Why Marcus Smart should start at SG

[NL41]

First off let's list the big strong shooting guards in the NBA who Smart is obviously a better fit to defend than Bradley is:

Joe Johnson (6'7", 240lbs) and the Nets (4x year)
Klay Thompson (6'7", 210ish) and GSW (2x year)
Jimmy Butler (6'7" 225lbs) and Bulls
Lance Stephenson (6'5" 225lbs) and Charlotte
Victor Oladipo (6'4", 215lbs) and Orlando
DWade (6'4, 220) and Miami
Shumpert/JR Smith (both 220lbs) and Knicks
DeRozan (6'7", 216) and Raptors
OJ Mayo (220ish) and Bucks
Dion Waiters (216) and Cavs
Wesley Matthews (6'5 220) and Blazers
Kobe (6'6" 210ish) and Lakers
James Harden (6'5" 220lbs) and Rockets
Danny Green (6'6 215) and Spurs
Eric Gordon (6'4, 215) and Pelicans

The only teams where Bradley isn't at an obvious strength disadvantage are:

PHI Wroten 205lbs
LAC Reddick 190
DET KCP 205
MEM (if they start Courtney Lee over Tony Allen, which is questionable)

And maybe one or two more. Bradley is listed at 181 lbs, but looks stronger this offseason. Unlikely that he weighs more than 190, which is solid enough for a pg, but still way below average for a shooting guard.

The fact is Smart is 37-40 lbs stronger than Bradley, and yet his lateral quickness and defensive tenacity is right there with Bradley's.

Almost as importantly, or perhaps more so, Smart is a MUCH Smarter off-ball defender than Bradley. Smart knows where to be to be most effective pretty much at all times on defense, and he serves as an Ed Reed caliber free-lancer.

If Bradley had a great bbiq on off-ball defense, he would average many more steals per game, but he doesn't, so his steal #s are somewhat pedestrian.

Smart's steals per game are off the charts, in large part because of his brilliance as an off the ball defender. Even when he isn't getting steals, Smart is putting great pressure on the offense, causing passes out of bounds, rushed shots, and generally keeping the opposing offense out of rhythm.

Smart's off-ball defensive havoc is a big part of why Smart is considered the next great perimeter defender.

If you still think Bradley is a lock for starting at shooting guard, you're probably also one of the many who have written this team off as having little or no chance of making the playoffs. You might even be hoping for another tank season.

When you finally see Bradley standing next to Smart, and get to see Smart defending NBA shooting guards, the obviousness of my argument is going to be clear.

Another argument in favor of Smart, not that one is needed:
It is going to become apparent that KO is the better overall player than Tyler Zeller, and just as strong physically. The only advantage Zeller has over KO is quickness, and a slight advantage in general athleticism.

If 180-190 lb Avery Bradley was our starting shooting guard, the argument against starting our best 7 footer (KO) would be stronger, but we have Smart.

Starting Smart at shooting guard is like having an extra forward on the court, which makes it easier to start somebody like KO at center. Our need for a rim protector is lessened with Smart on the court playing off the ball, and if you still think Zeller is a real solution as a rim protector anyway, you're thinking wishfully.

Yes, Bradley is a better outside shooter than Smart, but that is literally the only thing Bradley does better from the shooting guard position than Smart. I wouldn't bet on Smart being a better defender of (most) point guards, but that isn't the question here.

Having Smart and Rondo on the court together doesn't wreck our floor spacing, especially if we have KO stretching the court from the center position with his 3 point shooting. And the stats show that both Rondo and Smart are solid spot up shooters when open. Smart hit something like 45% of his open 2 point jumpers last season, and his 70+% FT shooting shows that he's not an inherently bad shooter.

Last season, rookie coach Stevens made the mistake of starting Bradley at PG for the first 4 games (all losses) over Jordan Crawford. I hope that Stevens is Smart enough to not start this season off on the wrong note again by making the mistake of starting Bradley over Smart at SG.

