08-02-2021, 11:39 AM
(08-02-2021, 11:26 AM)KillerLeft Wrote: I think it's case by case.
I am not a Celtics fan, so I watch maybe 10 of their games per season. Almost every time I see them, Smart does 3-4 things that would make me angry if he was on my team.
Now, he USED to do 5-6 other things that would make me love him, too. Listening to Simmons (who we all know IS a Celtics fan) over the past few years, he has become increasingly down on Smart. He and MacMullen (sp?) just talked about how Smart is "tired of being known as a defensive player" on the podcast yesterday.
Idk, part of me thinks he's exactly what they need and another part of me thinks he has a screw lose, and not in an awesome Jimmy Butler sort of way.
Agree that Smart is known for his offensive brain farts but overall the impact metrics of the last few season still have him as a net positive on offense. His scoring efficiency and shooting is still mediocre but at least not in the league worst category and his playmaking is legit. Nearly a 3:1 ast/tov ratio in the last few seasons on decent volume (5.7 asts last season). Good pick and roll ballhandler (70th percentile last season, 87th in 19/20).
I would argue that some of his bad tendencies are not really on him. The Celtics lacked leadership and in the big moments Walker, Brown and Tatum were nowhere to be seen. Smart wasn´t afraid of the moment and tried his best. He also elevates his level play in the playoffs (scoring volume and efficiency).
Still think that he is an elite defender. My biggest concern are his injuries. They are a direct result of his play style. Cannot dive after every single lose ball without picking up some bruises. Best case scenario would be to have him in a Iggy kind of role. Load management in the regular season. All out effort in the playoffs. Not sure if the Mavs can afford to do something like this right now.