Legit only player in the league who can win a game by getting offensive fouled on 2 inbounds plays in quick succession.
The thing is, any team paying up for Smart really needs to be a contender and needs to have plenty of scoring around him - or else adding his skill set is a waste. That narrows the field considerably (unless some rebuilding club wants him for team culture reasons). I can see Daryl Morey wanting to add him, especially after tonight but Houston can't pay him. There really aren't a lot of destinations that make sense and where they have money to pay up for a D and occasional three guy who impacts games in ways that the box score doesn't record.I think if you had 4 GMs, one would offer 5 million a year, another 10, another 15, and another 20. Which is why I think he’s ultimately going to get overpaid and leave, but it’s been quite an adventure.
Agreed. Was trying to think who else could have done that and can't come up with a better answer than Smart. His shooting is frustrating as hell be he actually is Captain Intangibles.Legit only player in the league who can win a game by getting offensive fouled on 2 inbounds plays in quick succession.
After the first foul by Harden, Marcus did celebrate some while on his ass on the court after Harden knocked him down/Marcus flopped a little. Marcus is usually pretty stoic though.He is so mentally strong on D that watching him break people is a sport of its own. Harden pushing him and instigating while he just stood staring at Harden with disdain before the inbound play was nails.
Yes. Most obvious on the last foul - whether Marcus embellished or not, Harden didn't try to do anything but run him over and shove him aside.He didn't draw those charges in the last minute of the game. He caused them by riding Harden mercilessly for the first 47 minutes, whenever both were out there. You could see the frustration mounting in the fourth, with Harden using every opportunity to chip Marcus whenever he could get away with it. To Marcus's credit, he didn't respond in kind. He kept doing his thing until Harden snapped and got nailed for it. He is incredibly strong mentally and emotionally, and it's a pleasure to watch.
To be fair to Harden, the Refs had been calling that a foul on Boston for the first 47 minutes of the game.Yes. Most obvious on the last foul - whether Marcus embellished or not, Harden didn't try to do anything but run him over and shove him aside.
The best part of it all was the look on Chris Paul’s face after Smart baited Harden into the second offensive foul. And baited him after the refs gave Harden a gift by swallowing their whistles on a clear technical foul just prior. It was hilarious.
His passing in the paint is significantly improved this year. Tatum, Jaylen, and Al can all go up and grab those mini lobs that Marcus now knows how to float over defenders. And that improved passing (which is on the tape) means defenders have to give him an extra half step in getting to the rim.After all my complaining about Smart not taking shots at the rim, he took a bunch last night. In crunch time he used two feet to elevate for a dunk in one case, and in another, got his man on his hip and used his body to create separation between the two of them to make for an easy shot. Got a couple in transition, too. Looking again through the shooting splits, I noticed that this trend of him taking as many at the rim as elsewhere on the floor is new: historically he's taking a much healthier chunk of his shots at the rim. So, if the three point shooting is real, there remains, as always, a glimmer of hope for him as a shooter.
On the other hand, dude makes winning plays, so fuck all the other noise.
Patrick Beverly might be able to do it.Legit only player in the league who can win a game by getting offensive fouled on 2 inbounds plays in quick succession.
That's awesome.Marcus fucking Smart!!! In addition to multiple beautiful plays while guarding Harden last night, Scal commented on his morning radio program today that big ass Dwight Howard complained this week that PG Marcus Smart was wearing down his body while guarding Dwight on Wednesday. Wearing down Dwight Howard...
Thanks for this. I would love to know what they were saying to each other at the end of the clip.Marcus fucking Smart!!! In addition to multiple beautiful plays while guarding Harden last night, Scal commented on his morning radio program today that big ass Dwight Howard complained this week that PG Marcus Smart was wearing down his body while guarding Dwight on Wednesday. Wearing down Dwight Howard...
Here's a taste of what Marcus Smart delivers on almost a nightly basis. It's a different game versus Howard but is more of what guys like Howard and Harden hate about playing against Smart. I truly would hate to see him go to another team. I love rooting for this kid.
