Wait, What?

 I remember this one time in band camp where I thought his shot looked good, then I woke up. His form is not good at all.

[Ilikesports17]

Danny needs to STOP drafting guards--it's really insane when you look at all the quality big men he has passed up since he took over---get Somebody in who knows how to evaluate talent---let Danny make trades....He's known as Trader Danny--and not Drafter Danny for a reason.

I think/hope Brad has a big role in making the picks.

That being said, both Kelly and Sully have been nice picks for big men. Going way back Big Baby Davis and Big Al were both good picks as well. Hes missed a bunch (Jajuan Johnson, Fab Melo) but I think hes been alright at evaluating bigs.