Who was the biggest addition by subtraction?

[eja117]

Personally I think Smart, Grant, and Brodgon were all big additions by subtraction. I think Timelord's contract is an addition by subtraction, and not depending on him is an addition, but I do think a healthy Timelord is an addition. But he's rarely healthy.
I don't think Nesmith was the problem. I think Smart, Grant, and probably Brogdan were problems.

[eja117]

I think if you add Grant, Marcus, or Brogdon to the team right now the team immediately gets worse and has a harder time winning.

[jmost]

Smart drove me crazy for years with his terrible decision-making, his jacking 3s with 20 seconds left on the clock and his forced passes, but the main reason he's the biggest addition by subtraction is that his absence means more playing time for D White (who positively bloomed this year) and Jrue. I don't think it's much of an exaggeration to say that Smart made more poor decisions in any given week of any season than White and Jrue did all this year COMBINED. We're just a much, much smarter team now.

Smart became beloved (by some) because he played incredibly hard, not because he was particularly effective. And the whole heart and soul thing was just something that someone said and got repeated ad nauseum as though it was part of his name. Can we please acknowledge that this team is not lacking heart and soul this year? Or toughness - which was another thing we were supposed to miss in his absence?

[Roadrunner]

I also voted for Smart. Why? Low basketball IQ. Every time I watch BOS play, every player (sans Tatum pound the ball, step back 3) makes the right play. The right play means high percentage shots. Heck, I do not even worry who the refs are assigned that night (ex: Brothers, Davis, Foster), because I know BOS has the talent to prevail.

[freshnthehouse]

I think all the guys we lost (Smart, Brogdon, Williams) are championship-caliber players, if they're in backup roles. We managed to take those three players (along with a pick or two) and replaced them with two-all star caliber players (KP and Jrue). Our depth took a hit with these moves, but it looks like it's gonna end up leading to a title.

Jrue is like a 6'5" version of Horford. Dude does all the little things to win a game. Plays monster defense (IMO he's the main reason Kyrie has done nothing this series), he is surprisingly crafty in the paint, and he has A+ shot selection.

[Roadrunner]

OMG. Realgm.com has Smart thread now. EJA posting under a pseudo name? JK.

[DERRENMATTS]

With Smart gone, Tatum and Jaylen took up the leadership role. I think Smart made himself the leader of the team.