Marcus Smart: "If you're trying to be pretty then this isn't the game for you."

[Ogaju]

[Karalis] Marcus Smart: "I'm constantly telling these guys that a lot of games we win aren't going to be pretty. If you're trying to be pretty then this isn't the game for you. You have to be willing to get your nose bloody"

Love it.

I believe that Kyrie is our offensive scoring option, and becoming the leader that the Cavs expected him to turn into, before the arrival of LBJ.

Horford is our seasoned veteran that leads by examples and defensive anchor.

Hayward is one of our best players when healthy, but probably the quietest leader that we have.

But if there is anyone who forces our team to step up, and stop beating around the bush, it's Smart.

Every championship team has that guy willing to do the dirty work, and become the glue guy.

Rodman, Dray, Iggy, Horry, Battier, etc.

The list goes on, but there is no doubt a glue guy is one of the most valuable pieces to any championship minus stars/superstars.

I'm glad Smart is still here. There is nothing more fun than watching someone who dives for a loose ball, or locks down an opposing player and watching their frustration emit on their sleeve. (Harden.)

I wouldnt put Horry in the list  of enforcers, I am assuming that is what you mean by glue guy. One guy you left off is Metta World Peace. This is a guy who actually announced that he joined the Lakers to 'help' Kobe win a championship. I am assuming by 'help' he meant 'protect'.

[Ogaju]

My son asked who’s my favorite player, I answered : Smart.
His response : but you always get mad when he shoots 

Did you tell him it is all in love. lol.

[tenn_smoothie]

We know Smart went at Gordon during practice last week, he’s really trying to get this team rolling.

Please fill me in - What did Smart do in practice ?

[tenn_smoothie]

Smart's ability to offset a diva/soft mentality cannot be overstated.  Good for him.  Perfect complementary option this season at the SG to hide defensive issues and create plays for others.

Pst - I know this is a dig against Kyrie, but Kyrie's defense has been way better than you are giving him credit for this season. I'd bet he has more charges drawn. He has the same amount of steals and blocks, and has a comparable defensive rating.

I got your back, TarHeels - Time will tell whether Irving is being sincere or not with his proclamations about the joys of being a Boston Celtic (public announcement, Nike commercial).
I will admit though, I actually saw him fight over the top of a screen the other night.

[GreenEnvy]

We know Smart went at Gordon during practice last week, he’s really trying to get this team rolling.

Please fill me in - What did Smart do in practice ?

The Celtics were embroiled in one of their toughest practices of the season, and they were poking and prodding at Hayward -- “fouling him and s---” as Marcus Morris put it.

”He just got red at one point,” Morris said. “He was really upset. He was going really hard.”

The catalyst (predictably) was Marcus Smart, according to Morris. The Celtics’ chief instigator got tangled up with Hayward, and Hayward was quietly boiling.

[SparzWizard]

We know Smart went at Gordon during practice last week, he’s really trying to get this team rolling.

Please fill me in - What did Smart do in practice ?

The Celtics were embroiled in one of their toughest practices of the season, and they were poking and prodding at Hayward -- “fouling him and s---” as Marcus Morris put it.

”He just got red at one point,” Morris said. “He was really upset. He was going really hard.”

The catalyst (predictably) was Marcus Smart, according to Morris. The Celtics’ chief instigator got tangled up with Hayward, and Hayward was quietly boiling.

We need more of that heading into the Christmas schedule. It's gonna be brutal.

Hopefully it doesn't get to the point where it creates a rift like what's happening in Golden State between Draymond Green and Kevin Durant

[trickybilly]

Just a quick comment on Marcus' shooting. He has lifted his 3pt% to .333 on the season.

I have said SO many times that I believe that Marcus has turned the corner with his shooting and been let down, so I'm not going to say it again.

But even if he keeps it steady at .333, that is probably enough to justify letting him take open 3s.

Interesting, that actually many of his made 3s this year have had a pump fake beforehand (as opposed to straightup open catch and shoot.

[GreenEnvy]

We know Smart went at Gordon during practice last week, he’s really trying to get this team rolling.

Please fill me in - What did Smart do in practice ?

The Celtics were embroiled in one of their toughest practices of the season, and they were poking and prodding at Hayward -- “fouling him and s---” as Marcus Morris put it.

”He just got red at one point,” Morris said. “He was really upset. He was going really hard.”

The catalyst (predictably) was Marcus Smart, according to Morris. The Celtics’ chief instigator got tangled up with Hayward, and Hayward was quietly boiling.

We need more of that heading into the Christmas schedule. It's gonna be brutal.

Hopefully it doesn't get to the point where it creates a rift like what's happening in Golden State between Draymond Green and Kevin Durant

It really shouldn’t. They are coming from two way different places. Smart is trying to fire up Gordon (and the rest of the team) to play to their potential. Smart is doing it with good intentions, as everyone wants to see Gordon playing like we know he can. He’s not trying to embarrass him, but motivate him (and it worked).

KD was mad at Green for not giving him the ball instead of sucking on that play. It quickly snowballed with some built-up animosity. I think the rift in GS will blow over for now, but it’s real and can rear it’s head down the road.

