Though Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart has now missed two practices and an official team scrimmage since suffering from soreness in his left calf and ankle, his brand of basketball left quite the impression on Team USA’s coaching staff in just two days.
According to Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, a lead assistant coach for Team USA, Smart “was one of the best players on the court” when he was healthy.
For a player whose absence creates opportunity for other players to make a similar impact in the minds of the national team coaches and who extended absence could very well cause him to be among the cuts when Team USA cuts their 17-man roster down to 12, Kerr’s words are more than just high praise. It’s great news.
In a quite transcribed by NBC Sports Boston’s Chris Forsberg, Kerr was also complimentary of swingman Jaylen Brown, point guard Kemba Walker and forward Jayson Tatum. Clearly, Team Shamrock put their best foot forward while in Las Vegas.
“They’ve been great,” said Kerr. “Marcus Smart, the [first] two days was one of the best players on the court. Jaylen Brown is athletic and tough and strong. Then the skill of Kemba and Jayson is going to be really important for our team. All four guys have played well.”
Looking at Team USA’s backcourt situation, the only player that appears to be a lock as a starter is Walker but Sacramento Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox, Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell and the aforementioned Brown could fill out the team’s backcourt rotation (depending on what position Milwaukee Bucks swingman Khris Middleton is asked to play). Where that leaves Smart is questionable, especially if he misses a few more practices ahead of August 16, when Team USA is scheduled to take on Spain’s highly-touted national team.
