36.7 % , 29.0 % , 62.5 %

[celticsclay]

This is a nice thread.

[Monkhouse]

Can we just have a sticky for these threads on hating Marcus Smart?

Simply put, Brad Stevens doesn't care if Smart doesn't shoot well. You also cannot put 100% of the blame on Smart, because the entire team is at fault... We don't just go down the drain with one of the worst defenses because of one player's lack of deficiencies at shooting percentages.. Even then, we're actually doing well in 3P%... Its just our inability to get to the FT line, which Smart can be partially blamed for... I guess its a testament to how well a player cumulatively buys within the teams schematics.

Whatever naysayers will say, lets just collectively put that aside...

This is a straw man's argument that is literally being beaten to death.

We get it. Smart stinks at shooting. I don't think anyone else is colored surprised about this... Seriously. Also I would take Smart over Payton 10/10 times any day... Maybe I'm biased, maybe I'm not...

But I never understood why people compared Payton to Smart, because Payton is a pure PG who literally cannot shoot, and Smart is a combo guard that is way better defender, but has similar warts. I take Smart because he's more of a hustle guy, and I still believe in the future as nickagenta said... If Smart improves on crashing the boards more, playing more within the offense, and being a pass first, I can honestly see him having a Draymond Green like trajectory... We just need better shooters, and scorers next to him. I still believe the offense looks pretty darn when he's running it. He needs the ball in his hands to create for others.

And as much as people say he cannot score, or blow by defenders...

Have you guys ever seen him throw bounce passes, or lobs? People double him, because they are wary of him using his strength, or being able to post up smaller defenders. Many times where he throws a crisp bounce or no look pass, its out of double teams. He doesn't have the handles or speed to blow by the best defender, but he certainly has a knack for where his teammates are going to be.

[mgent]

Again, for the people critical ofor Brad's playing of Smart...Do you really think you know better than Brad on how to utilize him?

Dude is 23 years old and already on of the best defenders in the game, that plays with all heart, passion and grit.

He doesn't shoot 35% from three point land. Boo Hoo.

It sucks reading all the negativity surrounding him here, and look forward to the day when all the detractors change their tune.

It reads like many of you here would rather have Jamal Crawford.

Do I think I know more than Stevens about basketball or Smarts game? No. But that doesnt mean that people are wrong about how Stevens is usung Smart. 2.25 years of allowing one of the worst shooters in league history to shoot at will hasnt made Smart a better shooter and has not had a positive impact for the teams offense. Its time to limit his shots.

Ha, and this is based on the assumption that Brad is allowing Smart to shoot in games so that Smart can practice getting better at shooting, and not because Smart actually shoots well in practice?

[Monkhouse]

Again, for the people critical ofor Brad's playing of Smart...Do you really think you know better than Brad on how to utilize him?

Dude is 23 years old and already on of the best defenders in the game, that plays with all heart, passion and grit.

He doesn't shoot 35% from three point land. Boo Hoo.

It sucks reading all the negativity surrounding him here, and look forward to the day when all the detractors change their tune.

It reads like many of you here would rather have Jamal Crawford.

Do I think I know more than Stevens about basketball or Smarts game? No. But that doesnt mean that people are wrong about how Stevens is usung Smart. 2.25 years of allowing one of the worst shooters in league history to shoot at will hasnt made Smart a better shooter and has not had a positive impact for the teams offense. Its time to limit his shots.

Ha, and this is based on the assumption that Brad is allowing Smart to shoot in games so that Smart can practice getting better at shooting, and not because Smart actually shoots well in practice?

Which is actually funny to me, isn't Brad Stevens always hyping up Smart's improved mechanics and shooting? Surely, if Stevens was inclined to believe Smart could never ever become better, that he would get benched every time he chucks a 3.

[Chris22]

Smart was made for playoff basketball.

[Monkhouse]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bctJh3V2-U

[tankcity!]

You guys say he's a great passer, but he is averaging 4.2 assists a game lol. I mean sure he has his games, but he isn't consistent. He is also averaging 5 assists in the past 10 games. So chill with the passing talk. He's not Rubio or Rondo in that regard.

He's a great defender, no question. But offense doesn't matter. We are satisfied with this? Some of you were saying he's an all star for god sakes. Now we're happy that he's just a role player? This is so confusing. The Smart fanatics aren't consistent.

I've been pleased with Smart recently. He is garbage on offense, but the ball doesn't stick to his hands. We play better defense. He should start and IT should come off the bench. I think that speaks more to IT's height then Smart, who is a nice role player.

[tankcity!]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bctJh3V2-U

Against Brooklyn....

[mctyson]

Like most have said:

a) 22

b) what I have seen from him at PG this season tells me he has been playing out of position his whole career to this point

[celticsclay]

Can we just have a sticky for these threads on hating Marcus Smart?

