Keeping Marcus Smart

Any thoughts of trading Marcus Smart for anything except a completely proven and young NBA "star player" (and, I am not really sure
who that could be-any suggestions for guys who might be available?) would be a complete mistake for the Boston Celtics. I love the job
Ainge has done, but I fire him the second a trade of Smart is official.

Yes, I am reacting somewhat to his game last night in Portland, but such a performance is not either out of the ordinary this year nor will
they be in the future. This guy is improving his total game right before our eyes this season (and also last season as well). Every part of his
game is better than it was last year, even his shooting although he still needs more work in this area, and all of his game is far better than
what he showed us in his rookie year. Not sure the Cs or any of us can ask for any more right at this time from this guy.

If Ainge and Stevens gave Horford at nearly 30 years old a max level contract last summer, I will be very disappointed if Smart is still not in a Cs
uniform long enough to get his own max contract from Boston at an even earlier age. Horford may or not be worth a max deal, and I am sure that
the topic has been raised or will be raised. So, don't get me wrong, the Cs can give all the money they want to anyone they want, but if Horford as a
center/forward is worth max money Smart will be more than worth max money as a two way guard who can also defend guys much bigger
when called upon, brings guts, tenacity and quality leadership to a team.

Marcus has improved dramatically , especially in his ball handling and court vision. Needless to say, his tenacity is over the top. Plus , he`s the king of the flop.

More quality games from Mr. Smart in the last week. He is a keeper!

Wide,

No argument from me.

Regards

His shooting woes stamp him as a failure thus far in his career - miserable numbers for a # 6 pick - I'll be very surprised to see him reach respectability as a shooter - #3rd man in back court rotation. Will probably be moved in a trade.

swish

swish wrote:His shooting woes stamp him as a failure thus far in his career - miserable numbers for a # 6 pick - I'll be very surprised to see him reach respectability as a shooter - #3rd man in back court rotation. Will probably be moved in a trade.

 swish

Swish are you saying is shooting woes stamp him as a failure overall as a player, or stamp him as a failure as a shooter?

Smart is part of our defensive DNA.

He can still contribute on offense by playing the point, developing his midrange game and making free throws.

Marcus is a keeper.

dboss

Nobody has been more down, consistently, on Marcus Smart because of his shooting than me.  Having said that, however, I agree with dboss 100%, he is part of our defensive DNA.  Our defense has backslid this year but it sure isn't because of our 6'4" meth-crazed wolverine with concertina-wire teeth, Marcus Smart.

If he takes his shots from the low post, where he is VERY effective and maybe only 1-2 3pt fgas to help keep the defenses honest, I'd be very happy because what he brings to the table defensively and with his physical, aggressive mindset, is QUITE valuable. He has also turned into a pretty decent

His shooting, though, ugh!  The worst...


bob


.

I would also add the fact that Marcus is a big time physical player on a team with several small guards.  He will play defense against 1-3.  That versatility provides Stevens with more options.

This year his most notable improvement has been his point guard skills.  He seems more comfortable in that role.  Game after game he is winning those 50/50 Plays.  He is a winner.

dboss

bobc33 wrote:

swish wrote:His shooting woes stamp him as a failure thus far in his career - miserable numbers for a # 6 pick - I'll be very surprised to see him reach respectability as a shooter - #3rd man in back court rotation. Will probably be moved in a trade.

 swish

Swish are you saying is shooting woes stamp him as a failure overall as a player, or stamp him as a failure as a shooter?

bobc33

Stamp him as a failure as a shooter for a number 6 PICK who is currently the number 3 guard on the squad.



swish

After watching Smart for almost three years now, he is far from a failure even as a shooting at this time in his career.

I am very confident that if the other 29 teams in the league had a chance to get him that they would be beating each other up to get him. Smart is a guy that EVERY team would love to have.

Smart is not a great shooter, and may never be, but he will continue to improve as a shooter. I have watched him improve so much in the years he has been with us, and I fully believe that he will continue to improve in many areas (including his shooting) for at least three more years.

No one can disagree with dboss's thoughts that he is the defensive DNA on our team right now (in only his third year, by the way), and that is a pretty nice complement that has been well earned. To go even further, he is a leader and always seems to play in crunch time even as a non starter.

Again, I fire Ainge if he trades Smart for anything less than a proven, young NBA star.