Tag Archives: Marcus Smart

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Advantages of the Celtics Presence in the FIBA World Cup

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The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) World Cup is set to begin on August 31st. For those unaware, the FIBA World Cup is the first official event for countries to qualify to compete in the 2020 Summer Olympics. NBA players from all over the world will represent their home countries in the first step towards competing for the illustrious gold medal. For the Celtics, there are potentially seven players who will have the honor to represent four different countries in the event. Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart and Kemba Walker will represent Team USA. Internationally, Daniel Theis will represent Germany, newly acquired forward Vincent Poirier will represent France, and Semi Ojeleye may represent Nigeria.

Originally, Jayson Tatum and Kemba Walker were the only Celtics invited to Team USA camp. After a multitude of prominent NBA players withdrew themselves from competition, Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown received additional invites. Regardless of how the players received invites, a heavy Celtics presence in the FIBA World Cup will provide the team with advantages ahead of NBA training camp.

Off-Court

Following a disappointing end to last season, the Celtics reputation was in question. The commitments to play in the FIBA World Cup present an opportunity to restore that underlying image. With NBA superstars withdrawing from the event, it is uplifting for the Celtics players to take pride in representing their countries. Marcus Smart and Kemba Walker have each publicly commented on their participation with Team USA, and their excitement to dawn the red, white, and blue. Their overwhelming excitement and pride has instantly spun the narrative for the upcoming season. The team has seemingly ditched the underwhelming, dysfunctional attitude, and taken a positive approach to everything coming their way.

Additionally, the players will have an opportunity to promote both the Celtics’ and their individual brands. Playing for Team USA will expose each player to audiences that may not typically view Celtics games. While each player is fairly well known in NBA circles, the casual fan with vested interest in their country’s competition may now begin to root for each player. This works similarly for the Celtics brand. If audiences are impressed by each player’s performance, they may become more prone to viewing Celtics games during the upcoming season.

On-Court

(Credit: Hornets.com)

Perhaps an even greater advantage will come on the floor. NBA training camps won’t open until late September. This gives Kemba Walker a chance to play in real competition with his new teammates before other new acquisitions participate in camps. Through both Team USA camp and the FIBA World Cup, he can begin understand the tendencies and strengths of his teammates. This provides the Celtics with a head start in developing their on-court chemistry in actual games as opposed to simulated scrimmages.

Each individual Celtics player will also get a head start on preparing their body for the grind of the upcoming season. By the time training camp starts, each player will have about a month of high intensity training completed. Although this could be presented as additional stress on the player’s bodies, the young core of Tatum and Brown should have no problem accommodating the added work load. It presents a chance to “shake the rust off” early, and roll into camp in better shape than other teams.

A heavy Celtics presences in the FIBA World Cup could provide a major boost for team in the upcoming season. Scrimmages for Team USA begin August 9th at 10 p.m. EST. The tournament begins for Team USA on September 1st at 8:30 a.m. EST.

Why Marcus Smart is the Celtics’ MVP

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After a tumultuous season for the Celtics, we begin the offseason discussion. With a few key pieces of last season set to hit free agency, we must look at what the Celtics need to hold on to. There is no player on this team that is more valuable than Marcus Smart. While an unpopular opinion, a case can be made that Smart was the team MVP last season. Here’s why:

Smart has expertly defend high-caliber players like LeBron James

All-NBA Defensive First Team

When you here the name Marcus Smart, you probably think of how great a defender he is. Smart made his first All-NBA defensive first team this year. However, Marcus ‘Winning Plays’ Smart has been putting on the clamps all five years he’s been on the C’s. Averaging 1.6 steals in his career, Smart is sneakily good at pickpocketing the ball. His biggest impact is that Marcus’ defensive plays always seem to alter the course of the game in favor of the C’s.

