Why Marcus Smart should start at SG

[Zaschrona]

I believe Rondo and Smart can co-exist well next to each other in our starting line-up. If Dragic and Bledsoe can, they should as well. We should definetely give it a go.

[GuyClinch]

It doesn't matter if they could co-exist or not. We have Bradley, Rondo, Thorton, Turner and Smart. None of those guys are big enough to play SF on a decent team- and you can make a case that 3 of them are best at the PG spot. Something has got to give..

In a league where Lebron and Love are likely to dominate in the near future.. it makes sense to move our vets (Green, Rondo, Bass) for some talented young athletic bigs (via draft or direct trade). Sadly outside of Sully those might be three best players on our team. But building for the future entails some sacrifice..

I like Smart - but he is not going to beat out Bradley, Thorton, and Turner at the SG spot as a rookie PG. Even JKidd wouldn't have beat out Kerry Kittles at the off-guard. That guy Kittles he could shoot.

[soxfan2003]

I believe Rondo and Smart can co-exist well next to each other in our starting line-up. If Dragic and Bledsoe can, they should as well. We should definetely give it a go.

Dragic and Bledsoe worked well together since they both could hit 3's... Until proven otherwise, Rondo and Smart are both bad 3 point shooters.

[humblebum]

Notice how I didn't say point guard things and shooting guard things. Both passing AND scoring (along with being a threat to score) are things that point guards (and all other players) are responsible for in an ideal basketball setting. The era of specialization is coming to a close whether we like it or not. There will be some specialists (like Rondo) who survive based on their extraordinary talents, but more and more we are seeing the evolution of the game head in the direction of 5 multi-faceted and multi-talented players blending their all around talents and skills.

This. Rondo is the oddball old school PG. Smart represents the prototype player of the new crop of PGs. That's not to say he will succeed - just that his game style is fairly typical of the PG's coming out nowadays. He is a bit bigger and stronger then a lot of guys - but you can see great similarities to other modern PGs like Baron Davis and Chauncy Billups. I am not even sure who Rondo compares too - maybe a Cousy. I know some people will say Kidd but Kidd was a fairly competent 3 point shooter - and he shot a ton of them..

The great advantage with a modern PG is that they represent an offensive threat - forcing defenses to game plan for their offensive game and send perimeter help over to them. This opens up the game for the other guys. This is how Pierce operated in the finals to secure us our first championship in 20 years..

This 'pure' PG stuff is fools gold. It's been sending our offense down in the dumps. The Rondo era has been an abject failure in terms of offensive production.. It might be possible to create a Rondo friendly group of players to compensate for Rondo's glaring issues. But its not easy..

At the end of the day you have a PG who doesn't get to the line often - who can't hit free throws when he does - and a guy who can't shoot from 3. This is not something I would pay max salary for in today's NBA. We can only hope that Smart plays well enough to remind Danny of the incredible burden Rondo's play can put on a team..

I don't think Rondo need necessarily be jusged solely on the teams offensive performance. In many ways I think this year Rondo has to show how he can help organize the defense and transition attack. Rondo isn't really a great enough offensive talent to hang his hat there, he'll have to pick his spots to score and otherwise continue to evolve as a cog in a motion offense. Here's to hoping Stevens can have a similar effect on Rondo as Doc had on Paul Pierce.

[bucknersrevenge]

Notice how I didn't say point guard things and shooting guard things. Both passing AND scoring (along with being a threat to score) are things that point guards (and all other players) are responsible for in an ideal basketball setting. The era of specialization is coming to a close whether we like it or not. There will be some specialists (like Rondo) who survive based on their extraordinary talents, but more and more we are seeing the evolution of the game head in the direction of 5 multi-faceted and multi-talented players blending their all around talents and skills.

This. Rondo is the oddball old school PG. Smart represents the prototype player of the new crop of PGs. That's not to say he will succeed - just that his game style is fairly typical of the PG's coming out nowadays. He is a bit bigger and stronger then a lot of guys - but you can see great similarities to other modern PGs like Baron Davis and Chauncy Billups. I am not even sure who Rondo compares too - maybe a Cousy. I know some people will say Kidd but Kidd was a fairly competent 3 point shooter - and he shot a ton of them..

