Smart pulled himself out of game 2 after errors

[CelticsElite]

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/19288941/boston-celtics-marcus-smart-took-game-1-series-errors

"I just decided to take myself out. Things were going wrong and I was making a couple mistakes," Smart said. "Everyone else was playing good, so I decided to take myself out and let those guys keep going, and really calm myself down and get ready to go back into the game to finish the game

 

[saltlover]

Yeah, I remember when IT subbed in the announcers mentioned that someone else was supposed to come out, but Smart subbed himself out instead.

I find it mature of Smart to realize he needed the mental breather.

[CelticsElite]

Agreed. Could anyone imagine a player like demarcus cousins  doing this? Lol

[slamtheking]

putting the needs of the team first.  I like that.

[MattyIce]

Brad was perplexed and a bit perturbed but I liked it

[droopdog7]

Yeah, I wasn't quite sure how to take it when they mentioned it yesterday.  Frankly, I'm still not sure except.  My only advice for next game is not to make those mistakes in the first place.

[Chris22]

I admire Smart for doing this.
It shows humility.

[wiley]

Agree with others.  I think it was a good instinctual decision by Smart...pretty cool as a one off.  I'm sure Smart would not make a habit of it and Steven's wouldn't allow it to be a habit. 

Every mistake is a big deal and Smart had a flurry of them....I think his instinct was that if he stayed in the game he would try to make up for everything which is exactly what the Celtics didn't need at that moment...over aggressiveness leading to even more fouls.  I'm sure he thought he'd get back in after cooling off but they didn't need him. 

edit:  and does show humility as stated above

[TheSundanceKid]

Brad was perplexed and a bit perturbed but I liked it

In a way I felt it undermined Brad but equally it forced Brad to use other players that ended up helping us win. As a spectator I thought Marcus should leave the game. It's happened a few times now, it's great that he's recognising the situation but he needs to learn to get a handle on it. There will be a time when there isn't the guy to replace him

[j804]

Love that guy he's key to this series

[playdream]

When you know(this alone is important) you aren't in a good condition and there is a better way you do it, it's perfect team first, love it

[ederson]

I thought that is why teams have coaches....

[BE-Celtic]

Surprised me that Bras Stevens had subbed him after a couple of mistakes, because he is smarter than that and doens't want to destroy a player's mind.

So I'm glad to learn that. Now we all know Marcus gets carried by his emotions. He will need to learn and control that in the future, because a game can't rely on him if he is that instable.

[Celtics4ever]

really calm myself down and get ready to go back into the game to finish the game

 

It is good for him to manage his emotions given his past.   If it was for that reason, then I applaud it.

[Drucci]

Nice idea from Marcus and it paid off.