Marcus Smart Embraces Role as Distributor

by **bobheckler** Tue Oct 27, 2015 3:59 pm

http://hardwoodhoudini.com/2015/10/23/marcus-smart-embraces-role-as-distributor/

Marcus Smart Embraces Role as Distributor

by Joshua Bateman 3d ago

The Boston Celtics got more than they could have imagined out of Marcus Smart during his rookie season. His NBA ready defense may have been the best out of the draft class and immediately made him one of the most important players on the team.

Smart was an improved shooter, shooting above 30% form three point range for the first time in his career and he embraced a leadership role, despite being one of the younger players on one of the youngest teams in the NBA.

Everything is in place for Smart to seize the Celtics as his team and on a squad filled with young prospects, he is the one with the brightest future. It’s no surprise that the Celtics want to yet again increase Smart’s responsibility on the court, only this season they want to see it on the offensive end.

The Celtics do not need Smart to be a do it all scorer that carries the team on his back but he needs to prove that he can be a primary ball handler. Scoring is going to be important but in Stevens’ offense the most important thing for ball handlers is distribution.

Evan Turner led the team in assists last season and that earned him some of the most offensive responsibility on the team. David Lee is the best passing big man on the team and that has propelled him to the top of the power forward depth chart.

Smart is yet to have a true breakout game this preseason but in their last battle against the Knicks his passing ability was on full display. Smart led the team with 9 assists in 27 minutes. While 9 assists is nothing staggering it demonstrates the kind of mentality Smart is embracing.

bob
MY NOTE: The NBA is a pick-and-roll league. Smart has shown definite improvement on the passing end of the PnR so far.

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