Boston Celtics: How Marcus Smart is saving the season

The Boston Celtics’ season got off to an extremely underwhelming start. After starting 10-10, they have rebounded to win three consecutive games in impressive fashion. Marcus Smart is a massive part of the reason why.

A foray into the corner of Twitter affectionately known as “Weird Celtics Twitter” will reveal a number of oddities from fans of Boston Celtics basketball. The Twitter community is responsible for the endearing nickname “Timelord” given to forward Robert Williams, for instance, after he failed to arrive on time to a team practice. Or a the astonishing number of memes referencing the “Ojeleye Factory”: a reference to the considerably brawny build of wing Semi Ojeleye.

Perhaps no player has found himself more loved, valued, or praised by Weird Celtics Twitter than Marcus Smart. The Twitter community will refer to him as Smarf, or make reference to NBC Sports Boston‘s Max Lederman’s postgame graphics showing the lack of meaning for statistics or the added value of Smart’s combat muscles.

Over the Celtics’ past three games, however, Marcus Smart is displaying his value for the world to see. Boston has not lost in the three games since head coach Brad Stevens injected Smart into the starting lineup, and the added energy when the former Oklahoma State Cowboy is on the floor is palpable.

Smart’s value doesn’t necessarily show up in the typical counting statistics. In fact, over the course of this season, he’s averaging just 6.7 points and 4.0 assists per game on .398/.333/.769 shooting splits. However, since being named starter in the wake of Jaylen Brown‘s injury, Smart’s numbers through three games have jumped to 8.7 points and 5.0 assists on 52.6 percent shooting from the field and 46.2 percent shooting from 3-point range.

While the counting stats have improved, they still aren’t especially flashy. It’s also not where his value is added. As many who watch, cover and write about the Celtics will tell you, Marcus Osmond Smart provides a level of discipline and energy that is intangible, but very much observable.

Take, for instance, his most recent quote to the CLNS Network:

"“I am constantly telling these guys that a lot of these games that we’re going to win aren’t going to be pretty.” Smart said before the Celts’ practice Tuesday. “If you are trying to be pretty then this isn’t the game for you. You have to be able to get your nose bloodied and get dirty to win these games.” That’s what they call ‘grit.'”"

As for his energy level, well, the film speaks for itself.

It’s hard to come up with a better description for Marcus Smart than simply #WinningPlays. His effect on the team’s performance is universal and resounding. In his three games as a starter, Smart is a +46. Also of interest should be that Smart has played a team-high 96 minutes in the recent three-game stretch, and Boston posted a net rating of +24.5 with him on the floor — second only to Kyrie Irving‘s +30.0 among players who have seen at least 60 minutes of action in those contests.

The Celtics have also posted an offensive rating of 129.9 — a team high — with Smart on the floor during his starting tenure. That number plummets to just 107.9 — a team low — when he leaves the floor.

Smart is a hustle numbers King, well above league-average in drawing charges, recovering loose balls and deflecting passes. These tendencies have bled over into Kyrie’s game as well, as for the first time in his career the superstar point guard finds himself in the top 10 in the league in loose ball recoveries and pass deflections.

Obviously, Smart’s play has been immensely beneficial to the Celtics during a three-game stretch as a starter, but how is it framed as “saving the season”? Look no further than the player he has replaced as a starter.

Through 20 games, Jaylen Brown had Boston’s net rating at -2.3 in his 533 minutes this season. That is the only negative number for any player with at least 100 minutes of play time for Boston this season. Conversely, when Brown came off the court to be replaced by a Smart, Gordon Hayward, Ojeleye or whoever, the Celtics’ net rating improved to +9.4 in 581 minutes.

For Brown, that’s a +11.7 swing. However, when factoring in the +24.5 on-court rating for Smart as a starter, that swing becomes an astonishing +26.7.

Despite an overstated level of panic found on Twitter or in the national media after the Celtics’ 10-10 start, the sky never really was falling. However, it is likely not coincidence that in the week Marcus Smart has been the starter, the Celts have had the most efficient offense in basketball. This comes after a 20-game start to the season where they ranked just 27th in offensive efficiency.

Brad Stevens commented that the only problem with starting Smart is you can’t bring his energy off the bench for the second unit. That problem has largely been curtailed by allowing Gordon Hayward to anchor the second unit, as he has the Celts posting a +16.6 net rating in 77 minutes over the last three games off the bench.

Jaylen Brown has also stated he will accept a lesser role (read: bench role) going forward if it’s what’s best for the team. All the evidence points to that being the case 23 games into the season.

Continuing to start Smart is a no-brainer. The recent winning streak, while only a small sample size, has been impressive enough to warrant that reaction. Smart’s performances in those three games have been more than enough to warrant a permanent spot in the starting lineup. If Brad Stevens is truly worried about losing Smart’s energy off the bench, hopefully modern medicine can develop a way to allow him to play 48 minutes a night.

There are few athletes lacking flash that are as beloved by a fanbase as Marcus Smart is by Celtics fans. Just ask Weird Celtics Twitter. The only difference is now, everyone will be forced to take notice of his value, fan or not.