Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big story line. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
I love Marcus Smart's winning plays and all that… But I'm ready to move him or let him walk unless he takes an extremely team-friendly deal
— John Karalis 🇬🇷 🇺🇦 (@John_Karalis) January 24, 2018
IN CASE YOU WERE WONDERING I WOULD HAVE RATHER HAD KYRIE IRVING TAKE THE LAST SHOT TONIGHT OVER MARCUS SMART.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) January 24, 2018
And Brian Robb of Boston Sports Journal
The Celtics had no timeouts remaining when Smart gathered the rebound on a Kentavious Caldwell-Pope missed free throw. He immediately turned on the jets and went full speed ahead down the court, despite being flanked by shooters on both sides. Kyrie Irving popped out at the top of the key for a potential pass. It didn’t matter. Smart had tunnel vision and it became evident quickly on that possession that he was going to take the final shot on a night he believed he was hot.
…
The tape shows that the opportunities were there to get it to Irving (or another better shooter) but Smart wanted the glory. He also didn’t learn his lesson from a couple years ago when it comes to end-of-game situations in the open court. Smart’s going to be a good player in this league for a long time but he needs to know his role. While his speciality may be taking end of quarter heaves, Tuesday’s situation was not that.
Robb reviews the final 5.7 seconds of last night’s 108-107 loss to the Lakers like it’s the Zapruder film. If you haven’t seen it:
Epic Lakers/Celtics game ends with KCP clinking two free throws, Marcus Smart justtttt musses game-winning shot AND WE HAVE CONFETTI 🎉🎊🎉 pic.twitter.com/EpWZe1B1x2
— Kyle Kuzwob (@World_Wide_Wob) January 24, 2018
At 4 seconds, Smart could have passed to Rozier on the wing. At 3 seconds, Smart could have thrown a semi-dangerous cross court pass to Tatum on the other wing. At 2 seconds, Rozier was very open on the sideline. And with 1.5 seconds, Smart had Kyrie curling around from 33 feet out.
I don’t have much confidence in the first 3 options but I’ll take a Kyrie jumper from 33 feet over a contested Smart jumper from 27, 25, 23, 21, 19 and maybe even 17 feet.
My first reaction when watching the play was… what took Kyrie so long to get to the ball? Well, you idiot, Irving had to wait for Smart to get across half-court. That play would have worked better if a) Pope made the 2nd free throw or b) Smart hit Rozier on the wing earlier.
Killing Smart for his shot selection is just a distraction from the fact the Celtics lost to the mediocre Lakers. The losing streak is now at 4 games. Tatum has hit the rookie wall. Brown disappears too often. Stevens needs to start pushing the right buttons.
Herald – Celtics fall to Lakers | Globe – Celtics stumble late | Mass Live – Smart’s last chance bounces off rim
On Page 2, Hayward is now traveling with the team.
Gordon Hayward traveled with the Celtics for the first time this season and again Stevens downplayed the move. Hayward, who broke his left tibia and dislocated his left ankle in the season opener against Cleveland, was taking 3-pointers while standing up this week. It is still uncertain if he will attempt to return this season.
Hayward will stay with the team for their games with the Lakers and Clippers and then remain in southern California for a week to continue rehabilitation. Hayward makes his offseason home in San Diego.
“One of the things we wanted to do is change his environment, just to move a little bit,” Stevens said. “The traveling looks like it could be early March as he can do all his rehab without an AlterG machine [anti-gravity treadmill]. He’s still got a long way to go, but he’s a really good spot shooter.
Another small, but positive step forward for Gordon Hayward.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – we’re still 8 weeks away from late March. That’s a lot of time for rehab. Eight weeks ago we were still digesting Thanksgiving dinner.
The rest of the links
Herald – Horford grateful for All-Star selection
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