Simply put, Brad Stevens doesn't care if Smart doesn't shoot well. You also cannot put 100% of the blame on Smart, because the entire team is at fault... We don't just go down the drain with one of the worst defenses because of one player's lack of deficiencies at shooting percentages.. Even then, we're actually doing well in 3P%... Its just our inability to get to the FT line, which Smart can be partially blamed for... I guess its a testament to how well a player cumulatively buys within the teams schematics.

Whatever naysayers will say, lets just collectively put that aside...

This is a straw man's argument that is literally being beaten to death.

We get it. Smart stinks at shooting. I don't think anyone else is colored surprised about this... Seriously. Also I would take Smart over Payton 10/10 times any day... Maybe I'm biased, maybe I'm not...

But I never understood why people compared Payton to Smart, because Payton is a pure PG who literally cannot shoot, and Smart is a combo guard that is way better defender, but has similar warts. I take Smart because he's more of a hustle guy, and I still believe in the future as nickagenta said... If Smart improves on crashing the boards more, playing more within the offense, and being a pass first, I can honestly see him having a Draymond Green like trajectory... We just need better shooters, and scorers next to him. I still believe the offense looks pretty darn when he's running it. He needs the ball in his hands to create for others.

And as much as people say he cannot score, or blow by defenders...

Have you guys ever seen him throw bounce passes, or lobs? People double him, because they are wary of him using his strength, or being able to post up smaller defenders. Many times where he throws a crisp bounce or no look pass, its out of double teams. He doesn't have the handles or speed to blow by the best defender, but he certainly has a knack for where his teammates are going to be.

I also asked for this. Would be nice to see it confined to one thread.

[mctyson]

You guys say he's a great passer, but he is averaging 4.2 assists a game lol.

Do you think this has anything to do with the role that he plays when Thomas is starting?

Watch the OKC game.  Watch him play PG.  That's his position.

[GratefulCs]

You guys say he's a great passer, but he is averaging 4.2 assists a game lol. I mean sure he has his games, but he isn't consistent. He is also averaging 5 assists in the past 10 games. So chill with the passing talk. He's not Rubio or Rondo in that regard.

He's a great defender, no question. But offense doesn't matter. We are satisfied with this? Some of you were saying he's an all star for god sakes. Now we're happy that he's just a role player? This is so confusing. The Smart fanatics aren't consistent.

I've been pleased with Smart recently. He is garbage on offense, but the ball doesn't stick to his hands. We play better defense. He should start and IT should come off the bench. I think that speaks more to IT's height then Smart, who is a nice role player.

don't take this the wrong way, but larry bird averaged 6 assists per game


And he's one of the best passers ever

If you ONLY looked at the box score, you wouldn't see the kinds of passes he would make


Not saying smart is on his level

Just saying watch the way smart sees the court

[celtics2030]

Can we just have a sticky for these threads on hating Marcus Smart?

Simply put, Brad Stevens doesn't care if Smart doesn't shoot well. You also cannot put 100% of the blame on Smart, because the entire team is at fault... We don't just go down the drain with one of the worst defenses because of one player's lack of deficiencies at shooting percentages.. Even then, we're actually doing well in 3P%... Its just our inability to get to the FT line, which Smart can be partially blamed for... I guess its a testament to how well a player cumulatively buys within the teams schematics.

Whatever naysayers will say, lets just collectively put that aside...

This is a straw man's argument that is literally being beaten to death.

We get it. Smart stinks at shooting. I don't think anyone else is colored surprised about this... Seriously. Also I would take Smart over Payton 10/10 times any day... Maybe I'm biased, maybe I'm not...

But I never understood why people compared Payton to Smart, because Payton is a pure PG who literally cannot shoot, and Smart is a combo guard that is way better defender, but has similar warts. I take Smart because he's more of a hustle guy, and I still believe in the future as nickagenta said... If Smart improves on crashing the boards more, playing more within the offense, and being a pass first, I can honestly see him having a Draymond Green like trajectory... We just need better shooters, and scorers next to him. I still believe the offense looks pretty darn when he's running it. He needs the ball in his hands to create for others.

And as much as people say he cannot score, or blow by defenders...

Have you guys ever seen him throw bounce passes, or lobs? People double him, because they are wary of him using his strength, or being able to post up smaller defenders. Many times where he throws a crisp bounce or no look pass, its out of double teams. He doesn't have the handles or speed to blow by the best defender, but he certainly has a knack for where his teammates are going to be.

10 out 10 huh? WAY better defender? Not even I would choose Elfrid 10 out 10

btw he just had a 26 points 9 for 12  from the field 3 for 3 from deep, oh and 14 assists in the same game, off the bench

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIsINWO5lcc

[Monkhouse]

Can we just have a sticky for these threads on hating Marcus Smart?

