Getting Smart with Statistics

NomarsFool

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His floater is cringe worthy. The shots often look to me like he believes he was fouled and he's just chucking up a wild shot to get the call. He doesn't do it very often. Maybe once a game - so it's not killing them or anything. I think he does a really good job when he drives and dishes off. His passing/playmaking have been great.
 

joe dokes

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Love this play by Smart (video below is linked to time of the play). He beats Gordon without a screen, then sets up the trademark Tatum-Theis snake dribble+seal. Theis gets the seal and Smart thinks he has a layup, but reads Fultz helping at the last second and makes the pass to Grant for an open corner 3.

View: https://youtu.be/ew0rVlCd4aQ?t=338
Smart's instincts and vision at game speed are remarkable. He's not quite a PG the same way GH isn't, but when the team is really operating, they are the ball bearings that make it work like it's supposed to.
 

Cesar Crespo

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I was just looking at raw stats compared to last year and I was thinking, wow Smart is taking a lot more 2s this year than last... But the same % of his shots are 2s as last year. He's just shooting the ball way more.

He had a career year from 2 pt range last year too. This year he's at a career low, at .409 (1.8-4.5). Last year he was at .511 (1.4-2.8). He's rebounded in the 3 point category so here's hoping.

Last 10 games: .400/.420/.947 on 12.1 FGA and 7.3 3PA. 14.3 points, 5.2 assists, 4.4 rebounds, 1.7 steals in 31.4 minutes.

I don't really know what to think about Smart though. I always wanted Rozier to live behind the 3 point line but I'm not sure Smart should be doing that. Ironically enough, Rozier has improved his 2 point FG% every single year in the league. Even with that, he's only at .444 this year, a career high. They actually have pretty similar numbers inside 3 ft but Terry takes considerably more shots.

Then again, 75% of Smart's shots are from 10 ft+ out. 62% for Terry.

Smart's at .374/.351/.831 this year. For his career, he's at .373/.316/.770.

First 4 years: .360/.293/.756, 321-1094 from 3. 511-676 from FT.
Last 2 years (last season and current): .401/.358/.816. 214-597 from 3. 168/206 from FT.


Easy to forget just how putrid Smart was at shooting his first 4 years in the NBA. We all know he put the work in tho and sometimes it takes awhile to show up in the results. Also encouraging to see the FT% up considerably. "They" say that FT % usually stabilizes after 100 FT so if that's true, combined with the improvement in his 3 point %, it's pretty much a given he's improved as a shooter the last 2 years.

The 2 point FG% stuff is interesting because last year he took a career low 2.8 2PA a game and shot a career best. This year, he's at 4.5 which is more in line with the rest of his career and he's at a career low. To be fair, the .409 is pretty much in line with every other year but last, too.

Heavily suggests he has some shot selection issues or forces shots. Surprise, surprise. Still really easy to cheer for when he's hitting 3 pointers at close to a league average clip especially since he's 2nd on the team in attempts.
 

Cesar Crespo

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There's another guy on our team too.

First 4 years: .395/.318/.814, 16.3 points, 5.4 assists, 3.7 rebounds, 1.4 steals in 33.2 minutes
Last 5 years: .435/.378/.852, 22.8 points, 5.5 assists, 4.0 rebounds, 1.2 steals in 34.5 minutes.

That person is Kemba Walker. The 3 point shot is a weird thing. Sometimes it takes guys 5+ years to get it right, sometimes long after we write them off. I don't think it would have been all that unfair to write Kemba off as meh after his first 4 years in the association. He was 25 at the end of his 4th season. Guys like Kemba, Smart, Lonzo are different than guys like TJ Warren too. Warren couldn't shoot at all his first 4 years and was 79-279, 283 from 3. Kemba and Smart were taking that many 3s or more in a season. They were learning to shoot in game. Warren was developing the shot in practice and on his own time.

