Typical Marcus Smart is ready for a “dog fight” in season opener


Marcus Smart and Joel Embiid get into a scuffle March 20, 2019 | Photo: Bill Streicher

I’m sure Marcus Smart plays checkers with competitiveness. Escalate the stakes and he’d do anything to win.


He’s probably not wrong with his dog fight comment. The Boston Celtics have owned the Philadelphia 76ers in recent seasons. The media has tried to prop the match-up as a rivalry, but Joel Embiid even admitted after a loss last season that there is no rivalry because the 6ers couldn’t beat the Celtics.

With realistic title hopes for Philly this season, they will be looking to prove they have put the C’s in their rearview mirror. The Celtics aren’t going to be willing to concede yet. Add in the factor that Al Horford has changed his colors in the “rivalry,” I’m sure his former teammates are going to want to prove that he made the wrong decision. Smart may even give them a little taste of their own medicine.


Philly features a lot bigger lineup than the Celtics will feature. Smart is like one of the small lap dogs that wants to take on the rottweiler at dog park. He doesn’t see size. He’ll take on anyone. He is also taking positionless basketball to another level.


Smart loves playing in tough games like we’re expecting on opening night. He wants to play in the mud. He’s going to try to get under your best player’s skin and smirk while he’s doing it. He may even hit a huge shot when you least expect it.


We’re all itching for the season to start and the Celtics are going from playing the lowly Cleveland Cavaliers in preseason games to facing a title contender that wants nothing more to prove they aren’t in the same class.

If anyone is up for the challenge, it’s Marcus Smart.