Why I don't like M Smart any more for the foreseeable future.

[manl_lui]

It's less maddening as the days pass. I've made this argument a million times and no one can counter it effectively:

*His hustle and tenacity are fantastic. His defense is very, very good (with exception of occasional mental lapses).

*He tends to either a) really rise in big moments, b) make very boneheaded plays in big moments. Hopefully he shifts more towards the former as he matures as a person.

*His offensive game is horrific. I tend to think he has poor hands (quick, but lacks touch) - explains shooting, sub-par handle, lack of finesse around the basket.

    *Relatedly, despite what folks here believe, his jumpshot is broken. Form is inconsistent, way too much movement some of the time.

*He hasn't changed at all since college -- watch highlights. Same approach to the game, similar skillset. Meaning he either: a) Isn't working hard enough to improve offensively, or b) Relied heavily on his physical attributes in college which are no longer advantageous (offensively) in the NBA.

If we were to move him, it'd be much better to do so sooner than later. His stock is going to continue to drop. I called for it about 1/3 of the way into the season. I doubt it happens, though, so hopefully he improves.

I don't agree with moving Smart as I think he does a lot more on the court than the box score suggests, but that statement is true. Sometimes teams get enamored with young players and by the time they are ready to move on, so are the rest of the GMs around the league.

Rumor had it from one GM that James Young was worth a top 10 pick in last year's draft. While there was probably some hyperbole with this statement, the fact that the words 'first round pick' were ever associated with young make it a bummer we didn't just trade him to the highest bidder - even if it was for a SA or GS first.

I agree, You don't move Smart because of his offensive woes. Besides game 2, Smart has been one of our best players in this series. His defense impacts us winning and that is VERY hard to find. He's only 22, young and improving. There is no reason to trade him just because of his draft stock. He is part of our core for the future. One reason why his 3 point sucks and he continues to shoot them is also because of the our system. Spread the floor to allow IT to drive, that's one. His primary task in every game is his defense.

[Evantime34]

It's less maddening as the days pass. I've made this argument a million times and no one has effectively countered (imo):

*His hustle and tenacity are fantastic. His defense is very, very good (with exception of occasional mental lapses).

*He tends to either a) really rise in big moments, b) make very boneheaded plays in big moments. Hopefully he shifts more towards the former as he matures as a person.

*His offensive game is horrific. I tend to think he has poor hands (quick, but lacks touch) - explains shooting, sub-par handle, lack of finesse around the basket.

    *Relatedly, despite what folks here believe, his jumpshot is broken. Form is inconsistent, way too much movement some of the time.

*He hasn't changed at all since college -- watch highlights. Same approach to the game, similar skillset. Meaning he either: a) Isn't working hard enough to improve offensively, or b) Relied heavily on his physical attributes in college which are no longer advantageous (offensively) in the NBA.

If we were to move him, it'd be much better to do so sooner than later. His stock is going to continue to drop. I called for it about 1/3 of the way into the season. I doubt it happens, though, so hopefully he improves.

He has improved offensively since he came into the league. He is absolutely miles ahead of where he was when he came into the league in terms of running the pick and roll. He also has improved his feet on his shots. His ball handling has improved as well. He has improved as a player even if you didn't notice the ways in which he did.