Author Topic: Celtics miss Marcus Smart  (Read 5357 times)

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Re: Celtics miss Marcus Smart
« Reply #15 on: February 14, 2018, 06:22:15 AM »

Offline mctyson

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There is no doubt that the Celtics have not been as good since Smart went down.  There is no single tangible way to explain it but I don't think there is much doubt that it is real.  I think one thing he does is take pressure off Brown and Tatum.  When we have Smart, we don't have to rely so much on those two.

Smart doesn't change them enough when it comes to Toronto or Cleveland though.  I think we have a tough time beating either in 7 unless Monroe really kicks in.

I think the biggest issue is that they are thin in the backcourt without him.

Re: Celtics miss Marcus Smart
« Reply #16 on: February 14, 2018, 06:36:10 AM »

Offline moiso

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Absolutely they miss him.  He's our best competitor.  He changes the intensity of the whole 5 man unit.

A lot of people don't want to hear it because Smart and Baynes are our two most unsexy rotation players (not counting Semi), but these guys have the toughness, competiteveness, and defense that we need to be a better team.  That stat someone posted the other day about us being 15-0 when Baynes plays 23 minutes or more may be fluky but it's also pretty meaningful.  Smart is the same kind of guy.  These guys don't just want to play well, they want to win the games even more than they want to play well.  Yeah, they can look like offensive stiffs at times, but these are the guys you want to go war with (to use a bad expression).

Re: Celtics miss Marcus Smart
« Reply #17 on: February 14, 2018, 08:36:12 AM »

Offline dreamgreen

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They miss the depth he adds and his defense for sure. I personally don't miss him on the offensive side of the ball at all.

Re: Celtics miss Marcus Smart
« Reply #18 on: February 14, 2018, 08:55:19 AM »

Offline seancally

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Punching that picture may have cost us the championship.
Seriously.

But... he's coming back....

Besides, maybe the punch realigned his hand and improved his shot.
"The game honors toughness." - President Stevens

Re: Celtics miss Marcus Smart
« Reply #19 on: February 14, 2018, 09:50:22 AM »

Offline gift

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Punching that picture may have cost us the championship.
Seriously.

But... he's coming back....

Besides, maybe the punch realigned his hand and improved his shot.

Yeah seriously. It's not like the picture tore his acl or something. If anything he's getting extended rest. Just hope he's staying in shape.

Re: Celtics miss Marcus Smart
« Reply #20 on: February 14, 2018, 10:12:52 AM »

Offline dreamgreen

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Punching that picture may have cost us the championship.
Seriously.

But... he's coming back....

Besides, maybe the punch realigned his hand and improved his shot.

Yeah seriously. It's not like the picture tore his acl or something. If anything he's getting extended rest. Just hope he's staying in shape.

Can't make his shot any worse!

Regardless the C's aren't winning the championship and IMO if they aren't the #1 seed in the East, they wont make it to the ECF this year.

Re: Celtics miss Marcus Smart
« Reply #21 on: February 14, 2018, 10:31:17 PM »

Offline mr. dee

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How many 100+ points have the Celtics given up since Marcus injured his hands?

Re: Celtics miss Marcus Smart
« Reply #22 on: February 14, 2018, 10:34:23 PM »

Offline Tr1boy

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When is he coming back????

Re: Celtics miss Marcus Smart
« Reply #23 on: February 14, 2018, 10:36:12 PM »

Offline mctyson

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It is not just Marcus but having Larkin out makes them super thin in the backcourt with only 3 guards, and only 2 of which can handle the ball.

That takes a toll.

Re: Celtics miss Marcus Smart
« Reply #24 on: February 14, 2018, 10:38:19 PM »

Offline Ilikesports17

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How many 100+ points have the Celtics given up since Marcus injured his hands?
We've given up 100+ in 7 of the 10 games Marcus has missed.

We gave up 100+ 21 times in the previous 49 games.
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Too often, we judge other groups by their worst examples while judging ourselves by our best intentions.

Re: Celtics miss Marcus Smart
« Reply #25 on: February 14, 2018, 10:44:56 PM »

Offline tarheelsxxiii

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Despite his gaudy numbers, Kyrie was -14 tonight, 2nd worst only to TRo (-15).  Against CLE, he was a game low -19.  Like a lot of the one-way scoring PGs, Kyrie needs to be covered for.  I'd say the Celtics are definitely missing Smart.  For now, I'll punt and say all these guys are just limping to the ASB.  Not going to cut it come playoffs, though.
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Re: Celtics miss Marcus Smart
« Reply #26 on: February 15, 2018, 07:48:26 AM »

Offline rollie mass

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Marcus Smart on defence helps everyone because of his intensity and his ability to switch..Rozier did a great job on the boards and has some quick hands but he gets hung up on screens.
Players cringe when knowing Marcus is barreling in.
We are missing our collision oriented Marcus.
Rip his fingers off,dislocate his knee,cripple him with a high ankle sprain that lasted well into the summer.He doesn't know how to play soft.I want Marcus in the 4th quarter
He is like Mike Tyson,Ray Nitchke or Dick Butkus,
 From his rookie beginnings, he has been instrumental to Celtics success .Remember him hitting a screen by Cousins.Cousin wasn't happy Marcus a kid got thrown down but bounced right back up in Cousins face..No fear no intimidation.
He uses leverage and upper and lower body strength and knows every trick in the book
.Marcus does not crumple on loose balls he relishes contact like Dave Cowens
.He may have missed a shot but we have not been performing well since.

Last night it was Gorman that answered whats different?-Marcus and his bulldog defense.

Re: Celtics miss Marcus Smart
« Reply #27 on: February 15, 2018, 09:18:55 AM »

Offline coffee425

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Another game of the guards (Rozier, Kyrie) dying on 1-5 screens.
Another game of the guards (Rozier, Kyrie) doing nothing to slow down the rolling big.

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Re: Celtics miss Marcus Smart
« Reply #28 on: February 15, 2018, 10:00:23 AM »

Offline tstorey_97

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It's a team sport where we use stats to analyze success.

Intangibles don't have a number next to them that sticks.

When he is on the floor Smart is the player his team mates defer to on defense. He plays hard for them and they play hard for him.

Team should be ok without him on paper, but, they aren't. Current slump relates to not much offense, but, everything on a team is connected. Sitting back and waiting for Irving to hit 40 isn't going to do it.

I think most here will agree when Smart returns? The Celtics will be a better team.

Re: Celtics miss Marcus Smart
« Reply #29 on: February 15, 2018, 10:23:13 AM »

Offline Jamilmac99

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It's disgusting how much they are missing him but it would be nice for the other players to, you know, give a little effort instead of jogging around and getting a bit sweaty.