Marcus Smart: Locker Room Leader

Smart doesn’t receive enough praise for his leadership qualities. For one, he brings a competitive edge to the team. This edge is sometimes the difference between them winning and losing. The Marcus Smart mentality also is a huge help come playoff season, which is why the Celtics have enjoyed recent postseason success. Smart is also a leader in the fact that he is always on his teammate’s side. Kyrie Irving is a great example. Many times this season analysts have pointed to Kyrie’s leadership as a source of the team’s woes. When Marcus Samrt was asked about this, he said the claims were ‘B.S.’. Even if Kyrie is a bad teammate, Smart was not willing to throw him under the bus. That’s leadership right there.

He is the prototypical Boston athlete

When we talk about what a Boston athlete should be, we often think of Tom Brady. Highly competitive, chip on his shoulder, and always seems to find ways to win. Bruins Defenseman Zdeno Chara and Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia are other examples of this. For the Celtics, their version of the ‘Boston Athlete’ is Marcus Smart. Smart has always played like he wasn’t getting enough appreciation (he wasn’t). He also is always competing, all the way down to the final seconds. It’s this reason alone why Marcus Smart is the team’s MVP, and its not even close.

The Celtics Are Just Getting Started

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The Celtics are not finished. Everyone and their Podcast partner is writing them off. Boston sports radio is dancing over their graves. The team is at rock bottom, down 3-1 to the Greek Freak and a band of also-rans playing over their heads. But just like last year’s Patriots, rock bottom is where they strip out all the noise and bring it back to team basketball.

Kyrie Irving

Kyrie Irving hasn’t forgotten how to play basketball. His talk isn’t for everyone, but it’s just talk. Between the lines this guy is a certified basketball genius, he’s just been a little sidetracked.

On Basketball Reference there is a stat called Game Score (GmSc). Like WAR in baseball, it’s a stat that tries to take everything into context. It’s not the be all end all, but it’s a nice umbrella of everything a basketball player is doing on the court. Over the 2016 playoffs Kyrie averaged 18.2 per game. Over the 2017 playoffs Kyrie averaged 18.1 per game. That is consistency over 39 games like you read about.

Right now Kyrie is averaging 15.8 in the 8 playoff games for the Celtics. That is not Kyrie Irving. But he had a similar eight game stretch in 2017, averaging 15.9 over the first eight games. Yes, Cleveland lost in the finals that year, but Kyrie went on to average 19.8 over the remaining 10 games.

Even the great Steph Curry looks less than sometimes. For example, he went 4-14 from 3 in his last playoff game. But people aren’t shoveling dirt on his playoffs. Forget the body language and ‘effort’ police. Kyrie Irving is not perfect, but he’s one of the best players in the NBA and a noted playoff performer. Count on a dominating performance in Game 5 and going forward.

Brad Stevens

Remember when Brad Stevens was the next great coach in the NBA? It wasn’t that long ago. And it wasn’t a flash in the pan. He grew to that level over years, not one great year.

Somewhere along the way he lost his voice this year. The team did not give an all out level all the time like they have in past years. This team did not meet the lofty expectations placed in them at the beginning of the year. Hey, they went to the Eastern Conference Finals without their best player. Of course there were high expectations. But ego, it seems, has gotten the better of them to this point.

But what can cut through all the noise of ego? Getting thumped on your home floor in the playoffs, pushing you to the brink of elimination, getting called out nation wide. When the players are reeling and wondering how they got here who can they turn to? Brad Stevens, the man with a plan. And when the players follow the plan of Brad Stevens, great things happen.

Stevens is being bashed for not throwing his players under the bus right now. That is building trust. Look for the players to start playing the Stevens game, team basketball, the best of the Celtics, in Game 5 and moving forward.

Bucks Over Their Heads

Giannis Antetokounmpo is a certified NBA Super Star. He’s so great his same now rolls off the tongue. But he is one man. Khris Middleton is pretty good.

But 33 year old George Hill averaged a 6.6 Game Score for the Cavs in the playoff last year. Verse the Celtics in the last two games? 15.75. Overall for this playoffs? 10. George Hill’s cameo as bad Kyrie is just that, a two game cameo.

Pat Connaughton turned into current George Hill the last two games with an 11.2 average Game Score. His total playoff average is 4.4. Give the 26 year old the benefit of the doubt and this year his average is 8.5 in the playoffs. He’s played the last two 30% better than that. It won’t last.

