The Real Problem -- Lack of a True Point Guard

[Marvel]

It wasn't Smart who failed us. Our "superstar" did.

[Marvel]

What? Tatum shot .656 at the FT line in the finals. Dude

[Feed Your Head]

It wasn't Smart who failed us. Our "superstar" did.

“Superstar”? C’mon lol.

As for this thread, Smart played awesome in the playoffs. We were just too fatigued/injured by the end, Smart said as much in this article.

Read on Twitter

?s=20&t=-JkKP1iG5FiQDsF6KPLxqA

[Marvel]

It wasn't Smart who failed us. Our "superstar" did.

“Superstar”? C’mon lol.

As for this thread, Smart played awesome in the playoffs. We were just too fatigued/injured by the end, Smart said as much in this article.

Read on Twitter

?s=20&t=-JkKP1iG5FiQDsF6KPLxqA

I'm not calling him one hence the quotation but he is labelled as one amongst the Celtics fanbase.

[Feed Your Head]

It wasn't Smart who failed us. Our "superstar" did.

“Superstar”? C’mon lol.

As for this thread, Smart played awesome in the playoffs. We were just too fatigued/injured by the end, Smart said as much in this article.

Read on Twitter

?s=20&t=-JkKP1iG5FiQDsF6KPLxqA

I'm not calling him one hence the quotation but he is labelled as one amongst the Celtics fanbase.

I mean, he’s labeled one by the entire nba fan base and nba writers/analysts lol. Dude made first team all nba, and led the team to the finals in his age 23 season. If you don’t think that’s a superstar, I don’t know what to tell you.

Because he shot poorly in the finals? That’s pretty fickle. Especially considering the numbers he put up through the first 3 rounds, and the team being trash when he wasn’t on the court.

I know opinions are just that, but seems like an overreaction to a 6 game sample. This is the Smart thread though, so I’m not going to argue any further lol.

[Parliament10]

“Superstar”? C’mon lol.

As for this thread, Smart played awesome in the playoffs. We were just too fatigued/injured by the end, Smart said as much in this article.

Read on Twitter

?s=20&t=-JkKP1iG5FiQDsF6KPLxqA

I'm not calling him one hence the quotation but he is labelled as one amongst the Celtics fanbase.

I mean, he’s labeled one by the entire nba fan base and nba writers/analysts lol. Dude made first team all nba, and led the team to the finals in his age 23 season. If you don’t think that’s a superstar, I don’t know what to tell you.

Because he shot poorly in the finals? That’s pretty fickle. Especially considering the numbers he put up through the first 3 rounds, and the team being trash when he wasn’t on the court.

I know opinions are just that, but seems like an overreaction to a 6 game sample. This is the Smart thread though, so I’m not going to argue any further lol.

Read on Twitter

Marcus Smart is, and has been, my Favorite Active Player (across the whole NBA) since he came into the League.
And even I didn't think that he could be a Full-time Starting PG.

I think at this point, that we should just think about who will be his apprentice.
Because he proved Everyone Wrong. I mean, there were only 2 Starting PG's in the Finals.

Steph Curry was the other one.

[Marvel]

“Superstar”? C’mon lol.

As for this thread, Smart played awesome in the playoffs. We were just too fatigued/injured by the end, Smart said as much in this article.

Read on Twitter

?s=20&t=-JkKP1iG5FiQDsF6KPLxqA

I'm not calling him one hence the quotation but he is labelled as one amongst the Celtics fanbase.

I mean, he’s labeled one by the entire nba fan base and nba writers/analysts lol. Dude made first team all nba, and led the team to the finals in his age 23 season. If you don’t think that’s a superstar, I don’t know what to tell you.

Because he shot poorly in the finals? That’s pretty fickle. Especially considering the numbers he put up through the first 3 rounds, and the team being trash when he wasn’t on the court.

I know opinions are just that, but seems like an overreaction to a 6 game sample. This is the Smart thread though, so I’m not going to argue any further lol.

You don't have to tell me anything my man lol. I'm not trying to be an ass but my interpretation as a superstar isn't what the media or fanbase interprets one as. Sorry not sorry. To me a superstar is a guy who leads his team to a title. So a very small group. Bron, Giannis, Steph, Dirk, Wade, Shaq. He has the potential to be one but like Hall and Oates " i can't go for that no no can do"

[Feed Your Head]

I thought Smart played with a slower pace in the finals, but I mean they had Tatum playing more of the PG role, Smart more off ball. Whether by design, the attention Tatum drew, or because Smart was too banged up. I don’t think it’s fair that people are calling out the lack of playmaking from him in the finals, when it wasn’t a role he was really being asked to play.

I also think MS was both injured and gassed by that point. He defended his ASS OFF, and it was a ton of chasing Steph around, so he just didn’t have as much in the tank to drive a lot and be a creator. I’m excited to see what he can do with a season of the system under his belt, same for Tatum/Jaylen, and especially White.

