The Celtics were booed during their home opener and called a players-only meeting before their *eighth* game of the season. Now, they’re looking like title contenders. SIChrisMannix with more:
Or Marcus Smart. Smart appeared to be on thin ice when Brad Stevens took over as president of basketball operations last spring. Stevens soured some on Smart last season. Didn’t like his shot selection. Or his occasional immaturity. Entering the last year of his contract, Smart looked like a trade candidate. Instead, Stevens locked him up with a four-year extension, Udoka handed him the point guard position and Smart has thrived. He had 11 assists through three quarters in Game 4.
He still has the occasional head-scratcher—chasing an improbable steal on Durant late in the fourth quarter, leaving Irving open for a late three—but his productive, game-changing plays far outnumber the reckless ones. Udoka likened the Smart experience to Popovich’s with Manu Ginobili, a free-wheeling guard who played a key role in four Spurs championships.
“Pop would just say ‘That’s Manu being Manu,’” Udoka said. “You live with it because you know he’s going to end up making the right play more often than not.” Tatum, already one of the NBA’s best scorers, improved as a passer. He handed out a career-best 4.4 assists this season. Against Brooklyn, he averaged 7.3. When the Nets weren’t worried about Tatum slashing to the basket or burying threes, they were frustrated by his willingness to make the extra pass. With the clock winding down in the second quarter, Tatum, reading a double team, whipped a pass to in the corner. Williams knocked down a three, extending Boston’s halftime lead to eight.
“I knew I had to be on top of my game in this series,” Tatum said. “But I wasn't surprised by how I played. I do feel like I'm one of the best players.”
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