Boston Celtics offseason: Making the Smart decision
By Kane Pitman
The calm and calculated reins of Brad Stevens
Apologies to those who are getting a little tired of the outpouring of praise being showered down on Celtics coach Brad Stevens this postseason, because it’s not over yet.
Marcus Smart is without doubt a “white line fever” competitor. Once he crosses that line and enters the game, he appears to become encapsulated in the competition, willing to do anything it takes to ensure victory for his team. This often results in physical altercations with opposition, heated exchanges with referees, and exuberant gestures to the crowd.
Going back to the 2017 NBA Playoffs, Marcus Smart was struggling through a rough patch in the series against the Washington Wizards. After a particularly brutal Game 3, as reported by NESN, Stevens was asked about Smart’s emotional nature and how that effects the team.
"“I wouldn’t trade his passion for anything. It’s the competitiveness that makes him who he is. And it’s a passion that makes him who he is. There can be mistakes with effort that come from that, and that’s OK. That’s what we love about him.”"
Importantly, Smart was able to do a better job of controlling his emotions in 2017-18 . According to FOX Sports stats, Smart picked up just two technical fouls this season, after collecting 15 over the two previous seasons.
"People talk about him all the time," Brad Stevens says of Marcus Smart, "and sometimes they focus on the things that don't matter." With Smart, it's all about 💚
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 16, 2018
It’s hard to truly know how much of this credit should be directed Stevens’ way, but you can be confident that Smart will be able to have a level of support and comfort in the Celtics organization that may not always be the case elsewhere.