Marcus Smart

[jfs1000d]

Turned corner. He is taking different shots. He is getting into the lane. He isn't chucking. He is letting the game come to him. Kid has a world of talent. He shoots 40 percent from floor and 33 for 3, he's a very good player. He gets that FG% up to 45? 35% from 3? He is a monster.

[bs_and_cs]

Can't say he turned the corner with that sample size. His value is directly correlated to his ceiling on offense though.

I can't say I disagree. But as of recently everything he does on that end of the floor just looks so much smoother. It's an exciting thought to think he could eventually be a guy who make an impact on both ends of the floor....even if he is never an elite offensive player.

[GreenBloodedC]

I've maintained it eversince we chose him, he is just too competitive and too hardworking to not be good on the offensive side.

He's just 22 and he has not even scratched the surface. His floor would be an Iggy type role for a contender. Hopefully he will be on our team once we raise #18 which I think is pretty soon.

TLDR: Turned the corner and we haven't even seen the best out of him.

[SmartWentCrazy]

Shooting .317 from 3. You figure he's taken at least 5 last second 60 footers-- he's probably closer to truly shooting near 33%. If he can get that up to 36%, look out

[TheOGJabroni]

Smart is just developing, that's all this is. People are always too impatient with young players that don't perform to their expectations immediately.

He's been dominant defensively, his playmaking has greatly improved, and he's taking better shots that are getting him into a rhythm rather than just taking 3s.

[darrendaye]

I hate to be "that guy," but I'm going to be that guy and just mention there is a Marcus Smart thread already on the 1st page. Anyway, the defense and little things have been there since day one. He's the guy taking charges, racing for loose ball with reckless abandon, boxing out 7 footers. He's becoming better in some areas offensively. The team is using him more with the ball this year and it's shown to make him more effective. Is that chicken or egg thing? We'll never know. Still takes a few too many early shot clock 3 pointers for my liking. But I've been a fan since before day 1.

[bs_and_cs]

I hate to be "that guy," but I'm going to be that guy and just mention there is a Marcus Smart thread already on the 1st page. Anyway, the defense and little things have been there since day one. He's the guy taking charges, racing for loose ball with reckless abandon, boxing out 7 footers. He's becoming better in some areas offensively. The team is using him more with the ball this year and it's shown to make him more effective. Is that chicken or egg thing? We'll never know. Still takes a few too many early shot clock 3 pointers for my liking. But I've been a fan since before day 1.

Didn't even notice the other thread.

Mods please merge. My apologies Celtics Board.

[2Mas]

Turned corner. He is taking different shots. He is getting into the lane. He isn't chucking. He is letting the game come to him. Kid has a world of talent. He shoots 40 percent from floor and 33 for 3, he's a very good player. He gets that FG% up to 45? 35% from 3? He is a monster.

Agreed.

He used to catch & chuck just to get a shot up. Hes taking actual good shots now. Creating nicely, little moves to create space.

I'd like to see it longer then a 8 game stretch, but i'll glady take this stretch. & after the ASB, we'll have a good chance to see if its real.

Dude can guard. 1-4 & run the show. Ultimate team guy & as long as these %'s are respectable, he's the man.

Maybe the 13-5-5 isn't as far away as i once thought.

[tlee324]

I always liked the draft pick, just very glad to see him turning a corner. This will be a big win for Ainge if he keeps going.

[bs_and_cs]

Right on cue:

Read on Twitter

It shows...that is for sure.

[Marvel]

If he keeps this up through to the playoffs with additional improvement next season, dude will be in the top 15-20 players in the league.

[Bar Fight]

His defense is unreal. That has been consistent from his rookie year. If he never improves any aspect of his game from now until the end of his career, he's still valuable because of his play on that end. Dude changes the identity of our team with his toughness/intensity. If he can become a consistently good offensive player then we're looking at a legitimate stud.

[CavemanDoctor]

With a player as relentless and intelligent on defense as Smart, your floor is already very solid and directly contributes to wins. Everything he works on for the rest of his career is 'gravy' status. Over this stretch, he's cut down on early-in-the-shot-clock 3s, and has posted up smaller guards with more frequency. Those two changes have minimized his negative impact on offense. Couple that with his seriously underrated playmaking and he's trending in the right direction offensively.

He is untouchable to me. Obviously if there's an Anthony Davis or something ridiculous out there, sure, you do what you have to do. But the likes of Cousins, Butler, or even Paul George, nah, Smart's untouchable. You just don't trade players like this. They have way more value on your team than they do as part of a trade package.

[NotALongIslandr]

I'll admit it: was not entirely a fan of the pick, mostly because of the Ok St. stuff. Have been patiently hoping he turns a corner and he appears to have had the game 'slow down for him' as coaches like to say. He's a better fit alongside IT than AB is and even though no one should ever lose a starting gig due to injury, I'd rather have Smart continue to start even when AB gets back to full health (cough, cough).

[ddb]

With a player as relentless and intelligent on defense as Smart, your floor is already very solid and directly contributes to wins. Everything he works on for the rest of his career is 'gravy' status. Over this stretch, he's cut down on early-in-the-shot-clock 3s, and has posted up smaller guards with more frequency. Those two changes have minimized his negative impact on offense. Couple that with his seriously underrated playmaking and he's trending in the right direction offensively.

He is untouchable to me. Obviously if there's an Anthony Davis or something ridiculous out there, sure, you do what you have to do. But the likes of Cousins, Butler, or even Paul George, nah, Smart's untouchable. You just don't trade players like this. They have way more value on your team than they do as part of a trade package.

Well said. Marcus is the man. Danny needs to create a lifetime contract for him in Boston

Sent from my SM-G930T using RealGM mobile app

[ballup]

We're seeing a lot more of the advertised version of Smart. Smart is using his strength and size to power over opposing guards inside of the paint. While he can't blow by most guards, he can take them down to the post, make good cuts, or use a pick and roll to attack the basket. His playmaking is at an NBA guard level when before, he had to play off the ball.

[mdemers938]

My favorite moment from this season (any/all players) was him vs Anthony Davis - that was real basketball. Don't trade this dude.

[CavemanDoctor]

How can you not love this guy:

https://streamable.com/t7qwa

[bs_and_cs]

I also said it a lot last year, one of the biggest flaws for the Celtics team was having Evan Turner. The dude just need the ball too damn much.

Smart may not be the most impactful on the offensive end. But his playmaking has always been there, it's just this year they are finally letting him do it consistently. There is no doubt in my mind that if we took the ball out of Turner's hands last year and let Smart do some play making the team would have beat the Hawks in round 1. Instead we relegated Smart to standing in the corner each possession on offense and making us play 4 on 5.

[London2Boston]

I bet people outside Celtics fan base will still say he was a bad pick by Ainge with the 6th pick in a damn crappy draft.