Crowder And Smart NEED To Drive More (Force Fouls, Score Easier)

[Phantom255x]

Crowder and Smart have had their moments in this series, and I'm not implying they are the sole reason this team lost last night (there were A LOT of other factors too).

But Smart scored 1 point in 28 minutes, and Crowder was 3/9 from the field last night (1/4 from 3 point land).

And I know, Smart is not known for his offense, and we shouldn't expect him to put up 20 points consistently. But that's why he should drive more and get to the line, if nothing else is working.

I know Crowder averages 7 rebounds a game, and that's a big plus, but my main issue with him this series is his shot selection from behind the arc. He's been taking a lot of ill-advised 3s.

His 3 point average in the postseason is 33%, but honestly, it feels like most of his misses come from the bad shots (like taking a shot with a defender right in front of him, and/or taking a 3 with still about 18-20 seconds left on the shot clock). Remember that airball in Game 5? Yikes. It's one thing to miss a lot of open look 3s (Crowder has missed some, yes), but many of his misses are on contested 3s that should honestly not be attempted. I think that's something that can be "corrected" for Game 7.

It's obviously easier said than done, but I think Smart and Crowder need to assert themselves more and drive to the paint. Even if they can't convert, draw fouls (get guys in foul trouble), and go to the line more. Or in some cases, open up the floor for other guys so IT and Horford and AB can take more open looks outside. Frankly, the way they've played this series, I trust them a lot more to hit those looks than Crowder/Smart (no offense to them).

Seeing Smart and Crowder for much of games just standing behind the arc looking to take a shot is just not their game. I want to see these guys in ATTACK MODE Game 7.

I'm not saying stop taking 3s completely, but only take them when you are wide open, and if they don't go in a few times, try driving to the basket more instead of taking more contested 3s.

If the C's want to win Game 7, Crowder and Smart are going to have to step up, and find ways to get more involved on offense and scoring.

[feckless]

Smart driving almost always creates a turnover or a very difficult shot--once in a while he makes a nice pass off of a drive but if a pass doesn't show he is hung out with a forced pass or a bad shot.

Neither has the athleticism to be much of a driver.

[Rosco917]

You may get a few free throws out of it, but both would be stuffed at the basket more than not.

Crowder has little lift, and short arms. He's tried in the past to get to the rim, and it's seldom effective.

While Smart has some of the same problems, but at least he can pass in traffic.

[More Banners]

I don't really want to see Jae try to dribble.

His successful drives during he season were attacking close outs with no help side D contesting. He has the offensive skill set of a high school junior, just against better competition. He really is a marginal NBA starter. Let's not ask him to do more.

And for Smart...well he isn't what was projected in the draft on offense: driving/slashing and finishing at the rim are not really in his NBA tool box. He's really a guy I expect to be part of a trade if one happens, ferocious defense and all.

Too bad we can only play 5 at a time.

[droopdog7]

Smart is a terrible driver and an even worse finisher.  Crowder is only mildly better.

The issue isn't that they don't drive; its that they can't drive.

[WRbleedgreen]

Maybe I'm wrong but it seems like when Jae drives he focuses more on trying to get calls than actually putting the ball in the basket. It's one thing to try and get a call, but it seems it affects his finishing a lot. He's obviously not the best dribbler, but it's a shame because he's such a strong guy and you'd think he'd be able to drive and finish more.

[Eja117]

Smart is a terrible driver and an even worse finisher.  Crowder is only mildly better.

The issue isn't that they don't drive; its that they can't drive.

But Smart is an even worse shooter than he is driver so...

[Smokeeye123]

Nah, they just need to be packaged together and shipped out of town this summer for someone better.

#Rozier+Hayward.

[jambr380]

Smart can't jump off of one foot. It is a weird problem for a guard to have, but very pronounced and it limits him greatly in being able to get a shot off in the lane.

Crowder has been up and down with his shooting, but he has taken to the hoop or even stepped in for a closer shot when the occasion has presented itself. At this point, AB and Horford need to be the main options with guys like IT, Crowder, and KO spotting up only if they are open.

[Future Celtics Owner]

Smart should have been traded when his value was higher. IMO I don't see him ever becoming a legit pg for a team and because of that IMO someone like Tony Allen/a player like TA would give us around the same production if we picked them up or traded for them.

[droopdog7]

Smart is a terrible driver and an even worse finisher.  Crowder is only mildly better.

The issue isn't that they don't drive; its that they can't drive.

But Smart is an even worse shooter than he is driver so...

So, he's a terrible offensive player.  No way to hide that as much as you want to try. 

[Celtics4ever]

Crowder has ate a lot of leather when he has driven in this off season.

[Kuberski33]

They do need someone besides IT to drive more.  Unfortunately no one else on the roster is currently capable of doing that and getting a positive result the majority of times he tries it.

[CELTICSofBOSTON]

Nah, they just need to be packaged together and shipped out of town this summer for someone better.

#Rozier+Hayward.

Crowder has one of the best contracts in the league.  I wouldn't trade him unless it was absolutely neccasary.

[Phantom255x]

This could be a problem for the team then, because people here say Smart and Crowder can't drive to the hoop that well, but in that case, if their shots aren't falling outside, they are as big of a liability on offense as Isaiah Thomas is on defense.