Boston Celtics: Marcus Smart is Back Just in Time
Marcus Smart is finally set to make his season debut on Wednesday against the Bulls
It comes as no surprise that the Boston Celtics felt the injuries to Marcus Smart and Kelly Olynyk in a bad way. They had no consistency and no stability and their second unit was a clear liability on the court. They also blew a massive lead to the Nets, and have made it clear that they cannot be trusted in tough situations.
Now that he has practiced fully, Smart is expected to return to action for Boston’s next game, and there is no doubting that he will be a difference maker on that second unit. Smart understands how the offense needs to run and he will take a lot of pressure of Terry Rozier and Jaylen Brown who have been taking on too much responsibility with how little experience they have.
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Both Rozier and Brown have been solid for the Celtics, but they need a player they can defer to in uncomfortable situations. They need a player that they can trust and they need someone on that unit that can provide guidance. Brown also got a lot of the reps in the top small ball lineup, and has given Stevens another intriguing option. That being said, the Celtics feel much more comfortable with Smart in that lineup, and it takes a lot of pressure off the the rookie.
Smart also gives the Celtics their emotional leader on the court. He is a player they need to lean on with the game on the line, and all Celtics fans should be excited to see the energy and intensity he brings to the court every single play. In fact, teammates have already spoken about the intensity Smart brought at his first practice back.
The Celtics can now have their full back court rotation, and can allow the second unit into settle down into something that can once again give them an advantage. Smart completely changes the defensive approach, and gives them a potential game changing impact on that end.
The second unit has was left without an identity with Smart and Olynyk out. The players were too young and inexperienced to help define what the second unit needs to do in order to be successful, and now they can all look to Smart as the tone setter.
The Celtics also get Smart back for their quick revenge game against the Chicago Bulls, and that will give him some time to get comfortable before their showdown against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Celtics are looking to establish a greater level of consistency in their success in order to fight for a top two seed in the East, and Smart will bring stability where it has been non existent this season.
The Celtics realize how much better this starting unit is than any other one that Stevens has had throughout his career, and Smart give the second unit an opportunity to capture some of the advantage that helped define who they have been in the past.
Smart plays on the second unit, but will also have an impact on the starters. Small ball lineups alone are an area where his impact will be felt. Any time they need to lock down on defense, and any time they need that emotional spark, Smart is the first option.
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We also finally get to see what Smart has become on the offensive end. Smart knows how much better he needs to be as a shooter and he will be playing with the ball in his hands. Smart regressed on the offensive end last year, and now we finally get to see if he has put that behind him and is ready to become more of an impactful two way player.