The great advantage with a modern PG is that they represent an offensive threat - forcing defenses to game plan for their offensive game and send perimeter help over to them. This opens up the game for the other guys. This is how Pierce operated in the finals to secure us our first championship in 20 years..

This 'pure' PG stuff is fools gold. It's been sending our offense down in the dumps. The Rondo era has been an abject failure in terms of offensive production.. It might be possible to create a Rondo friendly group of players to compensate for Rondo's glaring issues. But its not easy..

At the end of the day you have a PG who doesn't get to the line often - who can't hit free throws when he does - and a guy who can't shoot from 3. This is not something I would pay max salary for in today's NBA. We can only hope that Smart plays well enough to remind Danny of the incredible burden Rondo's play can put on a team..

I don't think Rondo need necessarily be jusged solely on the teams offensive performance. In many ways I think this year Rondo has to show how he can help organize the defense and transition attack. Rondo isn't really a great enough offensive talent to hang his hat there, he'll have to pick his spots to score and otherwise continue to evolve as a cog in a motion offense. Here's to hoping Stevens can have a similar effect on Rondo as Doc had on Paul Pierce.

And1.

In the championship year Rondo played as much with the ball as without. He mostly camped on the baseline making backdoor cuts for layups a la Bradley but he had (and still has) the capability to play off the ball. Hell he played off the ball at UK which he hated but still. If Stevens can tap back into that with the experience Rondo has now gained you could potentially see an evolution in Rondo's game. I'd like to see Rondo play a little more without the ball again. Make more cuts. Come off curls where Turner gets him the ball and take a few dribble handoffs from KO and dive into the lane. I'd like to see him spot up in the corner and take a few corner 3's. If Stevens is going to give Sully the green light, I'd have to think Rondo has it as well. He doesn't have to become a completely different player to exist here but a tweaking of the role he has always played in Doc's system would benefit all.

[Gomes3PC]

The problem is that the Rondo who played as a bit player was only a 2nd year player and deferred to a trio of Hall of Fame players as well as some really well-respected vets. Over time, Doc handed him the keys to the offense, for better or worse. It is going to be a tough sell for Stevens to convince Rondo to go back to ceding the ball more often than not, especially when you're asking him to do so for Sully, Green and KO instead of KG, Pierce and Allen.

[bucknersrevenge]

The problem is that the Rondo who played as a bit player was only a 2nd year player and deferred to a trio of Hall of Fame players as well as some really well-respected vets. Over time, Doc handed him the keys to the offense, for better or worse. It is going to be a tough sell for Stevens to convince Rondo to go back to ceding the ball more often than not, especially when you're asking him to do so for Sully, Green and KO instead of KG, Pierce and Allen.

That's an excellent point, and as such, THE question of questions. But you'd have to think, if anyone could get him to cede the ball more it would be Stevens right?

[Gomes3PC]

You'd have to think. The problem is that Rondo is so used to dominating the ball, he probably doesn't think as highly of his current teammates as the 07-08 roster, and he's also in a contract year. Those are all factors that could create for some major friction between what is best for the team and what is best for Rondo's personal goals.

[Slartibartfast]

The problem is that the Rondo who played as a bit player was only a 2nd year player and deferred to a trio of Hall of Fame players as well as some really well-respected vets. Over time, Doc handed him the keys to the offense, for better or worse. It is going to be a tough sell for Stevens to convince Rondo to go back to ceding the ball more often than not, especially when you're asking him to do so for Sully, Green and KO instead of KG, Pierce and Allen.

To be fair, is it even a good idea to cede the ball to sub-par shot-creators? Rondo spent most of his time last year with guys like Bass, Hump, Green and Bradley. What do those guys do with the ball in the half court - hold it, or shoot it.

It's not about stature, it's about skill.

The bigger issue with Rondo is getting him to play fast and loose and not settling into play-calling.