I don't think the contender part is true.The thing is, any team paying up for Smart really needs to be a contender and needs to have plenty of scoring around him - or else adding his skill set is a waste. That narrows the field considerably (unless some rebuilding club wants him for team culture reasons). I can see Daryl Morey wanting to add him, especially after tonight but Houston can't pay him. There really aren't a lot of destinations that make sense and where they have money to pay up for a D and occasional three guy who impacts games in ways that the box score doesn't record.
Is there a list of offseason FAs somewhere?The problem is that there are about eight teams with any significant cap space, and most of them are going to be hunting bigger fish than Marcus Smart. I doubt Atlanta is interested in damaging their 2019 lottery positioning given how bereft of talent the team is.
Here's Spotrac's list of pending free agents, plus the separate list of options.Is there a list of offseason FAs somewhere?
There was a play against Charlotte where Marcus sealed off Howard when he saw Horford driving to the basket. He just stuck his butt into Dwight and stopped him in his tracks, and Al got the easy lay-up. Scal pointed it out at the time, and it's just another one of those things that he does that you rarely see other guards do. A big part of the reason he can do something like that, or man up a guy like Millsap, is because he has a crazy strong core. I've mentioned it with respect to his boxing out prowess, but he's so good at finding a guy and getting him on his back, and with what hoops twitter refers to as his "combat muscles", he can create space against significantly bigger guys and even when he's off balance. If he's planted and low, forget it, you ain't moving him. Combine that with his bull dog mentality and defensive instincts and he must be insanely frustrating to play against. He really is the closest thing to Artest out there these days.Marcus fucking Smart!!! In addition to multiple beautiful plays while guarding Harden last night, Scal commented on his morning radio program today that big ass Dwight Howard complained this week that PG Marcus Smart was wearing down his body while guarding Dwight on Wednesday. Wearing down Dwight Howard...
Swedgin helpfully did the work for us already. Of that list I could see maybe Indiana or Chicago making an offer, but the Pacers would likely have more interest in Bradley or Caldwell-Pope to help space the floor for Oladipo. And if they really were determined to make a run at an RFA Gordon or Hood would probably rate higher for them.Is there a list of offseason FAs somewhere?
For context, the following teams are projected to have 19M+ in space in 2018:
BRK 21
ATL 21
CHI 37
IND 47
LAL 47
PHI 23.5
If you lower the threshold to 14M you can add:
DAL 17
PHX 14.5
Which of those teams do folks think have an interest in Smart? Chicago if they give up on Dunn? Indy to pair with Dipo?
Its also worth keeping in mind the guys whom Smart will be competing against for the limited dollars available:
Unrestricted FA's include:
Reddick
Avery Bradley
KCP
(one assumes) Danny Green
IT
Tyreke Evans
Seth Curry
and Lou Williams.
RFA's:
Jabari
Nurkic
Aaron Gordon
Clint Capela
Randle
Lavine
Rodney Hood
Noah Vonleh
Elfrid Payton
For a moment I thought about Philly making a run at him, but then I remembered that their franchise PG can't shoot.Swedgin helpfully did the work for us already. Of that list I could see maybe Indiana or Chicago making an offer, but the Pacers would likely have more interest in Bradley or Caldwell-Pope to help space the floor for Oladipo. And if they really were determined to make a run at an RFA Gordon or Hood would probably rate higher for them.
Right. And most of them are going to miss out on the fish.The problem is that there are about eight teams with any significant cap space, and most of them are going to be hunting bigger fish than Marcus Smart. I doubt Atlanta is interested in damaging their 2019 lottery positioning given how bereft of talent the team is.
Olynyk was officially renounced by the Celtics (to free up cap room for Hayward) before he signed with Miami. If Hayward had opted to remain in Utah, Boston might have kept Olynyk. Even if they were going to let him go, would Miami have opted to tie up $12 million/yr for a week waiting for the Celtics to not match.Right. And most of them are going to miss out on the fish.
That's why dudes like Ian Mahimni and Kelly Olynyk get paid. Those teams aimed higher, missed, and had money to spend on the nexl level guy.
Correct. And my point was teams like Miami will sign dudes like Olynyk after they miss out on their big fish target, which was Hayward.Olynyk was officially renounced by the Celtics (to free up cap room for Hayward) before he signed with Miami. If Hayward had opted to remain in Utah, Boston might have kept Olynyk. Even if they were going to let him go, would Miami have opted to tie up $12 million/yr for a week waiting for the Celtics to not match.
