Marcus Smart - 2022 DPOY - 2023 NBA Hustle Award Winner

[ConstableGeneva]

This is just an insane rationalization, and 100% not the case. Suggesting their elite play that lasted over 50% of the regular season was luck of only playing bum teams is outrageous. So literally all the good teams were on the slate before Jan 1, and then they moved to the G League portion of the schedule??

I made a long post going game by game proving it. As the new year began the teams that decided to tank really embraced it and more than half our wins were against these types. 99% of the “good” non-tanking teams we beat were missing key, pivotal, starters AND the vast majority of these games were at home as well. FACTs. Not narrative. Not opinion. Meanwhile we were completely healthy.

So, with this in mind, it’s much easier to defend tanking teams and those missing key players. I don’t know why this is considered “outrageous” Would we not be easier to beat without Jaylen or TimeLord? Why are fans do incapable of objectivity? I’m not saying we’re a bad team or not good on defender. We’re a very good team that when facing tanking teams or injured teams, we were blowing them out. Ime and the players kept their foot on the gas and should be commended. But our stats should be taken with a grain of salt. And pretending injuries and ignoring context surrounding who we beat is being disingenuous. I mostly ignore haters on here and mostly don’t bother reading responses but this is one I felt needed a rebuttal

I don't remember if I saw your post or not, but I keep asking, were we the only team to face those teams? Why was it only our team demolishing EVERY TEAM we faced?

That's cause while we dominated other teams in a way rarely witnessed in the past, we were the only team in NBA history to be healthy for a two-month stretch.

[BostonCouchGM]

This is just an insane rationalization, and 100% not the case. Suggesting their elite play that lasted over 50% of the regular season was luck of only playing bum teams is outrageous. So literally all the good teams were on the slate before Jan 1, and then they moved to the G League portion of the schedule??

I made a long post going game by game proving it. As the new year began the teams that decided to tank really embraced it and more than half our wins were against these types. 99% of the “good” non-tanking teams we beat were missing key, pivotal, starters AND the vast majority of these games were at home as well. FACTs. Not narrative. Not opinion. Meanwhile we were completely healthy.

So, with this in mind, it’s much easier to defend tanking teams and those missing key players. I don’t know why this is considered “outrageous” Would we not be easier to beat without Jaylen or TimeLord? Why are fans do incapable of objectivity? I’m not saying we’re a bad team or not good on defender. We’re a very good team that when facing tanking teams or injured teams, we were blowing them out. Ime and the players kept their foot on the gas and should be commended. But our stats should be taken with a grain of salt. And pretending injuries and ignoring context surrounding who we beat is being disingenuous. I mostly ignore haters on here and mostly don’t bother reading responses but this is one I felt needed a rebuttal

I don't remember if I saw your post or not, but I keep asking, were we the only team to face those teams? Why was it only our team demolishing EVERY TEAM we faced?

it's funny, I point out facts, and people's feelings get hurt and they get bent out of shape.

Some examples

Example #1

The Heat (no Lowry) lost to TOR in triple overtime on 1/29 at home (124-120)
They then traveled to BOS on 1/31 and got smoked by 30 points (122-92) but they didn't play Jimmy Butler and Lowry was still out
The Heat then traveled to TOR the very next day 2/1 (without Lowry) and lost (110-106)

so should we be super impressed because we smoked them sandwiched between their two losses to TOR while they didn't have Butler and Lowry? Sorry, I'm just not. And games like that, the stats achieved, helped shape the narrative that we were this defensive juggernaut and Tatum and Smart were having an offensive resurgence. Not hard to hold a Butler and Lowry less team to 92 points. Also easier to do well offensively when good defenders are out of the game.

Example #2

we beat the Nets on 2/8 by 35 (126-91). They didn't have Harden, Kyrie, KD and Claxton. They were in the midst of an 11 game losing streak. They lost to UTAH by 23 and DEN by 20 the two games before that but Kyrie played. So yeah, other teams were killing them at that time like us. That paltry 91 we gave up helps our defensive stats and Smart's DPOY case

examples of us holding tanking teams to low scores

Wizards 87
King 75
Magic 83
Pistons 93

it all combines to paint a picture that looks great from afar i.e. Udoka is a great coach who got his bearings, Smart played like a DPOY, we were the league's best defensive team, Tatum and Smart had an offensive resurgence, etc. But if you stepped a little closer so much of it was because of who we played, when we played and where we played them.

[BostonCouchGM]

This is just an insane rationalization, and 100% not the case. Suggesting their elite play that lasted over 50% of the regular season was luck of only playing bum teams is outrageous. So literally all the good teams were on the slate before Jan 1, and then they moved to the G League portion of the schedule??

