Can we dispense this notion that Marcus Smart is a 1st team AA - Ennis/Smart comparison

[djmlaw]

I am tired of the over-hype of Marcus Smart. Because his body is NBA ready he may well be a great NBA player some day but lets look at the facts. When you do I believe he is at best the 5th best point guard in the country. (Ennis, Napier, Van Fleet, Appling in no order). Lets look at the last 5 games for Ennis and Smart.

Ennis 39.4 minutes, 23-49 FG (46.9%), 5-11 3pt. (45.5%), FT 23-27 (85%) 18 Reb, 26 Assists, 8 steals, 8 turnovers, 14.8 points - team 5-0

Smart 32 minutes, 18-64 FG (28.1%), 6-33 3pt (18.1%), FT 35-45 (77%), 33 Reb, 28 Assists, 11 Steals, 17 Turnovers, 15.4 Points - team 2-3.

Its not really close when you actually look at the facts is it.

In case you think 5 games is unfair Smart's highly touted improved shooting has garnered him 41.8% from the field and 28.6% from 3 for the year. If not for his spectacular first game against Memphis these numbers would be much lower 40%FG and 26.4% 3pt.

 

[OrangeYaGladi]

i have no dog in this fight but looking at any random 5 game sample is pretty useless. compare full season stats

 

[Garbs]

another guy who probably should have left when his stock was high

 

[djmlaw]

Ok but it does not help him much and remember Ennis last 5 games included Duke, Pitt, and Miami. Pitt and Miami being among the best defenses in the country.

Ennis 34 minutes, 43.7%FG, 40% 3pt., 76% FT, 3.3 Reb, 5.6 Assists, 2.3 Steals, 1.4 turnovers, 12.4 Pts. 9 shots a game, 21-0 team

Smart 30.4 minutes (partially because of foul trouble an an inability to control his emotions - twice pulled from games for that reason) 41.8% FG, 28.6 % 3pt., 72.3 % FT, 5.7 Reb, 4.5 Assists, 2.5 steals, 2.6 turnovers, 17.2 points, 12.2 shots a game. 16-5 team.

So Smart plays less minutes hoists up 3 more shots a game, commits twice as many turnovers, has one less assist, shoots worse in all 3 measures FG 3FG and FT. Shoots 28% from 3 but has not stopped him from shooting 112 of them. I am not saying he is not a good player but the 4 I mentioned are right now superior college point guards.

Don't want to hear anything about "intangibles and leader" look them up in the dictionary and there is a picture of Tyler Ennis. Van Fleets numbers are similar to Ennis and Napiers are actually better.

 

[djmlaw]

The actual problem with Smart is that it is true that his shot has improved but it has not improved nearly as much as his confidence in his shot has improved which is a very bad combination.

 

[Melancer46]

I agree that Napier should be recognized more than he has been for his play this year so far, but I mean, come on. 17 points, 4.5 assists, and over 5 rebounds a game on one of the better teams in the country will be an AA over a guy averaging 12 points, 5.5 assists, and 3 rebounds on one of the best teams in the country every time.

This is a conversation worth having if Smart continues to shoot sub 30% from the field and Ennis continues to play as well as he had, but as of now, Smart would definitely be ahead of Ennis for the AA teams.