Some would say these Bucks are on a roll. From here it’s an aberration with a current expiration date.

Poking Marcus Smart

It is advisable to rile up Marcus Smart? Antetokounmpo thinks not.

A motivated Marcus Smart is almost as important as a healthy Marcus Smart. Expect good things from Marcus Smart in Game 5 and going forward.

The Bucks are playing over their heads, the Celtics are playing poorly. Getting humiliated was just what the Celtics needed to turn things around. Get ready for a different series starting tomorrow night.

Photo via AP/Charles Krupa

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Can Celtics’ Defense Carry Team Back to Eastern Conference Finals?

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If Game 1 against Indiana was any indication, the Boston Celtics are going to be relying on their defense in the 2019 playoffs. 
Boston’s 84-74 win left fans understandably concerned about certain aspects of Boston’s offense, but the effort at the other end was undeniable, especially in the second half when they held the Pacers to a season-low 29 points.
While the final margin was just ten points, Boston was in total control for most of the second stanza, stretching a nine-point lead at the end of the third quarter (63-54) into a 22-point lead (84-62) with just over three minutes left in the game.
The Celtics were sizable -400 favorites to win the series before Game 1, and are now -850 chalk after shutting down Indiana for a solid 24 minutes.
According to the analysts at SBD, though, their odds to win the East remain basically unchanged at +350. That’s because of a looming second-round matchup with the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks, who looked as good in Game 1 against Detroit as they did in their historic 60-win regular season.
Soon-to-be league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and company put a 35-point beatdown on the Blake Griffin-less Pistons (121-86) and it will be a massive surprise if that series goes to five games.
While the Celtics should be able to close out Indiana relatively quickly, it’s undeniable that Boston/Indiana is going to be a much more physical, fatiguing series than Milwaukee/Boston.
Brad Stevens said to the Associated Press that Game 1 “looked like a 1980s playoff game … [The Pacers] are physical”.
Adding to the doubts about Boston’s long-term playoff success, the Celtics will be playing shorthanded for the foreseeable future, down Marcus Smart until at least the Eastern Conference finals. Only eight Celtics played more than five minutes in Game 1. Compare that to the Bucks, who had 11 players log at least 12 minutes in Game 1 against Detroit.
When/if they do meet in the second round, Milwaukee is likely to be the fresher, healthier team from the outset, an advantage that will only become more pronounced as the series progresses.
The injury to Smart is not just a manpower concern, either. As arguably the Celtics’ best on-ball defender, his absence will be felt a lot more in a series with Milwaukee, which finished fourth in Adjusted Offensive Rating, than against Indiana, which finished 18th (even with half a season of Oladipo).
The optimists will point to last year’s seven-game win over Milwaukee in the first round and note that Boston didn’t have Kyrie Irving or Gordon Hayward in that series. Subtracting Smart for Irving and Hayward is still a net gain, surely?
But that argument ignores the progress Milwaukee has made under Mike Budenholzer. The Bucks jumped from 9th to 4th in Adjusted Offensive Rating and from 21st to 2nd on defense. They now attempt and make the second-most threes in the entire league. Last year, they were 25th in attempts and a brutal 27th in makes.
Even at full strength, this year’s iteration of the Bucks would be a handful for this year’s iteration of the Celtics. Milwaukee won the regular-season series 2-1, despite Boston getting two home games. If Boston is going to match their playoff performance from last year and get back to the East finals, they will likely need to be every bit as good on defense as they were on Saturday while improving on the offensive end, where they shot just 36.4% from the field.
Yes, the Indiana defense is very good. Milwaukee’s is better.

Celtics Fooling Themselves

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The Celtics will snap their four-game losing streak tonight in Cleveland because if they don’t, then their postseason won’t last much longer than a cup of coffee against Philadelphia (or Indiana) in the first round. The oddsmakers over at one of the best online sportsbooks in the industry, 5Dimes, is dealing Boston as a 5 ½ point road favorite over one of the worst teams in the league, and the same one that prevented them from advancing to the NBA Finals last season. Of course, that was then, and this is now, with LeBron taking his talents to LA while the Celtics are looking more and more like a group of guys out to get theirs, with little regard of the endgame which is winning a title.

