Marcus Smart is nothing special...why are yall so delusional?

[Gomes3PC]

There's plenty to like about Elfrid Payton. There's also one, massive, really important thing that is terrifying about Payton. He cannot shoot. At. All. Shooting matters in the NBA, believe it or not. Could ORL win with a guy who airballs FTs? Sure - the C's did with Rondo. But you need a really special team to make it work, and more particularly you need a guy like KG who can both protect the tin and stretch defenses from the perimeter.

[TommyPointGawd]

OT why isn't Orlando winning?
Payton is good (apparently really good according to Wiz)
Olidipo is good
Vuevic is a beast
Harris is pretty good can score
Channing frye

People seem to like Aaron Gordon*(can be good on D)

Why are they so bad? Talent wise they should be at least knocking on the playoff door right? Is it a case of being too young? Are they a threat for next year? Do people still want Gordon over Smart?

Back to Smart. When drives he absorbs a lot of contact even in college he wasn't blowing by guys. Recently he has had to get closed to murdered to get a call. One play against Charlotte he got clipped and almost flipped over and ref called the foul pretty late. Against San Antonio he getting to the hoop consistently and was clearly fouled 2of the 3 times and no call on any. I feel this is stopping him from trying because he clearly gets frustrated. Especially when he gets called for fouls on defense for a little bump.

Smart is a flopper on offensive and Defense. I feel the refs don't like young players doing this and have made it a point to make sure its clear before they give him a call. I'm 100% more comfortable saying his lack of driving is more mentality than ability then I was earlier this year. I have a feeling he is going to breakout next year.

[KGboss]

We're so happy in Celtic land here. Playing for something this year n all. Killer coach, draft picks galore, springs upon us, Red Sox are stacked top to bottom. Lots to look forward to. First team all rookie will be coming soon. You can gloat some more later if Elfy's on it if you wish.

You Live in Connecticut lol.

And what Basketball team do you think people who live in Conn. root for?

The nets duh!

[jfs1000d]

We're so happy in Celtic land here. Playing for something this year n all. Killer coach, draft picks galore, springs upon us, Red Sox are stacked top to bottom. Lots to look forward to. First team all rookie will be coming soon. You can gloat some more later if Elfy's on it if you wish.

You Live in Connecticut lol.

I'm in CT.

That's as big a Celtics base an anywhere. Until they made the new Garden, real regular season games were in Hartford because of the gate. Think about that.

CT is huge Celtics country.

[jfs1000d]

OT why isn't Orlando winning?
Payton is good (apparently really good according to Wiz)
Olidipo is good
Vuevic is a beast
Harris is pretty good can score
Channing frye

People seem to like Aaron Gordon*(can be good on D)

Why are they so bad? Talent wise they should be at least knocking on the playoff door right? Is it a case of being too young? Are they a threat for next year? Do people still want Gordon over Smart?

Back to Smart. When drives he absorbs a lot of contact even in college he wasn't blowing by guys. Recently he has had to get closed to murdered to get a call. One play against Charlotte he got clipped and almost flipped over and ref called the foul pretty late. Against San Antonio he getting to the hoop consistently and was clearly fouled 2of the 3 times and no call on any. I feel this is stopping him from trying because he clearly gets frustrated. Especially when he gets called for fouls on defense for a little bump.

Smart is a flopper on offensive and Defense. I feel the refs don't like young players doing this and have made it a point to make sure its clear before they give him a call. I'm 100% more comfortable saying his lack of driving is more mentality than ability then I was earlier this year. I have a feeling he is going to breakout next year.

Youth. Team is a glorified college team with a lot of talent, but no frame of reference for winning. You win in the NBA with vets,. not 24 years olds.

[ddb]

OT why isn't Orlando winning?
Payton is good (apparently really good according to Wiz)
Olidipo is good
Vuevic is a beast
Harris is pretty good can score
Channing frye

People seem to like Aaron Gordon*(can be good on D)

Why are they so bad? Talent wise they should be at least knocking on the playoff door right? Is it a case of being too young? Are they a threat for next year? Do people still want Gordon over Smart?

