Has Marcus Smart improved this year?

[Neurotic Guy]

Shooting % are all up from last year.  But more real to me is the eye test:  Footey nailed it -- Smart is a leader, both vocally and as a model, he is making plays at the hoop with regularity, he's consistently making FTs, and he is resisting 3-point attempts (at least at times).  His defense is game-changing -- but hard to know if that's better or the same as last year. 

Re: the DJ comparison.  Smart is clutch, but DJ was at another level -- crazy reliable offensively when it mattered most and such a clutch FT shooter.  I don't see DJ being quite as dynamic defensively as Marcus, though he was clearly a great defender.  Hindsight is tough, but I also don't recall DJ taking bad shots (though he must have) -- so intelligent on the court.  What a great player for Marcus to emulate.

[Emmette Bryant]

His role has improved. For Smart, there's no better gig than to defend and make plays across from Kyrie.  He is in a great position to succeed.

I think that Smart plays less hero ball as a starter.

[Wretch]

Shooting % are all up from last year.  But more real to me is the eye test:  Footey nailed it -- Smart is a leader, both vocally and as a model, he is making plays at the hoop with regularity, he's consistently making FTs, and he is resisting 3-point attempts (at least at times).  His defense is game-changing -- but hard to know if that's better or the same as last year. 

Re: the DJ comparison.  Smart is clutch, but DJ was at another level -- crazy reliable offensively when it mattered most and such a clutch FT shooter.  I don't see DJ being quite as dynamic defensively as Marcus, though he was clearly a great defender.  Hindsight is tough, but I also don't recall DJ taking bad shots (though he must have) -- so intelligent on the court.  What a great player for Marcus to emulate.

We need to remember  that by the time DJ got to the celtics he was already a seasoned pro, (7 years in) and had spent 3 years in JuCo and a year at Pepperdine.  Smart will get there.

[mgent]

He's doing the exact things he's always done.

More people are noticing now because they're not just blindly hating on him off for his shooting percentage.

[PhoSita]

I don't know if he's better but I feel that he's really settled into his role with this team and as an NBA player. I no longer concern myself with his ceiling or whether he'll love up to his draft position.

He's a valuable supporting player who has helped the Celts from the moment he first entered the league. He's reliable and useful. We don't need to worry about him, we know what he's going to give the team.

If the Celts had a couple more role players they could rely on like smart, they'd be great.

[gouki88]

He's doing the exact things he's always done.

More people are noticing now because they're not just blindly hating on him off for his shooting percentage.

I dunno, he’s been different this season. Career lows in minutes and FGA, career high in FG%, career high in steals, lowest turnover numbers since his sophomore season and his second highest % from 3. I’d say these are all changes from his last two seasons

[hpantazo]

Shooting % are all up from last year.  But more real to me is the eye test:  Footey nailed it -- Smart is a leader, both vocally and as a model, he is making plays at the hoop with regularity, he's consistently making FTs, and he is resisting 3-point attempts (at least at times).  His defense is game-changing -- but hard to know if that's better or the same as last year. 

Re: the DJ comparison.  Smart is clutch, but DJ was at another level -- crazy reliable offensively when it mattered most and such a clutch FT shooter.  I don't see DJ being quite as dynamic defensively as Marcus, though he was clearly a great defender.  Hindsight is tough, but I also don't recall DJ taking bad shots (though he must have) -- so intelligent on the court.  What a great player for Marcus to emulate.

We need to remember  that by the time DJ got to the celtics he was already a seasoned pro, (7 years in) and had spent 3 years in JuCo and a year at Pepperdine.  Smart will get there.

True, but DJ had 3 seasons where he averaged about 19 points a game for the Suns. I don't think Smart will ever come close to that scoring average. DJ was a much better scorer than Smart, but Smart is a better defender.

[Neurotic Guy]

Shooting % are all up from last year.  But more real to me is the eye test:  Footey nailed it -- Smart is a leader, both vocally and as a model, he is making plays at the hoop with regularity, he's consistently making FTs, and he is resisting 3-point attempts (at least at times).  His defense is game-changing -- but hard to know if that's better or the same as last year. 

Re: the DJ comparison.  Smart is clutch, but DJ was at another level -- crazy reliable offensively when it mattered most and such a clutch FT shooter.  I don't see DJ being quite as dynamic defensively as Marcus, though he was clearly a great defender.  Hindsight is tough, but I also don't recall DJ taking bad shots (though he must have) -- so intelligent on the court.  What a great player for Marcus to emulate.

We need to remember  that by the time DJ got to the celtics he was already a seasoned pro, (7 years in) and had spent 3 years in JuCo and a year at Pepperdine.  Smart will get there.