Are you getting a bit tuckered out of this all too predictable Celtics’ soap opera? This rollercoaster of a season has featured glimpses of greatness but far too often, months of malaise mired in mediocrity. Don’t ever get your hopes to high with this team because they will break your heart quicker than you can say, “Kyrie is leaving Boston.” And Kyrie will leave because he now realizes that his one wish, to dribble out of LeBron’s shadow and bask in the glow of a white-hot spotlight all his own, isn’t as easy as he once thought. In retrospect, he had a pretty good gig being Scottie Pippen to LeBron’s Michael Jordan, and winning a world title in Cleveland. He didn’t have to be the man because he wasn’t the man, he was just a damn good sidekick. Be careful what you wish for because you just might get it, is a phrase Kyrie Irving knows all to well.

But perhaps the irony and absurdity of this entire season is the Celtics players somehow concocting this alternate reality that things will all come together the moment the postseason commences. Just read a few of these quotes and try not to arch your eyebrows or scratch your head.

Marcus Smart: “We got a lot of guys back, and we’re all trying to figure out exactly what everybody’s favorite things to do and what spots that everybody excels at and make sure we get everybody in the right position. We’re still fooling with it. But I see great progress, and I’m excited, I’m ecstatic, and I’m happy with what we’re doing.

Kyrie Irving: “You can’t worry about the standings now. It’s too late in the season. I mean, obviously the four or five spot, but one and two is pretty much locked up, 1-2-3. So, as long we get there. I can’t wait for all this other B.S. about the regular season and keep getting better and talking over and over and over again about what we can do to keep getting better in the regular season. I just want to be at the highest level playing. I mean, that’s what I’m here for.”

In the C’s first game in the month of March, a 107-96 win over the Wizards, Marcus Smart lauded the defensive efforts of Jaylen Brown and said, “Ridiculous. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Jaylen play defense like that. He looked like me out there, diving for balls and things like that. We need Jaylen to do that every day. He has the athletic ability to do it. He has the potential to be a great two-way player so, once he finally gets that down it will be hard for anybody to keep him off the court.”

Unfortunately for the Celtics, Jaylen Brown is not fond of routinely getting floors burns on his knees, and a flash here, and a sparkle there, of hustle isn’t enough. Over the last four games the Celtics have lost to three very good teams in Denver, Philadelphia, and San Antonio with a setback to the less than stellar Charlotte Hornets sandwiched in between for good measure. But we know the script by now, Boston will bully a bad team tonight and thump the Cavaliers which will woo those who bleed Green back on the bandwagon. But the rest of us are not only leery, but weary as well, of a team that seems to care less about winning than we do.

Celts’ Only Constant is Inconsistency

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If you click on over to SBR, and read a Heritage Sports review, you will see why recreational and professional sports bettors always include Heritage as one of their top options when betting sports. But the oddsmakers at Heritage, and other top-notch online books, must be shaking their collective heads when trying to identify an acceptable line on the Boston Celtics. This is a team as enigmatic and mercurial as any in the NBA and Celtics’ fans are feeling the same frustration as those trying to bet with them, or against them.

We see glimmers of hope but then, in a flash, frustration and confusion come to the fore yet again, as it did on Saturday night in Chicago. Boston’s last several games have been a microcosm of the entire season. Talented club with a bona fide superstar, and a few others waiting to blossom, reels off 10 wins in 11 games. After yet another victory, they return home to take on both LA entries within two nights of each other, where the oddsmakers are hanging the Green as double-digit favorites in both contests, and Boston proceeds to lose not one but both. Then, like flicking a light switch, the same team that just laid an egg in consecutive games to inferior opponents travels to Philadelphia to beat one of the preeminent Eastern Conference powers and follows that up with a sound victory over the Pistons.

