Brian Robb: Celtics beat Raptors 109-97 after strong fourth quarter. Marcus Smart finishes with 21 points, Josh Richardson 18 points off the bench, Jayson Tatum with a season-high 10 assists amid shooting struggles.
Marcus Smart Rumors
All NBA Players
Position: G
Born: 03/06/94
Height: 6-3 / 1.91
Weight:227 lbs. / 103 kg.
Salary: $14,339,285
Born: 03/06/94
Height: 6-3 / 1.91
Weight:227 lbs. / 103 kg.
Salary: $14,339,285
Mark Murphy: Ime Udoka has decided against captains: “That’s probably in the rear view at this point.” Said the combo of Tatum/Brown/Horford/Smart all lead in their own ways.
Adam Himmelsbach: NBA’s Last Two Minute report says Porzingis should’ve been called for a non-shooting foul for contact with Smart in the final minute. Also, Smart should’ve been called for a defensive 3 seconds tech on previous play.
In the wake of Marcus Smart’s critical comments about Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum’s passing on Monday night, Stevens told Toucher and Rich on 98.5 The Sports Hub that he preferred those comments came in a direct conversation between the players involved. “I think any time you have things to say, you say it to the person or people,” Stevens said Thursday morning. Whether they’re right wrong or whatever, you say it directly to the person. I think it’s important — you have to be willing to have difficult conversations and put your name on it. The validity of the comments aren’t as important as, we have to be able to sit face-to-face and say, ‘OK, we all want to win. How do we find solutions because we were sitting at 2-5 on Monday?’”
While Stevens was happy that the complaint from Smart didn’t come via an anonymous source, he admitted that he preferred Smart’s comments were kept behind closed doors, rather than in a postgame press conference. “I think that’s the way it should be,” Stevens said. “That’s why Jaylen’s comments were really good. I think the frustration of the night is real, and that’s why comments happen. “Was it ideal? No. Was it the right thing at the right time? Probably not. But at the end of the day, it’s how you respond. You got to sit with those guys. You gotta go out face-to-face with those guys.”
