Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Starting Smart for Hustle and Heart

Getty Images
Marcus Smart is one of Boston's most polarizing athletes.

As one of the NBA's fiercest backcourt defenders, “The Cobra” relentlessly harasses opposing ball handlers and capably defends four (sometimes all five) positions utilizing physicality, high energy, and sheer determination.

But with career averages of just 9.2 points per game on 36% shooting, the 6'4" combo guard notoriously struggled with shot selection through his first four NBA seasons.

Regardless, Smart's pedestrian scoring numbers were rightfully overlooked by Danny Ainge when the Celtics inked him to a four-year, $52 million deal in July.

Brad Stevens has now doubled down on the organization’s investment in the tenacious defender by inserting Smart into his starting unit.

The benefits have been crystal clear.

After starting the season 10-10, the Celtics have surged to three straight wins with Smart starting, outscoring their opponents 370-311 during the streak.

This average scoring margin (123.3 - 103.7) is significantly better than the average margin (106.3 - 104.2) over their first 20 games with Smart coming off the bench.

More importantly, the entire team is playing with increased focus and consistent aggression. All four accompanying Celtics starters have scored in double-digits in each of Smart’s starts.

Getty Images
Smart exhibits a strong rapport with All-Stars Kyrie Irving and Al Horford, frequently facilitating quality looks while alleviating some of Irving’s point guard duties.

Irving and Horford both rank in the NBA's top-20 in catch-and-shoot field goals this season, converting more than two per game as of December 4.

The career-high catch-and-shoot numbers for Irving have also come on 45.7% shooting, whereas last season he converted 1.5 catch-and-shoot field goals per game at a 41.5% clip.

Many of Smart’s contributions don't show up in the box score, but he consistently makes a positive impact in important situations.

Seven of Boston’s nine best five-man lineups feature Smart, per Basketball Reference.

Furthermore, his average plus/minus as a starter (+15.3) is significantly better than off the bench (+0.3).

His field goal percentage improves to .526 as a starter (.462 from 3PT range) versus .375 off the bench (.306 from 3PT range).

And he averages 5.0 assists and 2.7 steals per game as a starter compared to 3.9 assists and 1.3 steals off the bench.

Perhaps most impressive, his turnover numbers as a starter have dropped to 0.3 per game versus 1.6 off the bench, despite playing more minutes when he starts.


Smart could soon return to the second unit to accommodate the elite offensive potential of Jaylen Brown and Gordon Hayward.

Brown missed the last three games with back spasms, so Smart's role will continue to fluctuate.

Stevens has been hesitant to name Smart a full-time starter, pointing out to reporters:
"The problem with starting Marcus Smart is you can’t bring his energy off the bench. He’s a valuable guy in both of those areas for the same reason."
Smart is arguably best suited for a sixth man role with the Celtics because his two-way versatility and explosive playmaking ability allow him to impact games immediately upon checking into any situation.

Additionally, Hayward and Brown are simply too talented not to start. They will displace Smart as soon as they prove to Stevens that they can open games with comparable intensity.

Hayward has struggled to regain his footing after last year’s horrific ankle injury, but he impressed the basketball world on Saturday night with one of the best statistical performances in NBA history for a player off the bench.

Hayward’s 30-9-8 outburst reportedly came on the heels of a scuffle with Smart during practice when physical defense and several hard fouls resulted in a red-faced Hayward becoming enraged.

But instead of losing his composure, Hayward responded to Smart's ferocity by using his own strength and size to throw down some of his most thunderous dunks since the injury.

As Marcus Morris told reporters,
"Any time Smartie gets tangled up with somebody, it's good. I've been waiting to see that side of (Hayward) for a little bit now."
When one of the NBA’s most aggressive players dives for loose balls and causes chaos for opponents from the opening possession, it sets the tone and pace for the entire game.

It is no surprise the Celtics look better with Smart playing more minutes because he pushes his teammates to become great.


The Big Three led the way to Boston’s 17th championship in 2008, but anybody who followed the team knows that Tony Allen’s defense was a foundational element of its success.

Smart is in a similar situation this year. Eventually, he will be relegated back to the bench in favor of elite talent.

