Your Morning Dump… Where Marcus Smart will frustrate opponents all season

Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big storyline. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.

Deron Williams was doing all the dancing, and Marcus Smart was just waiting for his chance to cut in.

Off an inbounds pass in the fourth quarter of the Celtics’ season opener against the Nets Wednesday, Williams and Smart were on their own island at the top of the arc, and Williams was looking to break the rookie down off the dribble.
The Brooklyn point guard crossed it over, left to right, between his legs, then brought it back through.

Smart wasn’t necessarily counting Williams’s dribbles.

“It was just a read,” said the Celtics guard.

Smart had already picked Joe Johnson’s pocket, and when Williams tried to thread it between his legs one more time, he was added to the victims’ list.

Smart saw the ball sitting in Williams’s left hand and plucked it clean.

It happened in an eye-blink, as if he were grabbing a fly with his fist.

Williams stumbled back, and by the time he gathered himself, Smart was sprinting the other way for a finger roll that put the Celtics up, 105-84.

Williams had been turnover-free into the third quarter, but Smart’s steal was the start of a wave of late-game giveaways.

“I guess the basketball gods were with me on the steal,” Smart said. “So I thank them.”

Smart was a nuisance all night.

Boston Globe – Marcus Smart steals a bit of the show in Celtics’ opener

A couple of seasons ago, there was the game against Orlando when Jameer Nelson supposedly begged for mercy at the hands of Avery Bradley’s Mortal Kombat like attacking defense.  If the preseason and opening night are a preview of the next 81 games, then Marcus Smart is going to be AB times ten.

Smart has already been pestering opponents, and as the Globe piece mentions, stood his ground when Joe Johnson posted him up the second time.  Sure, he got backed down for about a 2 foot jump hook, but JJ had to work for it. Therein lies the problem with the 3-guard lineup that Brad Stevens will use at times.  But in small doses it can be useful and it was incredibly fun to watch.  Playing tough defense for 82 games is very difficult, but Smart already has the right attitude. It’s definitely one of the many increasing reasons to watch and be excited for this team.

On Page 2, Green gets Rondo’s practice fire burning

During the brief portion of practice reporters got to see, they were treated to a bit of Rondo’s famed competitive streak. On two straight plays, he got matched up with small forward Jeff Green in the low post. The first time, Green tried to back Rondo down. The point guard pulled the chair, executed a bit of a swim move (not malicious), and barely turned around as Green went sliding into the wall. After a foul appeared to be called, Green tried again. Rondo came away with a steal, then may or may not have said something to Green on the way to the other side of the court. The lesson: opponents are opponents, even if it’s in practice.

MassLive – Boston Celtics practice notes

Ahh yes, nothing wrong with a little friendly competition at team practice.  These are always fun tidbits to chew on and many times it makes you wish all practices were viewable to the public.  Some of the best stories come from those.

The rest of the links:

ESPN Boston – C’s rookie leaves opponents Smarting | Practice: Wallace and the rotation

Boston Globe – Celtics debut new road uniforms at home

Boston Herald – Celtics Notebook: Green ready to build off opening win

CSNNE – Stopping Howard ‘easier said than done’ | Celtics not looking ahead at daunting schedule

WEEI – NBA needs lesson from MLB on competitive balance