Why isn't CBS maximizing Smart's talent?

[GRADYCOLNON]

For three years, four seasons, Brad Stevens has called Boston his new home.  The people of Boston have accepted him as a new hero, chiseled from the same rock that brought us Larry, called Indiana.  His mystical power seems to consistently transform diamond-in-the-rough into fan favorites and hopefuls that endear themselves to our blue collar values. From Turner to Thomas, he has given talents the free range on offense to maximize their potential.

So why is it not happening with Marcus Smart?  Stevens clearly isn't pushing the offensive attack that made Smart so devastatingly good at Oklahoma State. Rather it seems he has pushed Smart to launch three after three, to focus on finding the assist, and to focus on defense. With such low percentages, Smart has started to look like an offensive bust. 

Can Brad save Smart's future? Or will it be his biggest failure?

[Csfan1984]

Smart is a team guy who buys into running plays. BS has to love that. We can't have IT, Rozier and Smart all trying to create by forcing things into the paint. I'm glad Smart will try to run a play 1st over attacking as he isn't exactly fast or crafty like Rozier and IT. His drives usually end with a floater or a pass right now which actually is working. We need him to be more efficient hitting open shots. Having a PG that can play off the ball more would do wonders for C's system.

[BitterJim]

Brad does what's best for the team. With Turner and Jordan crawford, that was giving them the reins and letting them take over. That's not the case with Smart, so he doesn't do it with him.

You need to maximize the team, not necessarily each player. It's like having a good running back in football but throwing most of the time. No, your not maximizing the RB's talent, but if you have a great passing offense then the team is better off having him fill a role better than "maximizing" his talent

[PhoSita]

Smart doesn't have the first step or the explosiveness to get to the rim and finish at the rim like he did in college.  It's not an issue of coaching.

[Csfan1984]

Smart doesn't have the first step or the explosiveness to get to the rim and finish at the rim like he did in college.  It's not an issue of coaching.

I actually think Smart has a very good first step especially if you factor in injuries. He doesn't have change of direction and finishing though those are what IT and Rozier have.

[hwangjini_1]

For three years, four seasons, Brad Stevens has called Boston his new home.  The people of Boston have accepted him as a new hero, chiseled from the same rock that brought us Larry, called Indiana.  His mystical power seems to consistently transform diamond-in-the-rough into fan favorites and hopefuls that endear themselves to our blue collar values. From Turner to Thomas, he has given talents the free range on offense to maximize their potential.

So why is it not happening with Marcus Smart?  Stevens clearly isn't pushing the offensive attack that made Smart so devastatingly good at Oklahoma State. Rather it seems he has pushed Smart to launch three after three, to focus on finding the assist, and to focus on defense. With such low percentages, Smart has started to look like an offensive bust. 

Can Brad save Smart's future? Or will it be his biggest failure?

or is it an overreaction?

[GRADYCOLNON]

Smart is a team guy who buys into running plays. BS has to love that. We can't have IT, Rozier and Smart all trying to create by forcing things into the paint. I'm glad Smart will try to run a play 1st over attacking as he isn't exactly fast or crafty like Rozier and IT. His drives usually end with a floater or a pass right now which actually is working. We need him to be more efficient hitting open shots. Having a PG that can play off the ball more would do wonders for C's system.

I completely agree.  I just am wondering why he doesn't run some plays to get him higher percentage opportunities to force the opposing team to guard him more heavily. 

[alldaboston]

I agree with the premise of this thread, but it's important to note that Smart got by in college thanks to his strength, where he was stronger than everyone else and where speed wasn't as important. In the NBA, you've gotta be fast, too. And he just isn't that quick on the dribble.

Also, you're now seeing a new Marcus Smart the past few games: Marcus Smart the backup PG. He's looking for his teammates and is racking up the assists. I don't mind this at all. If he can't score, at least he's doing other things to be involved in the offense.

[Celtics4ever]

Smart was not a great shooter in college either.

http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/marcus-smart-1.html

[dreamgreen]

Not sure what you're talking about. I think Smart is having a good year, I really like that floater he developed. He just needs to stop shooting so many 3's a game. Even more importantly he needs to realize he's the 4th or 5th option on offense. To many times I see him act like the 1st or 2nd option and that is when our offense looks/plays bad. He should be a better/smarter Tony Allen but I doubt he ever becomes a big time scorer.