Back to Smart. When drives he absorbs a lot of contact even in college he wasn't blowing by guys. Recently he has had to get closed to murdered to get a call. One play against Charlotte he got clipped and almost flipped over and ref called the foul pretty late. Against San Antonio he getting to the hoop consistently and was clearly fouled 2of the 3 times and no call on any. I feel this is stopping him from trying because he clearly gets frustrated. Especially when he gets called for fouls on defense for a little bump.

Smart is a flopper on offensive and Defense. I feel the refs don't like young players doing this and have made it a point to make sure its clear before they give him a call. I'm 100% more comfortable saying his lack of driving is more mentality than ability then I was earlier this year. I have a feeling he is going to breakout next year.

Youth. Team is a glorified college team with a lot of talent, but no frame of reference for winning. You win in the NBA with vets,. not 24 years olds.

The answer to this question is simple. It's coaching. If Brad Stevens were the head coach for Orlando all season long, they would be fighting for the playoffs, or in the playoffs. Period

[humblebum]

Orlando has a bunch of overhyped players. People really think guys like Dipo and Harris are these special talents and right now, Evan Turner is a better player than either of these guys when it comes to winning games. Dipo is no better than Avery Bradley... and Payton is a rookie who doesn't spread the floor and can't shoot. Vucevic is a decent player but nothing special.

The Celtics are deeper, more talented, more intelligently built and better coached.

[TommyPointGawd]

Orlando has a bunch of overhyped players. People really think guys like Dipo and Harris are these special talents and right now, Evan Turner is a better player than either of these guys when it comes to winning games. Dipo is no better than Avery Bradley... and Payton is a rookie who doesn't spread the floor and can't shoot. Vucevic is a decent player but nothing special.

The Celtics are deeper, more talented, more intelligently built and better coached.

I think Vuevic and Olidipo are really good. I also like avery Bradley so that's not a slight in my book. I never liked Gordon but he still has time to prove me wrong. I don't think anybody is over hyped except maybe Payton but he's young so sky is the limit.

They should be pretty good with the right coach.

But can we get back on topic. Why are we delusional? And can't we see Smart is a product of clever marketing?

[HeartBreakKid]

OT why isn't Orlando winning?
Payton is good (apparently really good according to Wiz)
Olidipo is good
Vuevic is a beast
Harris is pretty good can score
Channing frye

People seem to like Aaron Gordon*(can be good on D)

Why are they so bad? Talent wise they should be at least knocking on the playoff door right? Is it a case of being too young? Are they a threat for next year? Do people still want Gordon over Smart?

Back to Smart. When drives he absorbs a lot of contact even in college he wasn't blowing by guys. Recently he has had to get closed to murdered to get a call. One play against Charlotte he got clipped and almost flipped over and ref called the foul pretty late. Against San Antonio he getting to the hoop consistently and was clearly fouled 2of the 3 times and no call on any. I feel this is stopping him from trying because he clearly gets frustrated. Especially when he gets called for fouls on defense for a little bump.

Smart is a flopper on offensive and Defense. I feel the refs don't like young players doing this and have made it a point to make sure its clear before they give him a call. I'm 100% more comfortable saying his lack of driving is more mentality than ability then I was earlier this year. I have a feeling he is going to breakout next year.

They're young and not that talented, Vucevic also plays no defense. Crappy coaching also. I think they'll be get more wins next year, but still have a losing record.







I also don't understand why people around here talk like making the playoffs is winning. The Nets, Heat, Celtics, Hornets and Pacers are all not playing winning basketball - or even close to it.

[Gomes3PC]

I like Victor Oladipo a lot, but he needs a very different type of PG next to him than Payton. Both those guys are ball-dominant players who really do just one thing well right now - attack the rim. Dipo has more of a chance to develop his shooting and has already made strides there, but Payton's jumper is just irreparable.

Oladipo needs a young Derek Fisher type next to him to succeed IMO. Someone who can play on or off the ball and hit open jumpers at a high clip.

[Edug27]

Orlando has a bunch of overhyped players. People really think guys like Dipo and Harris are these special talents and right now, Evan Turner is a better player than either of these guys when it comes to winning games. Dipo is no better than Avery Bradley... and Payton is a rookie who doesn't spread the floor and can't shoot. Vucevic is a decent player but nothing special.

The Celtics are deeper, more talented, more intelligently built and better coached.

Oladipo is better and has a higher ceiling than Bradley and ET .. Let's not be foolish now.
And if 19 and 11 is 'decent', then idk what to tell you.

