Smart does not have elite potential for one simple reason: He has difficulty creating his own shot. He just is not fluid enough with the rock to become a Wade type of player. I like him for what he is: gritty, nose to the grind stone type guy. I see his future more in the Tony Allen category of player. You'd love to have him on your team, but he is not one of the 2-3 guys you need to build your team around.
Yeah. Cause rookies never get better or develop aspects of their games after the first half of the first season. </sarcasm>
I look at Smart and see a player that heard that the biggest criticism of his game was his shooting... so, halfway through his first season he has transformed himself into a much better shooter.
The kid works hard to make himself better. After he improved his shot, the fans moved the goal posts on him and started criticizing his ability to get to the hoop on the drive/get to the foul line... so, over the last few games, he's been getting to the line/driving to the hoop for kick-outs much more regularly.
These improvements have come in half a season while he has been acclimating himself to the NBA and dealing with an entirely new life/entirly new expectations. Imagine how much better he could make himself during the off season. Typically Rookie to Sophomore year is a huge year for improvement, and Marcus Smart lives and breathes basketball. He's already our best defensive player. Give him 2 years and his offense will catch up.
I think the sky is the limit for Marcus Smart.