Celtics (7-6) at Timberwolves (4-8) Game #14 11/21/16

[trickybilly]

I think an issue with Smart's shooting % is for whatever reason the team seems to always dump it to Smart when they run out of options late in the clock and he has to take some wild ass shot

Except facts say this is not even remotely accurate.

This year's Marcus Smart has been shooting the worst within the first 10 seconds of the clock -- and coincidentally this is when he's been taking most of his shots.

http://www.82games.com/1617/16BOS4.HTM

Last year's Marcus Smart has been shooting the worst in the middle of the shot clock (11-20 sec), and has been above (his own) average early and late in the clock.

http://www.82games.com/1516/15BOS3.HTM

It's worth noting that in both cases Smart has taken fewer than 10% of his shots after the 20th second of the shot clock. That's not what the issue with his "shooting percentage" is.

There's still no debating the fact that he chucks 3s a lot, often randomly too. His shot selection is a big reason why his percentages are so low.

Contested ones have got to leave his repertoire for now. Needs to play like Evan Turner, dribble penetrate, stop/body up, floaters.

Yep. He doesn't have that burst of speed that a guy like Isaiah or Jaylen has, so it's not always as easy for him to take it to the rim. Evan wasn't particularly fast either, he was just very crafty and knew his spots. Marcus has to find his spots.

And while he's partly responsible for that, it's also up to Brad to put him in positions where he can succeed. That's exactly what he did with Turner, and now he's a very rich man. But now look at Evan in Portland. He's not playing in a position where he can succeed. I think he's actually last in the entire NBA in +/- and RPM, according to something I read on Twitter a few days ago.

Point is, Brad and Marcus have to both work to figure out where and how Marcus can be successful on the offensive side of the ball. That starts with actually playing him as the main ball handler for the second unit (have Terry catch and shoot off the ball), and then shooting less 3s and finding better shots for Smart.

Terry is 14 for 31 on the year from 3. I'd like to really shake that tree before the deadline...

[Surferdad]

I want to see a bounce-back game from Marcus.  He's back to shooting embarrassingly terrible shooting percentages.  37% FG, 31% three, 47% FT.  He's 320th in the league in true shooting percentage.  Ugh. 

In addition to Towns, it will be nice to get a look at LaVine and Wiggins... two of the 13 players from the 2014 draft that are currently outperforming Smart.

I'm surprised the Wolves are only 4-8.  I think they are much better than that record reflects and they should go on a run at some point this season.  Hopefully it doesn't start against us.

Regarding Smart, I am surprised to see those numbers.  The eye-ball test tells me he is shooting better this year, especially from outside.  Maybe the last couple games have pulled him down?

OTOH, I am NOT surprised the Wolves are 4-8.  It is a very young team and Thibs demands constant effort on the defensive end.

Exactly. It's been the last 2 games I think. Still a small sample though.

The Dallas and Detroit games have been bringing him down.  He did okay in the GSW game (2-4 on 3s, although the 2-6 on 2s is bad)

As for his FTs, he's shot 2-4 twice, 1-2 twice, and 2-5 once, with 5 games that he shot no FTs in.  It's still way too early to tell anything about his FT shooting

I wish he would shoot less 3s and drive instead. Love Marcus, but he thinks he's Steph sometimes lol

He is far from alone on that point.  The way this league is going, you need a 3-pt shot, especially if you are a guard to forward.  For centers it's less important but plenty of big men are adding the 3-pointer to their arsenal as well.

My theory is that Marcus knew this (with or without coaching staff encouragement) in his rookie year and put up a lot of 3-pointers in order to try to establish himself.  However, he is just not a good enough shooter to master it.

[tankcity!]

I want to see a bounce-back game from Marcus.  He's back to shooting embarrassingly terrible shooting percentages.  37% FG, 31% three, 47% FT.  He's 320th in the league in true shooting percentage.  Ugh. 

In addition to Towns, it will be nice to get a look at LaVine and Wiggins... two of the 13 players from the 2014 draft that are currently outperforming Smart.

I'm surprised the Wolves are only 4-8.  I think they are much better than that record reflects and they should go on a run at some point this season.  Hopefully it doesn't start against us.

Thanks for the post Larry. I'm depressed about Smart as well. Let's hope he bounces back.

[tankcity!]

I want to see a bounce-back game from Marcus.  He's back to shooting embarrassingly terrible shooting percentages.  37% FG, 31% three, 47% FT.  He's 320th in the league in true shooting percentage.  Ugh. 

In addition to Towns, it will be nice to get a look at LaVine and Wiggins... two of the 13 players from the 2014 draft that are currently outperforming Smart.

