Marcus Smart's historical shooting ranking

[TheTruth]

Roy,

good point about the Efg percentage compared to guys from a long time ago. That was a major point of discussion on the show. They were amazed that Smart still ranked at the bottom when put next to guys from that era. It was pretty common for guys to be poor shooters back then.

[JBcat]

I'm torn on Marcus.  I think overall he impacts the game in a positive way because of his defense.  I'm unsure though how much he can get better.  He doesn't have the explosive first step, or great lift to finish around the hoop.  Those aren't things you suddenly learn.  He may improve a little in those areas with hard work but probably not much.  Funny, cause I thought he would be better with that coming into the league.

I think he is a fine dribbler, but just has trouble getting around some players.  Maybe because of this he'll be better at SG long term, and Rozier more of the PG.   His shooting form is not the best, but every now and then he gives me hope like that away game against OKC.  He is still young enough at 22 so maybe he'll surprise us at some point.  Who knows.

I wouldn't be surprised though if Ainge sells relatively high on him this offseason.

[TheTruth]

JBCat,

I'm not sure I would say he's the best dribbler but he does know how to take care of the ball.

There are times when the other team presses high, above the three point line and I always notice that it bothers Marcus. He doesn't like the high pressure cause he's out there alone and his handle starts looking vulnerable.

[TheTruth]

Homer,

Good point about his handle causing problems at the rim. You might be right. He's not able to gather himself or maneuver to clean angles. He's more of a here he comes, straight line attacker. It's too easy for the defensive bigs to line up to defend him.

[makaveli]

let me start of by saying i absolutely love Marcus

1. his form sucks
2. his has 0 driving to the basket skills, losses all of his speed, size, strength and leaping ability because he tries to find contact way too soon. he needs to work on getting another step/dribble before picking up the ball, just watch isaiah(i cant remember someone that good going to the hoop, he gets 4-5 wide open layups every game)
3. even when he makes a shot or two, tends to go for a heat check, a bad one i might add.

imo he should work on elbow jumpshots, drive and kick game, floaters and spot up 3's, combine that with great defense and you got yourself one of the best two way players at his position! how cool would that be, and it is not that far away at all...

[TheTruth]

Makaveli,

You made the best point I have heard so far about Smart incorrectly looking for the contact on his drives.

He doesn't have the hang time or the length to be absorbing that much contact and still getting his shot off. Too many times he's looking to knock someone off balance or trying to go through players but he just doesn't have the physical ability to play this style.

He would be better off trying to get clean angles to the rim but maybe he's just not shifty enough. Kind of comes full circle. His only option is to maybe bull his way to the hoop. There's just not much skill on display when he goes to the rim.

[hwangjini_1]

Makaveli,

You made the best point I have heard so far about Smart incorrectly looking for the contact on his drives.

He doesn't have the hang time or the length to be absorbing that much contact and still getting his shot off. Too many times he's looking to knock someone off balance or trying to go through players but he just doesn't have the physical ability to play this style.

He would be better off trying to get clean angles to the rim but maybe he's just not shifty enough. Kind of comes full circle. His only option is to maybe bull his way to the hoop. There's just not much skill on display when he goes to the rim.

good points. if what you are saying is accurate, then with LOTS of practice and coaching he should be able to improve his shot. i think in college he just bulled his way to the basket. in the nba, not so easy for him.

he seems very coachable, so maybe CBS et al can get him to take better shots and use better form.

[celts55]

I'm torn on Marcus.  I think overall he impacts the game in a positive way because of his defense.  I'm unsure though how much he can get better.  He doesn't have the explosive first step, or great lift to finish around the hoop.  Those aren't things you suddenly learn.  He may improve a little in those areas with hard work but probably not much.  Funny, cause I thought he would be better with that coming into the league.

I think he is a fine dribbler, but just has trouble getting around some players.  Maybe because of this he'll be better at SG long term, and Rozier more of the PG.   His shooting form is not the best, but every now and then he gives me hope like that away game against OKC.  He is still young enough at 22 so maybe he'll surprise us at some point.  Who knows.

I wouldn't be surprised though if Ainge sells relatively high on him this offseason.

I don't see his value as being relatively high right now. As a matter of fact, I would think it's pretty low. I can imagine other teams around the league haven't notices he can"t score the ball.
 