Last 2 years, Warren is 133-327, .407. That's only 91 games though so it's more attempts than it looks like but still isn't near the volume Kemba and Smart were putting up during their horrid years.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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This is the messageboard or really the human conundrum in a nutshell. "I love X but I wish they wouldn't do this thing at all or at least not as much".

I suspect that many here would agree that Smart sometimes does too much on offense, especially when the shots aren't falling. But the flipside is that when it is, you get a flash of an elite two way player. Simply put its part of the package.

Accepting him (and pretty much every player) flaws and all is pretty much all we can really do. I don't doubt that Ainge would move him in the right deal but it seems like the team overall loves him and trusts him to make the right decisions in tough spots, even if it doesn't always work.

At this point, the team knows that he is who he is. And they appear to be ok with that.
 

JakeRae

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This is the messageboard or really the human conundrum in a nutshell. "I love X but I wish they wouldn't do this thing at all or at least not as much".

I suspect that many here would agree that Smart sometimes does too much on offense, especially when the shots aren't falling. But the flipside is that when it is, you get a flash of an elite two way player. Simply put its part of the package.

Accepting him (and pretty much every player) flaws and all is pretty much all we can really do. I don't doubt that Ainge would move him in the right deal but it seems like the team overall loves him and trusts him to make the right decisions in tough spots, even if it doesn't always work.

At this point, the team knows that he is who he is. And they appear to be ok with that.
It is very hard to imagine a “right” deal involving Smart. He’s an amazing value on his current contract, is still young, and is still improving. Tatum, Brown, and Smart are both this team’s present and its future.
 

Cesar Crespo

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At this point, the team knows that he is who he is. And they appear to be ok with that.
While I think this is true for the most part, and that most players are what they are by age 25, I don't think it is about shooting and that can significantly change a player's value. With guys like Smart and Kemba it doesn't matter *that* much because they'd be playing in the NBA regardless, so no one is giving up on them. But when do you give up on a player who derives 90%+ of his value from the 3 point shot? It makes me think teams should target guys who were drafted as shooters and were "busted picks" coming off their rookie deals.

Basically, I think a guy like Markelle Fultz could suck from 3 until he's 27 and at age 28, he's suddenly decent. I don't think that really happens in other areas of the game much. At least for players over 25.
 

Jimbodandy

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It is very hard to imagine a “right” deal involving Smart. He’s an amazing value on his current contract, is still young, and is still improving. Tatum, Brown, and Smart are both this team’s present and its future.
It is hard to imagine that right deal, but I think that he means that Smart isn't untouchable. And being the only mid salary player, he may end up in a white whale deal out of necessity someday.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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It is very hard to imagine a “right” deal involving Smart. He’s an amazing value on his current contract, is still young, and is still improving. Tatum, Brown, and Smart are both this team’s present and its future.
It is hard to imagine that right deal, but I think that he means that Smart isn't untouchable. And being the only mid salary player, he may end up in a white whale deal out of necessity someday.
I agree with both these posts. There have been several trades (amongst the many by our aspiring NBA GMs here in the PC) proposed that use Smart's salary or simply to get rid of a perceived Celtics playmaker/wing logjam. However its not just Smart's role on the team as a de facto captain nor his value that makes dealing him tough. Its that his fit is very specific. I was simply allowing for the fact that he isn't untouchable because I pretty much believe that everyone on an Ainge roster isn't untouchable.

I get that Smart's style of play can be difficult to watch sometimes. However I think the Celtics and Stevens are very good at focusing on what players do well and minimizing their weaknesses. At the very least, they are are better at it than us fans who generally react to every poor sequence, errant pass or missed shot with an immediate reaction - the team tends to take a longer view which is what they should be doing.

Sometimes, Marcus Smart tries to do to much or his reach exceeds his grasp. The same could be said of every single NBA player that has ever played the game. Imperfection is part of the sport.
 

lovegtm

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There's another guy on our team too.

First 4 years: .395/.318/.814, 16.3 points, 5.4 assists, 3.7 rebounds, 1.4 steals in 33.2 minutes
Last 5 years: .435/.378/.852, 22.8 points, 5.5 assists, 4.0 rebounds, 1.2 steals in 34.5 minutes.