[Gomes3PC]

I do think Sully, KO and Turner can create for themselves, so at least with those three, some ball-sharing should be going on in. Hell even Marcus Thornton can create a bit for himself. Last year's team was truly special in its complete lack of shot creators once Crawford was traded.

[humblebum]

The problem is that the Rondo who played as a bit player was only a 2nd year player and deferred to a trio of Hall of Fame players as well as some really well-respected vets. Over time, Doc handed him the keys to the offense, for better or worse. It is going to be a tough sell for Stevens to convince Rondo to go back to ceding the ball more often than not, especially when you're asking him to do so for Sully, Green and KO instead of KG, Pierce and Allen.

Here is the thing this isn't a star oriented system. So it's not about getting Rondo to defer more to a player or players. It's about buying into a "system" of ball and player movement from transition, to secondary break, to half court offense.

Now when plays break down you'll have Rondo as one of the PnR guys. But Rondo isn't great in one on one plays either so I think where you could see friction is Rondo having difficulty deferring to guys like Turner and Sullinger who are simply better scorers in ISO situations.

The other area where there may be some friction is in transition where Rondo may not exactly be thrilled to advance the pass or fill a lane when Smart or Turner is keying the action.

But I think gone are the days of multiple elbow extended pick and pops, Rondo walking it up, and holding it for 20 seconds while he waits for a shooter to free himself in baseline screen action.

[ryaningf]

The problem is that the Rondo who played as a bit player was only a 2nd year player and deferred to a trio of Hall of Fame players as well as some really well-respected vets. Over time, Doc handed him the keys to the offense, for better or worse. It is going to be a tough sell for Stevens to convince Rondo to go back to ceding the ball more often than not, especially when you're asking him to do so for Sully, Green and KO instead of KG, Pierce and Allen.

Here is the thing this isn't a star oriented system. So it's not about getting Rondo to defer more to a player or players. It's about buying into a "system" of ball and player movement from transition, to secondary break, to half court offense.

Now when plays break down you'll have Rondo as one of the PnR guys. But Rondo isn't great in one on one plays either so I think where you could see friction is Rondo having difficulty deferring to guys like Turner and Sullinger who are simply better scorers in ISO situations.

The other area where there may be some friction is in transition where Rondo may not exactly be thrilled to advance the pass or fill a lane when Smart or Turner is keying the action.

But I think gone are the days of multiple elbow extended pick and pops, Rondo walking it up, and holding it for 20 seconds while he waits for a shooter to free himself in baseline screen action.

Good post, but a few qualms:

Rondo was this team's best isolation player last year, coming off injury, rusty and all that. He also had a career high in % of shots that were unassisted. Whether that was Stevens prepping for this season or just a function of the dysfunction of last season, we'll see, but it was remarkable that like 91% of his FGs in April were unassisted. Some of that was the bombs away 3 point shooting, but not all of it. With that in mind I'd rate Rondo as this team's best isolation and late shot clock ball handler, with Turner and Sully 2nd and 3rd.

As for Rondo's fit, we'll see. He's smart enough and skilled enough to be a real powerhouse in a system like that. Stevens is smart enough to make him see it too. It's going to be a matter of reps and belief. Missing the habit building training camp week really sucks. This was his time to get comfortable in a new system. Now he has to hit the ground running or face the unfair criticism of his "ball pounding."

The real test is how you get Turner and Rondo on the court together as a functioning offensive unit. It's going to be interesting to say the least.

[ConstableGeneva]

Marcus Smart says he gave Kyle Lowry too much respect, but Boston Celtics rookie passes 1st real defensive test: http://www.masslive.com/celtics/index.s ... _kyle.html

Asked before the game what has impressed him most about the 20-year-old, head coach Brad Stevens said: "His combination of physicality, awareness and agility defensively. Technically he still has a ways to go. He made a lot of mistakes defensively Wednesday night (against the Knicks), but because he’s so physical, aggressive and athletic, he actually got back into the play and it didn’t hurt us. If he can get more technically sound, he can become as good as anyone defensively on the perimeter. He’s every bit of 220-plus pounds. He’s strong, he's agile. He's aggressive. He's got all of the tools."

