Marcus Smart has emerged with better offensive performance to complement his sound defensive play, scoring at least 18 points in three of the Celtics’ last four games.
On Wednesday, Smart put up 21 points while registering a career-high eight steals in Boston's 116-108 win over the 76ers. Danny Ainge discussed the 2014 sixth overall pick's improved play Thursday on Toucher and Rich.
“Well, Marcus is 22 years old. He’s going to get better,” Ainge said. “He works on his shot. It’s going to improve. Listen, Marcus is one of the favorite players in our locker room by each one of his teammates. If there was a pickup game going on and the players themselves were picking sides, Marcus would be the first, second or third player picked every time because nobody wants to play against him and that’s why they love having him on their team.
“Shooting for Marcus is getting better. He’s had good streaks earlier in his career, but he looks more confident, he looks in better rhythm and he’s taking better shots, which I think is the most important part.”
On the season, Smart is averaging 10.5 points, 4.6 assists and 1.7 steals per game, all of which are the highest of this three-year career. He’s also averaging 3.9 rebounds a night.