With a minute to go in the deciding game 7, as Tatum drives and misses, the ball finds its way to Norman Powell, and Celtics fans could already see it happening once again. This was the moment that sealed game 6 and brought us here.
And it seems like Marcus Smart remembered that as well, as he started backpedalling again. So in a split second he switched up his stance to be side by side with Powell and go up for the block. The rest is history as the recently named first team all defense, and the heart and soul of the Celtics helped them make the conference finals.
And a lot of what Smart did on the court cannot be found in the boxscore. So let me show it to you. What up everybody my name is Stefan and this is Heat Check. Let’s get into it.
Right here on the screen, Kemba is going to get switched onto Ibaka, so Marcus immediately signals to re-switch and he takes the big man down low. You can see him fighting hard for positioning, so when Ibaka finally gets the ball he goes full force. The sneaky Celtics guard already expected that and he’s able to draw the charge.
Again in the 4th quarter, Smart stops the Lowry fast break, and as he kicks it out to Powell, great anticipation and great movement by Marcus to get in front just in time once again for the offensive foul.
Besides the fact that we won’t see them anywhere in the boxscore, these 2 plays are extremely important in a close game where every point matters.
However check out a few instances that directly resulted in points.
1st play, he notices the drive by Siakam and the double team. Rotates to the only available passing lane and steals the ball. Then attacks against 2 defenders and floats it in.
2nd example right here: the steal and quickly transforms it into a fast break. Beautiful alley oop pass and a great finish.
And finally number 3: As the ball is getting deflected you can see him racing against 2 Raptors. He outhustles them, gets there first, and from that point on, there’s no catching Marcus Smart as he shows with his effort just how much he wanted to win this game.
As you can see his defensive instincts and the hustle and effort is what got Smart into the first team all defensive team this year.
On the offensive end, he ended this game with 16 points and 6 assists. I’m sure that the team doesn’t even mind the 2 for 10 shooting from downtown, since he already made up for it when he single handedly brought the Celtics back from the dead in game 2 with 5 straight threes in the 4th quarter. It was unbelievable to watch him shoot heat checks and make them time after time. Marcus basically won that game for them. So Celtics will live and die with his shooting which has been actually good in this series: 39.4% from behind the arc.
So yeah, Boston is headed to another grinding series against a super tough and defensive minded opponent in the Miami Heat. It’s going to be a war every single game, but as long as they have Marcus Smart in their lineup, this team is up for the challenge and not afraid of anyone.
How many of you would love to have a player like him on your team? Actually don’t even bother, I know the answer.
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