True. Maybe the most impressive and hopeful stat related to Smart is his number of years on Earth.  Still only 24. 

[feckless]

Marcus is not even close to DJ as a player or a defender.

DJ as a Sonic blocked 7 shots in a finals game, the most blocks ever for a guard.  DJ Was the NBA Finals MVP having  a  32 point game and averaging 23 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists in the finals the year they won the Championship.  In his 3rd and 4th season in the NBA he was an All-Star and made 1st team All-Defensive.  DJ was the best man on man defender I ever saw, ruining some guards careers because he dominated them so.

Marcus has improved but a Dennis Johnson comparison is ludicrous.  Watch some tape of the DJ and Gus Williams backcourt.  Amazing.

[More Banners]

Shooting % are all up from last year.  But more real to me is the eye test:  Footey nailed it -- Smart is a leader, both vocally and as a model, he is making plays at the hoop with regularity, he's consistently making FTs, and he is resisting 3-point attempts (at least at times).  His defense is game-changing -- but hard to know if that's better or the same as last year. 

Re: the DJ comparison.  Smart is clutch, but DJ was at another level -- crazy reliable offensively when it mattered most and such a clutch FT shooter.  I don't see DJ being quite as dynamic defensively as Marcus, though he was clearly a great defender.  Hindsight is tough, but I also don't recall DJ taking bad shots (though he must have) -- so intelligent on the court.  What a great player for Marcus to emulate.

spot on (except I don't recall DJ taking many bad shots. Not with LB on he floor.

But Smart looks and leads like this is HIS thing; he is taking responsibility for the performance of others, talking, guiding, directing the D, and much more settled and patient on offense. He's beat out more talented players due to his calming and unifying, and perhaps more consistent, performance.

[mctyson]

He's doing the exact things he's always done.

More people are noticing now because they're not just blindly hating on him off for his shooting percentage.

[LilRip]

From the eye test, he has. On both ends of the floor. His shooting % has improved, and playing with the starters has vastly improved his shot selection. He’s also way more vocal out there on the floor on defense.

There’s a reason Kyrie said he loves playing with the cobra.

[celtics4ever33]

He's doing the exact things he's always done.

More people are noticing now because they're not just blindly hating on him off for his shooting percentage.

This is a bad assessment because those guys are right to. Smart's saving grace is he is surrounded by a good team.

All those guys wanted was for him to stop shooting his bum 3's and trying to do too much. Basically just step back and do your job which is just play defense and occasionally run the offense.

Nobody hates Smart for any other reason than the things he does bad.

You should be comparing the guys who thought he could average 20 , and drive to the basket like Dwayne Wade, not the guys who wanted him to stop shooting and become what he is right now.

Although I think those guys are either hiding from this or will never admit it.

[Wretch]

Marcus is not even close to DJ as a player or a defender.

DJ as a Sonic blocked 7 shots in a finals game, the most blocks ever for a guard.  DJ Was the NBA Finals MVP having  a  32 point game and averaging 23 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists in the finals the year they won the Championship.  In his 3rd and 4th season in the NBA he was an All-Star and made 1st team All-Defensive.  DJ was the best man on man defender I ever saw, ruining some guards careers because he dominated them so.

Marcus has improved but a Dennis Johnson comparison is ludicrous.  Watch some tape of the DJ and Gus Williams backcourt.  Amazing.

Smart is about the same age DJ was in his Rookie year. DJ became DJ in college and his first few years in the pros. I don't think Smart will be as good as DJ was offensively  but he can definitely be as good or better defensively.

This isn't a slight to DJ and I don't think Smart is as good as DJ was. I just view Smart as an analogous player to DJ, when DJ was a Celtic.

[RockinRyA]

He's doing the exact things he's always done.

More people are noticing now because they're not just blindly hating on him off for his shooting percentage.

This is a bad assessment because those guys are right to. Smart's saving grace is he is surrounded by a good team.

All those guys wanted was for him to stop shooting his bum 3's and trying to do too much. Basically just step back and do your job which is just play defense and occasionally run the offense.

Nobody hates Smart for any other reason than the things he does bad.

You should be comparing the guys who thought he could average 20 , and drive to the basket like Dwayne Wade, not the guys who wanted him to stop shooting and become what he is right now.

Although I think those guys are either hiding from this or will never admit it.

No, those guys who think he could average by 20 are very very rare. There are a lot of guys here that wanted him gone and doesnt even acknowledge what he brings to the table. Heck you'd see lots dispute that he is a net negative despite what he brought to the table. He has always been a net positive guy despite his shooting. This year he is shooting less so what he brings to the table has been magnified.