That person is Kemba Walker. The 3 point shot is a weird thing. Sometimes it takes guys 5+ years to get it right, sometimes long after we write them off. I don't think it would have been all that unfair to write Kemba off as meh after his first 4 years in the association. He was 25 at the end of his 4th season. Guys like Kemba, Smart, Lonzo are different than guys like TJ Warren too. Warren couldn't shoot at all his first 4 years and was 79-279, 283 from 3. Kemba and Smart were taking that many 3s or more in a season. They were learning to shoot in game. Warren was developing the shot in practice and on his own time.

Last 2 years, Warren is 133-327, .407. That's only 91 games though so it's more attempts than it looks like but still isn't near the volume Kemba and Smart were putting up during their horrid years.
Lot of good points here. One thing we forget about NBA players is that the "you are what you are at age 25" thing is mostly due to physical deterioration: a lot of guys add new skills and game-smarts well after that. Shooting is just about the last thing to go from age, so it makes sense that it improves late.

If someone came from 2 years in the future and said that Marcus Smart was now a 38% shooter on 7-9 attempts a game, I wouldn't be shocked.

Also re your point about learning to shoot in-game: I give Smart shit about some of the high-difficulty 3s he takes, but you can argue that getting comfortable with those in game situations is important.
 

Eddie Jurak

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However its not just Smart's role on the team as a de facto captain nor his value that makes dealing him tough. Its that his fit is very specific. I was simply allowing for the fact that he isn't untouchable because I pretty much believe that everyone on an Ainge roster isn't untouchable.

I get that Smart's style of play can be difficult to watch sometimes. However I think the Celtics and Stevens are very good at focusing on what players do well and minimizing their weaknesses. At the very least, they are are better at it than us fans who generally react to every poor sequence, errant pass or missed shot with an immediate reaction - the team tends to take a longer view which is what they should be doing.

Sometimes, Marcus Smart tries to do to much or his reach exceeds his grasp. The same could be said of every single NBA player that has ever played the game. Imperfection is part of the sport.
Yes to all of this. I'll add a couple of other points:
  • Smart is extraordinarily complementary to the rest of the Celtics team. When healthy, they have 4 legit 20+ pig-caliber scorers on the roster. That allows the Celtics to live with his offensive limitations.
  • His offense has improved. He's at 35% on the season, despite shooting terribly (24%) during the 6 games after he returned from his 3-week absence due to viral conjuncitivits that threatened his vision. And he's improved markedly as a passer, averaging a career high assists per 36 while also cutting his turnover rate dramatically.
  • Defensively, his versatility is part of what allows the Celtics to get by without having traditional bigs who can defend and to attack some of the league'stop offensive players (Hi, Giannis).
  • I think the value of a player like Smart to the Celtics goes up in the playoffs.
 

Koufax

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He is the heart and soul of the team, that's for sure.
 

lovegtm

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mostman

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I know basketball is business and we root for the laundry. I also know that someday Marcus Smart may play for another NBA team. I will be terribly sad when that happens - he is my favorite Celtic since Pierce and KG and in my top five of all time. I love him and trust him.

View: https://twitter.com/GwashburnGlobe/status/1225982401542840321?s=20
I think there were two kids there that he crashed into. I was immediately nervous for them and their mom (maybe?) was really worried too. Scary moment. Sorry Smart, my thoughts were not with you.
 

mcpickl

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I think there were two kids there that he crashed into. I was immediately nervous for them and their mom (maybe?) was really worried too. Scary moment. Sorry Smart, my thoughts were not with you.
Huh?

Did you read the quote?
 

mostman

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Huh?

Did you read the quote?
Yes. I meant at the exact moment it happened. Just saying, as a fan, I wasn’t concerned for Smart but seriously worried about those kids. I wasn’t commenting on him giving the kid the jersey, which is awesome, and typifies Smart.
 