[perks-a-beast]

Smart is the most wrongfully over valued Celtic of all time amongst fans. I understand more than anyone rooting for gritty players, but aside from grit Smart has disappointed in almost every aspect since coming to the NBA. Average (at best) point guard skills, and has virtually no chance of becoming a legitimate consistent scorer. His grit doesn’t translate in to wins as much as fans like to think, and defensively he’s not on par with ex Celtics guards like Tony Allen and Avery Bradley. I know I’m likely to get shredded for this, but I think Danny’s paying him about $8 mill too much a season. Leadership is also overstated.

[10610786d]

Just a quick comment on Marcus' shooting. He has lifted his 3pt% to .333 on the season.

I have said SO many times that I believe that Marcus has turned the corner with his shooting and been let down, so I'm not going to say it again.

But even if he keeps it steady at .333, that is probably enough to justify letting him take open 3s.

Interesting, that actually many of his made 3s this year have had a pump fake beforehand (as opposed to straightup open catch and shoot.

He was trending upwards last year too.

I believe he got injured afterwards and never got back to that level?

[More Banners]

Smart is the most wrongfully over valued Celtic of all time amongst fans. I understand more than anyone rooting for gritty players, but aside from grit Smart has disappointed in almost every aspect since coming to the NBA. Average (at best) point guard skills, and has virtually no chance of becoming a legitimate consistent scorer. His grit doesn’t translate in to wins as much as fans like to think, and defensively he’s not on par with ex Celtics guards like Tony Allen and Avery Bradley. I know I’m likely to get shredded for this, but I think Danny’s paying him about $8 mill too much a season. Leadership is also overstated.

Well he doesn't pass like TA. At least the ball usually stays somewhere on the court, vs TA's passes to the dude in the 3rd row.

Underwhelming offensively; there's a reason Smart gets open looks from 3.  The guy has heart, though, and apparently you actually can put a price on that. This is likely his career top salary though.

[perks-a-beast]

Smart is the most wrongfully over valued Celtic of all time amongst fans. I understand more than anyone rooting for gritty players, but aside from grit Smart has disappointed in almost every aspect since coming to the NBA. Average (at best) point guard skills, and has virtually no chance of becoming a legitimate consistent scorer. His grit doesn’t translate in to wins as much as fans like to think, and defensively he’s not on par with ex Celtics guards like Tony Allen and Avery Bradley. I know I’m likely to get shredded for this, but I think Danny’s paying him about $8 mill too much a season. Leadership is also overstated.

Well he doesn't pass like TA. At least the ball usually stays somewhere on the court, vs TA's passes to the dude in the 3rd row.

Underwhelming offensively; there's a reason Smart gets open looks from 3.  The guy has heart, though, and apparently you actually can put a price on that. This is likely his career top salary though.

I’ll applaud his ability to guard better on switches than TA and Bradley - he can really hold his own against bigger guys in the post. However, TA and Bradley were much better at staying in front of guys due to superior quickness and agility. His team defense also leaves something to be desired.

I know I’m in the minority but I’m about ready to call that Smart pick a whiff. There are like 16-19 guys in that class who are better..that pretty much constitutes wasting a top ten pick.

[GreenEnvy]

Smart is the most wrongfully over valued Celtic of all time amongst fans. I understand more than anyone rooting for gritty players, but aside from grit Smart has disappointed in almost every aspect since coming to the NBA. Average (at best) point guard skills, and has virtually no chance of becoming a legitimate consistent scorer. His grit doesn’t translate in to wins as much as fans like to think, and defensively he’s not on par with ex Celtics guards like Tony Allen and Avery Bradley. I know I’m likely to get shredded for this, but I think Danny’s paying him about $8 mill too much a season. Leadership is also overstated.

I think you’re way off.

When was the last time Danny really overpaid for a player on a longterm contract?

[Celtics4ever]

Average (at best) point guard skills, and has virtually no chance of becoming a legitimate consistent scorer.

His defense and passing are pretty good, and both are positional skills, so go back to the drawing board on that one.   Yes, his offense is poor, but they do not have a measurable stat for winning plays that Marcus makes time and time again.

I don't expect him to score, anything he gives in that regard is a bonus.

The one thing he does best, is make his team mates play harder. 

[celtics4ever33]

Average (at best) point guard skills, and has virtually no chance of becoming a legitimate consistent scorer.

His defense and passing are pretty good, and both are positional skills, so go back to the drawing board on that one.   Yes, his offense is poor, but they do not have a measurable stat for winning plays that Marcus makes time and time again.

I don't expect him to score, anything he gives in that regard is a bonus.

The one thing he does best, is make his team mates play harder.

Does he ever make "losing plays" , do other players on the team make "winning plays" or is just Marcus?


Two things I will agree about Marcus. He does seem to propel some of his teammates to play harder.

He also is a decent passer.

He is a good player to start a few games when things are going bad. Good jump star so to speak.


Things I think are completely FALSE imo is when the team starts playing well, people will always point to  Marcus being the catalyst. It can never be the team just playing well. It has to be Smart's "heart" that is the reason.

Smart also isnt as good as a defender as people thing. He can make defensive plays, and he can annoy the hell out of a player for a good 3 minute stretch. Hes done that to Curry , Klay, hes good at that, but he cannot stay in front of guys as good as people think, and he has gotten lit up many times by quick guards. Although who hasnt got lit up no matter how good a defender you are in todays NBA.

Hes an important part of the team it seems, and thats enough for me , im not in that locker room, so my opinion is worthless if i have to tell people that he isnt this or that.