I think Marcus Smart shows really well here. I think as he develops, he will force offensive players to shoot the shots he wants them to. Also, can you imagine if he had a rim protector behind him? His worst stat would immediately be elevated.
Well done, informative post. The username is definitely relevant.
Looks like if I'm reading this correctly Smart is elite at defending the 3 point line and very strong for a guard around the basket, kind of like how prime Dwayne Wade was as a defender. Could I make a request to see how Elfrid Payton stacks up in these metrics since there been so much contention about him vs Smart on this board?
Your wish is my command.
Smart
• 2.63 StealsP48M, 11th in the NBA
• .48 BlocksP48M, 169th in the NBA
• 2.08 DRPM, 51st in the NBA
• 47.9% OFG% at the rim, 28th in the NBA
• 57.9% OFG% 0-8 feet, 14th in the NBA
• 40.1% OFG% 8-16 feet, 44th in the NBA
• 39.4% OFG% 16-24 feet, 60th in the NBA
• 32.4% OFG% 24+ feet, 5th in the NBA
• +.7% Overall Differential
Payton
• 2.74 StealsP48M, 9th in the NBA
• .39 BlocksP48M, 193rd in the NBA
• .89 DRPM, 120th in the NBA
• 57.9% OFG% at the rim, 122nd in the NBA
• 57.2% OFG% 0-8 feet, 193rd in the NBA
• 41.2% OFG% 8-16 feet, 137th in the NBA
• 38% OFG% 16-24 feet, 54th in the NBA
• 38.4% OFG% 24+ feet, 214th in the NBA
• +3.9% Overall Differential
Payton may get a lot of steals, but players generally shoot well against him, get to the basket at will against him, and shoot the three pretty well against him. Players shoot against Payton a lot like they shoot against Lavine, although Lavine is a worse scheme defender and stealer.
Many Thanks!
Glad to see that's stats confirm what the eyes are telling me. I really like Elfrid Payton, think he'll have a great career especially if he can land in the right situation like Rondo did. But when people act like he and Smart are in the same class defensively it just doesn't hold water.
Better scorer? At the moment probably. Better passer? Maybe. Better Defender? Not even in the same building as Smart.
This is whats funny about Celticsblog, they are totally homeristic.
MAYBE, are you kidding, If Smart is that much better at defense, than Payton is way better at passing, not only passing but as a point guard who does the slashing, getting to the rim, getting to the line, finishing, ALL THOSE ARE BETTER than SMART, who will probably never be as good.
Defense , yes Smart is better, but not really in the scheme of things. Smart will have to play offense , and as a point guard, that will be a big challenge....To score, and lead the floor well.