Boston Celtics: Marcus Smart can be long-term answer at PG

The Boston Celtics point guard search could start and end with Marcus Smart

Boston Celtics fans everywhere know what Smart brings to the table. We are now entering year 8 of the Marcus-Smart-experience, and the fanbase is as split as ever.

After new President of Basketball Ops. Brad Stevens made his first move—Kemba Walker to OKC for Al Horford—the team was left without a clear cut starting point.

Many will tell you that move was far from the last Stevens will make before the offseason comes to an end, and that is probably a fair assumption.

However, what if I told you the answer at point is already on the roster?

Marcus Smart has been the best playmaker on Boston these past two seasons and he’s only improving. Smart just averaged a career high 5.7 assists-per-game, with just 2 turnovers-per-game. This in fact is the 39th best assist-to-turnover ratio in the NBA, ahead of elite playmakers such as Nikola Jokic, James Harden, Ben Simmons and Damian Lillard.

The Celtics have always been a better team when Smart is passing and not overstepping his role. He should know that his best utilization is as a creator for others, with his great court vision and pass-timing.

By no surprise, the Celtics had a 10-2 record when Smart recorded at least eight assists in the 2020-21 season. Over the last two seasons, the Cs have a staggering 16-2 record when Smart has more assists than field goal attempts. If that isn’t a sign of what could be, what is?

According to NBA tracking statistics, Smart created the best shots for the rest of the Celtics. On passes from Smart, the Boston Celtics shot 49.1% from the field, the best of any rotation player by nearly 4%. On three-point attempts from Smart passes, the Cs shot 44.1%, which is also the best of any rotation player.

The two-time All-Defensive First Team guard seemingly has eyes in the back of his head, accounting for many of the “How in the world did he just make that pass” passes, I mean just check out this compilation.

He can do it all in terms of playmaking, he’s a good enough shooter to attract attention on the perimeter to free up other shooters. He’s an aggressive driver with pinpoint accuracy that he uses to find open shooters.

Let’s come back down to Earth for a second and acknowledge what we are all thinking, because saying is always easier than doing. Yes, Boston is 16-2 over the last two seasons when Smart has more assists than field goal attempts, however what about the 90 other games in that span? Why can’t he just continue to do what works?

It is quite infuriating to think about what this team could be with a playmaker that accepts the role of a playmaker and nothing more.

Maybe if the Boston Celtics can attain a competent bench, and have the Jays be healthy for a whole season, Smart will accept the role we all want him to have. However, for now we will just have to wait and see.

Stevens may have no plans on trading Smart, so we are all in for the long haul, for better or worse.