And I say this as a big fan of Bradley, and not just in the condescending, "I love Bradley, he's a legit NBA player" kind of way.

Bradley's best skills are jump shots and on ball defense against point guards. His (cronic) injury issues can be chalked up in large part to guarding bigger shooting guards who outweigh him by 20-40 lbs.

What is going to happen is Bradley and Evan Turner are going to end up logging many minutes together, with Turner handling point guard responsibilities on offense while Bradley defends the opposing point guard.

This is all very good news for the Celtics. We are a significantly better team than the basketball world realizes, and Marcus Smart starting at SG is one reason why.

[SuperDeluxe]

Smart will start... eventually. But as of right now he has a grand total of zero minutes of NBA experience. The SG spot is for Avery Bradley to lose.

If you still think Bradley is a lock for starting at shooting guard, you're probably also one of the many who have written this team off as having little or no chance of making the playoffs. You might even be hoping for another tank season.

If your twin brother arambone hadn't been banned, he would've written the same stupidity with the same flair. (For the record, I've said that this team would win around 40 games this year. They might or might not make the playoffs, though in the east 40 wins might buy you a first round exit. As for writing them off, what the hell does that mean? It's a fact that they are not going anywhere this season -- unless some fabulous player movement takes place, that is.)

[NL41]

As for writing them off, what the hell does that mean? It's a fact that they are not going anywhere this season

Unfortunately, I'm not a retired mod, so I can't go calling people stupid.
So I'll just say thanks for posting.

[SuperDeluxe]

As for writing them off, what the hell does that mean? It's a fact that they are not going anywhere this season

Unfortunately, I'm not a retired mod, so I can't go calling people stupid.
So I'll just say thanks for posting.

I called your post stupid. Stop trolling AND stirring the pot.

[NL41]

As for writing them off, what the hell does that mean? It's a fact that they are not going anywhere this season

Unfortunately, I'm not a retired mod, so I can't go calling people stupid.
So I'll just say thanks for posting.

I called your post stupid. Stop trolling AND stirring the pot.

Now I'm stupid, trolling, AND stirring the pot. Thanks for posting.

[zronv7]

I don't see him starting over Bradley at the beginning of the season, maybe eventually he'll make his way to the starting line up but I think he'll be mainly used off the bench backing up Rondo and Bradley. 20-28mpg I'm guessing.

[humblebum]

Here's what you're missing:

The Celtics are REALLY bad at shooting the ball from the perimeter, really bad. Bradley is this teams best shooter.

Lineup combinations have a lot to do with chemistry. Rondo and Bradley have great chemistry.

Bradley is a 94 foot ball pressure guy. He's quicker and better on the ball than Smart.

Rondo and Smart are VERY similar defensively, rondo wants to let Bradley pressure the ball so he can lay back and play a roamer defensive role.

Bradley plays bigger than his height (excellent arm length and hops) and he's great at fronting the post and getting under guys on the perimeter. He's very hard to attack one on one in size mismatches because of this.

Finally, Smart is a rookie and though a lot of what you say about Smart is true he has to prove it. And most importantly he had to develop a chemistry and a role for this team and this system. There is nothing wrong with him coming off the bench and being that leader on both ends.

[OBisHalJordan]

The only one Smart starts this year is if one of Rondo or Bradley gets traded. The Celtics just sunk $8 million a year for Bradley. Do you think that's for him to be a bench player. There's rumors that the MLE will be around $8 million after the salary keep jumps with the new TV deal so maybe Bradley's contract isn't as much of an impediment to him becoming a bench player. We'll see.

Still, I don't Smart is going to start if Rondo and Bradley are on the team. There will be plenty of minutes for him off the bench, especially if Thorton gets moved along with Bass and some others, which many of us seem to think/hope.

[NL41]

8 million dollars is not a lot of money in today's nba. If we didn't have an elite prospect like Smart, I wouldn't suggest some rookie or anybody else starting over Bradley. But 8 million is very reasonable for an elite bench player.