I made a long post going game by game proving it. As the new year began the teams that decided to tank really embraced it and more than half our wins were against these types. 99% of the “good” non-tanking teams we beat were missing key, pivotal, starters AND the vast majority of these games were at home as well. FACTs. Not narrative. Not opinion. Meanwhile we were completely healthy.

So, with this in mind, it’s much easier to defend tanking teams and those missing key players. I don’t know why this is considered “outrageous” Would we not be easier to beat without Jaylen or TimeLord? Why are fans do incapable of objectivity? I’m not saying we’re a bad team or not good on defender. We’re a very good team that when facing tanking teams or injured teams, we were blowing them out. Ime and the players kept their foot on the gas and should be commended. But our stats should be taken with a grain of salt. And pretending injuries and ignoring context surrounding who we beat is being disingenuous. I mostly ignore haters on here and mostly don’t bother reading responses but this is one I felt needed a rebuttal

Personally if I were as miserable following the Celtics as you seem to be I would probably just stop watching the team for my own mental health and happiness.

If I was as miserable as you seem to be from reading my posts and having to think critically I'd probably just be quiet and stop frequenting this site for my own mental health and happiness. I mean, if someone points out literal facts and you get so upset you project your triggered miserableness onto them, maybe log off?

[Shak_Celts]

I made a long post going game by game proving it. As the new year began the teams that decided to tank really embraced it and more than half our wins were against these types. 99% of the “good” non-tanking teams we beat were missing key, pivotal, starters AND the vast majority of these games were at home as well. FACTs. Not narrative. Not opinion. Meanwhile we were completely healthy.

So, with this in mind, it’s much easier to defend tanking teams and those missing key players. I don’t know why this is considered “outrageous” Would we not be easier to beat without Jaylen or TimeLord? Why are fans do incapable of objectivity? I’m not saying we’re a bad team or not good on defender. We’re a very good team that when facing tanking teams or injured teams, we were blowing them out. Ime and the players kept their foot on the gas and should be commended. But our stats should be taken with a grain of salt. And pretending injuries and ignoring context surrounding who we beat is being disingenuous. I mostly ignore haters on here and mostly don’t bother reading responses but this is one I felt needed a rebuttal

I don't remember if I saw your post or not, but I keep asking, were we the only team to face those teams? Why was it only our team demolishing EVERY TEAM we faced?

it's funny, I point out facts, and people's feelings get hurt and they get bent out of shape.

Some examples

Example #1

The Heat (no Lowry) lost to TOR in triple overtime on 1/29 at home (124-120)
They then traveled to BOS on 1/31 and got smoked by 30 points (122-92) but they didn't play Jimmy Butler and Lowry was still out
The Heat then traveled to TOR the very next day 2/1 (without Lowry) and lost (110-106)

so should we be super impressed because we smoked them sandwiched between their two losses to TOR while they didn't have Butler and Lowry? Sorry, I'm just not. And games like that, the stats achieved, helped shape the narrative that we were this defensive juggernaut and Tatum and Smart were having an offensive resurgence. Not hard to hold a Butler and Lowry less team to 92 points. Also easier to do well offensively when good defenders are out of the game.

Example #2

we beat the Nets on 2/8 by 35 (126-91). They didn't have Harden, Kyrie, KD and Claxton. They were in the midst of an 11 game losing streak. They lost to UTAH by 23 and DEN by 20 the two games before that but Kyrie played. So yeah, other teams were killing them at that time like us. That paltry 91 we gave up helps our defensive stats and Smart's DPOY case

examples of us holding tanking teams to low scores

Wizards 87
King 75
Magic 83
Pistons 93

it all combines to paint a picture that looks great from afar i.e. Udoka is a great coach who got his bearings, Smart played like a DPOY, we were the league's best defensive team, Tatum and Smart had an offensive resurgence, etc. But if you stepped a little closer so much of it was because of who we played, when we played and where we played them.

You still walked right around what I asked! Were we the only team to face those teams with injured players? If so, that is the luckiest thing I have ever seen, I should have bought lotto tickets using Cs # or something.

Side note: am I getting bent out of shape or are you projecting? why would I get bent out of shape about what you're saying, make it make sense. I disagree with people all the time, nothing more than healthy debate, if it's more than that for you then I don't know what to tell you.

[ConstableGeneva]

Read on Twitter

Smart only Celtic on the list.

[ConstableGeneva]

Who did better in a win-or-go-home ECSF game 7 -- Smart or CP3?

[sam_I_am]

Read on Twitter

Smart only Celtic on the list.

On the defensive end, Horford was ranked #2 and Tatum #7 and Smart not there. Bam #15. Draymond #16.

