There was a point this year when it seemed that injuries and an off-the-court family issue could end Marcus Smart‘s season. However, he’s back now and helping the Celtics as they try to get past the Sixers and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. ESPN’s Chris Forsberg writes that Smart’s ability to help Boston in multiple facets of the game has been a help to their case.
“I think it all starts with his competitiveness,” Celtics head coach Brad Stevens said. “He has the ability to make plays that nobody else makes. Like, whether it’s ripping the ball out of somebody’s hands, or the [offensive rebound] he made against [Joel] Embiid where he laid it in and got fouled [in Game 1]. We have a number of clips over the years of him rebounding over the top in traffic where no guard can get that ball. He brings a contagious element to our team that you can try all you want to quantify it, but other than winning and losing, you can’t quantify it.”
Smart’s defense on Ben Simmons in Game 1 is specifically highlighted as one of the ways Smart helped Boston. Forsberg’s story also covers Smart’s mother battling cancer and how she still supports him back home in Texas.
Check out more Celtics notes below:
- In a separate story, Forsberg writes that the Celtics’ youngsters have been playing like veterans, which has enabled the team to play well in the face of multiple injuries.
- Entering the offseason, Terry Rozier envisioned himself as the Celtics’ starting point guard leading the team to the playoffs. However, the acquisition of Kyrie Irving put that vision on hold. Then, Irving went under the knife and Rozier found himself leading the Celtics through the postseason, Yaron Weitzman of Bleacher Report details.
- The Celtics’ roster has withstood massive injuries to Gordon Hayward, Irving, Smart, and others. Taylor C. Snow of NBA.com writes that president and general manager, Danny Ainge, deserves the credit for the Celtics’ depth and resilience.
- Jaylen Brown, who seemed doubtful for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals with a right hamstring strain, was upgraded to probable on Thursday, the Celtics announced. Brown did not start Game 2, but did play in the game.
What a win tonight!
Yes.
It looks like the Sixers are not quite ready for prime time. They are on their way though don’t fall asleep on them. A little more seasoning and they going to be the Beast of the East.
Speaking of wins looks like the Raptors are pretenders. Strong in the regular season and that’s an accomplishment, the number one seed, but when it comes to the playoffs DeRozan will be DeRozan and Kyle Lowry will also disappoint.
3 guarantees in life Death, Taxes, and the Raptors getting destroyed by LeBron in the playoffs.
Lol !! Love it.
The emergence of Rozier makes the Cavs look like they got completely hosed esp since BK pick is 8th not 1st. Celtics boned the Cavs and Sixers in one offseason. While Fultz was the clear choice based on near unanimous #1 prospect and fit, the head case nonsense versus Tatums straight balling make it look so much worse. I was content of they sat at 3 and took Tatum, said as much on here predraft bc he was the best overall shooter behind Fultz. I ranked it Fultz Tatum Jackson Isaac Fox as the top 5 prospects . 3 or 5 injured during the year tho.
Rozier’s contract could have easily fit into the Irving trade. When the Cavs found IT could not go, they should have pushed for Rozier to be included or just cancelled the trade. Celts were not so high on him at the time but he is from NEOhio.