marcus killin it-just a force

[Granath]

I've been saying this for two years - and some of you thought I was nuts - but Smart is a rarity. Few players at his age can significantly impact the game without the ball in their hands. Most young guys need to score or rebound to have any impact on the game. Marcus can impact it without almost ever touching the ball. He'll get steals, charges, harass teams into bad shots, bad passes, fouls, etc.

That's how winning is done and Smart knows how to do it. He knew many of the old veteran tricks at 20, 21 and now 22 years old. That's why opposing players hate him sometimes - he's doing things to embarrass them that they'd only generally experience from vets in their mid 30s.

[Chris22]

Smart is made for playoff basketball, because it is more physical.

[The One]

Smart is made for playoff basketball, because it is more physical.

Great point...TP!

I also think he's got the clutch gene, more so on defense and loose balls but I could see him hitting some big shots!

I loved it when they drafted him and I continue to love what he brings...and I don't think he is a finished product!

[TheTruthFot18]

Like that Marcus is getting some real praise from teammates and opponents alike. Between IT and Lillard, they summed up Marcus perfectly.

"He does all the stuff that's not in the stat sheet. If you want a championship team, you need guys like that on your team," Thomas said. "He had offensive rebounds, defensive rebounds, steals, key baskets. He does it all."

Lillard chimed in: "I thought Marcus Smart was huge for them. It probably won't show up on the stat sheet but he did a lot of winning things for them."

Smart actually had a super stat sheet night, even for him 18/6/5 plus FIVE steals and a +10. This is not an every night performance but it's also not unlikely for him to have a night like this.

I also think IT's comment had the most weight. He's a guy you want on a winning team. As great at IT I don't think anyone brings the intensity like Smart.


Great game. Wished I could've watched the 2nd half.

[tankcity!]

The floor for Marcus is the 5th best player in that draft, we drafted him 6th so that's a victory. Embiid looks hands down the best, Wiggins is a better player but I question if he'll have the same success. Jokic was picked #41 but has developed into a great player already. The only other guy is Parker, who as you say has torn his ACL again. Who knows if he can come back strong from that. I hope so but it still impacts his long term development.

I hope the talk of Gordon, Randle, Exum etc being his equal will die away, he's a tier above them.

The fantastic thing with Smart is his versatility means there is no 'decision' between him and IT in the same wy there would be with a guy like Dunn or Lonzo Ball on the team. Smart can play alongside IT for the long term, or take over at the point if we changed direction.

No one is untouchable but I don't think you ever get a fair deal for Smart, he's the kind of guy you appreciate far more when he's with you than when you look from the outside

ESPN and most analyst disagree lol. Love what Marcus did last night, but it was one game...He's still a good role player, and hasn't proven to be anything more or less. There is potential for him to be more, but that remains to be seen. Hopefully he keeps stoking the 3 well.

[The One]

Like that Marcus is getting some real praise from teammates and opponents alike. Between IT and Lillard, they summed up Marcus perfectly.

"He does all the stuff that's not in the stat sheet. If you want a championship team, you need guys like that on your team," Thomas said. "He had offensive rebounds, defensive rebounds, steals, key baskets. He does it all."

Lillard chimed in: "I thought Marcus Smart was huge for them. It probably won't show up on the stat sheet but he did a lot of winning things for them."

Smart actually had a super stat sheet night, even for him 18/6/5 plus FIVE steals and a +10. This is not an every night performance but it's also not unlikely for him to have a night like this.

I also think IT's comment had the most weight. He's a guy you want on a winning team. As great at IT I don't think anyone brings the intensity like Smart.


Great game. Wished I could've watched the 2nd half.

Good point...in fact, he was a top 3 performer last night...even better than our own IT4!

http://www.basketball-reference.com/friv/dailyleaders.fcgi

[GreenEnvy]

Love the way he plays the game. If his offense ever comes around consistently (16-18ppg will suffice), he will be an all-star. His defense and intangibles are top notch, his playmaking is becoming a strength, and his offense is slowly improving.

The kid is a stud. He may not be a fantasy or sabermetric darling, but he's a winner.

I can't think of a better 4 guard rotation in the league than IT/Bradley/Smart/Rozier. If we add Fultz or Ball to them? Wow.