NomarsFool

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Game ball goes to Smart for the steal which essentially sealed the victory (after the block on Hayward almost threw it away). But, did you notice that drive around the 5 minute mark? It was again one of those where it looked like it wasn't even a serious shot. He's been great driving and dishing it off to his teammates. Really doing a good job creating for others with nice passes. But, I don't get what he's doing sometimes when he decides to shoot it himself. It looks awful.
 

benhogan

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It is very hard to imagine a “right” deal involving Smart. He’s an amazing value on his current contract, is still young, and is still improving. Tatum, Brown, and Smart are both this team’s present and its future.
Agreed. They need to extend Smart's contract at season's end and make him the Captain.

There was literally no "right deal" that included Marcus Smart. I doubt very much that Danny would deal him or teams would even bother asking for Smart. The guy is the heart and soul of the Celtics.

Credit to the PC, since there was absolutely no one on this thread that even hinted at the suggestion of trading/packaging MS at the trade deadline.
 

lovegtm

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Agreed. They need to extend Smart's contract at season's end and make him the Captain.

There was literally no "right deal" that included Marcus Smart. I doubt very much that Danny would deal him or teams would even bother asking for Smart. The guy is the heart and soul of the Celtics.

Credit to the PC, since there was absolutely no one on this thread that even hinted at the suggestion of trading/packaging MS at the trade deadline.
Oh man, I’ll probably piss some people off in that case.

If Grant and Romeo develop to their potential, and I fully acknowledge the size of that if, I think that Smart will be too expensive and too redundant to bring back after this deal. The league loves his defense, and odds are he’s shooting 35-38% from 3 on decent volume then.

They have 1-2 more years to evaluate the progress of the young guys, but if they’re anywhere close, and Smart is wanting to get paid ~25M (as he likely will), they’re going to have to look very, very seriously at dealing him.

It’s a ways off, but the decision/evaluation clock starts next fall/winter imo.
 

benhogan

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Oh man, I’ll probably piss some people off in that case.

If Grant and Romeo develop to their potential, and I fully acknowledge the size of that if, I think that Smart will be too expensive and too redundant to bring back after this deal. The league loves his defense, and odds are he’s shooting 35-38% from 3 on decent volume then.

They have 1-2 more years to evaluate the progress of the young guys, but if they’re anywhere close, and Smart is wanting to get paid ~25M (as he likely will), they’re going to have to look very, very seriously at dealing him.

It’s a ways off, but the decision/evaluation clock starts next fall/winter imo.
If he/his agent wants a $25MM/yr extension, then he wants to leave for the most $$ and we can't begrudge him for that right. Just wouldn't work for the Celtics current structure and extension talks never start. MS plays the contract out and gets his 4yr/$100MM somewhere else.

I'd hope the idea of being the Captain would be attractive, guys sometimes (but rarely) take discounts for legacy
 
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NomarsFool

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He's a tough player to evaluate his value, I think. His offensive skills are extremely helpful in the right system and context. Good 3P shooting, excellent passing, etc. But, he doesn't have your more typical offensive skillset that most of the stars have in the league. Once in a great while he will come up with big counting stat numbers, but in terms of your typical stats that everyone looks at - he's the 5th best player on the team. Will other teams be looking at that level of salary for that kind of a guy? Hard to say.
 

lovegtm

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He's a tough player to evaluate his value, I think. His offensive skills are extremely helpful in the right system and context. Good 3P shooting, excellent passing, etc. But, he doesn't have your more typical offensive skillset that most of the stars have in the league. Once in a great while he will come up with big counting stat numbers, but in terms of your typical stats that everyone looks at - he's the 5th best player on the team. Will other teams be looking at that level of salary for that kind of a guy? Hard to say.
He's basically Draymond with better shooting but without the same ability to fully guard up to 5 (which, to be fair, is a lot of what makes Draymond Draymond and why Grant is potentially so valuable). Teams will definitely pay for his prime years now that the shooting/spacing concerns are gone.
 

