Marcus Smart: Better off Lighter?

BOSTON, MA - MAY 25: Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics reacts in the third quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Five of the 2017 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 25, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 25: Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics reacts in the third quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Five of the 2017 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 25, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Marcus Smart’s weight lose could change how Brad Stevens is able to use him

Marcus Smart has recently come out and said that he has lost 20 pounds this offseason. When you look at his weight from last season, and see how close it is to seven footer Al Horford, that appears to be a great sign.

The problem, however, is the Celtics have embraced every bit of Smart’s size, and if that takes anything away from his ability to defend bigs, then the Celtics could end up regretting that weight loss.

When you put his weight into context, it is hard to look at this as a bad thing. Last season, Smart played around 240 pounds. Now, Smart has always been one of the bigger stronger guards in the league, but when he is within five pounds of the starting center, there could be a problem.

The weight change may not do anything for Smart’s shooting, but it could change how he attacks on offense. Smart has spent much of his career hovering around the three point line, looking for the open spots and often forcing it.

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By dropping this weight, Smart will be able to attack in different ways. There is no doubting he will still have the strength to push around guards in the paint, but now he will have the speed to blow past defenders.

Smart can be more explosive, which will either force defenses to help on him, or make everything substantially easier at the rim.

If Smart is the one running the offense, it will also open up what he can do as a distributor. The Celtics do a great job of making sure there is space on the floor, and now Smart will be better equipped to attack that space and find the open players more often.

Smart will be able to attack the space better, and that means he will be able to use the space better, for himself and his teammates.

Offensively, there really is no downfall to the lost weight. Again, his strength and power against other guards will never be a problem, and this weight loss will allow him to adapt his game into something much more dynamic.

The more ways Stevens is able to use Smart, the more things open up for his offense. With this weight loss, there will be a lot more options for Smart when he has the ball in his hands.

Also, think of how much damage Avery Bradley was ale to do by cutting off the ball. The quickness he had was remarkable, and Horford was able to find him every time. If Smart has that extra explosiveness, then he can also help fill that void off the ball.

The only concerns are on defense, but it really should not be too much of a problem. Smart may not have the same size, but that does not mean his power is down. Smart also spends most of his time on the perimeter, and that weight loss will make it easier for him to stick to the fastest guards in the league, and be able to do even more damage when he is attacking for steals.

The extra mobility could do wonders for Smart off the ball, and I would be the last person to doubt the strength of the strongest guard in the league.

Smart’s ability to be an undersized defender was not just about his great size. His aggressiveness forced bigger players out of their comfortable position, and he should still be able to do that in almost any situation.

Everyone is looking for Smart to develop his shooting, but as that has stayed the same he has grown in every other aspect of his game. Losing this weight will once again expand the different ways Smart can impact the team.

Even if Smart does not improve his shooting, this newer more explosive version of Smart will be better equipped to make up for the lack of shooting because of how his game expands, and the options Stevens has while using him.

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There is a chance that we will see Smart spending a bit less time against opposing bigs, but this only furthers his case as the most dynamic and versatile defender on the team.