Insider: Who should Marcus Smart study?

[FLCeltsFan]

Who should Marcus Smart study?
1h - NBA MARCUS SMART +1 more
David Thorpe, NBA
0
Shares
Email
Print
Comment
We're picking veterans for the top rookies to study to help them develop into more effective players. Here's who the Celtics' Marcus Smart should watch:


Photo credits (top/bottom): AP Images/Sue Ogrocki; AP Images/Nam Y. Huh

Rookie:
Marcus Smart, PG, Celtics

Player to study:
Kyle Lowry, PG, Raptors

Area to study:
Using powerful body

Lowry is a bully on the court, in a good way. His will to compete is contagious, and his powerful body is an extension of that. TV commentators often use the term "wrecking ball" to describe his play, and as Raptors fans know, that reckless energy is very important to the team's overall identity.

Smart, meanwhile, plays for a city dying to embrace that kind of player, and he has the body to do just what Lowry does. Yes, he is more skilled than Lowry was as a rookie, but that can take a back seat to what his strength and motor can do to help his team in the short term.

Here's an example of Lowry at work:

[eja117]

I think he could stand to watch some Gary Payton tape. Some early D Wade tape.

[freshnthehouse]

I'd also suggest Mark Jackson and Andre Miller. Both were able to succeed in this league while usually be slower than the PG they were up against. And both of them were masters at taking advantage of smaller PGs.

[freshnthehouse]

Here is a Marcus Smart highlight video for your viewing pleasure.

[eja117]

He should study guys that don't jump over and through falling players to jump after a loose ball in a freaking summer league game