Marcus Smart post-game interview/highlights after loss to Utah Jazz


Celtics second year guard Marcus Smart stopped to talk to Amanda Pflugrad from Celtics.com after Boston played it's first summer league game against the Utah Jazz last night. Smart was clearly the standout performer of the game with 26 points, 8 assists and 5 rebounds, but with a shooting line of 6-20 from the field, he was far from perfect.

He showed he was aware of such in the interview, stating that he "forced up a lot of shots, but you learn from it and move on". Shot selection is probably the largest part of his game that needs improvement heading into year two of his career.



An absolute wrecking ball on the court, Smart drove to the rim much more than Celtics fans are used to seeing from him in Monday night's performance. It proved effective as he was able to fight through contact and finish on numerous occasions, something he'll need to do more of this season for Boston. His aggressive attack also drew him a number of trips to the line, and Smart converted on 12 of 13 attempts from the charity stripe.



He was his usual self on defense. Disrupting passing lanes, poking the ball away from his man in one-on-one situations and diving on the floor for loose balls whenever the opportunity was there. That relentless tenacity and hustle goes along way with Celtics fans, though he may want to tone it down just a bit in these games, it is just the summer league after all.


Smart will have a chance to improve his shot selection and help the Celtics get their first win of the summer tonight, as Boston will face off with big man Jahlil Okafor and the Philadelphia 76ers. This will be the first of two games Boston plays against Philly in summer league action as they are also scheduled to play the Sixers on July 12th in Las Vegas.

Tip off for tonight starts at 7PM EST from Utah.



Photos - AP/Rick Bowmer

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