Marcus Smart can't develop properly with IT

[LarBrd33]

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

He still has potential and can certainly improve, but I don't think it's as simple as "he needs more time".  He's not that athletic, doesn't have much speed, doesn't have much of a first step and can't shoot.  Those aren't things that are just easily remedied by time. 

When he first came into the league the knock on him was that he just used his size to bully his way past people.  He wasn't a very efficient scorer on that level either. 

So while he may indeed make a leap (here's hoping), I wouldn't say it's a lock to happen.  This might be what he is.  A solid defensive role player.

[ThePaintedArea]

IT is a nice offensive "weapon" but Smart has the tools to be an even better two way player

Agree. But he'll probably never be the prolific and efficient shot-creator that Thomas is.

I get that Smart needs to step up, make his open shots etc. But what about IT ? He goes 5-15, 7-22. It doesnt matter

Looking at whatever inefficient single shooting games Thomas had obscures the very efficient offensive player he was. And his assist% was 32.7 and his turnover% was 11.9.  How about AAA ft shooter and 6.6 attempts?

Iam a fan of IT dont get me wrong and like him in the lineul. But as a 6th man.

He makes the offense happen. This is about more than his scoring.

So the question is ,is CBS punish/reward system unfair for Smart(limit progression) or has IT really leapfrogged Smart

They play different roles. Thomas is not limiting Smart, he's complementing him.

[walker834]

Marcus shot the 3 too much in college which hurt his percentages.  He was actually a good shooter otherwise.  He's never been a very good 3 point shooter.  He's working on it though and I think he can be serviceable from there.  His per 40 numbers in college were also quite good. He does so many other things.  In college he was more a volume player who had the ball in his hands a lot.  Here so far he's mainly been playing as a roleplayer.

I think playing with IT is fine for him though.  Having a 2 or 3 pronged attack where Marcus can fit into that and play a lot of minutes is the way to maximize him.

He needs opportunities. It took a while for Bradley to have plays worked in for him and for him to really become a part of the offense.

More simply he just needs to hit his shots and I think he will.  He's basically been playing about 26 minutes a game as primarily a free lance bench player his first two years.

He was a 20,8 and 8 guy per 40 minutes in college.  He also was a 50 percent shooter from 2.  He shot the 3 at volume which hurt his percentages.  He also has an nba level body.  I don't think much has changed for him given the opportunity.   If he improves his stroke and shot selection at all that's a plus.

He also averaged 3-4 steals a game in college.  So far in the nba it's been at about 1.5 in limited minutes.  He plays 30 + mpg which he should this year he should be around 15, 5 and 5 with 2+  steals a game.

I'll be very surprised to see him shoot sub 40 percent this year.   Brad will work out  a way where he's a good s hooter. Better than he was in college even I would hope. This is why Brad gets paid the big bucks though.

[walker834]

http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/sports/20160628/marcus-smart-aware-of-shooting-issues

Marcus is aware he's going to break through this year.

[CelticPride2016]

http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/sports/20160628/marcus-smart-aware-of-shooting-issues

Marcus is aware he's going to break through this year.

This was Marcus' response to what he needs to improve on.

My shooting,” he said. “I know it. Everybody knows it.

What I don't understand is how people can complain so much about Smart and others, yet they still watch all the games and post a lot of comments. They don't seem much different from someone who will watch a ten part movie at youtube, then vote it down and complain about it on the part ten page.

He's young. He's been injured. He is one of the best defenders in the NBA. He has the winner gene which has hurt him on offense because finesse guys such as Jerebko and Olynyk shy away from taking shots.

He definitely needs to chill out with shooting threes like Antoine Walker or Sheed. It's good to hear he is aware that his shooting has been bad and needs to improve.

Let's give him a chance.

I agree with the poster earlier who said thankfully someone started this new discussion because it's been four days since the last "let's bash Marcus Smart" thread was still running.

[feckless]

http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/sports/20160628/marcus-smart-aware-of-shooting-issues

Marcus is aware he's going to break through this year.

This was Marcus' response to what he needs to improve on.

My shooting,” he said. “I know it. Everybody knows it.

What I don't understand is how people can complain so much about Smart and others, yet they still watch all the games and post a lot of comments. They don't seem much different from someone who will watch a ten part movie at youtube, then vote it down and complain about it on the part ten page.

He's young. He's been injured. He is one of the best defenders in the NBA. He has the winner gene which has hurt him on offense because finesse guys such as Jerebko and Olynyk shy away from taking shots.

He definitely needs to chill out with shooting threes like Antoine Walker or Sheed. It's good to hear he is aware that his shooting has been bad and needs to improve.

Let's give him a chance.

I agree with the poster earlier who said thankfully someone started this new discussion because it's been four days since the last "let's bash Marcus Smart" thread was still running.

You have got to be joking--Marcus has the "winner gene" unlike Jerebko and Olynyk? Marcus is being held back by "the winner gene"?  You think the "winner gene" causes him to take stupid un-makeable shots, based on what?  I am sure glad our whole team does not have the winner gene we would be in last place.  Insult two valuable hard working team players, both of whom, if am not mistaken, took and made game winning shots last year--for the love of a kid who has proven nothing yet,

I do not get this rose colored glasses view of Marcus's game-- he needs to work, learn, improve, listen --it's not bashing, it's hoping he puts in the work to achieve his potential.

[walker834]

What makes people think Marcus isn't a worker though?  I have heard everything to the contrary that he is one of our hardest workers.

