There's a fine line between hustle plays and dirty plays in basketball. Celtics guard Marcus Smart walks it better than most, Kent Hrbek Jersey but on Wednesday night Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said he cro sed over from hustle to dirty.
The footage speaks for itself, depending on what team you're rooting for, of course. In the second quarter of the Celtics' 110-88 blowout win over the Warriors, Smart dove for a loose ball, temporarily winning po se sion of the ball. In the proce s of diving, Smart caught Jose Berrios Jersey star guard Stephen Curry at a bad angle, resulting in an ankle injury that forced Curry out of the remainder of the game.
The Warriors were upset after these two plays by Marcus Smart
Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors)Smart's questionable play didn't stop there, as seconds later he reckle sly fouled Klay Thompson on a fast break attempt Michael Pineda Jersey in an effort to prevent an easy basket. The foul led to a review and a flagrant one on Smart.
Kerr didn't appreciate what Celtics fans have deemed hustle plays from Smart, and he let him hear about it in the moment.
Kerr and the Warriors' coaching staff were furious when speaking to the referees about a pair of Marcus Smart plays
Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors)Postgame, Kerr went even further.
"I thought it was a dangerous play. I thought Marcus dove into Steph, and thats what I was upset about," Kerr told reporters, via CBS Boston. "A Tony Oliva Jersey lot of respect for Marcus.
"Hes a hell of a player, a gamer, a competitor. I coached him in the World Cup a few summers ago. We talked after the game and were good. But I thought it was a dangerous play."
Kerr and Smart did share a hug postgame and all seemed to be water under the bridge. Smart, however, did comment on the notion that some may believe he's a dirty player.
"I could really care le s about what people say because I know who I am. My teammates and colleagues know I'm not a dirty player and I'm going to go out there and leave everything I can on the floor Kyle Gibson Jersey and hustle," Smart said. "When you do that in any sport, and an injury happens, that's just what it is.
"I'm sure Ill get called dirty and that's their opinion. I know who I am and my teammates know who I am." Blank Jersey
If the Celtics and Warriors meet again this season, it will be in the NBA Finals, and this game will be one of the many talking points.
