The Boston Celtics fell to the Houston Rockets on Tuesday in what was an awesome encounter between two playoff-bound squads. It was the Rockets who emerged with the 116-105 victory, but the win was not without controversy. Celtics guard Marcus Smart spoke out after his team's frustrating loss, taking aim at the game officials, who he believes may have overlooked a few calls that should have gone in their favor.
“I mean, we have Jayson Tatum, we have Kemba Walker, All-Stars,” Smart said, via Celtics beat writer Adam Himmelsbach. “We have Jaylen Brown, potential All-Star. We have Gordon Hayward, was an All-Star. We got star guys, too. If that’s the case, we should be getting the same calls that those stars are getting.”
Smart pretty much called out the whole officiating system in the league with his comments here, pointing out what he believes to be a double standard from referees in favor of superstar-caliber players. In his mind, Smart believes that superstars are more often than not given the benefit of the doubt, with calls mostly going in their favor.
Houston's James Harden certainly qualifies in this category, being one of the best “foul fishers” in the NBA today. Smart had his fair share of trying to stop the former MVP on the evening, who finished with a game-high 42 points (9-of-19 from the field and 17-of-18 from the foul line), seven triples, eight rebounds, seven assists, a steal, and a block. Smart did not appear to be pleased with the fact that Harden pretty much lived on the charity stripe all evening long, and he certainly wasn't shy to speak his mind out about it.
Follow Us
Subscribe