Marcus Smart Shouldn’t Start

Questions and concerns are swirling around Brad Stevens and the Boston Celtics heading into Game 3

It went from bad to worse in Game 2 for the Boston Celtics. Their first half of Game 2 was somehow worse than in Game 1 and the Celtics were looking for answers that weren’t there with Avery Bradley out. They turned to second-year guard Marcus Smart in favor of Evan Turner to start alongside Isaiah Thomas. It didn’t work, in fact, it was terrible.

The defense that Smart was supposed to bring to the starting lineup was nowhere to be found as the Hawks jumped out to a quick 24-to-3 lead.

Marcus Smart had an uncharacteristic strong shooting night in Game 1 – going 5-of-10 from the field. He lost that stroke in Game 2 and went 1-of-11 from the field, his only make came from behind the arc. Part of his struggles could be due to a bruised rib that he sustained after Kent Bazemore kneed him in the ribs while going up for a layup early in the game. It forced Brad Stevens to turn to rookie R.J. Hunter right away and Smart didn’t look the same the rest of the night.

Smart says he plans to play in Game 3, although, how limited will he be?

He did record two blocks and steal on Tuesday night but didn’t have the same moxie on defense Boston is used to seeing. He also was a non-factor on the boards – only recording two rebounds – and that’s one of his strong suits. He settled for a lot of threes and his bruised rib caused him a lot of discomfort, affecting his play.

With Marcus Smart having a bruised rib, it seems like the right time to turn to Evan Turner. The Celtics tried to start Smart when Jae Crowder went down with an injury in the regular season, however, they eventually turned to Turner after a couple of games. Besides, Turner has been one of the only bright spots in the Celtics’ first two games.

In Game 2, Turner and Amir Johnson were the only ones able to penetrate the lane. He was able to get to the basket and finished with 12 points. Turner isn’t a great shooter, however, his mid-range jumper forces defenses to respect him and spaces the floor more than Smart is able to do. Turner has also given the Celtics a boost on defense when subbing in for Jared Sullinger and his playmaking ability is a huge advantage for the Celtics.

One of Evan Turner’s best qualities is his ability to be a point forward. It was put on display in the second half of Game 1 when he brought a faster-paced tempo right out of the gate and almost led a comeback. He provides another solid ball-handler for the Celtics besides Thomas. Despite the Hawks managing a fast-paced tempo well in this series, the Celtics still want to continue to try and speed up the game, and Turner does a better job of doing that than Smart.

Marcus Smart is also better as a reserve. In 10 starts this season, Smart’s per game averages are nearly identical to his reserve averages. The difference is seen in his shooting percentages where Smart shoots significantly worse as a starter compared to coming off the bench. Marcus Smart’s true shooting percentage as a starter is a dreadful 41.8 percent, however, as a reserve, he connects on 47.4 percent of his shots, which isn’t terrible. His offensive rating also drops to a terrible 88 as a starter, compared to 102 in the 51 games he came off the bench.

Smart is unable to deal with the extra responsibility of starting, and that’s normal for a young player. He is still trying to find his shooting stroke in the NBA and he forces a lot of shots as a starter trying to make plays.

Turner, a veteran, has thrived in the starter role. He averages 15 points and six rebounds per game in 12 starts this season. He also shoots significantly better – 50 percent from three – when starting. There’s a reason Turner finished fifth in Sixth Man of the Year voting, however, he is also a vet who has started a lot of games in his career. He knows his responsibilities and doesn’t try to do too much.

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Turner has entered both games within the first four minutes. It would be better for the Celtics to try and find a rhythm with a consistent lineup rather than constantly switching guys in and out looking for anything that works.

The Celtics are running out of time and Brad Stevens continues to look for anything that’ll work. Starting Marcus Smart in Game 2 was horrific. Maybe starting Turner alongside Smart and Thomas and moving Jared Sullinger to the bench would be more beneficial considering how the first two games have gone.

Next: Marcus Smart, Jae Crowder Must Increase Production

Either way, the Celtics can’t keep settling for jump shots on offense and starting Smart for his defense doesn’t seem worth it. Marcus Smart has injured ribs, can’t get to the basket as often as Evan Turner and it’s the Celtics offense that is struggling, not their defense. They need to win Game 3 at home, but starting Smart won’t get the job done.