There's a fine line between hustle plays and dirty plays in basketball. Celtics guard Marcus Smart walks it better than most, but on Wednesday night Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said he crossed 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 possession of the ball. In the process of diving, Smart caught 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 pic.twitter.com/qO7KjahGX8
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) March 17, 2022
Smart's questionable play didn't stop there, as seconds later he recklessly fouled Klay Thompson on a fast break attempt 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 pic.twitter.com/vzB9w9Cagq
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) March 17, 2022
Postgame, Kerr went even further.
"I thought it was a dangerous play. I thought Marcus dove into Steph, and that’s what I was upset about," Kerr told reporters, via CBS Boston. "A lot of respect for Marcus.
"He’s 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 we’re 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 less 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 and hustle," Smart said. "When you do that in any sport, and an injury happens, that's just what it is.
"I'm sure I’ll get called dirty and that's their opinion. I know who I am and my teammates know who I am."
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.