NomarsFool

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Comparing Smart and Green's age 25 seasons:

Smart 12.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.6 steals, 0.5 blocks
Green 14.0 points, 9.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.5 steals, 1.4 blocks

To me, Green is a good deal better. Of course, he's now 4 years older and just signed a 4 year, $100 million extension. So, not unreasonable Smart could be in that $25 million/year range. But again, I think there are likely not that many teams where he'd be a good fit. If you are GSW and you have all those offensive weapons, you can invest that kind of money in Green. But, most teams have to spend that kind of money on first getting people who can score points. Players like Green and Smart are a bit of a luxury.
 

lovegtm

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Comparing Smart and Green's age 25 seasons:

Smart 12.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.6 steals, 0.5 blocks
Green 14.0 points, 9.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.5 steals, 1.4 blocks

To me, Green is a good deal better. Of course, he's now 4 years older and just signed a 4 year, $100 million extension. So, not unreasonable Smart could be in that $25 million/year range. But again, I think there are likely not that many teams where he'd be a good fit. If you are GSW and you have all those offensive weapons, you can invest that kind of money in Green. But, most teams have to spend that kind of money on first getting people who can score points. Players like Green and Smart are a bit of a luxury.
Comparing slash lines is pretty worthless for assessing players, particularly of this type.

Houston just traded a first rounder for basically longer Smart (Covington), and he’s considered very underpaid at 11M.

Smart would have gotten a bigger deal last time if not for a) teams knew Boston would match in RFA b) his poor shooting made bigger offers infeasible. That won’t be the case next time.

The whole “Smart only fits with the Celtics” is also an outdated meme. Basically every team needs a wing who plays great D 1-4, shoots 3s, and can attack closeouts and make the next right play.

If anything, I think the Celtics are the contender that gets the LEAST value from Smart, as evidenced by the fact that he can only get on the floor to close in specific matchups. He’s better than trade alternatives, but he’s more redundant here than anywhere else.

Dude is getting paid at age 28, barring injury deterioration.
 

NomarsFool

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The whole “Smart only fits with the Celtics” is also an outdated meme. Basically every team needs a wing who plays great D 1-4, shoots 3s, and can attack closeouts and make the next right play.
But, that's not what I said. I said that not many teams can invest $25 million in a player like Smart or Green. While all teams can use a 3 and D player, most of them will find someone who does 85% of that for much, much less money.
 

lovegtm

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But, that's not what I said. I said that not many teams can invest $25 million in a player like Smart or Green. While all teams can use a 3 and D player, most of them will find someone who does 85% of that for much, much less money.
Sorry, I'll respond more accurately, you're right to focus on the investment part.

Where I disagree is that it's easy to find 85% of that guy for less money. With the cap going up (presumably), $25M will only be about 18-22% when he's an FA. Wesley Mathews got that money post-Achilles. Harrison Barnes got that money just this year. 36 (!) year-old Andre Iguodala, who isn't as good as Smart (now) and is way older, was a highly sought-after commodity at $17M/year on the trade market.

I'd respectfully submit that you need to update your views on what these types of guys get when they have credible shooting and playmaking off the dribble (the two skills that are critical to make the "3" part of 3 and D really sing.)
 

tims4wins

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What are the chances that Smart can get all the way to DPOY?

The last guard to win was Gary Payton in 95-96.

Ranker has him ranked at 9th most likely. But in.nba.com had tow of their pundits giving it to Marcus (4 gave it to AD).
He probably doesn't play enough minutes. Did Bowen ever win DPOY? He also played ~30 MPG during his peak.
 

lovegtm

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What are the chances that Smart can get all the way to DPOY?

The last guard to win was Gary Payton in 95-96.

Ranker has him ranked at 9th most likely. But in.nba.com had tow of their pundits giving it to Marcus (4 gave it to AD).
tbh I just don’t think he deserves it. On his own team, I think Tatum is already a better defender overall, and there are other guys around the league who are superior.