Like I said, it may take Stevens some time to figure this out, but I really wouldn't be surprised if he puts Smart in the starting lineup next to Rondo in the second half of the preseason.

What is going to happen is Smart will end up starting, but he'll be the first sub out after 4-5 minutes, and then he'll come in for Rondo after a few more minutes.

At the start of the games, Smart can really help set that high energy tone, which has been a problem for the team. And he can attack the rim, setting the physical tone and getting opposing bigs in early foul trouble. It's going to be awesome.

[Captain_Caveman]

You just described why Smart will be our 3rd guard for the time being. Subbing for Avery and playing with Rondo, he is a SG on both ends. When subbing for Rondo and playing alongside Bradley, he is the offensive PG and defensive SG.

In sum, he will get like 25mpg, and always check SGs on defense, but will play both guard sports offensively depending on who his backcourt partner is.

[NL41]

I was watching this game last night:

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEziLJlxvH4[/youtube]
http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/box ... state.html

Even though Smart had a horrible shooting night, he was still a terror defensively, especially off the ball. It's like watching a great middle linebacker or free safety. Bradley and Green are both below average in off ball and help defense.

[soxfan2003]

NL41 you downplay the importance of floor spacing. It would be pretty bad next year with a starting backcourt of Rondo and Smart. Until proven otherwise, no 3 point threat at a starting guard position so teams will just back off and Smart won't be hitting 45% of his midrange 2's as a rookie. I'm not saying it's impossible for Rondo or Smart to have a very good 3 point shot by next season but its very unlikely. Teams usually need 3+ 3 point threats to have good spacing nowadays. Green is OK but hardly has been consistent throughout his career. Olynyk is promising in that area but has a lot to prove himself.

It is true that Smart is a better match-up defensively against some of those SG's but at this stage of his career, I don't think the Celtics mind putting Rondo on many of those SG's. The Celtics are not going to bench Bradley the first year after he signs that extension unless Smart is much better then Bradley next year and not just moderately better. Not likely to happen this year. It could happen in the 2015-6 season if Rondo signs an extension and Smart or Rondo develops a very good 3 point shot.

[BakersDozen]

he will start by the trade deadline... after Rondo is dealt.

[Parliament10]

8 million dollars is not a lot of money in today's nba. If we didn't have an elite prospect like Smart, I wouldn't suggest some rookie or anybody else starting over Bradley. But 8 million is very reasonable for an elite bench player.

Like I said, it may take Stevens some time to figure this out, but I really wouldn't be surprised if he puts Smart in the starting lineup next to Rondo in the second half of the preseason.

What is going to happen is Smart will end up starting, but he'll be the first sub out after 4-5 minutes, and then he'll come in for Rondo after a few more minutes.

At the start of the games, Smart can really help set that high energy tone, which has been a problem for the team. And he can attack the rim, setting the physical tone and getting opposing bigs in early foul trouble. It's going to be awesome.

You may be right. . . . One day.

But NOT now.

We All need more time, to evaluate and learn.
There's no counting for Experience. And only One Way to achieve it.

They're probably going to be very special, as time goes on.
But for now, they are just -- Smart & Young . . .

[Fencer reregistered]

Let's not put Smart in even the Defensive Hall of Fame until he's played at least 8 regular season games.

[NL41]

NL41 you downplay the importance of floor spacing. It would be pretty bad next year with a starting backcourt of Rondo and Smart. Until proven otherwise, no 3 point threat at a starting guard position so teams will just back off and Smart won't be hitting 45% of his midrange 2's as a rookie. I'm not saying it's impossible for Rondo or Smart to have a very good 3 point shot by next season but its very unlikely. Teams usually need 3+ 3 point threats to have good spacing nowadays. Green is OK but hardly has been consistent throughout his career. Olynyk is promising in that area but has a lot to prove himself.

