Fansided

NBA: 10 impact rookies of 2014-15

By Bryce Olin

Sep 27, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel (4) speaks with reporters during media day at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel (4) speaks with reporters during media day at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 26, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Marcus Smart (Oklahoma State) waves to the crowd as he leaves the stage after being selected as the number six overall pick to the Boston Celtics in the 2014 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 26, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Marcus Smart (Oklahoma State) waves to the crowd as he leaves the stage after being selected as the number six overall pick to the Boston Celtics in the 2014 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Marcus Smart- PG, Boston Celtics

Am I the only one that still likes Marcus Smart?

I don’t care about any of his antics. That whole Oklahoma State situation has been weird the entire time he’s been there. There was no continuity in the offense, and Smart often took it upon himself to make a play. In college, that doesn’t work all the time. In the NBA, Smart doesn’t have no-namers around him. He’s got real, talented NBA players who can help him out on the court. Oklahoma State had some players, don’t get me wrong, but they aren’t everyday NBA guys.

What I like about Smart is his explosiveness to the basket. Not many players have the ability to get to the basket and get high enough to finish over big defenders. Smart has to make a few adjustments to his game, though, if he’s going to contribute in the NBA as a rookie.

One, Smart has to make outside shots. At OSU, Smart only shot 29.5 percent from three-point range in his two seasons. That’s awful. He has to get better at making outside shots. Jason Kidd did it. Chauncey Billups did it. Smart has to follow suit if he wants to be a great player in the NBA.

And two, Smart has to finish around the rim or get fouled. Right now, I see Smart playing for contact and missing shots when he doesn’t get it. What I would suggest is pulling the James Harden; be a heat-seeking missile and make the defender commit a foul. It’s that, or Smart learn to be more crafty and then explode to the basket like Russell Westbrook. Smart has the ability to do both, but he’s stuck avoiding contact and missing shots. That’s not going to work, and it’s the reason he shot 29 percent in summer league.

Once Smart figures it out, and I think he will some point during this season with the help of Stevens, he’s going to be awesome to watch and an NBA All-Star in the future.

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