Are the big Smart fans also big Semi fans?

[Eja117]

I added the word "big" because I think even a ton of Smart critics have been shut up a bit lately, but aren't the similarities there?  Do big Smart fans see Semi similarly to rookie Smart?

[bellerephon]

I don't see many similarities. Even as a rookie Smart was a much better defender, and Smart makes lots of winning plays (steals, blocks, diving for loose balls) that Semi does not make. Smart impacts winning in many ways that Semi simply does not. As far as offense goes, we all know that Smart is a bad shooter, even so he is better than Semi. Their percentages are relatively close, but Marcus is taking more difficult shots, Semi usually only takes wide open looks. Even comparing rookie numbers, Smart was better. Moreover, this is all before we take into account that Smart is a good ball handler, passer, and can run the offense. Semi literally adds almost nothing on offense. I think that even if you only compare rookie numbers, there is no question that Smart was the far superior player.

[SHAQATTACK]

Smarts my man .

not a big Semi fan yet .....could be if he adds more to his game than defense.

Marcus won my heRt with his Defense and game changing plays .....his heart to win is amazing.

[Ilikesports17]

Don't see many similarities between the two.

Love Smart don't like Semi all that much.

I do think Semi can grow into a decent 3 and D guy which is important for us in the next few years.

[footey]

If Semi can get the 3 down (and he did in college), would be a very valuable bench guy. His defensive versatility for a rookie is exceptional.

[moiso]

This big Smart fan doesn’t really enjoy watching Semi.  Smart makes all kinds of things happen and Semi can be fairly invisible.

[Eja117]

Maybe Semi is more like a junior varsity version of swing forward Smart. But I theorize there's a distinct possibility Semi can improve as did Smart. 

But they both entered the rotation as rookies based on their defense and versatility, and they both have significant offensive issues.

There's definitely some differences too.

[jambr380]

Smart was a mid-high lottery pick with All-Star potential coming out of college. There were concerns about his shooting, but he had 'leader' plastered across his forehead.

Semi was a 2nd round pick whose value always hovered around being a possible rotation 3 and D guy. While his versatility on D is appreciated, he is completely useless on offense. We hope that one day he can hit a wide-open 3 - and that is the only thing we can hope for from him on offense - while Smart is a very good passer, ball-handler, free-throw shooter and for some reason hits big shots at just the right time.

[RockinRyA]

The only similarity is their bad shooting. Smart is far better everywhere. Smart has very high motor, while Semi has lack of it.

So NO, the Smart fan in me doesnt like Semi (despite playing better lately)

[Big333223]

I'm a little unclear on what makes the two so similar.

[PAOBoston]

They are not really similar players outside of their combat muscles.

Semi has potential to be very good bench piece though. Versatile defender. If he can get the 3 down, hell be a valuable 3 and D guy in the mold of Crowder.

[Eja117]

I'm a little unclear on what makes the two so similar.

They're both guys who make their money on defense and were way ahead of the curve defensively as rookies and they are both versatile guys. They also both can't shoot.  Someone a post ago made a good point about Semi maybe someday being like Crowder.

I can see some similarities between Crowder and Smart.

[Atzar]

The comparison is an oversimplification.

Smart is an excellent defender and has a role on offense as a primary ball-handler.  Semi is an average defender whose offensive role is "stand in the corner and hope the defense is dumb enough to guard you." 

I'm lukewarm on Marcus Smart.  I concede the fact that he appears to help us win games, despite the fact that he is statistically a pretty bad player.  On the other hand, I viewed Ojeleye as the single biggest weakness in our healthy rotation for much of the year.  There's some value there if his team defense improves and his outside shot starts falling, but right now he's a liability. 

[bellerephon]

Smart is a bad shooter, not a bad player. Defensively he is outstanding, and even on offense he contributes with his ball-handling, passing and ability to run the offense.

[kozlodoev]

I'm a little unclear on what makes the two so similar.

They're both guys who make their money on defense and were way ahead of the curve defensively as rookies and they are both versatile guys. They also both can't shoot.  Someone a post ago made a good point about Semi maybe someday being like Crowder.

Well, Semi may be one of those guys that are billed as defensive specialists just because his offense is completely nonexistent. He's strong and tough but also not exceptionally quick or long. I don't really see anything special there.