[DrCoach]

Why can't Bradley guard the Pg and Marcus the SG?

[sam_I_am]

Marcus Smart is a 25% shooter. After 4 games he is 5-25. Ouch!

Rondo as a rookie shot 48% with the ugliest and least effective jump shot ever because he could still make baskets without a jump shot.

The idea that Rondo must go to make room for this guy is absurd. Can people please stop writing it here? It's an embarrassment.

[humblebum]

Marcus Smart is a 25% shooter. After 4 games he is 5-25. Ouch!

Rondo as a rookie shot 48% with the ugliest and least effective jump shot ever because he could still make baskets without a jump shot.

The idea that Rondo must go to make room for this guy is absurd. Can people please stop writing it here? It's an embarrassment.

I agree with the last part, but I disagree on how you arrived at that conclusion.

Rondo is a proven All Star talent in his prime. Smart is a really talented Rookie.

I don't care what Smart has shot, he's going to be an awesome player at this level.

But right now there is no rush and there is a chance that these guys can play together effectively. So I think the team should simply be in wait and see mode. Really not a problem to have high caliber PG play for 48 MPG.

[KGboss]

Marcus Smart is a 25% shooter. After 4 games he is 5-25. Ouch!

Rondo as a rookie shot 48% with the ugliest and least effective jump shot ever because he could still make baskets without a jump shot.

The idea that Rondo must go to make room for this guy is absurd. Can people please stop writing it here? It's an embarrassment.

look at his 3 pa compared to everything else as well. They have him jacking up the 3 constantly.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using RealGM Forums mobile app

[bigboi]

Marcus Smart is a 25% shooter. After 4 games he is 5-25. Ouch!

Rondo as a rookie shot 48% with the ugliest and least effective jump shot ever because he could still make baskets without a jump shot.

The idea that Rondo must go to make room for this guy is absurd. Can people please stop writing it here? It's an embarrassment.

look at his 3 pa compared to everything else as well. They have him jacking up the 3 constantly.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using RealGM Forums mobile app

No, Smart just loves jacking up 3s. Always has, showed this in college a lot. He Thinks he's a better shooter than he actually is

[lon3lytoaster]

Marcus Smart is a 25% shooter. After 4 games he is 5-25. Ouch!

Rondo as a rookie shot 48% with the ugliest and least effective jump shot ever because he could still make baskets without a jump shot.

The idea that Rondo must go to make room for this guy is absurd. Can people please stop writing it here? It's an embarrassment.

look at his 3 pa compared to everything else as well. They have him jacking up the 3 constantly.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using RealGM Forums mobile app

I agree that his 3PA is the cause for his especially low % but it isn't a system thing with him. He shoots from deep a lot and that's just him. When he finds the range, he's prolific. Other times he just needs to put his head down and bull his way to the basket, which he really hasn't done yet.

[soxfan2003]

Marcus Smart is a 25% shooter. After 4 games he is 5-25. Ouch!

Rondo as a rookie shot 48% with the ugliest and least effective jump shot ever because he could still make baskets without a jump shot.

The idea that Rondo must go to make room for this guy is absurd. Can people please stop writing it here? It's an embarrassment.

Are you talking preseason or the regular season?

Since your number 48% is wrong if we are talking regular season.

Rondo as a rookie.
23.5 MPG
41.8% FG %
47.2% TS.
6.4 PPG
PER 13.1

Also rookie Rondo from 16-23 ft shot 27.9% and from 3 point land 20.7%. What helped his numbers was his very limited shooting and taking half of his shots close to the basket.

In his second year he improved upon those numbers but quite honestly by the end of Rondo's rookie year -- despite the poor shooting/scoring numbers, I had confidence in him being the Celtics starting PG of the future on a team led by the Big 3. I expect a somewhat similar situation with Smart. Given his defense, he should be a very good PG if the Celtics surround him with players like Pierce and Allen that can be the main scorers. Expecting Smart to be a 20 PPG scorer may be a recipe for failure.