But no player represents the heart and driving force of a city’s collective basketball identity more than Smart does in Boston.

Playing with a massive chip on his shoulder, Smart does anything it takes to help his Celtics win.

Someday soon, that fiery mentality may prove instrumental in bringing home Banner 18.

15 comments:

  1. Hi!!
    Love your post. It's really amazing & helpful too. I like the way you explained everything. Keep sharing :)
    Thank You & Regards
    Ankita

    a2 hosting black friday

    ReplyDelete
  2. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Truly, this article is really one of the very best in the history of articles. I am a antique ’Article’ collector and I sometimes read some new articles if I find them interesting. And I found this one pretty fascinating and it should go into my collection. Very good work! ortopedico

    ReplyDelete
  4. You're free to do whatever you want with your extra money. However, if you want to feel like you're actually doing something good with your life, neobux then it's best to save up income from your side hustle.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Mumbai Call Girl and Female Model Escort Services in Mumbai for your spicy erotic desires. Mumbai Escorts is the best Escorts Girls service in Mumbai free and paid sex incall and outcall independent agency. If you are interested please contact me for more information visit our website.
    Mumbai Escorts Service

    ReplyDelete
  6. If you want to call girls service for many nights, then you are in the right place. New Delhi Escorts can give you low rates and high rates. Hot, Sexy, Beautiful Call Girls Service New Delhi Escorts May give you different call girls of different categories with whom. You can do anything, if you are interested, call or visit our website

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wow, awesome blog layout! How long have you been blogging for?
    you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your
    site is magnificent, let alone the content!

    my web page :: 부산오피
    (jk)


    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi there, I found your blog by the use of Google while looking for a related subject,
    your site came up, it appears good. I've bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
    고스톱

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi there excellent blog! Does running a blog like this take a lot of work?
    I’ve very little knowledge of coding but I was hoping to start my own blog in the near future.
    Anyways, should you have any ideas or techniques for new blog owners please share.
    I know this is off subject nevertheless I simply wanted to ask.
    Thank you!
    스포츠토토

    ReplyDelete
  10. TELECOMS CLIENT SERVICES
    Our professional Telecom Recruitment Consultant work throughout all telecom applied sciences up to & which includes 5G and OpenRAN. Having made telecom placements in over a hundred and eighty countries, we understand the technological know-how and additionally regional, social and political stipulations globally.

    Whether you’re hiring a contractor, a everlasting position or want a associate for a full recruitment strategy, every mission is managed via our telecoms experts to meet your needs.

    TELL US ABOUT YOUR TELECOMS BUSINESS
    TELECOMS CANDIDATE SERVICES
    As the greatest telecoms recruiter globally we acquire new roles every day from throughout the world. Whether you are working as a RAN Engineer on a temporary project, or in a long-term everlasting position as a Project Manager, we endorse registering with us to hold up to date with the modern-day opportunities.

    Not planning to cross proper away? Get in contact with our telecoms consultants so they can preserve you in idea for future telecoms projects.
    PROUD PARTICIPANTS OF THE TELECOM INFRA PROJECT
    We are proud to be individuals in the Telecom Infra Project (TIP). Supporting the improvement of the telecommunications industry, TIP is a international neighborhood of corporations and corporations that are riding infrastructure options to increase world connectivity.
    The future of the international telecoms industry
    The telecoms enterprise is evolving at an high-quality tempo globally, with all EU international locations anticipated to have some 5G offerings in area by using 2020. Uninterrupted insurance in city areas is predicted to be on hand by using 2025 on the continent.

    Great telecoms mean

    better infrastructure for public offerings such as transport
    better approaches for businesses to speak internally
    new approaches for supermajors in the strength enterprise to gather and analyse massive facts and many different benefits.
    With so a whole lot growth in such a quick time, that quick tempo of increase has created severa telecoms recruitment challenges – mainly in regards to infrastructure – round the world.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wonderful post! We will be linking to this great article on our site. I’m definitely delighted I found it and I’ll be bookmarking and checking back often!
    메이저사이트
    경마
    온라인경마

    ReplyDelete
  12. I am a fan who has watched your writing from before. I have learned a lot from you. Please come to my site and help me.
    바카라
    사설토토

    ReplyDelete