I'm surprised the Wolves are only 4-8.  I think they are much better than that record reflects and they should go on a run at some point this season.  Hopefully it doesn't start against us.

Smart is the only one on the 2014 draft that gives you that last play vs the Pistons.

Yeah, but there are more possessions where he just jacks up a three and it clanks off the rim.

[tankcity!]

I think an issue with Smart's shooting % is for whatever reason the team seems to always dump it to Smart when they run out of options late in the clock and he has to take some wild ass shot

Except facts say this is not even remotely accurate.

This year's Marcus Smart has been shooting the worst within the first 10 seconds of the clock -- and coincidentally this is when he's been taking most of his shots.

http://www.82games.com/1617/16BOS4.HTM

Last year's Marcus Smart has been shooting the worst in the middle of the shot clock (11-20 sec), and has been above (his own) average early and late in the clock.

http://www.82games.com/1516/15BOS3.HTM

It's worth noting that in both cases Smart has taken fewer than 10% of his shots after the 20th second of the shot clock. That's not what the issue with his "shooting percentage" is.

TP

[Vermont Green]

I want to see a bounce-back game from Marcus.  He's back to shooting embarrassingly terrible shooting percentages.  37% FG, 31% three, 47% FT.  He's 320th in the league in true shooting percentage.  Ugh. 

In addition to Towns, it will be nice to get a look at LaVine and Wiggins... two of the 13 players from the 2014 draft that are currently outperforming Smart.

I'm surprised the Wolves are only 4-8.  I think they are much better than that record reflects and they should go on a run at some point this season.  Hopefully it doesn't start against us.

Smart is the only one on the 2014 draft that gives you that last play vs the Pistons.

Yeah, but there are more possessions where he just jacks up a three and it clanks off the rim.

I am with apc.  I am not giving up on Marcus.  Coach Stevens trusts him to be on the court at any of three positions at any key point in the game.  That says a lot for a guy shooting 38% or whatever it is.  Versatility does not show up in the Box Score so seems to be overlooked (think how valuable Brook Holt is for the Red Sox).  Shooting is the first thing that is looked at so it is over-weighted.  That is not to say shooting efficiency is not important, it is of course and Marcus needs to improve.  If he ever does, he will dominate.  If he never does, I still like him on my team.

[chilidawg]

I want to see a bounce-back game from Marcus.  He's back to shooting embarrassingly terrible shooting percentages.  37% FG, 31% three, 47% FT.  He's 320th in the league in true shooting percentage.  Ugh. 

In addition to Towns, it will be nice to get a look at LaVine and Wiggins... two of the 13 players from the 2014 draft that are currently outperforming Smart.

I'm surprised the Wolves are only 4-8.  I think they are much better than that record reflects and they should go on a run at some point this season.  Hopefully it doesn't start against us.

Regarding Smart, I am surprised to see those numbers.  The eye-ball test tells me he is shooting better this year, especially from outside.  Maybe the last couple games have pulled him down?

OTOH, I am NOT surprised the Wolves are 4-8.  It is a very young team and Thibs demands constant effort on the defensive end.

Exactly. It's been the last 2 games I think. Still a small sample though.

The Dallas and Detroit games have been bringing him down.  He did okay in the GSW game (2-4 on 3s, although the 2-6 on 2s is bad)

As for his FTs, he's shot 2-4 twice, 1-2 twice, and 2-5 once, with 5 games that he shot no FTs in.  It's still way too early to tell anything about his FT shooting

I wish he would shoot less 3s and drive instead. Love Marcus, but he thinks he's Steph sometimes lol

He is far from alone on that point.  The way this league is going, you need a 3-pt shot, especially if you are a guard to forward.  For centers it's less important but plenty of big men are adding the 3-pointer to their arsenal as well.

My theory is that Marcus knew this (with or without coaching staff encouragement) in his rookie year and put up a lot of 3-pointers in order to try to establish himself.  However, he is just not a good enough shooter to master it.

The problem is that Marcus isn't very good at finishing at the rim either.  His one good shooting percentage is from mid range, but he hasn't taken enough of those to make that statistically relevant.

[positivitize]

Lets go C's!

[SHAQATTACK]

Leave Zeller in Boston

[jpotter33]

Back from a 10-day hunting trip, so no more missed C's games for me!

Hope for another big game from Horford!

[celticslove]

Let's  go Cs!

[alewilliam789]

Oh my Towns coming at us with a vengance

[SHAQATTACK]

Great start

Let a reader e destroy the Celtics by himself

[liam]

Bad start....

[Vox_Populi]

great start