Marcus Smart can't develop properly with IT

[kozlodoev]

Smart is not a point guard.

That's a problem, because he's not a SG or SF either.

Right? I still don't understand what his natural position is..cornerback? Seriously though, is he just TA 2.0?

He's a combo guard.  A bit 1, a bit 2, even a bit 3 (defensively). He's not traditional at any of those positions. Pigeonholing in into one slot is relatively useless.

His problem is not defensively. I feel like he should be able to have one go-to offensive move that he can execute reliably so that you can give him an offensive position. It can be running the pick and roll or the corner three... but right now there's pretty much nothing there. Tony Allen at least had a first step before he messed up his knee.

[jambr380]

I am hoping he and Rozier share ball handling duties this year rather than just giving Rozier Turner's role. I think it is a bit short-sighted to say that IT has stunted Marcus' growth, but he and Stevens may not have helped him flourish as much as he could have. After all, he was always a PG before coming to the NBA - why assume that he can just slip into a catch and shoot player?

[RJ87]

Smart is not a point guard.

That's a problem, because he's not a SG or SF either.

Right? I still don't understand what his natural position is..cornerback? Seriously though, is he just TA 2.0?

I think if he ends up as TA 2.0, I'd be okay. Even so, TA was a better offensive player. I will still hold some hope that Smart's game could somewhat model Andre Iguodala's, but TA really just might be his high mark.

[Donoghus]

Smart is not a point guard.

That's a problem, because he's not a SG or SF either.

Right? I still don't understand what his natural position is..cornerback? Seriously though, is he just TA 2.0?

He's a combo guard.  A bit 1, a bit 2, even a bit 3 (defensively). He's not traditional at any of those positions. Pigeonholing in into one slot is relatively useless.

His problem is not defensively. I feel like he should be able to have one go-to offensive move that he can execute reliably so that you can give him an offensive position. It can be running the pick and roll or the corner three... but right now there's pretty much nothing there. Tony Allen at least had a first step before he messed up his knee.

Certainly, no problem defensively.  There's plenty of potential for growth with him. Heck, he's only 22.  I'm not worried about that. 

[RJ87]

After all, he was always a PG before coming to the NBA - why assume that he can just slip into a catch and shoot player?

He was an inefficient scorer in college too, but he was able to use his size advantage to get to the rim and the free throw line which helped his TS%. As we've seen, he hasn't been able to do that effectively at this level.

[jbarnies]

Does position really matter this much?

However you want to slice it,
Thomas, Bradley, Crowder, Horford, and Smart are likely to see right around 30 minutes per game. Olynyk, Brown, Johnson, Rozier, and Jerebko will likely divvy up the rest.

In that, you have IT, Rozier, and Smart who are at least capable of bringing the ball up the court. IT and Horford are going to be great in initiating offense in very different ways (plus a lot of two-man game). Hopefully one of Rozier and Smart will be able to be a third ball handler. Position is really reserved for defense in this new position-less NBA. We're going to see a lot of small ball lineups, at least with how this roster is currently constructed.

*And that is mostly because of the versatility Smart provides.

[feckless]

I am hoping he and Rozier share ball handling duties this year rather than just giving Rozier Turner's role. I think it is a bit short-sighted to say that IT has stunted Marcus' growth, but he and Stevens may not have helped him flourish as much as he could have. After all, he was always a PG before coming to the NBA - why assume that he can just slip into a catch and shoot player?

I think the issue of Marcus as a point is more than just repetitions--I think he often fights the game plan or the play called.  When the offense is rolling or struggling Brad did not give Marcus the keys.  It was Evan and when injury required more play makers he went to Rozier.  It is not just opportunity it is what Marcus earns by listening, learning and performing. 

[Csfan1984]

I think he is simply developing slower. He will get better in time. I think some people are way over blowing the numbers. Smart can easily handle the ball as a PG we see it every time he actually gets the opportunity. And of course a players numbers will improve when they control the ball and offense so sure if given more PG duties his % will go up. Even the playoffs when C's had to use IT off the ball Smart handling the ball did well and shooting was better. The assist are never high in BS' system so there isn't a need to focus on that stat. It is all about simply playing the best current player. IT is best current PG. When Smart passes him in overall game impact then Smart will get the call. C's aren't big on development through playing time while the main goal is always wins. Smart will have to prove he is better to get more time at PG over IT.

[GratefulCs]

I think he is simply developing slower. He will get better in time. I think some people are way over blowing the numbers. Smart can easily handle the ball as a PG we see it every time he actually gets the opportunity. And of course a players numbers will improve when they control the ball and offense so sure if given more PG duties his % will go up. Even the playoffs when C's had to use IT off the ball Smart handling the ball did well and shooting was better. The assist are never high in BS' system so there isn't a need to focus on that stat. It is all about simply playing the best current player. IT is best current PG. When Smart passes him in overall game impact then Smart will get the call. C's aren't big on development through playing time while the main goal is always wins. Smart will have to prove he is better to get more time at PG over IT.