And despite losing a 98-97 heartbreaker to the Milwaukee Bucks in the following game, we can forgive that road loss against the team with the best record in basketball. But for the luvva gawd what we can’t forgive, or understand, is losing the next game to a team like the Bulls, as 10-point road favorites mind you, contending for the No. 1 pick in the draft by virtue of owning one of the worst records in the league! And to add insult to injury, the Bulls were playing the second leg of back-to-back games, yet the Celtics still bowed 126-116.

Championship caliber teams very rarely fall to the dregs and although they may not cover the number, losing outright is an aberration – a one-off, if that. Even very good teams routinely pad their records against sub .500 clubs like the Bulls, Lakers, Magic, Heat, Suns, et al. Well, not your local entry because Boston has lost to all of those teams which is why their 61.7 winning percentage is good enough to assure them the No. 5 spot in the East but well below preseason expectations. To borrow a term from Kevin Garnett, where’s the grit and balls? Where is the team from last year that took LeBron’s Cavaliers to seven games without Kyrie and Hayward?

Maybe “team” is the operative word. After Saturday night’s loss to the Bulls, Marcus Smart summoned a ray of optimism followed by an expression of the same angst and frustration Celtics’ fans are feeling. “Yeah, we’re good. We’re still in a good position. We’ve got a lot of basketball left. We lost here last year. We got blown out here last year (108-85 in December 2017), and in the end of the season, we were still fighting for everything we wanted to fight for. We still were in the last game of the conference finals. So, this is not the end of the world, but it is embarrassing. It’s embarrassing. Just our effort is embarrassing. How we played is embarrassing.”

When pressed further Smart had this to say, “It’s all simple. It’s just effort. Just effort. That’s definitely it. It’s plain and simple. Just effort…You know, we’ve got all the talent in the world, but you know… I don’t even know what to say. Like, really, I have no words.”

And neither do we.

Rozier Celtics

Terry Rozier Situation Breakdown

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Trade rumors continue to surround Terry Rozier. The 24-year-old will become a restricted free agent come the end of the season. This means Rozier can agree to an offer sheet with any team, but the Celtics can retain him by matching the terms.

Unfortunately, there are two major issues complicating the situation.

Salary Cap

The Celtics are already over both the salary cap and luxury tax threshold. Signing Rozier would push Boston further over the threshold, restricting the Celtics from signing any outside players this offseason, or in the near future.

This forces Boston to replace any impending free agents, like Marcus Morris, with veteran minimum players.

Playing Time

Rozier Celtics

Terry Rozier #12 of the Boston Celtics celebrates with Marcus Smart #36 after the 112-111 victory over the Indiana Pacers. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

It is well documented that Boston has a log jam in their backcourt. Kyrie Irving is the clear-cut starter, while Rozier and Marcus Smart are featured off the bench. Although this is a great scenario for the championship contending Celtics, it is a less advantageous spot for Rozier.

During Irving’s absence in 2017-18, Rozier started 19 playoff games, averaging 16.5 points, 5.7 assists, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.3 steals in 36.6 minutes. His six 20-point games and one double-double helped the Celtics reach game seven of the Eastern Conference Finals.

With the Phoenix Suns reportedly interested in acquiring the point-guard, it is clear he is viewed as starting caliber in the NBA.

 

The Celtics options regarding Rozier’s future are as follows:

Contract Extension (Not Currently Viable)

The October 15th contract extension deadline has passed, meaning Rozier and the Celtics were unable to agree on an extension. “Scary Terry” reportedly rejected a $12 million offer from the Celtics. If the two parties are to come to a contract agreement, it will be during the free agency period.

Match Offer Sheet

One option for the Celtics will be to match the terms of another team’s offer sheet. This means that if the Phoenix Suns were to offer Rozier a $20 million contract, the Celtics would have two days to either match it or refuse. If the Celtics were to refuse, there would be no required compensation for Phoenix, and Rozier would walk. If Boston were to match the offer, their salary situation would become a farce, as Boston would be forced to pay a hefty luxury tax.

Assuming Irving signs with Boston for the max, and Al Horford accepts his player option, the Celtics will have three players making more than $30 million each next season. Including Marcus Smart’s new four-year contract and Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown’s team options, the Celtics will have about $120 million tied up in just six players. If the Celtics match an offer sheet for Rozier, they will be forced to pay significantly.

