Report: Marcus Smart’s outlook ‘doesn’t look good’

https://sports.yahoo.com/report-marcus-smart-outlook-doesn-210501561.html?src=rss


Dan Feldman

NBC Sports•Mar 14, 2018 5:05 PM

Marcus Smart is out with thumb injury.

Just how long will the Celtics guard remain sidelined?

Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe:


One league source said Smart’s outlook “doesn’t look good.” Ainge, meanwhile, acknowledged that surgery could be an option for the fourth-year guard, but said that Smart is hoping to take the next few days to see how the injury responds to treatment. He said Smart will also seek a second opinion from a hand specialist.

“Anything is possible now,” Ainge said. “I just don’t know yet.”

The ultra-competitive Smart will probably try to play if he can. But, in a contract year, he ought to consider his long-term health. Isaiah Thomas, whom Boston ran into the ground then discarded, should serve as an important example.

Kyrie Irving, Al Horford, Jaylen Brown, Daniel Theis and Gordon Hayward are also out for the Celtics, who host the Wizards tonight. Expect more Terry Rozier, Shane Larkin, Semi Ojeleye and Guerschon Yabusele than usual.

Boston (46-21) is probably locked into second place in the Eastern Conference. The first-place Raptors are 4.0 games ahead and the third-place Pacers are 6.5 games behind.

So, that should allow the Celtics to focus on getting everyone healthy for the playoffs rather than rushing anyone back.

***********************************************************************************************

Time to worry more about healing than winning.

Finish the season figuring out who can be part of the playoff rotation.

Being number two in the East, despite a rash of injuries, isn't bad.

Marcus plays with reckless abandon.  No other player puts his body on the line more.

The Celtics probably will not go deep into the playoffs without Smart and Theis.

Hard to believe this many injuries.

I'm not a Marcus Smart fan. Never have been. But I sure hope he isn't out for the season. You got to be a dumbcluck with anger issues to hit a glass picture frame. But only an all out hustle play, that is so indicative of how Smart plays the game, would have produced this injury. If Smart had not been able to come back after the foto-op, and have those amazing hustle games, he could easily have been gone. Like all injured players on any team in any sport, I hope he recovers completely and returns asap.

Watching some talking heads on espn today and they were of the opinion that the C's weren't going to win this year anyway and now it's impossible. They both felt that either Smart or Rozier would have to go AS WELL as either Tatum or Brown. Now that's just plain silly afaic although I know some here agree. But that is what so many injuries will elicit from some.

Somehow I think that this is the most important game of the season. We are playing a good team. If we win, we remain on track. If we lose, we get back on track NEXT.

I am beginning to think that Ainge may need to make a push for Anthony Davis this off-season.

as much as it may pain many here, I would be all in for moving Horford and Tatum along with either the future Memphis or Kings pick for Davis and Solomon Hill.

Horford and Hill make the salary numbers work as both teams are well over the cap with holds next season.

As we saw with last off-season, NOTHING is off the table for Ainge if it means building a team to win it all.

Tatum, Hayward and Brown all play primarily the same position so that is where Ainge has room to move a player to upgrade our big man spots.

a roster next year of ( in order of minutes played)

A. Davis
G. Hayward
J. Brown
K. Irving
M. Morris
M. Smart- Resigned
T. Rozier
A. Baynes or Monroe- one resigned
Theis
S. Hill
Semi
Yabusele
Nader
Jontay Porter- 1st round pick
Minimum wage vet FA

at least that is my idea for an elite team that can compete for a championship now and in the future.

kdp59 wrote:I am beginning to think that Ainge may need to make a push for Anthony Davis this off-season.

as much as it may pain many here, I would be all in for moving Horford and Tatum along with either the future Memphis or Kings pick  for Davis and Solomon Hill.

Horford and Hill make the salary numbers work as both teams are well over the cap with holds next season.

As we saw with last off-season, NOTHING is off the table for Ainge if it means building a team to win it all.

Tatum, Hayward and Brown all play primarily the same position so that is where Ainge has room to move a player to upgrade our big man spots.

a roster next year of ( in order of minutes played)

A. Davis
G. Hayward
J. Brown
K. Irving
M. Morris
M. Smart- Resigned
T. Rozier
A. Baynes or Monroe- one resigned
Theis
S. Hill
Semi
Yabusele
Nader
Jontay Porter- 1st round pick
Minimum wage vet FA

at least that is my idea for an elite team that can compete for a championship  now and in the future.

I bet Ainge would do that trade in a heart beat. Not sure NO would though....

I dunno Tatum and a possible top 5 pick from the Kings in 2019 might be enough to get them to take a hard look

This has morphed into a trade thread...

Not that I mean to criticize, when I can get off topic as easily as anyone here! So let me wade right on in.

I know the comments Mulcogi was referring to by several commentators. I do think they make sense.

The way I see it, D Ainge is a pretty shrewd builder and negotiator. He hasn't rounded up all the so-called assets everyone refers to for nothing. When healthy, this is a team on the verge of becoming an annual threat to reach the finals. It's just not quite there. One or two players away in some key spots, and Boston is there.

Assuming Hayward returns next year, and he's close to what he was pre-injury, he's going to take minutes Tatum and Brown are getting. That isn't going to work, and the overload of wings makes no sense. If Hayward stays, Brown or Tatum go. What's more, the subject of this thread, Smart, is in a backcourt that includes Rozier. Another pair that compete for minutes. Brown and Tatum, Smart and Rozier. Two pair, that if broken up, and combined with one or more in the Boston glut of draft picks, could bring back the needed couple of forward/centers via trade, draft or both. I'm guessing Brown is likely to go. He's got a great future, but not what Tatum has. Brown should have fairly good trade value, and we can get by without him, because we have others who can score and play some D. Smart versus Rozier is a tougher call, but I'm guessing Rozier goes. More on that, or why you keep Smart, shortly. Now, throw in a 2019 pick, and see what you can shake loose.

Smart may be done for this year, and he's had his issues. The big knock on Smart is his shooting. OK. The thing is, Smart may just be one of the best defenders around. And he can shut 'em down at three positions. We have others who can score, but you keep that kind of D if you're going to come up against some of those offensive machines in the West.

Not good for Smart this year. Next year, though, with a more versatile frontcourt, look out.

And while we're at it, someone remove this damn injury curse. Please.

Not sure why people think NO is going to part with Davis.... Baseless.


KJ

k_j_88 wrote:Not sure why people think NO is going to part with Davis.... Baseless.


KJ

Perhaps Celtic fan wishful thinking.


swish

wishful thinking by me, yes.

But lets be honest, some teams do stupid things and all it takes is for Davis to let NO know he wants to move on for it suddenly to be a thing.

KJ my thoughts exactly. Why would you give up the cornerstone of your team for some draft picks and Tatum???? I just can't imagine it. As far as I have read, Davis and Cousins want to work together for a full season and see where it leads them. What a one, two punch. New Orleans would have to be foolish to do this

wishful thinking, that is what I call it