TP for the most logical post

[Ed Hollison]

Thank goodness someone created this forum topic. I mean, we haven't had a space to rant about Marcus Smart in almost four days!

[walker834]

I was thinking the same thing except this one is really just running off the rails.  The internet is fun but it's threads like this where people overanalyze everything where I just think the internet is one big pile of poo.

[LarBrd33]

Interestingly, I found some potential proof Smart may be better with the ball in his hands more.

On possessions when he dribbles the ball more than 7 times, or when he has the ball for more than 6 seconds, his shooting percentage jumps up significantly. I'm a firm believer that if you are a threat in one area, you become better in a different area. In other words, if Smart was more of a threat to score, then the defense must help more which leaves others open for him to pass to.

http://stats.nba.com/player/#!/203935/tracking/shots/?p=marcus-smart&Season=2015-16&SeasonType=Regular%20Season

This is admittedly a small sample size, but it may also be an indication that one of Smart's most difficult transitions has been transition from the primary ball-handler at OKST to the off-guard in Boston.

Basketball is a game of rhythm. If you can't get into rhythm, it doesn't matter if you can hit 90/100 3s in an empty gym. You must be in rhythm with where you will receive the ball and in what situations. Smart has not found his rhythm off ball yet, which I think has led him to lack rhythm even when he gets opportunities to have the ball in his hands.

Luckily, I think Brad Stevens best coaching ability is his ability to help players develop rhythm.

In what situations does Smart control the ball that long?  Could it be fast breaks when he's stolen the ball and is dribbling up the court for an open layup?  Could that be impacting that data?

[Evantime34]

I think he is simply developing slower. He will get better in time. I think some people are way over blowing the numbers. Smart can easily handle the ball as a PG we see it every time he actually gets the opportunity. And of course a players numbers will improve when they control the ball and offense so sure if given more PG duties his % will go up. Even the playoffs when C's had to use IT off the ball Smart handling the ball did well and shooting was better. The assist are never high in BS' system so there isn't a need to focus on that stat. It is all about simply playing the best current player. IT is best current PG. When Smart passes him in overall game impact then Smart will get the call. C's aren't big on development through playing time while the main goal is always wins. Smart will have to prove he is better to get more time at PG over IT.

TP for the most logical post

+1

[Ed Hollison]

Why are so many people here obsessed with Marcus Smart's supposed lack of development? I don't get it, but my best explanation is that we haven't had a lottery pick that we've developed all the way into his prime since Paul Pierce, and somehow we've forgotten what it entails. I'm sure this also helps explain why some people on this forum insisted that 19-year-old Jaylen Brown was a "bust" after two summer league games.

Marcus Smart last year was a 21 year-old 2nd-year player who played 27 minutes per game on one of the best teams in the conference. He was arguably the 2nd-best Celtic in the playoffs and nearly won game 4 against the Hawks single-handedly, in part by shutting down the Hawks' star power forward who had gone off for 40+ points to that point and no one else could guard.

What are we so upset about, exactly?

Chauncey Billups was 21 years old (hey, same age as Smart last year!) when the Celtics decided they'd seen enough in the '97-98 season. He was only shooting 37% from the field and 33% from 3, and looked less than polished when running the offense.

Oops!

Watch closely and you'll see, for instance, that Smart made big strides in running the offense last year, especially in the pick and roll. For instance, he learned how to change speeds, use a hesitation dribble, and make the right pass as the primary ball handler, things he struggled with much more in his rookie year.

Smart's shooting percentages have been low, but basically everything else was there for a guy that age. If you want a player who can guard up to four positions, rebounds well, makes the right pass, competes like a mad man, AND shoots the ball well... then you are basically asking for the guard equivalent of Anthony Towns. In that case, yes, you should expect to be disappointed.

[dannyboy35]

I am hoping he and Rozier share ball handling duties this year rather than just giving Rozier Turner's role. I think it is a bit short-sighted to say that IT has stunted Marcus' growth, but he and Stevens may not have helped him flourish as much as he could have. After all, he was always a PG before coming to the NBA - why assume that he can just slip into a catch and shoot player?

I think the issue of Marcus as a point is more than just repetitions--I think he often fights the game plan or the play called.  When the offense is rolling or struggling Brad did not give Marcus the keys.  It was Evan and when injury required more play makers he went to Rozier.  It is not just opportunity it is what Marcus earns by listening, learning and performing.

This is just my OWN opinion mind you but I think it's Bologna that smart should have to earn minutes at point ( instead of being thrown into the fire as backup pg duties) when Sullinger( in my mind) earned Jack squat coming in a balloon and continuing to gain in- season while Kelly sat on the bench.But for ME , that's on the coach.