The only thing [Smart and D.J.] have in common is their height, and maybe size.
They are similar in having reputations as bad shooters. DJ was clutch and serviceable for it. That is Smart's immediate goal, to hide himself on offense by at least becoming satisfactory at it while aiding the offense in other ways.
Yes, but [Jerebko] had an awful first half, so when he upped it it looked more dramatic. Nevertheless, he's an outstanding 10th man on a minuscule contract. Was at his best in the playoffs, gives you leadership, great team defender, everything outside the box score, coach on the floor...
I would argue that [the rebuild] was over a year ago.
I had given up on Jerebko, then all of a sudden he was good. I agree he isn't great. I also gave up on Turner until the second half. Sullinger was the opposite.
Unless Danny guts the team like he did to get KG, it seems the general players or types of players and team philosophy are in place. Year one was an audition almost. As soon as we got Isaiah, it was definitely over. We had become a real playoff team and threat. The basic foundation had been built.
Excluding 162min and 67 shots taken in his rookie yr. AB has never been a bad shooter. Ainge has said this too. Look at his shot charts each year. AB has always had a jumpshot.
Yes, Avery had more shooting skills coming into the league. He was afflicted with deer in the headlights and then broke out, you're correct. His shooting stats fell, however, in his third year and he really took a step last year finishing off layups. That was a big problem with him, choking at the rim.
Avery has taken two steps on offense. First he got rid of the deer lights and became a chucker, albeit you're correct, his stats look good. Last year I think he took a step into the near automatic category of shooter. He doesn't put up Curry numbers, but he's close enough. Bradley put up outstanding numbers last year for shooting. He could take another step as he enters his prime. He is our Ray Allen and can play defense. Ray could dribble a bit better. But when Avery shoots, there is never any fear for him or the viewer. That is a big step. Even though I liked Bradley when Stevens first made him a chucker, I wanted that experiment to perhaps wind down. Now I want more Bradley. If he can handle it, let him shoot it 20 or 30 times like Kobe every once in a while.
I think Avery has improved with dribbling. His worst attribute remains passing. He needs to take a step there and stop telegraphing his passes.
Danny will have a tough decision to make someday if he decides Smart and Bradley are redundant. Same with Brown and Crowder. But that's no problem for this year. Same thing if by chance Rozier turns into a star point guard. That's the kind of problem we want.
The bottom line is winning and it's going to take variety and teamwork whether Smart wreaks havoc on defense or Avery is draining some threes like we have come to expect will drop in for wins.
Topic: marcus and the next step-it might include defense (Read 7941 times)