The Marcus Smart-Kyrie Irving backcourt experiment - major success

I proposed the change in an article on November 12, 2018. My argument was that Marcus Smart in the starting unit with Kyrie Irving was the way to go. The move didn't happen until November 26, but the insertion of Smart into the Starting Five has been a massive success.

For the past 19 games since Marcus became a starter, the Celtics have the second-highest win percentage in the NBA. The record for the 19 games is 14-5, or .737. They are also ranked number-one in Offensive Rating, Net Rating, Points/Game (117.8) and Assists/Game (28.2).

The Win Percentage is the big number here. No stat holds much value without victories. But the Offensive Rating, points and assists are all closely linked, and…