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After the Boston Celtics defeated the Charlotte Hornets in blowout fashion — 116-86 — Marcus Smart revealed he had gone into the Easter Sunday matchup extra motivated.
Speaking to 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Celtics radio color commentator Cedric Maxwell during the post-game show, Smart was asked about what it was like defending former teammate Terry Rozier. He used that opportunity to call out one particular NBA/Celtics writer.
“Me and Terry (Rozier) have definitely had battles, not only, that,” Smart said to Maxwell after the Celtics’ win over the Hornets. “But, I hear all the chitter-chatter about me not really being a great defender and I can’t guard faster guys, shiftier guards.”
Marcus Smart: ‘I’m Still First Team Two Years In A Row Running So Shut The (Expletive) Up’
When Max asked who’s questioning Smart’s ability as a top-tier defender, Marcus didn’t hesitate and coughed up a name.
“Don’t worry about it, I’m a go-ahead and say his name; A Sherrod Blakely said so, and those guys from The Garden Report, all of them don’t think I’m a great defender,” Smart said. “So, I’ve just been coming out every game, trying to prove and let them know that I’m still (All-Defensive) First Team two years in a row running. So, shut the (expletive) up.”
Bleacher Report’s A Sherrod Blakely, co-host of the A-List Podcast, was a guest on CLNS Media’s The Garden Report, last week, following the Celtics’ loss against the Dallas Mavericks.
Blakely joined the CLNS crew and discussed a slew of topics, including the Celtics’ struggles on defense this season, team leadership, and much more.
Celtics Drain 21 3-Pointers In Blowout Win Vs. Hornets
The Celtics dominated the Hornets, Sunday. After a lukewarm first-quarter performance, Boston’s second unit was cooking early and often from deep.
Evan Fournier picked up from where he left off on Friday and connected on 4-of-5 of his 3-pointers. Fournier’s 17 points, 6 assists led the bench while starters such as Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Smart were sizzling from behind the arc.
The Celtics made a whopping 21 3-pointers. Brown netted 5-of-8 attempts, Smart drained 4-of-7, and Tatum (3-of-9) drained a few, as well, on his way to a game-high 22 points.
Six Celtics players scored in double figures, including Kemba Walker and Smart; each finished with a dozen points, apiece.
Celtics’ Romeo Langford Makes Regular-Season Debut
Another encouraging sign for Boston’s second unit was seeing second-year forward Romeo Langford back in action.
Langford, who made his long-awaited regular-season debut against the Hornets, immediately made his presence felt. Moments after checking in, he made a tremendous defensive stop on Hornets forward Miles Bridges at the rim.
Langford also made one 3-pointer and a steal in 12 minutes against Charlotte.
Next up for the Celtics will certainly be a challenge against MVP candidate Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden, Tuesday night.
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