DPOY (imo) is for guys who make a whole scheme work on their own, the way MVP is for guys who generate overwhelming offensive advantages that everything flows from. Smart is a great defender, but he’s not that.
 

Cesar Crespo

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Agreed. They need to extend Smart's contract at season's end and make him the Captain.

There was literally no "right deal" that included Marcus Smart. I doubt very much that Danny would deal him or teams would even bother asking for Smart. The guy is the heart and soul of the Celtics.

Credit to the PC, since there was absolutely no one on this thread that even hinted at the suggestion of trading/packaging MS at the trade deadline.
He's signed for 2 more years after this. I don't see the point in an extension. They couldn't extend him for that much longer anyway.
 

lovegtm

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He's signed for 2 more years after this. I don't see the point in an extension. They couldn't extend him for that much longer anyway.
Also (correct me if I’m wrong) he can only get a 125% raise, ie 15M. Welcome to the magical land of Not Gonna Happen.
 

chilidawg

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He's a tough player to evaluate his value, I think. His offensive skills are extremely helpful in the right system and context. Good 3P shooting, excellent passing, etc. But, he doesn't have your more typical offensive skillset that most of the stars have in the league. Once in a great while he will come up with big counting stat numbers, but in terms of your typical stats that everyone looks at - he's the 5th best player on the team. Will other teams be looking at that level of salary for that kind of a guy? Hard to say.
He's also not high up in stats that people don't typically look at. On-Off, -1.2, just ahead of Brown but behind every other regular. PIPM .88, again just ahead of Brown but behind the rest of the regulars. Same with RPM.
 

Cesar Crespo

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He's also not high up in stats that people don't typically look at. On-Off, -1.2, just ahead of Brown but behind every other regular. PIPM .88, again just ahead of Brown but behind the rest of the regulars. Same with RPM.
Not to be that guy, but he's also not a good 3 point shooter. He's been average the last 2 seasons. The league is shooting .357 from 3 this year, .355 last year. Smart is at .358 over the last 2 years.

He's come along way but I don't think any team is going to be trading or signing him for his 3 point shot. At least, we aren't there yet.
 

benhogan

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Not to be that guy, but he's also not a good 3 point shooter. He's been average the last 2 seasons. The league is shooting .357 from 3 this year, .355 last year. Smart is at .358 over the last 2 years.

He's come along way but I don't think any team is going to be trading or signing him for his 3 point shot. At least, we aren't there yet.
He's also not high up in stats that people don't typically look at. On-Off, -1.2, just ahead of Brown but behind every other regular. PIPM .88, again just ahead of Brown but behind the rest of the regulars. Same with RPM.
He's a pretty average 3pt shooter. He may improve at a slightly higher rate than the league going forward. I'm fine with the C's letting it play out and not extending him if $25MM/yr is his asking price.

My thinking was Captaincy and not wanting to wait around for a Brinks Truck to show up in 2yrs may be interesting to MS. If not that's cool, pay him $12MM per for the next 2 seasons.
Very few players have any interest in playing for a slight discount and after watching Rozier sign a fat deal Marcus probably feels slighted already.
 

Cesar Crespo

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He's a pretty average 3pt shooter. He may improve at a slightly higher rate than the league going forward. I'm fine with the C's letting it play out and not extending him if $25MM/yr is his asking price.

My thinking was Captaincy and not wanting to wait around for a Brinks Truck to show up in 2yrs may be interesting to MS. If not that's cool, pay him $12MM per for the next 2 seasons.
Very few players have any interest in playing for a slight discount and after watching Rozier sign a fat deal Marcus probably feels slighted already.
They could only offer him a 2/30 extension anyway. He also seems like the kind of guy who lies in the bed he made.
 

Eddie Jurak

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The whole “Smart only fits with the Celtics” is also an outdated meme. Basically every team needs a wing who plays great D 1-4, shoots 3s, and can attack closeouts and make the next right play.
"Only fits with the Celtics" is a bit extreme, but I do think he's most valuable on a team like the Celtics because his weaknesses are less exposed and he can play to his strengths.
 

