Boston Celtics: Embracing the Marcus Smart experience in full

For much of his nine-year career with the Boston Celtics, point guard Marcus Smart has been a polarizing player among fans.

Smart goes through stretches of delivering on efficient performances on offense, providing exactly what the Celtics need. Other nights, his play on offense can be frustrating to watch, especially with three-point shooting reminiscent of a non-shooter jacking up threes in a rec league.

Infuriating and legendary. Energetic and puzzling. Through it all, Smart is a team leader who has endeared himself to teammates and worthy of praise. Notably, the most recent a Game 6 performance against the Philadelphia 76ers that saved the Celtics 2022-23 season.

Boston Celtics: Smart moves

Heading into Game 6, Smart said, “…You gotta go. You gotta be willing to risk it all for these games…”

Not only did Smart back up his statements from the get-go, he was a true leader in helping the Celtics play-on for another day.

Head coach Joe Mazzulla moving Robert Williams III back into the starting lineup was also a defensive move that paid off. This move, and Smart leading charge, had Boston responding with the type of energy and urgency desired every game from this team in racing to a 15-3 lead.

The game settled down but Smart was a consistent, hustling presence throughout.  Shots were falling — always a plus — and Smart’s effort on defense led to fast break points. Even as the love/hate with Smart was present, thanks to an errant pass or two, it almost felt like Game 6 was Smart’s to win or lose.

Smart, combined with a locked in Malcolm Brogdon, helped carry the offense as Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum struggled with their shots (combined 11-34). While Brown picked his spots (17 pts) and Tatum (19 points) showed up late, Brogdon (16 points) and Smart kept this game afloat.

Smart finished with a team-high 22 points and added 7 assists (against 3 turnovers). He was 8-15 from the field and added seven rebounds.

Overall, the game was the epitome of what Smart has transformed into on the offensive end in recent seasons.

Smart’s adjustment for Boston Celtics

The rise of Tatum and Brown as All-NBA players has seen Smart adjust to what needs to be done on offense. For Smart, that meant settling into a role of true point guard.

Smart has never been the greatest shooter, even on his best days. But in recent seasons, there has been less of the wild shots fans grew accustomed to seeing from Smart. While there can be frustration, a fair amount of his three-point attempts are good looks that just don’t fall.

Shooting wise, Smart’s best season was back in 2018-19 and, at this point, it can be expected he’s never going to lock down outrageous stats. The last two seasons, field goal percentage wasn’t too far off the mark of ’18-19 and Smart attempted nearly 1.5 less shots per game.

Smart shot 41.5 percent from the field this past regular season, third-best average of his career.

This is part of trend where Smart has evolved to a pass-first guard, and defers to the true scorers on the Celtics. The result was a career-best 6.3 assists per game in ’22-23.

Smart’s 11.5 points per game were his lowest since ’18-19 but that number has jumped to 16.6 in the playoffs. Assists have fallen to 5.2 per game but Smart is knocking down 36.4 percent from three and 46.6 percent from the field.

Defense and hustle are two key attributes Smart will be known for when his career is said and done. Would consistent 22-point and 15-assist efforts, like in an early-season victory over Charlotte, earn more love? Of course. But the Smart that Boston has now is the one they need. A player who steps in to score when needed, provides A-level defense, and provides leadership in all aspects.

And as maddening his play can be, I wouldn’t have it any other way.