Marcus Smart Returns at the Perfect Time

The Boston Celtics have been without Marcus Smart for multiple weeks now but they have improved because of it. The Celtics have had an even better opportunity to explore their incredible depth and settle into a core of rotation players. The Celtics needed to find another emotional leader to step up they they did. Smart is joining a team that is better than the one he left and they are in the best position they have been all year.

The significance of the timing of Smart’s return is about more than the improvement of the Celtics. There is no doubting that the Celtics will be a much better team with Smart but the more important aspect of Smart’s return is ensuring that he gets back into a comfortable position.

The Celtics are flourishing right now and the Celtics’ next opponents will give Smart a chance to find a similar groove. The Celtics are up against the Lakers next and then they get two more in a row against the Nets. Smart may need some time before he returns to his prime form. Stevens has already made it clear that Smart’s return will be gradual and cautious.

Any shortcomings on Smart’s end should be made up for easily in their next three games. Against a top opponent, a game where Smart disrupts the rhythm of a team that is establishing great chemistry could cost them a victory. Against the Lakers and the Nets, a lot more will have to go wrong if the Celtics are going to lose.

These are also the perfect opponent for Smart to establish his own chemistry against. These are two easy opponents but they are not the kind of games that the Celtics will sleep on. There is way too much attention surround Bryant’s last game in TD Garden to over look that one and the combination of their draft pick and the earlier loss will prevent them from taking it easy against the Nets.

Nov 20, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (24) drives the ball against Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) during the first quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

The Celtics have a great opportunity to establish great ball movement on offense and should have no problem integrating another threat in Smart. By playing three games against a poor defense it will be a lot easier for Smart to get comfortable and that comfort will lead to better chemistry.

The Celtics are in an ideal position to transition one of their best players back into the lineup while building on their four game winning streak. The Celtics will have an opportunity to be a top team in east with their team being the strongest and healthiest it has been all year after these next three games.

Smart will have an opportunity to reassert his defensive dominance and give him all the confidence and momentum he needs to return to his prime form. Smart may not yet be the best player on the Celtics but he certainly has a claim at most impactful. It may take some time before he returns to having that same kind of impact but he is set up perfectly for it.

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The Celtics have put strong stretches together earlier this season but the return of Marcus Smart gives them an opportunity to have one of the best stretches in the Brad Stevens era. The Celtics are already the most games over .500 since Stevens has joined the team and they should be able to improve that over the next few games.

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