Cesar Crespo

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Smart fits on far more teams now than when he re-signed. I don't think there's really any debate that at the time of their respective FA, Rozier and Morris were far easier to fit on most teams and that Smart maybe would fit on like 2-3.
 

lovegtm

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Smart fits on far more teams now than when he re-signed. I don't think there's really any debate that at the time of their respective FA, Rozier and Morris were far easier to fit on most teams and that Smart maybe would fit on like 2-3.
Ya, this. Smarf is a quasi-mythical figure, and so I think people overstate both the uniqueness of his fit on the Celtics, and the lack of fit on other teams (current iteration of Smart.)

No need to overcomplicate: every contender can use a 6-3 guy who guards 1-4 at a high level, shoots average from 3, and makes plays off the dribble.

Also, the Celtics only played him 22 minutes yesterday in a game where he was healthy and they were going all out to win. His fit and role on this team (when everyone is healthy) is neither amazing nor indispensable, respectively.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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They could only offer him a 2/30 extension anyway. He also seems like the kind of guy who lies in the bed he made.
Except that Marcus Smarf has no use for beds. Well except for the one he tucked SGA into yesterday.

In all seriousness, evaluating Smarf in terms of what he doesn't do or the things he isn't good at seems like a fruitless exercise. Again, its part of the package and it feels like the Celtics braintrust has accepted that Marcus' flaws aren't fatal or even considerable enough to move on from him or diminish his role.

Finally, its always frustrating when players miss shots or make bad decisions or coaches do things we think are ill advised or worse. We all want the people we root for to be perfect but that isn't reality. For me, the next hurdles are evaluating versus a cohort as well as their contribution to team success. Imo, Smart does well here on both fronts and, more importantly, seems to embrace the role he has been given. That alone has significant value given what we saw transpire in Boston last year.

Smarf seems well regarded around the league but his fit is and likely always will be very specific.
 

Euclis20

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Aug 3, 2004
8,017
Imaginationland
Ya, this. Smarf is a quasi-mythical figure, and so I think people overstate both the uniqueness of his fit on the Celtics, and the lack of fit on other teams (current iteration of Smart.)

No need to overcomplicate: every contender can use a 6-3 guy who guards 1-4 at a high level, shoots average from 3, and makes plays off the dribble.

Also, the Celtics only played him 22 minutes yesterday in a game where he was healthy and they were going all out to win. His fit and role on this team (when everyone is healthy) is neither amazing nor indispensable, respectively.
I think that may have been as simple as he picked up his 3rd foul early in the 2nd quarter and sat for the final 10 minutes of the half.
 

nighthob

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Jul 15, 2005
12,678
He's signed for 2 more years after this. I don't see the point in an extension. They couldn't extend him for that much longer anyway.
After this year is over they could extend his current contract by two years for an additional $35 million (approximately). They should put that offer on the table the minute the season’s over. With the way Marcus plays the game, he’s likely to take it as a hedge against future injury. And it would allow them to lock in his entire prime at team-friendly rates.
 

NomarsFool

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Dec 21, 2001
8,159
Is it just me, or does Smart have 1-2 drives per game that result in him throwing up the absolute ugliest of shots? I can't tell if he thinks (or was) fouled and he doesn't get the calls, or what it is. But, it seems like every single game he has a couple of these crazy, short range shots that have no hope of going in.
 

NomarsFool

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Dec 21, 2001
8,159
I'm not a huge fan of Smart's game when he feels like he needs to carry the offense. His last 4 games 15 3PA, 5 3PA (he missed all of them), 14 3PA, and 15 3PA. Personally, I think that is just too many. Especially since too often they seem to result in just a quick 1 and done. I realize we have some scorers out, but he's just taking too many poor shots a game. The offensive foul against Brooklyn as just a boneheaded play. I know he has a number of amazing plays, particularly on defense, but he also needs to play a little smarter, too.