Tonight is a great example of offense winning. If Smart isn't in this game and Kyrie is the Celts win tonight even though Smart played very well. If Smart isn't in this game and Jaylen is there's a decent chance we win this game.
Who was the best player tonight? Oladipo. An offensive minded all star is simply a better asset to a team than a very very good defensive player, even when that player is having the offensive game of their life.
If Smart wasn't on the game, this would have been a blowout loss. Brown and Horford are also integral part of the defensive schemes. Without them, there's only much Smart can do on the defensive end.
No. Just no. Take Smart out and put in the all star or the starter and chances are good the Celts win this. Smart did a very good job of keeping it close but he couldn't deliver.
Tonight is also a great example of why his defense is overrated. He can't stop Dipo in a home game let alone a great player in a 7 game series.
Celtics were 5-5 without Smart and 7-2 after he returned. I don't think Kyrie alone could carry the team playing alongside Nader and Semi for majority of his minutes.
Why not? Smart almost did.
Smart's defense was the reason they were close. You can't find many players that will have the same impact as him on the court. Not even Bradley or Beverly. Not to mention, you can't always rely on Kyrie to get hot. Let's not forget his cold shooting (and Horford's) cost us the Rockets game.
Kyrie may have lit up Pacers today but he will have to grind for it without Smart.
Topic: It's just that offense wins basketball games (Read 15325 times)