It is true that Smart is a better match-up defensively against some of those SG's but at this stage of his career, I don't think the Celtics mind putting Rondo on many of those SG's. The Celtics are not going to bench Bradley the first year after he signs that extension unless Smart is much better then Bradley next year and not just moderately better. Not likely to happen this year. It could happen in the 2015-6 season if Rondo signs an extension and Smart or Rondo develops a very good 3 point shot.

That would be a mistake, the kind that costs many games.

And Bradley has shown year after year that his body is fragile and doesn't withstand a heavy load well at all.

And speaking of experience, it wasn't Avery Bradley who was practicing with the All Stars this summer and last summer. It was Smart who was getting all that offseason experience with the best in the world, two summers in a row. And Smart led the U19 team to a gold medal last summer, and starred for the U18 team the year before, in addition to his two full years of dominating college basketball.

Bradley is 3-4 years older, but experience-wise it's a lot closer than that. I don't think Bradley even played in a summer league, being limited or unable to practice most summers since he was drafted. And he's only played 60 games or more twice, with his record being 64 games when he was playing 21 mpg a couple years ago.

And personality-wise, I think Bradley could handle it quite well, especially knowing that Rondo probably won't be here forever. The way to make it easier for Bradley would be to tell him he is the #1 scoring option for the reserves and tell him to fire away.

But honestly, I'm not sure a Smart/Bradley starting lineup is much of a drop-off from a Rondo/Smart or Rondo/Bradley starting lineup. But of course few in the league would handle a demotion worse than Rondo.

[NL41]

8 million dollars is not a lot of money in today's nba. If we didn't have an elite prospect like Smart, I wouldn't suggest some rookie or anybody else starting over Bradley. But 8 million is very reasonable for an elite bench player.

Like I said, it may take Stevens some time to figure this out, but I really wouldn't be surprised if he puts Smart in the starting lineup next to Rondo in the second half of the preseason.

What is going to happen is Smart will end up starting, but he'll be the first sub out after 4-5 minutes, and then he'll come in for Rondo after a few more minutes.

At the start of the games, Smart can really help set that high energy tone, which has been a problem for the team. And he can attack the rim, setting the physical tone and getting opposing bigs in early foul trouble. It's going to be awesome.

You may be right. . . . One day.

But NOT now.

We All need more time, to evaluate and learn.
There's no counting for Experience. And only One Way to achieve it.

They're probably going to be very special, as time goes on.
But for now, they are just -- Smart & Young . . .

Speaking of Young, his personality/confidence advantage over Green is substantial.

There's a few lineups I can't wait to get a look at, including a few with Green at PF with KO at center. A Smart/Bradley/Young/Green/KO lineup might be our best outside shooting lineup.

And a Rondo/Smart/Young/Green/KO lineup might just work as well some day.

[Celtics2014]

I think a case can be made that Smart plays more minutes than Bradley, especially when you considers Rondo and Bradley's injury history. Once Smart proves he is the best player then I would start him.

[return2glory]

First off let's list the big strong shooting guards in the NBA who Smart is obviously a better fit to defend than Bradley is:

Joe Johnson (6'7", 240lbs) and the Nets (4x year)
Klay Thompson (6'7", 210ish) and GSW (2x year)
Jimmy Butler (6'7" 225lbs) and Bulls
Lance Stephenson (6'5" 225lbs) and Charlotte
Victor Oladipo (6'4", 215lbs) and Orlando
DWade (6'4, 220) and Miami
Shumpert/JR Smith (both 220lbs) and Knicks
DeRozan (6'7", 216) and Raptors
OJ Mayo (220ish) and Bucks
Dion Waiters (216) and Cavs
Wesley Matthews (6'5 220) and Blazers
Kobe (6'6" 210ish) and Lakers
James Harden (6'5" 220lbs) and Rockets
Danny Green (6'6 215) and Spurs
Eric Gordon (6'4, 215) and Pelicans

The only teams where Bradley isn't at an obvious strength disadvantage are:

PHI Wroten 205lbs
LAC Reddick 190
DET KCP 205
MEM (if they start Courtney Lee over Tony Allen, which is questionable)

And maybe one or two more. Bradley is listed at 181 lbs, but looks stronger this offseason. Unlikely that he weighs more than 190, which is solid enough for a pg, but still way below average for a shooting guard.