Simply put, Brad Stevens doesn't care if Smart doesn't shoot well. You also cannot put 100% of the blame on Smart, because the entire team is at fault... We don't just go down the drain with one of the worst defenses because of one player's lack of deficiencies at shooting percentages.. Even then, we're actually doing well in 3P%... Its just our inability to get to the FT line, which Smart can be partially blamed for... I guess its a testament to how well a player cumulatively buys within the teams schematics.

Whatever naysayers will say, lets just collectively put that aside...

This is a straw man's argument that is literally being beaten to death.

We get it. Smart stinks at shooting. I don't think anyone else is colored surprised about this... Seriously. Also I would take Smart over Payton 10/10 times any day... Maybe I'm biased, maybe I'm not...

But I never understood why people compared Payton to Smart, because Payton is a pure PG who literally cannot shoot, and Smart is a combo guard that is way better defender, but has similar warts. I take Smart because he's more of a hustle guy, and I still believe in the future as nickagenta said... If Smart improves on crashing the boards more, playing more within the offense, and being a pass first, I can honestly see him having a Draymond Green like trajectory... We just need better shooters, and scorers next to him. I still believe the offense looks pretty darn when he's running it. He needs the ball in his hands to create for others.

And as much as people say he cannot score, or blow by defenders...

Have you guys ever seen him throw bounce passes, or lobs? People double him, because they are wary of him using his strength, or being able to post up smaller defenders. Many times where he throws a crisp bounce or no look pass, its out of double teams. He doesn't have the handles or speed to blow by the best defender, but he certainly has a knack for where his teammates are going to be.

10 out 10 huh? WAY better defender? Not even I would choose Elfrid 10 out 10

btw he just had a 26 points 9 for 12  from the field 3 for 3 from deep, oh and 14 assists in the same game, off the bench

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIsINWO5lcc

From the eye test, what Smart can bring to the table, always make him the way better defender in my eyes... Smart can guard 1 to 4, and has even switched on 5's before making their life extremely difficult.

By the way, it was against the Hawks, who have been absolutely terrible this year, and are in the bottom 10 in defense.

And as you stated off the bench... Where Payton should be coming off from.

I would start Smart over Payton. And I already said I was being biased lol.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bctJh3V2-U

Against Brooklyn....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AbQFUDy0fQ

11 pts and 9 APG.

And he should've gotten a double double that game... There were some plays where the players fumbled or dropped the ball/didn't score in transition...

And in... before you say his shooting percentage that game.

Smart is undoubtedly an underrated passer.

You guys say he's a great passer, but he is averaging 4.2 assists a game lol. I mean sure he has his games, but he isn't consistent. He is also averaging 5 assists in the past 10 games. So chill with the passing talk. He's not Rubio or Rondo in that regard.

He's a great defender, no question. But offense doesn't matter. We are satisfied with this? Some of you were saying he's an all star for god sakes. Now we're happy that he's just a role player? This is so confusing. The Smart fanatics aren't consistent.

I've been pleased with Smart recently. He is garbage on offense, but the ball doesn't stick to his hands. We play better defense. He should start and IT should come off the bench. I think that speaks more to IT's height then Smart, who is a nice role player.

Let me ask you this question.

Do you consider Draymond Green a role player?

I actually don't think Draymond Green is really that great, (his offense isn't that great, and his 3P would be a lot worse if not surrounded by 3 of the best shooters in the history of the NBA), but I can't deny he's an excellent skilled all around player.

Maybe I'm being biased once again. But I think the best absolute comparison for Smart is Draymond Green. Smart needs to be next to scorers, or shooters. He's an excellent passer, and while he'll never ever average over 9 APG, (Rondo/Rubio are notorious for stat/assist padding,) I think Smart will at least average similar numbers to Draymond.

I think we can reasonably assume Smart if given the 36 minutes, could average 10-12 PPG, at least 5-6 APG, 4-5 RPG, and 1.6-2.0 SPG.

[jpotter33]

You guys say he's a great passer, but he is averaging 4.2 assists a game lol. I mean sure he has his games, but he isn't consistent. He is also averaging 5 assists in the past 10 games. So chill with the passing talk. He's not Rubio or Rondo in that regard.

He's a great defender, no question. But offense doesn't matter. We are satisfied with this? Some of you were saying he's an all star for god sakes. Now we're happy that he's just a role player? This is so confusing. The Smart fanatics aren't consistent.

I've been pleased with Smart recently. He is garbage on offense, but the ball doesn't stick to his hands. We play better defense. He should start and IT should come off the bench. I think that speaks more to IT's height then Smart, who is a nice role player.

Are you being serious right now? Are you really proposing this after all the crap you've talked about Smart this year? Even I don't propose this (because I propose him replacing Bradley in the starting lineup).

And did you watch the OKC game? That game demonstrated very well how good his passing and court vision are.