Yeah, I'm concerned about this. Yeah, I think Smart may do better in lineups with only 1 of Austin/Luka/LeBron. For example, Smart/[Austin or Luka]/LaRavia/Rui/Ayton. This could also help us get LeBron down to 30 min or less, which would be good for the regular season, to try to preserve him for the playoffs. I would love 25-28 min for LeBron, but he will probably still want 30.
wonder if they are thinking of him for the starting gig or with the bench unit. I still predict more moves are coming. We don't have 15 All Stars//lottery picks/former All Stars yet, so clearly the job isn't done.
Some good Cranjis takes I didn't see posted here yet. These are much better defensive lineups with Smart instead of Rui, due to both Smart's role and also since it helps Austin and Luka slot in much better and not be liabilities (or not as much). I get why Rui probably needs to start, but I hope he gets subbed out early-ish around 4 min in for Smart, so that this lineup can play against opponent's starters. Then Rui can sub in for LeBron at 8 min and be a featured scorer. This is a good way to use Smart and Vando together, and makes Vando totally playable in this lineup. Don't even need both Luka and Bron in there, if you're facing opposing bench lineups, can give one of them a rest. Smart, Luka, LaRavia, Rui, and Vando or Ayton should be nice units against other mixed starter/bench units. According to Cranjis' data, Vincent/Smart/Rui/Vando/Ayton would be a really good defensive lineup. Idk how playable Vando & Ayton are together on offense, but it could be worth a try against bench units. These are very concerning.
I think we basically have to start Luka/Reaves/LeBron/Rui/Ayton for contract reasons. Then you sub in Smart quickly for defense, and as you sub out starters, let Smart co-run the 2nd unit.
We all knew what it was when westbrick was on here, optimist convinced the forum that it might work out too. Nobody wanted to be a negative nancy all the time. But it is what it is and its better to just call it out than just whatever we went through with that man when he was on our team. Move the ball, smart and put him in situations and playing time where he can utilizie his skill set. but with team politics, egos, or straight stupidity. Common sense sometimes goes out the door. i.e. horrendous shooting line ups with westbrick, D'antoni having gasol camp the 3pt line half the season, trying to run the princeton office without the necessary offensive IQ to run it, etc ,etc.
I like this sign because we were so bad on defense on POA. In the same time I'm a bit concerned for his athleticism, and he's a terrific injury history. I hope he's played that number of games in Washington for tanking reasons, but I don't find this reason between Boston and Memphis. Btw, I'm curious to see if he'll be a starter or not. Considering how much he needs to have the ball to be good at offense, I don't see him so compatible with Luka and LeBron... ...and we need a bit of ball handling in 2nd unit... But his defense could be important to let Luka be Luka.
I agree that the big bonus with bringing him in is to help develop Bronny We have a nice group of young players and they are still growing in the system Mentors are always a plus
I like it regardless of the fact the signing will be a success or not . You tried to adress a glaring need . This is why I'd overpay for Wiggins too . It's better than doing nothing
I’m confused where this idea that Smart needs the ball in his hand to be effective is coming from. His career USG% is about the same as Gabe’s was in Miami. Smart’s usage went up a little in Memphis and Washington, but in Boston it’s basically identical to Gabe pre-Lakers. Feel like we’re manufacturing problems that don’t actually exist.
Maybe but Melton hasn't been healthy either and I like Smart better as a culture setter and mentor. If he's wasting time on that black hole, he is willing to teach anyone. The last thing we need to be worrying about is Smart's touches. He's 6th on the pecking order here at best regardless of whether he starts or come off the bench.
Certainly hope so Just by doing that he will elevate his game It's such an easy improvement He needs to take heed
Usage reflects only possessions used not the points per possession The concern is that Smart personal points per possession stats go up when he has the. Ball on his hands as he's a much better shooter on ball then a catch and shoot type However because he's not a great shooter and has bad decision making the teams points per possession goes down as the Lakers have 3 much better on ball options. It's a fit concern. That being said Lakers needed a non Big 3 who wasnt afraid to dribble so I'm not as concerned about it. You need one irrational confidence guy on your team IMO
^ This, plus the Cranjis tweets I posted towards the top of this page. Bro is just not good off-ball. Offensively so.
We have a history of guys who can’t shoot doing ok here and guys who can just crapping the bed. smart reminds me of when we picked up mwp.
I think JJ and staff are smart enough to figure this out. He won’t be starting, so any overlap with Austin or whoever else is our 2 off the bench when the dust settles, can play off ball. Currently, Gabe, Goodwin, Bronny(if he’s given burn) are perfectly adequate at catch and shoot. Austin has proven he already plays well next to high usage handlers like Luka and LeBron. He has the intellect to make it work with Smart as well.
Word is that Luka had to do with recruiting Smart and I like that. I think he will be a good mentor for Bronny and help infuse our team with some of the veteran toughness that we lost with DFS going to Houston. I don't expect great shooting from Smart, just great defense which we desperately need. Again, on paper our starters average 100 points a game. All of them can score. What we need is POA D off the bench.