Overhyped is what we do with our current Celtics roster. If Smart was avg'in Oladipo numbers, we'd have his jersey all set for the HOF. If Zeller was putting up 19 and 11, Tommy would be calling him the greatest Celtics big man ever.

Orlando has a very young and talented roster with good potential. They just need a coach to help them reach their potential. Let Boston be coached by Jacque Vaughn (think he was Orlando coach right?) and we'd be leading the race for Okafor ....

[jmr07019]

Orlando is overrated. Their center doesn't play D , their guards can't shoot and their scoters are inefficient. On top of that their talent is young and young guys never win in the league.

[truth18]

Oladipo is legit just watch him play, Vuc could be really good, depends on coaching imo. Payton is a toss up, he'll likely be a solid bench player.

[jmr07019]

OT why isn't Orlando winning?
Payton is good (apparently really good according to Wiz)
Olidipo is good
Vuevic is a beast
Harris is pretty good can score
Channing frye

People seem to like Aaron Gordon*(can be good on D)

Why are they so bad? Talent wise they should be at least knocking on the playoff door right? Is it a case of being too young? Are they a threat for next year? Do people still want Gordon over Smart?

Back to Smart. When drives he absorbs a lot of contact even in college he wasn't blowing by guys. Recently he has had to get closed to murdered to get a call. One play against Charlotte he got clipped and almost flipped over and ref called the foul pretty late. Against San Antonio he getting to the hoop consistently and was clearly fouled 2of the 3 times and no call on any. I feel this is stopping him from trying because he clearly gets frustrated. Especially when he gets called for fouls on defense for a little bump.

Smart is a flopper on offensive and Defense. I feel the refs don't like young players doing this and have made it a point to make sure its clear before they give him a call. I'm 100% more comfortable saying his lack of driving is more mentality than ability then I was earlier this year. I have a feeling he is going to breakout next year.

They're young and not that talented, Vucevic also plays no defense. Crappy coaching also. I think they'll be get more wins next year, but still have a losing record.







I also don't understand why people around here talk like making the playoffs is winning. The Nets, Heat, Celtics, Hornets and Pacers are all not playing winning basketball - or even close to it.

The celtics are where have you been the last 30 games?

[Stadium5]

I'm expecting a big leap from Smart next year. I'm really happy with what he's given us as a rookie already. His defense is no joke, and he has the body to really do some damage when he develops some more and learns how to play

Would be a huge step in the right direction if we could somehow pair Butler or Leonard with him

[Bluewhale]

Smart need better ball handling skill to drive effectively, he doesn't have that up to now.

Could we return to the topic about Smart? This is not a board to discuss the Orlando players.

[KGboss]

Smart need better ball handling skill to drive effectively, he doesn't have that up to now.

Could we return to the topic about Smart? This is not a board to discuss the Orlando players.

The OP started this off by comparing Payton to Smart. This is all relevent to the topic of this thread.

Also, hes a pretty decent ball handler overall, thats never been a huge issue in his game, just the application of it in the NBA is his rookie wall that he will learn how to get through at some point.

[shawn unkempt]

I wish I had the same optimism as the rest of you. He's got to be near a historical record of minutes played / efficiency ratio. He is just so futile on the offensive end that there's almost nothing to latch onto and say "that'll be his bread and butter." He can't penetrate, his shooting is bad, he doesn't create well for others because he doesn't get into the paint. This is way beyond rookie struggles to me.

[Bluewhale]

IMHO, the ball handling is an issue of Smart's game.

Actually, he is critized that he just BULLY through weaker defender in college, rather using his dribbling skill to penetrate. We saw Marcus struggle in Summer league in driving, not to mention NBA. The reason is the defender is MUCH stronger than college, even Marcus admitted Rondo is a lot more stronger than he thought.

Smart need to improve his ball handling skill to be effective in driving. Currently he didn't dare to drive even he is defended by a big man.

But I admit that he need to be a consistent shooter first, it helps the spacing and it forced the defender to play close. This could help his penetration.

[wizfactor94]

This guy wiz is either trolling or I don't know what. Everything this guy says is non sense and not factual. everything on paper.and with the eye test says smart is better it's been proven point by point. Sorry bro.

You just lied though.