Horford traveled before his gw shot, too. They were both noted in the final 2 minute report.I thought I saw this during the game, but it went so fast I wasn’t completely sure.
Smart literally took ten steps before his pass to Tatum with 10 seconds left lol. That is a baddddddd miss by the refs.
I mean there are eight teams out there and a lot more than eight free agents available. There are guys that might not be Marcus’ defensive equal, but they’re much better shots. It really is the worst possible market for Marcus to be hitting restricted free agency in, because he isn’t even the best available RFA.Right. And most of them are going to miss out on the fish.
That's why dudes like Ian Mahimni and Kelly Olynyk get paid. Those teams aimed higher, missed, and had money to spend on the nexl level guy.
My point is that very few RFAs (Smart's impending status) change teams. Most don't get offer sheets, and of those that do, most get matched. Olynyk is not an example of an RFA leaving the Celtics, because they officially renounced him, which made him a UFA.Correct. And my point was teams like Miami will sign dudes like Olynyk after they miss out on their big fish target, which was Hayward.
If Hayward chose Miami, Boston probably pays Olynyk.
If Hayward chose Utah, Boston probably signs Olynyk and Miami signs another guy in Olynyks' class.
In any event, Olynyk gets paid.
It's rare teams just shove the money in their pocket after missing on their top target(s). Most GMs, who are afraid they'll be fired if they do nothing, will just pay the next best available guy.
They already have two guys that duplicate what Smart does. And amongst the RFAs there’s one guy that’s in the exact same spot that Kelly Olynyk was in last year. And he plays a position of need for Brooklyn, as well.My man Nighthob disagrees with me on this but I think Brooklyn will make a run at Smart. They’ve been matched after bidding the max for 3 RFA’s in the last 2 years. From what I’ve seen, Smart is exactly the type of player Atkinson and Marks would like to build their culture around. And it would be a shot in the arm for their fan base to stick it to the Celts after being Danny’s whipping boy for the last 4 years. We shall see.
You're only counting the teams with space. Some without space will gobble up their own UFA guys, probably Durant, Chris Paul, Boogie. Then some, or many, will pay their own RFAs. Say the Lakers actually pull off Lebron/George. Who are all the star free agents available to the teams with space?I mean there are eight teams out there and a lot more than eight free agents available. There are guys that might not be Marcus’ defensive equal, but they’re much better shots. It really is the worst possible market for Marcus to be hitting restricted free agency in, because he isn’t even the best available RFA.
Does Indiana have enough shooting to roll with Smart? Are there other guys that would be a better fit? If not, then he makes sense for them.That said, of the list Swedgin provided, Indiana makes the most sense. That is, unless Ball's shooting suddenly improves and the Lakers add a LeBron and George in the offseason (or even if Smart learns that LeBron is coming after next year). There is no way the Lakers can have him and the current version of Ball on the court at the same time though. The defense would be great but it might result in a scoreless quarter for both LA and their opponent.
Sure, but we're not talking about will Smart definitely leave, right?My point is that very few RFAs (Smart's impending status) change teams. Most don't get offer sheets, and of those that do, most get matched. Olynyk is not an example of an RFA leaving the Celtics, because they officially renounced him, which made him a UFA.
You are right that teams will usually spend their money, but they will more likely spend that money on UFAs. Lots of teams missed their targets last year and signed other options, but I think Tim Hardaway Jr was the only one who changed teams. The Wiz matched Porter, Detroit renounced Pope after they traded for Bradley, Noel resigned with Dallas for Aron Baynes money.
Smart leaves if he gets offer sheeted at a salary more than what Danny is willing to pay. If he gets offer sheeted at less than what Danny is willing to pay, he sits on the offer sheet for a week (fucking up that team's pursuit of other free agents) and then matches, as the Wizards did to Brooklyn.
Cool. And I'm not buying that Smart will have no market just because he's not a top ten free agent. Guys lower down the list get paid every summer.So Atlanta is going to damage their 2019 lottery prospects for the chance to pay the fifth or sixth best RFA $20 million per year? Yeah, not buying it.