[Alleyoopster]

marcus has tried floaters ,pullups all wide open-nice moves, timed  right-nothing goes the one layup almost popped out
tommy thinks he is taking off like in college and needs to take another step
smart is giving bigs too much time to react
marcus is getting taught a lesson by refs,not getting any calls
maybe its sophomore jinx BUT
i believe it is a result of crowder going down and that stretch of losses  and having to go toe to to with george ,durant,westbrook and derozan
he had to play aggressive,frustrating defence and he shouldered too much, without jerebko and kelly and the stress and emotions and losing forced him to make bad decisions-he just turned 22
lets see how he works out of this and reacts to crowder coming back-
its a long season, things have not been going well  AND HE IS JUST 22
the press has flogged this kid -quick change since that run of wins and spectcular comebacks
too much pressure and  trying to play against THE SUPERSTARS without help caused marcus to make unwise decisions AND HE IS JUST 22
dave cowens quit once and drove a cab
the media lynchmob are stirring the pot and throwing fuel on the fire and playing on fans emotions-THATS WHAT THEY ARE PAID TO DO
danny and brad can handle this and a call to silver and league front office might be in order-don't allow the refs to rob us of his defensive genius the refs are clearly letting him get hammered on offence
an easy game against suns might do the trick
 rob ryan you will drive to la guardia for cousins but call marcus a jerk because he had him pegged wrong- just a rookie who stood toe to toe with demarcus over his aggressive getting over the top of his screens
the 6-4  kid tasked to stop 7-3 porzingis AND HE DID
the same kid, who helped with his aggressive defence win three comeback victories and stole the ball on a missed free throw,who gets hipped everytime he fights over a screen or has elbows whistling under his chin by a very powerfull westbrook
or george posting him up using his height advatage,durant the same -the kid has one year in nba-what the F do you guys want a choirboy- to be bludgeoned in press for bad decisions made in heat, of lets call it battle-
 perkins was sent out to blindside crowder, what is a flop compared to what happens in playoffs,hard fouls on layups -hooking ,grabbing shirts,moving screens and hip checks
-byombo decked isaiah  that looked flagrant to me
-westbrook threw that elbow,thank GOD it didn't connect
drawing offensive fouls you are taught to be going backward just as hit -its all timing-smart embellishes the pulls tugs and grabs but they are happening and hinder his defence -
bob ryan is throwing marcus under the bus but will chauffer cousins to boston from la Guardia
the press has no values- just anything for the sake of a story

TP "what the F do you guys want a choirboy- to be bludgeoned in press for bad decisions made in heat, of lets call it battle-" 

Pass out the lattes and start texting...now that's basketball!  : )

[Chris22]

Better shot selection, please.

[Boris Badenov]

I hope for him to develop an Andre Miller-type game. Floaters and post-ups and a solid 15-footer.

I don't see too many other options given his long-range struggles and inability to free himself going to the hoop.

[Rosco917]

If Smart can't improve his shooting what is his value? For all his energy and prowess on defence, can he be the player the Celtics need him to be in a contending team? I like his attitude so much in past posts I have been more pro Smart and concentrated on what he has done to help this present squad.

If I am to look at a contending team, as is hopefully the case after the draft and off season, Smart starts to look more like a trade chip than a keeper. The squad has the depth to cover for Smart as he is. I do wish though that baskets would drop for him and increase his two way value.

That's a question not many want to visit, "If Smart can't improve his shooting what is his value"
My answer is, he better turn into one heck of a high IQ point guard. Because being a shooting guard will go out the window.

I'm looking at his draft year and seeing players drafted well below him, beginning to show signs of being near all-stars, or top level starters. It's a troubling sign. 

[Dino Pitino]

Here's where the 22-year-old sophomore Smart's shooting ranks historically among all similar players. The worst FG% of all time for players in their first two seasons, up to age 22, and with a minimum 3000 minutes.

http://bkref.com/tiny/Bcdjh

Even better, though, and way more meaningful, is sorting by eFG% instead raw FG%.

http://bkref.com/tiny/2N6PR

/endstupidthread

[PhoSita]

Yeah, it's not good.


Thing is, it's not like Smart is really one of the worst shooters ever.  It's just that very few players who are as bad as he is offensively get the kind of minutes and opportunities he's gotten by virtue of his excellent defense and hustle.

[PhoSita]

Some said he should be nick named "One-for". That has been very true this year. Darnnnnn Marcus step your game up. I like his drives and when he takes his time on his shots.

One-for is seeming more and more like a a nickname that will stick.


I still like Brickmaster.  He lays bricks, and makes other players do the same.