[mgent]

Smart doesn't have the first step or the explosiveness to get to the rim and finish at the rim like he did in college.  It's not an issue of coaching.

I actually think Smart has a very good first step especially if you factor in injuries. He doesn't have change of direction and finishing though those are what IT and Rozier have.

Exactly this.  I think Smart generally has an advantage in the pick and roll with him going aggressive to the basket, and he's got several different scoring methods (though looks to be a PG first).  He also has an explosive first step in post ups.  Even in isolation, he can get by people.

He's really good at creating contact as well, and I think eventually he'll start getting the calls.

I, for one, think Smart could be a big time scorer (15-16 points off the bench).  He always seems to make really huge, winning plays down the stretch in games (most of the time defensively, but plenty of times offensively).  If he can make those plays when it truly matters, I can't help but assume it's only a matter of time before they become common throughout the game.

[mgent]

I also think it's worth noting how often guys like Rozier, Jerebko, Brown, Olynyk, Zeller, Young, Mickey have been passive and just passed the ball around until Smart had to make something happen with the shot clock running down.

I know it's probably not their fault because Brad wants them to move the ball around, but I also can't help but pardon Smart, considering him and Isaiah are the only guys who step up and take aggressive, contested shots when nothing else has worked.

Everyone else on our team is absolutely scared to take anything other than a wide open shot (no clue whether that's coaching or personnel).

[Monkhouse]

I actually never understood why you guys seem to think Smart is terribly slow... Because he really isn't... For his size? He's pretty darn fast, and agile. And if he wasn't so intelligent and crisp with his bounce passes, it would definitely only take one defender to really shut him down, as you guys supposedly say his lack of offensive game is. Offense isn't just about scoring... Pistons game? He tipped the ball up in the air, and should've been called to shoot some free throws which led to the Horford tip in.

I don't think Smart has an problem with his offensive game... I think its more along the lines, he would rather shoot a 3, than take it inside. He can post up, use his bulk, and he can score inside when he does have the opening, and can get fouls at time, but he seems more content with shooting... I guess he really does believe shooting is his biggest weakness, otherwise I wouldn't know why he doesn't take advantage of more of the double teams he seems to receive.

His passing is actually a lot better than you guys are giving him credit for..

Last game was definitely proof of that, and a lot of people on Twitter seemed to acknowledge that.

Except for our Cbloggers...

I honestly think if Smart can ever maintain a respectable shooting, and actually hit 3's at more consistent rate... And STOP taking so many freaking 3's...

Smart is far more skilled passer than we think we are.

I think realistically Smart could average 10-12 PPG, 4-5 RPG, and 6-8 APG, with stellar First Team All Defense... Which is far more valuable than most people take into account....

I've always said he was like the Draymond Green of guards...

Fearless, competitive leader, smart passer, knows how to make winning plays that never show up on box scores...

[Monkhouse]

Smart doesn't have the first step or the explosiveness to get to the rim and finish at the rim like he did in college.  It's not an issue of coaching.

I actually think Smart has a very good first step especially if you factor in injuries. He doesn't have change of direction and finishing though those are what IT and Rozier have.

Exactly this.  I think Smart generally has an advantage in the pick and roll with him going aggressive to the basket, and he's got several different scoring methods (though looks to be a PG first).  He also has an explosive first step in post ups.  Even in isolation, he can get by people.

He's really good at creating contact as well, and I think eventually he'll start getting the calls.

I, for one, think Smart could be a big time scorer (15-16 points off the bench).  He always seems to make really huge, winning plays down the stretch in games (most of the time defensively, but plenty of times offensively).  If he can make those plays when it truly matters, I can't help but assume it's only a matter of time before they become common throughout the game.

TP.

I don't get why everyone isn't convinced that Smart can score.... Its just he takes inefficient shots...

[GRADYCOLNON]

I recognize that Smart can make great passes and has been forced to shoot a bunch of bad shots, contributing to his putrid shooting numbers.  But why doesn't Brad give him a green light to attack, the same thing is kinda what is happening to Rozier. It's a hesitant behavior that we didn't see at all during their second summer league when they attacked the paint and seemed to have turned the corner offensively.  To me, it seems that they are being held back because I just don't fully believe its better for the team that they don't attack the rim and get to the free-throw line more often.  And those of you that said they'd rather shoot from 3pt range might be right but isn't that a behavior CBS would make them adjust and would tell them to drive it.

It just doesn't add up, thoughts?