Hustle and O: Marcus Smart proving he's a Rising Star

by **bobheckler** Thu Feb 11, 2016 7:52 pm

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4722050/hustle-and-o-marcus-smart-proving-hes-a-rising-star

Hustle and O: Marcus Smart proving he's a Rising Star

6:11 PM ET

Chris ForsbergESPN Staff Writer

BOSTON -- When Boston Celtics coach Brad Stevens subbed Marcus Smart in to chase an offensive rebound in the final seconds of Boston's thrilling win over the Cleveland Cavaliers last Friday night, there was a bit of accidental luck involved in the decision.

The fact that Smart got shuffled into a similar position in the final minute of regulation during Wednesday's overtime win over the Los Angeles Clippers, however, was completely by design.

Even though Boston had a bigger body than Smart on the court in the form of Jonas Jerebko, Stevens elected to have Jae Crowder and Smart on the blocks as Isaiah Thomas looked to complete a three-point play in a three-point game with 56.1 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Thomas is shooting nearly 90 percent at the line this season, but that wouldn't stop Stevens from planning ahead.

The very second the ball left Thomas' hands, Smart put a spin move on Wesley Johnson that would make most NFL defensive linemen blush. Even as he was completing the 360, Smart started tracking the flight of the ball and, when it caught the front rim, Smart already had slipped in front of Johnson and established position to chase the rebound. With Crowder doing all he could to pull Paul Pierce away from the basket on the opposite side, Smart leaped between two Clippers and snagged the rebound. What's more, he went right back up and managed to draw a foul from an off-balance Johnson.

Smart took a second to exult, flexing his muscles to a crowd that was delirious as the Celtics made their late-game charge. Combined with his efforts in Cleveland last Friday, Smart has become Boston's poster child for making all the little plays that make a big difference in winning games.
Marcus Smart had Celtics fans pumped after he grabbed a key offensive rebound and drew a foul late in the fourth quarter of Wednesday's overtime win over the Clippers. David Butler II/USA TODAY Sports

Smart will step into a bigger spotlight on Friday night when he participates in the Rising Stars Challenge at All-Star weekend. In playing some of his best basketball recently, Smart has proven he deserves his spot on the U.S. roster at the annual rookie/sophomore showcase and it's obvious that his elevated play has played a big part in the Celtics winning 10 of their final 12 games before the break.

In that 12-game span, Smart is averaging 12 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.9 steals over 27.8 minutes per game. Most notable: Smart is shooting 39.3 percent from beyond the 3-point arc in that span, an unfathomable turnaround after shooting an abysmal 19.5 percent beyond the arc through his first 22 games of the season. Smart's effective field goal percentage -- adjusting for the value of 3-point shots -- over the last 12 games is 51.4 percent, the second best mark for a guard on the team in that span, behind only Avery Bradley (56.5).

Smart's 3-point percentage has climbed to 28.7 percent in the less than three weeks since a random snow day that he pointed to as the turning point in finding his stroke. In fact, since that snow day, Smart has made 42.9 percent of his 3-pointers (24 of 56), which is the best mark on the team in that 11-game span.

Smart's offensive development is a boon for Boston. The 21-year-old bulldog already had made himself a key rotation player with his hustle and defensive tenacity. Now the No. 6 pick in the 2014 draft not only is developing his point-guard skills and being more aggressive going at the basket, but also knocking down 3-point shots.

A year ago, Smart got passed up for the Rising Stars challenge in part because of an ankle injury that forced him to miss extended time in the first half of his rookie season. Sidelined for 18 games this year due to a knee injury, Smart admitted he was surprised to be selected to the game this time around. But his recent play has validated his spot among some of the more notable first- and second-year players in the league.

Smart has pledged not to take charges or dive for loose balls at the Rising Stars game. No one believes him. Smart is going to have to consciously dial down his intensity for an exhibition. But maybe he'll settle for putting his improved perimeter shooting on display. That said, if the game is close in the latter part of play, don't be surprised if Smart ramps up to his usual intensity.

This more confident Smart could play a key role in just how far Boston is able to march this season. With All-Star Isaiah Thomas cementing his starting role with the Celtics this season, Smart -- a starter during Boston's playoff surge last season -- has embraced being part of a reserve group that has set the team apart in recent weeks. Thomas is able to share ball-handling duties with Evan Turner and, by knocking down more shots, that's made him dangerous on and off the ball.

Smart fouled out just seconds after his free-throw hustle play on Wednesday night. It was appropriate, however, that he picked up that sixth foul while trying to corral his own missed free throw. Smart spent the rest of the game standing near the end of the Boston bench, invested in every second of the team's rally to force overtime and prevail in the extra session.

You can't help but wonder if they would have even gotten to overtime without Smart. The vibe around the Celtics is much different without Smart's hustle plays against the Cavaliers and Clippers. Those little plays have sent Boston into the break with big expectations for the second half of the season and beyond.

bob
MY NOTE: He is NOT a classic point guard. His defense, however, is at times off the charts. If he's starting to shoot well again, well, that will make a BIG difference in how I'll view him.

.

by **bobc33** Thu Feb 11, 2016 7:58 pm

I just think he is one of those players that has the knack for making the right play, and he seems to be at his best during crucial moments. Can't teach the intangibles........ Being tough as nails helps too!

by **beat** Thu Feb 11, 2016 7:59 pm

Here's the play...........

http://gfycat.com/SlimSpeedyCanvasback

beat

by **wideclyde** Thu Feb 11, 2016 9:40 pm

I have also been very much impressed with Smart's improvement in the last 5 weeks. Almost like he improved while sitting out with his knee injury. Good for him and good for our team.

by **cowens/oldschool** Thu Feb 11, 2016 10:19 pm

Hes Tony Allen with a much better more harnessed offensive game, he could easily be a world class MMA fighter.

by **NYCelt** Fri Feb 12, 2016 1:29 pm

cowens/oldschool wrote:Hes Tony Allen with a much better more harnessed offensive game, he could easily be a world class MMA fighter.

Good comparison.

My thinking from the day we drafted him was that Smart was our future 2-guard, and a probable All-Star there at some point during his career.

Based on our need for offense and the emergence of both IT and Bradley in his absence, I think 1st G off the bench suits Smart for now. It's a very good, young, 3 guard rotation, and allows us to start looking for forwards.

by Sponsored content

Hustle and O: Marcus Smart proving he's a Rising Star

Hustle and O: Marcus Smart proving he's a Rising Star

Re: Hustle and O: Marcus Smart proving he's a Rising Star

Re: Hustle and O: Marcus Smart proving he's a Rising Star

Re: Hustle and O: Marcus Smart proving he's a Rising Star

Re: Hustle and O: Marcus Smart proving he's a Rising Star

Re: Hustle and O: Marcus Smart proving he's a Rising Star

Re: Hustle and O: Marcus Smart proving he's a Rising Star