Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics Smartly Want To Trade Marcus Smart
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Boston Celtics Retain Marcus Smart Locking Him Up To Massive Deal To Ensure The Game Changing Defender Remain’s In Green
On Thursday the stand-off between the Boston Celtics and restricted free agent Marcus Smart finally ended.
Early in the morning a confirmed meeting between Boston and Smart’s camp was leaked with the goal being to lock down the numbers and get the deal done. And the two groups accomplished just that.
Just two hours after the meeting report came out another report came out saying that Smart and the C’s had agreed to a four-year deal worth $52 million.
The Boston Celtics confirmed the news early Thursday afternoon but did not disclose the terms of the contract despite the numbers already being vastly reported by multiple media outlets.
“Keeping Marcus in a Celtics uniform was a top priority, and we’re excited to have accomplished that,” said Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge. “His intensity is unmatched, and the level of toughness that he brings to the team throughout the course of the entire season is second to none.”
“This is where I want to be, and I’m ready to put a green jersey back on and get to work,” said Smart. “I’m determined to help my teammates bring another championship to the best fans in the world.”
The 24-year-old has built roots in the Boston area holding multiple charity events and has become on the beloved players on the team by the fans due to his grittiness of play and his willingness to put his body on the line for his team.
Smart only played in 54 games in 2017 but managed to average 29.9 mpg, 10.2 ppg, and a career high 4.8 apg. What he brings that can’t be told by simply stats though is a real toughness and the ability to be a true game changer at the defensive end of the floor. That is something the Celtics desperately needed to keep given the fact that the team no longer has Avery Bradley who was traded to Detroit prior to last season to acquire Marcus Morris.
Locking up Smart is by far the biggest move of Boston’s offseason given the fact that the team that made it to the Eastern Conference Finals is essentially adding two all-stars back into the fold who didn’t play a single minute in the playoffs in Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward.
It is unclear if Boston has any other moves up their sleeves but given the fact that Hayward is being added, and Irving is going to be healthy, paired with the growth of young players like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown the Celtics didn’t need to do much to remain the team to beat in the East with LeBron James taking his talents to La La Land.
Boston Celtics Rumors: Celtics Showing Interest In Dwight Howard According To A Report
With the Brooklyn Nets reportedly buying out recently acquired center Dwight Howard, it appears the Boston Celtics might have some interest.
According to ASherrod Blakely of NBC Sports Boston, the Celtics are among the teams that could be interested in Howard.
This wouldn’t be the first time that Danny Ainge has expressed interest in Howard, and with the price low, why not try and sign the rim protector? Boston has both Greg Monroe and Aron Baynes as unrestricted free agents and if one or both leaves there is going to be a need for a rebounder and a shot blocker, a spot that Howard fits.
The question will be if Howard is willing to accept a role off of the bench and take a back seat on offense.
For the Celtics adding a potential chemistry virus in Howard might not be worth the upside that he can bring.
1. Celtics Stuff
* Horford averaging 11 shots a game
* Horford 6 shots / Baynes 7 shots
* Rozier at home in the playoffs – 22.8 a game
* Rozier on the road in the playoffs – 12.8 a game
2. Sixers Stuff
* TJ McConnell has been profiled – even McHale was throwing little white guy comments out like – “he’s gritty”
* Love Simmons going behind the back pass in the playoffs for a turnover
* Ebid still chirping
* Simmons in series 20-44 (45%) / 26 assists to 20 turnovers (1.30)
* McConnell – 15-18 (83%) / 12 assists to 2 turnovers (6.00)
3. Refs
* Somewhere Tim Donaghy is saying – I told you so
* The refs controlled the game with getting Celtics in early foul trouble – at halftime – 16 fouls on Celtics – 8 on Sixers
* Why didn’t they look for a flagrant for the elbow by Ebid – back of Smarts head?
* Calling travel on Celtics when Simmons travels every time he gets in the pain is ridiculous
* At one point I backed up the DVR to count Saric in the lane for 8 seconds
* Saric and Belinelli are European soccer whiners
* Stevens should get on the refs on Ebid moving picks – he knocked out Larkin and almost concussion on Smart
4. First round picks last year – must kill Philly fans watching Tatum knowing he couldn’t have been theirs
5. Celtics are 11 for their last 43 from three point land – 25%
6. Bird 9 playoff games his rookie year vs. Tatum:
* Bird – 21.33 a game – 9 games
* Tatum – 18.33 last nine games
7. Amazing Stat – Celtics at the point:
· Marcus Smart in seven games has an insane 21 turnovers in 216 minutes (one every ten minutes)
· Terry Rozier over the last seven games has 8 turnovers in 262 minutes (one every 32 minutes)
8. Old School – How absurd is three point shooting in the NBA right now:
* Aron Baynes took six three pointers Monday night
* Larry Bird didn’t take six three pointers in his last 65 playoff games
9. Just a Little Bit Outside – Charles Barkley comment of the night when being told what Summa Cum Laude means – he said “oh that’s when my tutor who did my homework got.”
10. Randomocity
* McHale going over the top to not seem favorable to Celtics?
* Larry Bird was 24 his first playoffs – Tatum is 20
* Marcus Morris was putting the 3-0 series lead in Ebid’s face – he better not let them come back
* Toronto should be relegated to the WNBA