Marcus Smart: "If you're trying to be pretty then this isn't the game for you."

[Monkhouse]

[Karalis] Marcus Smart: "I'm constantly telling these guys that a lot of games we win aren't going to be pretty. If you're trying to be pretty then this isn't the game for you. You have to be willing to get your nose bloody"

Love it.

I believe that Kyrie is our offensive scoring option, and becoming the leader that the Cavs expected him to turn into, before the arrival of LBJ.

Horford is our seasoned veteran that leads by examples and defensive anchor.

Hayward is one of our best players when healthy, but probably the quietest leader that we have.

But if there is anyone who forces our team to step up, and stop beating around the bush, it's Smart.

Every championship team has that guy willing to do the dirty work, and become the glue guy.

Rodman, Dray, Iggy, Horry, Battier, etc.

The list goes on, but there is no doubt a glue guy is one of the most valuable pieces to any championship minus stars/superstars.

I'm glad Smart is still here. There is nothing more fun than watching someone who dives for a loose ball, or locks down an opposing player and watching their frustration emit on their sleeve. (Harden.)

[manl_lui]

gotta love smart, love his tenacity and his leadership!

[apc]

My son asked who’s my favorite player, I answered : Smart.
His response : but you always get mad when he shoots 

[fairweatherfan]

Good for Marcus. One of the biggest differences I saw with this year's team early is they'd almost totally lost the scrappiness and hustle we lived by in the years when our talent wasn't great. 

Getting by on tenacity and effort didn't translate well to the playoffs where everyone plays hard, but a highly talented but superstarless roster like this one needs that high effort to maximize their results.

Related to it - we have exactly the same record as Toronto against +.500 teams - both are 7-5. But we're just 6-5 against losing teams and they're 13-0. We're even 5-1 against the current top 4 in the East, 3-1 if you consider Detroit to be a fluke.  It's not a matter of not being good enough, it's that we came out flat or uneven against too many inferior teams. Time to take care of business.

[GreenEnvy]

I wonder if that’s in any way directed at Hayward? He’s known as the pretty boy with the GQ hair, and prior to last game, was playing timid.

We know Smart went at Gordon during practice last week, he’s really trying to get this team rolling.

Natural leader.

[footey]

My son asked who’s my favorite player, I answered : Smart.
His response : but you always get mad when he shoots 

TP, quote of the day, sounds like my family.

[tarheelsxxiii]

Smart's ability to offset a diva/soft mentality cannot be overstated.  Good for him.  Perfect complementary option this season at the SG to hide weaknesses in defense se and play making for others.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Smart's ability to offset a diva/soft mentality cannot be overstated.  Good for him.  Perfect complementary option this season at the SG to hide defensive issues and create plays for others.

Pst - I know this is a dig against Kyrie, but Kyrie's defense has been way better than you are giving him credit for this season. I'd bet he has more charges drawn. He has the same amount of steals and blocks, and has a comparable defensive rating.

[Monkhouse]

Smart's ability to offset a diva/soft mentality cannot be overstated.  Good for him.  Perfect complementary option this season at the SG to hide defensive issues and create plays for others.

Pst - I know this is a dig against Kyrie, but Kyrie's defense has been way better than you are giving him credit for this season. I'd bet he has more charges drawn. He has the same amount of steals and blocks, and has a comparable defensive rating.

I generally avoid tarheelsxxiii's comments especially when they veer on the cusp of insulting Kyrie, since we all know by now that he has an immense and bridled hatred for Irving, despite the fact that he's been the best player on the Celtics by far.

[timpiker]

Smart's been my favorite for years - I just love his attitude and the way he plays.  He's a winner.  I am so glad Danny signed him.

[SHAQATTACK]

KG would be proud

[tarheelsxxiii]

Smart's ability to offset a diva/soft mentality cannot be overstated.  Good for him.  Perfect complementary option this season at the SG to hide defensive issues and create plays for others.

Pst - I know this is a dig against Kyrie, but Kyrie's defense has been way better than you are giving him credit for this season. I'd bet he has more charges drawn. He has the same amount of steals and blocks, and has a comparable defensive rating.

I generally avoid tarheelsxxiii's comments especially when they veer on the cusp of insulting Kyrie, since we all know by now that he has an immense and bridled hatred for Irving, despite the fact that he's been the best player on the Celtics by far.

The Celtics have underperformed as a team and literally everyone except Kyrie (statistically) has struggled.  That's meaningful.

[Phantom255x]

My son asked who’s my favorite player, I answered : Smart.
His response : but you always get mad when he shoots 

TP, quote of the day, sounds like my family.

LOL it's funny reading the game threads here

"Smart heat checking and bricking, BE MORE AGGRESSIVE SMART! You aren't Curry!"

Smart nails 2 3-pointers in a row

"SMART! THERE WE GO. HE'S PRACTICED SO MUCH DURING THE SUMMER" 

[mctyson]

He gets its.  Gets how you have to be to win in the NBA, and really gets how to be a Celtic. 

He is my favorite player in the NBA.

[Rosco917]

Man but Marcus sounds like Captain material. I know those days are gone because of the structure of the game...but still.

Smart's ability to offset a diva/soft mentality cannot be overstated.  Good for him.  Perfect complementary option this season at the SG to hide defensive issues and create plays for others.

Pst - I know this is a dig against Kyrie, but Kyrie's defense has been way better than you are giving him credit for this season. I'd bet he has more charges drawn. He has the same amount of steals and blocks, and has a comparable defensive rating.

I generally avoid tarheelsxxiii's comments especially when they veer on the cusp of insulting Kyrie, since we all know by now that he has an immense and bridled hatred for Irving, despite the fact that he's been the best player on the Celtics by far.

The Celtics have underperformed as a team and literally everyone except Kyrie (statistically) has struggled.  That's meaningful.

How the heck do you root for a team when you despise its main player. Or do you?