[ConstableGeneva]

Read on Twitter

Smart only Celtic on the list.

On the defensive end, Horford was ranked #2 and Tatum #7 and Smart not there.

You missed Derrick White, but he did spend of that time with the Spurs.

[sam_I_am]

Read on Twitter

Smart only Celtic on the list.

On the defensive end, Horford was ranked #2 and Tatum #7 and Smart not there.

You missed Derrick White, but he did spend of that time with the Spurs.

Yes I did….#11!

[BK_2020]

Read on Twitter

Smart only Celtic on the list.

Sneaky impressive considering Smart isn't really a threat to score. Same with Lonzo and Draymond.

[165bows]

On the defensive end, Horford was ranked #2 and Tatum #7 and Smart not there.

You missed Derrick White, but he did spend of that time with the Spurs.

Yes I did….#11!

Don't mind the idea of trying to replace Pritchard with Alex Caruso as a backup guard. Still has some shooting and versatility but bigger and better defensive potential.

[Fatherpain]

Looking that way… Steven‘s looking brilliant to extend and lock him up long-term. TPOY check. Floor general. Heart and soul of the Celtics. Elite passing. Can shoot outside and attack downhill inside. Winning plays and intangibles check. Cutting down on the dumb, head scratching plays check. Durable and plays through injuries check.

Credit to Ime Udoka for handing the keys of the team to Marcus smart and trusting him with it. Marcus playing like an all-star. So amazing to watch his growth this season.

Wouldn’t want any other PG leading the charge!

Barring injury, feel like the Celtics PG situation is locked up for the next (5) years.

Brooklyn could offer Kyrie + (2) number 1’s for Smart and I’d pass.

How do you guys feel? Is there any other PG you’d rather have?

[BK_2020]

I wouldn't say elite but his offense was always underrated.

Sent from my SM-G991U using RealGM mobile app

[hugepatsfan]

He's made himself into an excellent player. I don't think there's a realistically attainable PG that we should make a real world trade for over Smart at PG.

It's not so much a criticism of Smart himself, but there are times when the offense gets stagnant and I think they need another more capable scorer out there. A guy who can be consistent 3rd option to score the ball vs our whole shuffle of Smart/Horford/GWilliams/RWilliams/White where you can't ever count on more than 10-12 but know any of them COULD have a bigger night randomly.

So how do you add that player and where would he fit with the starters? Getting a 3rd option scorer at C feels impossible. At PF still feels difficult. Offensively gifted players at those spots are rare. You're not going to upgrade Tatum or Brown without giving one of them up. So if you want to add a 3rd scorer to the lineup you'd either need to replace Smart at PG or move Tatum to the PF spot and play smaller with an extra guard/wing vs the 2 big look. I don't like what playing smaller would do to the defense, so the really last option left really is that you'd replace Smart at PG.

BUT, there's the other side of the ball. Smart is an elite individual defender and uniquely able to switch for a PG. If you swap him out for someone who can't defend like that, you can't switch everything which means you minimize the talents of others because that style highlights their strengths. So realistically, I'd only want to swap Smart out for a PG that can do:

1) Score efficiently both on ball and off ball
2) Efficient passer with low turnovers
3) Defend not only the PG spot well but switch really 1-3 so we can continue to take advantage of the switch-ability elsewhere

Smart does #2 and #3 at a high level. #1 not so much, but I just doubt that you can acquire an upgrade at #1 where the trade off in #2/#3 isn't too drastic.

[ConstableGeneva]

Read on Twitter

First full season as the starting PG.

[ConstableGeneva]

Watch on YouTube

[ConstableGeneva]

Smart averaging more assists than Doncic in the playoffs was something I never imagined ever happening lol but here we are.

There was a stat in the ESPN broadcast that Smart leads all remaining players in assists per game (that includes Curry and Doncic).

[Smart2Nesmith43]

Smart averaging more assists than Doncic in the playoffs was something I never imagined ever happening lol but here we are.

There was a stat in the ESPN broadcast that Smart leads all remaining players in assists per game.

Tatum has the most total assists out of all remaining players as well (because he played every game). It's almost as if the Celtics need for a "real" point guard have been massively overstated.

[ConstableGeneva]

Smart averaging more assists than Doncic in the playoffs was something I never imagined ever happening lol but here we are.

There was a stat in the ESPN broadcast that Smart leads all remaining players in assists per game.

Tatum has the most total assists out of all remaining players as well (because he played every game). It's almost as if the Celtics need for a "real" point guard have been massively overstated.

For me it was always the Celtics needed to learn to move the ball more. The emphasis on making quicker decisions with the ball and turning down a good shot for a great one has made everyone on the rotation a decent-to-great passer.

[bisme37]