I think Danny has a price in mind for Smart that he won't exceed. So the question is, will any team offer more than that. And my answer is... I don't know. It's certainly not a given. How teams value Smart is an interesting question - both in absolute dollar terms and in relative terms (ie, compared with other options). I'm not saying he won't get the big offer, but it is by no means certain or even likely that he will.Sure, but we're not talking about will Smart definitely leave, right?
It's will Smart have a market to get paid. It could very well be with Boston. It's just going to cost them because he'll have interest.
It's two days from the time the moratorium ends. So if a team agrees to an offer sheet with an RFA on the first day of free agency, they have to keep that cap space available through the entire moratorium period plus the 48 hours after the offer sheet is officially signed for the original team to match.Sure, but we're not talking about will Smart definitely leave, right?
It's will Smart have a market to get paid. It could very well be with Boston. It's just going to cost them because he'll have interest.
And again offer sheets two days, not a week. No worries on their money being tied up.
I believe the original team can also delay the physical for somewhere around 5 days (if they match), which keeps the cap room tied up. Thus, the risk is up to a week because a match doesn't get you your cap space back until the physical is completed and the deal is final.It's two days from the time the moratorium ends. So if a team agrees to an offer sheet with an RFA on the first day of free agency, they have to keep that cap space available through the entire moratorium period plus the 48 hours after the offer sheet is officially signed for the original team to match.
I think that price is going to be pretty high if only to retain him as a contract to facilitate a future deal. The current payroll has three guys making all of the coin and everyone else under $6M. That's why every AD fantasy features a conga line of a half dozen players heading to NO to make the salaries work. With free agency essentially closed to the C's now, a trade built around Smart's next contract is one of the only avenues available to add another max player to the roster. I'd be surprised if Aunge forfeited that asset when there is no incentive to do so but money which he can't spend, and I'd be disappointed if ownership would handicap Ainge at this point of the build for a few million more in profit.I think Danny has a price in mind for Smart that he won't exceed. So the question is, will any team offer more than that.
Good point. And the fact that NBA contracts are shorter now also weighs in favor of spening more to match him. I guess the alternative argument would be based on the Celtics' future contracts/payroll and which players they retain. Horford is up after next year or the year after, Kyrie is up after next year, Hayward is up after 2-3 years, Brown comes up after 2 more years, Tatum after 3. We don't know yet how much money the Cetics are willing to spend to retain their core, who counts as core after next season, which players, if any, might take a discount, etc.I think that price is going to be pretty high if only to retain him as a contract to facilitate a future deal. The current payroll has three guys making all of the coin and everyone else under $6M. That's why every AD fantasy features a conga line of a half dozen players heading to NO to make the salaries work. With free agency essentially closed to the C's now, a trade built around Smart's next contract is one of the only avenues available to add another max player to the roster. I'd be surprised if Aunge forfeited that asset when there is no incentive to do so but money which he can't spend, and I'd be disappointed if ownership would handicap Ainge at this point of the build for a few million more in profit.
So, two days then yeah?It's two days from the time the moratorium ends. So if a team agrees to an offer sheet with an RFA on the first day of free agency, they have to keep that cap space available through the entire moratorium period plus the 48 hours after the offer sheet is officially signed for the original team to match.
It would be.And their money still wouldn't be "tied up" during the moratorium when they can't technically use it on anyone else anyway.
Since you decided to ignore my previous post, here's a link describing why it is really 6 days, not 2, at least if the team matches and is annoyed by the offer.So, two days then yeah?
Who thinks a guy at Smarts' level is agreeing to a deal on July 1st when we're talking about him as a secondary target?
And their money still wouldn't be "tied up" during the moratorium when they can't technically use it on anyone else anyway.
It's a non issue.
No more than if you agreed with a UFA during the moratorium.It would be.
Didn't ignore it, I responded to it.(I guess not your actual post, someone raising similar issue)Since you decided to ignore my previous post, here's a link describing why it is really 6 days, not 2, at least if the team matches and is annoyed by the offer.
https://www.newsday.com/amp/sports/basketball/nets/how-the-nets-offer-sheet-to-otto-porter-jr-may-tie-up-other-potential-free-agency-moves-1.13783954