[Feed Your Head]

I'm not calling him one hence the quotation but he is labelled as one amongst the Celtics fanbase.

I mean, he’s labeled one by the entire nba fan base and nba writers/analysts lol. Dude made first team all nba, and led the team to the finals in his age 23 season. If you don’t think that’s a superstar, I don’t know what to tell you.

Because he shot poorly in the finals? That’s pretty fickle. Especially considering the numbers he put up through the first 3 rounds, and the team being trash when he wasn’t on the court.

I know opinions are just that, but seems like an overreaction to a 6 game sample. This is the Smart thread though, so I’m not going to argue any further lol.

You don't have to tell me anything my man lol. I'm not trying to be an ass but my interpretation as a superstar isn't what the media or fanbase interprets one as. Sorry not sorry. To me a superstar is a guy who leads his team to a title. So a very small group. Bron, Giannis, Steph, Dirk, Wade, Shaq. He has the potential to be one but like Hall and Oates " i can't go for that no no can do"

Yeah I’m just stubborn lol. Everyone just has a different bar for superstar, hopefully next season he makes it a no doubter for the stragglers.

[zoyathedestroya]

I thought Smart played with a slower pace in the finals, but I mean they had Tatum playing more of the PG role in the finals, Smart more off ball. Whether by design, the attention Tatum drew, or because Smart was too banged up. I don’t think it’s fair that people are calling out the lack of playmaking from him in the finals, when it wasn’t a role he was really being asked to play.

I also think MS was both injured and gassed by that point. He defended his ASS OFF, and it was a ton of chasing Steph around, so he just didn’t have as much in the tank to drive a lot and be a creator. I’m excited to see what he can do with a season of the system under his belt, same for Tatum/Jaylen, and especially White.

His role was mostly set a pick, get the switch, let Jays iso against a mismatch. Make a play off kickouts.

Apart from the TOs, my main complaint with Smart was setting up the offense late for majority of the possessions. We didn't have much offball movement to begin with (offball movement only to set up the mismatches but none after). Dunno if that was intentional but huge difference when Horford pushes the ball and we get early opportunities. Kind of envious of Draymond in that game 6 when he just ran off our misses to set up his shooters and cutters. Fatigue and injuries were a factor. Doesn't make the loss sting less lol.

[darrendaye]

I thought Smart played with a slower pace in the finals, but I mean they had Tatum playing more of the PG role in the finals, Smart more off ball.

I also think MS was both injured and gassed in the finals, and defended his ASS OFF, so he just didn’t have as much in the tank to drive a lot and be a creator. I’m excited to see what he can do with a season of the system under his belt, same for Tatum/Jaylen, and especially White.

Both Smart and Tatum need to walk the ball up-court less frequently. I mean, you can slow it down once it crosses the time-line but one of the reasons you like having 6'8" guys bringing it up is to see over a yet to be settled defense. Guys need some low throttle time on court, but that's why they invented catch and shoot corner 3s and trailer 3s. When Smart takes it up it should be mostly with 2 intentions: find an early opening for a score or pass to Tatum (primarily)/Brown (when more prudent) on the wing.

[Parliament10]

I thought Smart played with a slower pace in the finals, but I mean they had Tatum playing more of the PG role in the finals, Smart more off ball. Whether by design, the attention Tatum drew, or because Smart was too banged up. I don’t think it’s fair that people are calling out the lack of playmaking from him in the finals, when it wasn’t a role he was really being asked to play.

I also think MS was both injured and gassed by that point. He defended his ASS OFF, and it was a ton of chasing Steph around, so he just didn’t have as much in the tank to drive a lot and be a creator. I’m excited to see what he can do with a season of the system under his belt, same for Tatum/Jaylen, and especially White.

His role was mostly set a pick, get the switch, let Jays iso against a mismatch. Make a play off kickouts.

Apart from the TOs, my main complaint with Smart was setting up the offense late for majority of the possessions. We didn't have much offball movement to begin with (offball movement only to set up the mismatches but none after). Dunno if that was intentional but huge difference when Horford pushes the ball and we get early opportunities. Kind of envious of Draymond in that game 6 when he just ran off our misses to set up his shooters and cutters. Fatigue and injuries were a factor. Doesn't make the loss sting less lol.

Yeah. We can't do that 8-Man Rotation thing, for the Whole Season, again.
We basically didn't have much Backup, in the Playoffs. -- 5 Starters Cannot Win a Championship.

Udoka has to get the rest of the 15 NBA players (and 2 x Two-Way players) into the games (RS), and acquire some experience.