[feckless]

What makes people think Marcus isn't a worker though?  I have heard everything to the contrary that he is one of our hardest workers.

Where --other than here and from Marcus--find me a quote from Brad or Danny?  And as far as I can see no one says he doesn't work they say he needs more work!  Very different.

[RJ87]

What I don't understand is how people can complain so much about Smart and others, yet they still watch all the games and post a lot of comments. They don't seem much different from someone who will watch a ten part movie at youtube, then vote it down and complain about it on the part ten page.

He's young. He's been injured. He is one of the best defenders in the NBA. He has the winner gene which has hurt him on offense because finesse guys such as Jerebko and Olynyk shy away from taking shots.

He definitely needs to chill out with shooting threes like Antoine Walker or Sheed. It's good to hear he is aware that his shooting has been bad and needs to improve.

Let's give him a chance.

I agree with the poster earlier who said thankfully someone started this new discussion because it's been four days since the last "let's bash Marcus Smart" thread was still running.

This thread has been pretty tame compared to some past ones I've seen about other players. I don't think it's wrong for posters to observe flaws and gaps in Smart's game, especially since us watching the game and paying for tickets account for a decent portion of the league's revenue.

Aside from that, I don't think anyone's knocking Marcus. By all accounts, he's a good kid and a hard worker. But if that's all it took to be a star at this level, everyone would be an All-Star.

[walker834]

What makes people think Marcus isn't a worker though?  I have heard everything to the contrary that he is one of our hardest workers.

Where --other than here and from Marcus--find me a quote from Brad or Danny?  And as far as I can see no one says he doesn't work they say he needs more work!  Very different.

Everything I've read and seen from Smart says that he is a hard worker.  I just have a hard time believing between him and Brad that Marcus is not going to do great things this year.  Just google Stevens, Smart and hard work.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/osusportsextra/brad-stevens-praises-marcus-smart-i-see-the-daily-work/article_8d88336d-16be-5d6b-81c2-d91b79b7b62e.html

[Ilikesports17]

http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/sports/20160628/marcus-smart-aware-of-shooting-issues

Marcus is aware he's going to break through this year.

This was Marcus' response to what he needs to improve on.

My shooting,” he said. “I know it. Everybody knows it.

What I don't understand is how people can complain so much about Smart and others, yet they still watch all the games and post a lot of comments. They don't seem much different from someone who will watch a ten part movie at youtube, then vote it down and complain about it on the part ten page.

He's young. He's been injured. He is one of the best defenders in the NBA. He has the winner gene which has hurt him on offense because finesse guys such as Jerebko and Olynyk shy away from taking shots.

He definitely needs to chill out with shooting threes like Antoine Walker or Sheed. It's good to hear he is aware that his shooting has been bad and needs to improve.

Let's give him a chance.

I agree with the poster earlier who said thankfully someone started this new discussion because it's been four days since the last "let's bash Marcus Smart" thread was still running.

You have got to be joking--Marcus has the "winner gene" unlike Jerebko and Olynyk? Marcus is being held back by "the winner gene"?  You think the "winner gene" causes him to take stupid un-makeable shots, based on what?  I am sure glad our whole team does not have the winner gene we would be in last place.  Insult two valuable hard working team players, both of whom, if am not mistaken, took and made game winning shots last year--for the love of a kid he has proven nothing yet,

I do not get this rose colored glasses view of Marcus's game-- he needs to work, learn, improve, listen --it's not bashing, it's hoping he puts in the work to achieve his potential.

Yeah that logic made no sense to me either, but Smart does absolutely have a huge knack for making big plays.

Its a big part of the reason I dont wanna sell him for cheap.

[Chris22]

Smart is not a point guard.

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

I disagree. Smart is a two guard.

Someone who can't catch and shoot very well is not a great SG.

Defense is half the game.
Tony Allen is not a great shooter, but is an effective two guard.

[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

He still has potential and can certainly improve, but I don't think it's as simple as "he needs more time".  He's not that athletic, doesn't have much speed, doesn't have much of a first step and can't shoot.  Those aren't things that are just easily remedied by time. 

When he first came into the league the knock on him was that he just used his size to bully his way past people.  He wasn't a very efficient scorer on that level either. 

So while he may indeed make a leap (here's hoping), I wouldn't say it's a lock to happen.  This might be what he is.  A solid defensive role player.

It isn't a lock to happen, but I think it's more likely than not he improves, even if it isn't to the level that everyone was hoping. Although a lot of people on this board seem to agree, he did show progress from his first to second year in a lot of areas such as playing in the pick and roll, that aren't readily obvious according to stats.

IMO using change of direction and strength to drive to the hoop takes longer to develop than someone who attacks based on pure quickness/speed. Evan Turner seemed to get to the hoop more last year than previously in his career, which gives me hope for Smart developing into a guy that uses his body to create space getting to the hoop.

[feckless]

A knack for big plays and working on defense no question.  But his offense needs work and Isaiah and Evan and Jonas and Kelly and now Terry are not holding him back.  I guess it is his "winner gene".

[Ilikesports17]

A knack for big plays and working on defense no question.  But his offense needs work and Isaiah and Evan and Jonas and Kelly and now Terry are not holding him back.  I guess it is his "winner gene".

yeah, I agree there. I am willing to have a little more patience with Marcus due to that knack of making big plays. I think its a pretty rare thing. However, if he cant develop into a solid offensive player it will be a waste of a special gift.