Marcus Smart’s skills can’t be quantified. In the analytics era, Smart is the anomaly. The Boston Celtics would be losing the heart and soul of their team if the let Smart walk.
Marcus Smart is such an intriguing player. He is so talented on one end of the court, but so awful on the other. Still Smart got to show his worth last season as the Boston Celtics 6th man and he didn’t let the opportunity go to waste.
Now Smart is looking to get paid. It was believed that Smart was looking to make about $15 million a year.
It doesn’t look like that will be happening. Free agency hasn’t treated Smart well.
Smart may not be putting up insane numbers, but the Celtics need him on their team. If he walks a major piece of the Celtics leaves as well.
So here are 3 reasons the Boston Celtics need to re-sign Marcus Smart.
Defense
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Marcus Smart is probably the best defender in the NBA. He seems to be able to guard anyone on the court.
Whether it’s LeBron James or James Harden, Smart can lock them down.
Smart’s defense is his most valuable asset. It is what makes him such a great player. Smart can change the course of the game with a steal or by taking a charge.
We saw it last season when Smart won the game by getting in Harden’s grill and forcing him to commit 2 offensive fouls late in the 4th quarter.
The Celtics bread and butter for years was defense. Now they have changed styles, but Smart keeps everything in check.
The Celtics will have a glaring hole in their defense if Smart goes elsewhere. Their defense will suffer immediately and they will have to rely a lot on their offense. Smart allows for the Celtics to lock down opposing teams and make sure they won’t be in a shootout every night.
Heart
One of the great things that Marcus Smart brings to the Celtics doesn’t show up on the stat sheet. The passion that Smart plays the game with makes everyone around him better.
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No matter the score, Smart will be diving for loose balls, taking charges and energizing the entire Celtics roster. When you have a guy like Smart on your team it motivates players and makes them better.
Without Smart, the Celtics wouldn’t have the same intensity that they have had. Smart is a guy who would go to war for his teammates. We have seen that with the number of scuffles Smart has gotten in.
Smart’s effect on the locker room seems to be similar to Boston Bruins 4th liner Shaun Thornton, but I would argue Smart is a much better overall player.
Smart’s tenacity on the floor helps make the Celtics great, his absence in the locker room will definitely be felt.
The perfect fit
Marcus Smart and the Boston Celtics seem to be the perfect fit. It is hard to imagine Smart in a different jersey.
Smart has quickly realized that the grass isn’t greener on the other side. He hasn’t seen any serious offers from other teams. The Celtics tendered a qualifying offer and now all they can do is wait.
Smart has found a home and role in Boston. He is one of the leaders of the Celtics second unit. The role fits him perfectly as he is not relied upon to score a lot. The C’s have plenty of scoring threats that allow Smart to focus on locking down defenders.
If Smart leaves I don’t think it will be pretty. His lack of offense will have his new home hating him.
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Even though he is a 6th man the Celtics need to re-sign Marcus Smart. Even though you may just consider him a bench guy, Smart’s exit would leave a gaping hole in the Celtics roster.