[BostonCouchGM]

no PG will make a difference in our offense because they won't be allowed to actually run the offense. Neither Tatum or Brown is willing/not capable/not asked to, run around screens playing off ball waiting for a PG to find them open. They're both ISO heavy guys who when they don't have the ball just stand outside of the three point line. This has been our offense since Brad took over. If it doesn't change it won't matter who is at PG. So with that in mind, the best answer is the PG who can defend but hit threes off of kickouts. Smart isn't that guy for the most part. When he's streaky hot from three we can beat anyone. But that's 1 out of every 8-10 games. It is what it is.

[Parliament10]

no PG will make a difference in our offense because they won't be allowed to actually run the offense. Neither Tatum or Brown is willing/not capable/not asked to, run around screens playing off ball waiting for a PG to find them open. They're both ISO heavy guys who when they don't have the ball just stand outside of the three point line. This has been our offense since Brad took over. If it doesn't change it won't matter who is at PG. So with that in mind, the best answer is the PG who can defend but hit threes off of kickouts. Smart isn't that guy for the most part. When he's streaky hot from three we can beat anyone. But that's 1 out of every 8-10 games. It is what it is.

????

Maybe one day, we'll make it to the Finals.

[pac213up]

Smart is the starting PG for this team and certainly deserves to be. I would agree though that they could use a true backup PG so JT and JB could play off of the ball more at times. PP does not seem to be that guy.

[31to6]

Smart at the 1 was a key factor in this team kicking the league’s ass for 3+ months, and I can’t wait to watch it again starting this fall.

The Celtics have been built on defense more often than not. That’s our heritage and our future. Embrace it — and give the ball to the Jays.

[Marvel]

I mean, he’s labeled one by the entire nba fan base and nba writers/analysts lol. Dude made first team all nba, and led the team to the finals in his age 23 season. If you don’t think that’s a superstar, I don’t know what to tell you.

Because he shot poorly in the finals? That’s pretty fickle. Especially considering the numbers he put up through the first 3 rounds, and the team being trash when he wasn’t on the court.

I know opinions are just that, but seems like an overreaction to a 6 game sample. This is the Smart thread though, so I’m not going to argue any further lol.

You don't have to tell me anything my man lol. I'm not trying to be an ass but my interpretation as a superstar isn't what the media or fanbase interprets one as. Sorry not sorry. To me a superstar is a guy who leads his team to a title. So a very small group. Bron, Giannis, Steph, Dirk, Wade, Shaq. He has the potential to be one but like Hall and Oates " i can't go for that no no can do"

Yeah I’m just stubborn lol. Everyone just has a different bar for superstar, hopefully next season he makes it a no doubter for the stragglers.

[darrendaye]

no PG will make a difference in our offense because they won't be allowed to actually run the offense. Neither Tatum or Brown is willing/not capable/not asked to, run around screens playing off ball waiting for a PG to find them open. They're both ISO heavy guys who when they don't have the ball just stand outside of the three point line. This has been our offense since Brad took over. If it doesn't change it won't matter who is at PG. So with that in mind, the best answer is the PG who can defend but hit threes off of kickouts. Smart isn't that guy for the most part. When he's streaky hot from three we can beat anyone. But that's 1 out of every 8-10 games. It is what it is.

Agree with the observation, not quite there with the fatalism. I viewed each as having done more off-ball movement this season than in seasons past. Especially coming off a Finals appearance, I probably will be in a rather small camp who doesn't need to have everyone's role settled heading into this year. Given the change in tone with the coaching change as well as (what I consider) the delay in throwing Tatum and Brown into the playmaker fire, I believe this year should be the tipping point season. IMO Tatum has shown enough to feel comfortable with him getting a substantial role as a playmaker, this season should determine if you need a ball dominant lead guard or if they can really play threw him. Brown is a bit more on the fence in this regard. In the event he doesn't take a big jump, I'd say he should be pulled aside and counseled that the role you are suggesting is best for all parties involved. More cutting, more motion shooting, etc.

While I tend to also favor having a knock down shooting point to share the PG defensive role with Smart, I'd say the need is for a knock down, high volume shooter out there with them, whether that be PG, PF, or C. Al had some strong games in the playoffs and the offense looked great during those stretches. Along with said shooter, a 3rd scorer who can allow the Jays some more (what I call) down-throttle time, should also pay dividends if the Jays are open to continued instruction and blunt feedback at times.

[moonie_mcgee]

Blame is 50/50 for me.
The core had their slow 1q and 3q slow starts and had issues closing but they also had built leads that were whittled away and played too many minutes.
We had Smart Brown Tatum Horford RWill3
Then DWhite Grant Pritch and Theis.
Where are the upgrades going to be.
The Bucks won it with
Holiday Middleton Tucker Giannis Lopez
Then Portis and Connegan.

We gotta upgrade our bench first.
And look for other opportunities as well.

[BK_2020]

Yeah let's tell Tatum to stand in a corner and wait for a pass because he's a forward smdh.