Trade

Rozier Celtics

Terry Rozier has drawn interest from the Phoenix Suns according to reports. (Photo from ClutchPoints.com)

Another option for Boston is to trade. The point guard and his $3 million contract have drawn interest from the Phoenix Suns, who allegedly made the Celtics an offer before signing free agent Jamal Crawford to a one-year veteran minimum contract.

If the Celtics do not think they can retain Rozier, the best decision would be to trade him before the February 7th trade deadline. For Boston, trading means avoiding a hefty luxury tax next season, at the cost of losing a sixth man of the year candidate. If the Celtics move Rozier, another guard will receive significant minutes. Candidates include Marcus Smart (who already receives significant minutes), Brad Wanamaker, or a new acquisition.

Celtics are in the driver’s seat

“Scary Terry’s” future in Boston is uncertain, although the Celtics are still in control. If they are willing to pay the luxury tax, Boston will be able to sign or retain Rozier. Alternatively, they can trade Rozier in order to accumulate future assets.

Ultimately, the Celtics are trying to build a dynasty, so going over the luxury tax may be worth the risk.

Three Takeaways: Celtics 105, 76ers 87

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Boston Celtics basketball is back.

The first game of the regular season for the Boston Celtics did not disappoint. Both teams got off to a slow start, but Boston was able to pull away heading into the fourth quarter and didn’t look back. By the end of the game, the entire team was firing on all cylinders.

Here’s the good, the bad, and the ugly from game 1 of 82.

Ben Simmons of the Philadelphia 76ers handles the ball against Kyrie Irving of the Boston Celtics during a game on October 16 2018 at TD Garden in...

Via Getty

1. Kyrie Irving off to a slow start

Though the Celtics pulled off the win, Kyrie’s absence on the offensive end was notable. In the first half, Irving didn’t score a single point, going 0-8 from the field. He finished going just 2-14 from the field for 7 points. That included one two, one three, and two free throws. Fortunately, the rest of the team was able to pick up the slack on the offensive end. Hopefully, Kyrie can get his scoring swagger back in time for Friday’s tilt.

However, he did finish with seven assists, and was also a +9 plus/minus, so his performance wasn’t poor. It’s unlikely this scoring relapse will carry over into the next games.

2. Jayson Tatum leads the charge

While Kyrie struggled from the field, Jayson Tatum was the leader on the offensive end of the court. He finished with a game-high 23 points on 9-17 shooting from the field. He also looked at times to be the commander of the court, often times serving as the primary ball-handler.

Tatum had a number of sweet pull-ups, and a beautiful drive and dunk, as well. Near the end of the game, he also took Joel Embiid to school on a free throw line jumper. The NBA sophomore looked confident on the court, and it showed in the box score.

Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics dunks the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers on October 16 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston Massachusetts NOTE TO...

Via Getty

3. Defense looks as strong as ever

The staple of the Boston Celtics looks to be the same as ever: defense. Boston was able to hold Philly to just 87 points in the opener. They also forced 16 turnovers, including 10 in the first half alone. Leading the defensive effort was Al Horford, who had 5 blocks and affected multiple other shots at the rim.

It’s obvious that the defense won’t be an issue this season, as if that were ever a question.

Bonus: Gordon Hayward!

The forward made his Celtic debut at the TD Garden, playing 24 minutes and scoring 10 points. While it wasn’t the greatest performance, it was most certainly encouraging to see him back on the court scoring buckets.

Gordon Hayward high fives Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics during a game against ethics's Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden on October 16 2018 in...

Via Getty

An emphatic performance in the season opener was surely an awesome sight for Boston Celtics fans. They’ll look to keep the momentum going on Friday against the Toronto Raptors in Canada.

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Anthony Davis to Celtics is Inevitable

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The future of Anthony Davis is uncertain. He is currently under contract with the New Orleans Pelicans through the 2019-20 season with a player option for 2020-21. In six seasons with New Orleans, Davis has made two playoff appearances compared to the Celtics’ five.