The fact is Smart is 37-40 lbs stronger than Bradley, and yet his lateral quickness and defensive tenacity is right there with Bradley's.

Almost as importantly, or perhaps more so, Smart is a MUCH Smarter off-ball defender than Bradley. Smart knows where to be to be most effective pretty much at all times on defense, and he serves as an Ed Reed caliber free-lancer.

If Smart had a great bbiq on off-ball defense, he would average many more steals per game, but he doesn't, so his steal #s are somewhat pedestrian.

Smart's steals per game are off the charts, in large part because of his brilliance as an off the ball defender. Even when he isn't getting steals, Smart is putting great pressure on the offense, causing passes out of bounds, rushed shots, and generally keeping the opposing offense out of rhythm.

Smart's off-ball defensive havoc is a big part of why Smart is considered the next great perimeter defender.

If you still think Bradley is a lock for starting at shooting guard, you're probably also one of the many who have written this team off as having little or no chance of making the playoffs. You might even be hoping for another tank season.

When you finally see Bradley standing next to Smart, and get to see Smart defending NBA shooting guards, the obviousness of my argument is going to be clear.

Another argument in favor of Smart, not that one is needed:
It is going to become apparent that KO is the better overall player than Tyler Zeller, and just as strong physically. The only advantage Zeller has over KO is quickness, and a slight advantage in general athleticism.

If 180-190 lb Avery Bradley was our starting shooting guard, the argument against starting our best 7 footer (KO) would be stronger, but we have Smart.

Starting Smart at shooting guard is like having an extra forward on the court, which makes it easier to start somebody like KO at center. Our need for a rim protector is lessened with Smart on the court playing off the ball, and if you still think Zeller is a real solution as a rim protector anyway, you're thinking wishfully.

Yes, Bradley is a better outside shooter than Smart, but that is literally the only thing Bradley does better from the shooting guard position than Smart. I wouldn't bet on Smart being a better defender of (most) point guards, but that isn't the question here.

Having Smart and Rondo on the court together doesn't wreck our floor spacing, especially if we have KO stretching the court from the center position with his 3 point shooting. And the stats show that both Rondo and Smart are solid spot up shooters when open. Smart hit something like 45% of his open 2 point jumpers last season, and his 70+% FT shooting shows that he's not an inherently bad shooter.

Last season, rookie coach Stevens made the mistake of starting Bradley at PG for the first 4 games (all losses) over Jordan Crawford. I hope that Stevens is Smart enough to not start this season off on the wrong note again by making the mistake of starting Bradley over Smart at SG.

And I say this as a big fan of Bradley, and not just in the condescending, "I love Bradley, he's a legit NBA player" kind of way.

Bradley's best skills are jump shots and on ball defense against point guards. His (cronic) injury issues can be chalked up in large part to guarding bigger shooting guards who outweigh him by 20-40 lbs.

What is going to happen is Bradley and Evan Turner are going to end up logging many minutes together, with Turner handling point guard responsibilities on offense while Bradley defends the opposing point guard.

This is all very good news for the Celtics. We are a significantly better team than the basketball world realizes, and Marcus Smart starting at SG is one reason why.

If more size is what you want at the SG position, I suggested Evan Turner start at SG a few weeks ago. While Turner is not the defensive player that Smart is, Turner has a solid mid range game. I mentioned how Bradley and Smart coming off the bench together would create a lot of problems for other teams with their defense.

[NL41]

You don't start Turner just because Smart and Bradley would look good off the bench together.