The reaction on this board, you'd think an all star was coming back. I mean it's crazy to say he's a role player right? Well look below.
Per 36 Min last year, he averaged 12 points a game, shot 25% from three, 35% from the field, 4 assists, and 5 boards.
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/smartma01.html#per_minute::none
Smart didn't even make the list for defensive rating here last year.
http://www.foxsports.com/nba/stats?season=2014&category=ADVANCED&group=1&sort=5&time=0&pos=0&team=0&qual=1&sortOrder=0&opp=0
He was 93 in Defensive Win Shares last year
http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2015_advanced.html
He was 169 in win shares
http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2015_advanced.html
Just facts I thought I would share since we've clearly been missing Smart, lol. We're 2-1, Chicago got hot or we should be 3-0. But hey, Some people are saying he's going to be an all star, so let's see what he has. He shouldn't post these stats again if he is going to be the difference maker everyone claims he is.
do you not think he's one of our best defenders?
One of the best defenders, yes - on a team that is stacked with good defenders and desperately lacks/needs scoring and rebounding.
I would say that Smart is a top 5 defender on this team - along with Bradley, Crowder, Horford and Amir.
I definitely rank Smart below Bradley and Crowder, so that puts him (IMHO) between the 3rd and 5th best on the team.
The problem is that all the other guys I just mentioned are good at more then just defense. Bradley can score and defend. Crowder can score and defend. Amir can rebound and defend. Horford can score and defend and is a top 5 passing big in the NBA.
For Smart however, defense is the only thing he does at an above average level. His next best talent is playmaking, where calling him 'average' would be generous.
People were bagging the hell out of Rozier for his mediocre stats so far. Smart's stats today?
7 points
5 rebounds
5 assists
1 steal
1 block
6 turnovers
2-8 (25%) FG
1-6 (16.7%) 3PT
2-4 (50%) FT
33 minutes
Rozier's stats so far:
6.25 points
3.0 rebounds
2.3 assists
1.0 steals
0 blocks
0.75 turnovers
45% FG
40% 3PT
50% FT
21.0 minutes
So, why are we bagging on Rozier's apparently poor stats again?
Oh, right - Smart's stats today aren't allowed to be judged because he's been injured, right? I've heard this one so many times that I'm sure it's going to be the next point raised.
whoa whoa whoa.
I must have missed people baggin on Rozier's stats.
People said Rozier's play has been dissapointing and that we miss Marcus Smart.
I dont see any problem with that Marcus Smart today made several big time plays including several big defensive plays he wasnt credited with steals for.
He drew a couple offensive fouls and ended up icing the game with a clutch bucket.
Marcus Smart is a massive x-factor. You dont judge his stats because what he brings to the team is so obviously greater than his stats.
Smart was +5 Rozier was -2.
I like them both. I have always liked Terry but if you play fantasy basketball you arent gonna be a big Marcus Smart guy. If you like winning basketball you are gonna like him a lot.
He clearly has a big impact on the team. a player, I think Jaylen Brown said this week that they felt Chicago bullied them but no one bullies Marcus Smart. I think that could well be true.
I believe hes a better defender than Crowder but even if hes not. AB was voted the best defensive gaurd in the NBA last year and Crowder was 1 vote away from being 2nd team all defense.
If Marcus is 3rd on the team hes can still be spectacular