[Moranis]

The floor for Marcus is the 5th best player in that draft, we drafted him 6th so that's a victory. Embiid looks hands down the best, Wiggins is a better player but I question if he'll have the same success. Jokic was picked #41 but has developed into a great player already. The only other guy is Parker, who as you say has torn his ACL again. Who knows if he can come back strong from that. I hope so but it still impacts his long term development.

I hope the talk of Gordon, Randle, Exum etc being his equal will die away, he's a tier above them.

The fantastic thing with Smart is his versatility means there is no 'decision' between him and IT in the same wy there would be with a guy like Dunn or Lonzo Ball on the team. Smart can play alongside IT for the long term, or take over at the point if we changed direction.

No one is untouchable but I don't think you ever get a fair deal for Smart, he's the kind of guy you appreciate far more when he's with you than when you look from the outside

ESPN and most analyst disagree lol. Love what Marcus did last night, but it was one game...He's still a good role player, and hasn't proven to be anything more or less. There is potential for him to be more, but that remains to be seen. Hopefully he keeps stoking the 3 well.

I think most people would disagree.  He might very well end up as a top 5 player from the draft but to call that his floor is crazy as he might end up outside of the top 10 as guys like Randle, Saric, Hood, Gordon, LaVine, Warren, Clarkson, Payton, and even someone like Nurkic could have a better career when it is all said in done (in addition to Embiid, Jokic, Wiggins, and Parker).  Heck maybe Vonleh or Exum who were so raw entering the draft end up putting it together.  In a redraft right now, Smart probably goes around 5, but who knows what that looks like 5 years from now. 

[rollie mass]

one stat everybody forgot including myself -00000 turnovers
this may have been one game but even tempered he ismore than a role player and if so its a huge role
he keeps healthy and he may be up for ifrst team defense honor

[Rosco917]

Something happens to Smart in a close games in the last 5 minutes, that I love to watch. He plays in a type of aggressive, passionate, controlled rage lol... Steven's saw it immediately...that's why Marcus is always in the game come crunch time.

If you need the clutch rebound, he's your guy, If you need the steel...see Marcus, if you need a put-back,
look to Marcus. Clutch pass...yeah.

I know we're all hoping his shooting percentage gets better, and I do too.

But his value, when talking about intangibles is crazy.

[chiken Green]

I know I am not alone but  I can careless about his shooting percentages.. Whatever he shoots doesnt help us win games. We have scorers on this team for that..

Smart is a Beefed up Swiss Army knife and every blade he has tucked away is whats needed to win games..  The Charges, the Tough Defense, the rebounds, the Rips, the chase down blocks, the intimidation, The Clutch Free-throws, the timely passes, The always making the right basketball play at the right times and every now and then, when you need it the most.. The Clutch 3..

And nobody talks about the work he does with everybody in Practice.. He pushes Brown and Rozier Daily.. Horford and Crowder have made plenty of comments about what he brings to the team and now IT (The temporary face) has now spoken..   He is a natural leader

3 Point percentages mean squat.  He doesn't need to improve that to be a decent player. And everybody on the court has a role to play.. Some roles are bigger than others.  Smarts Role in this organization is just as big if not bigger than anyone else on this team. We would not be where we are at without him..

This guy Stinks of Winning.. (And he is only 22)

[LatterDayCelticsfan]

We could say he plays Smart basketball

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

Marcus has been growing on me lately.

I've been tough on him because of his lack of shooting ability, and I've been saying (ever since the Celtics drafted him) that he's not a point guard and never will be.

But he's demonstrated the ability to consistently have a positive impact in spite of his bad shooting, and he's also proving to be a pretty good floor general and passer. And when I witness players from other teams, such as Damian Lillard, taking the time to point out that Smart makes a lot of "winning plays," that speaks well of Smart.

There's definitely a lot to be said for a guy who does many things that, despite not showing up on the stat sheet, do a lot to propel a team to victory.

[cousytoheinsohn]

We could say he plays Smart basketball

Marcus is literally a Smart player. Really glad he's a Celtic and hope he remains one for a really long time.

[LilRip]

There was a stretch in that Blazers game where Marcus dominated. I think it was a steal, a bucket, a charge, and a key rebound or two all in a short span that extended the lead. I think he's a special player and will continue to develop.

People talk about his 3pt shooting all the time but I think if he can improve finishing in the paint/post, he'll be a real offensive weapon. Imagine Evan Turner with Smart's defense. Or a poor man's Derozan.