With the departure of DeMarcus Cousins, Davis is not expected to exercise his player option. Rather, he will be traded prior to the 2019-20 trade deadline or will enter free agency prior to 2020-21.

Unfortunately due to stipulations around the “Rose Rule”, trading for Davis may be difficult.

That said, let’s look at why Anthony Davis to the Boston Celtics is inevitable.

Celtics as a Trade Partner

The Celtics have more assets than they can handle. General manager and president of basketball operations, Danny Ainge, has been compiling resources since 2013. Boston currently owns four first-round picks in the 2019 draft: Boston’s own, Sacramento’s (Top 1 protected), Memphis’ (protected 1-8 in ’19; 1-6 in ’20 and unprotected in ’21) and the Clippers (protected Top 14 in ’19 and ’20). If Ainge trades for Davis, a combination of picks will surely be exchanged.

Embed from Getty Images

Due to Davis’ contract, players must also be traded to ensure teams are salary cap compliant. This means that Al Horford ($29M), Gordon Hayward ($20M), or Marcus Smart ($11M) must be included in the deal. Other trade chips for Boston include Terry Rozier, who is a restricted free agent at seasons end, and Jaylen Brown, who has a club option for 2019-20.

The Celtics must be favorited to land Davis if New Orleans is to trade the superstar.

Boston as a Free Agent Destination

If Davis wants to win an NBA Championship, then Boston will be his destination.

He will likely enter free agency prior to the 2020-21 season. Boston will have ample money to sign Davis, as Al Horford and Marcus Morris will be off-the-books. Joining the Celtics would mean many things for the former first overall draft pick.

Davis Celtics

Smiling Jayson Tatum, right, and Jaylen Brown, seem to feel right at home during Celtics mini-camp, Friday, June 30, 2017, in Waltham. (Herald Photo by Jim Michaud)

Led by head coach Brad Stevens, the Celtics posses a young core destined for multiple deep playoff runs. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown look as promising of a duo as Tracy McGrady and Vince Carter. Them, along with Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward, can allow Davis to reduce his field goal attempts, making him a more efficient scorer and willing passer.

According to Bovada Official, on September 28, 2018, the Lakers were favorites to land Davis in free agency. Though, by joining the Celtics, Davis will become the top title contender in his conference. Something he cannot do in the West while the Golden State Warriors dynasty remains in-tact.

Expect to see Davis in Celtic green soon.

Marcus Smart is Already Making Enemies

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Marcus Smart is already in midseason form.

The physical guard is notorious for his brash manner on the court, and Saturday’s preseason game was no different. While most Bostonians were watching the Red Sox game, the Celtics faced the Cavaliers in their final preseason matchup. While the Celtics were outplayed throughout the entire game, one moment stood out in particular: the fight between Marcus Smart and J.R. Smith.

What happened

Early in the contest, Aron Baynes and Smith were locked in a fierce battle underneath the hoop as Terry Rozier dribbled the ball on the perimeter. The contest between the two escalated and ended with Baynes and Smith spinning around with locked arms. Smith shoved Baynes hard in the back towards the hoop. As players came to break them up, Smart charged towards Smith and shoved him in the head. The two nearly came to blows before Ante Zizic came in between the two. Smart had to be quite literally tackled to the floor by both Rozier AND Jayson Tatum.

The Aftermath

Smart was ejected from the game, while Smith received just a technical foul. Had he been able to get away from Tatum and Rozier, he most certainly would have been suspended. It’s possible he faces sitting some games anyway, as he was clearly prepared to throw punches at JR Smith. After the conclusion of the game, Smith had a series of tweets directed towards Smart:

Marcus Smart then told the media his side of the story, saying “it is what it is” and telling Smith, “meet me in the back…You know where I’m at.”

Smith had words to say about that, too. He tweeted about the video, “Meet me on the street damn the back!” He then followed up with a third tweet, saying “better keep this s*** bout basketball”.

Smart has never been afraid to defend his teammates, no matter the opponent. Celtics fans surely love to see his competitive spirit out on the court, though it may sometimes lead to consequences for him.

The Celtics play the Cavs again on November 30th, folks. Mark your calendars for Smart-Smith round 2.