Marcus Smart on theory that Kyrie's leadership sunk Celtics: 'That's bull****'

There was a lot of worthwhile questions about Kyrie Irving's leadership style this season in Boston, many of them warranted. However, after the Celtics fell in ugly fashion to the Bucks on Wednesday night, Marcus Smart was not going to let the All-Star take the fall for causing the C's lack of cohesion this postseason.

“Bullshit. That’s bullshit," Smart said of the theory. "Not one of us on this team knows what Kyrie’s been through. Probably a few amount of people in this world knows what Kyrie goes through. It was hard for him as well. He was forced into a situation where it was business over the friendships, where he had to come into a situation knowing that this is a group of guys that had something going before I come here, how will I fit in? He didn’t want to disrupt that. And that says a lot.

"This is Kyrie Irving we’re talking about. And he’s talking about coming in and disrupting us. We took him in with full arms and we tried to understand it. Like I said, we never really understood. We’re not in his shoes. So that’s just a bullshit statement to say his leadership killed us. There’s four other guys out there, there’s 12, 13 other guys on the team, coaches and everything. So to blame it on one guy is bullshit.”

Jaylen Brown was asked a similar question about Irving later in the day but deflected on giving any kind of direct answer. 

"Nothing is really to be said," Brown said. "It was what it was. Everybody has their own light they have to follow. And it was definitely an up and down season from all of us, from the standpoint of trying to put all the pieces together and it was a letdown. There’s nothing more to say, especially given the city we play for -- Boston, and what everybody’s expecting from people who play in a Celtics uniform. The expectation is a banner or nothing, and we came up with nothing. Definitely a letdown to the Celtics fan base, we apologize for that, but we build on it, we learn, and we try to build for the next opportunity."

When asked whether Smart would plan on recruiting Irving to Boston this summer, he left any decisionmaking in the hands of the point guard.

"I have not," Smart said when asked about talking to Irving about his future. "I think if he wants to talk about it he will. That’s his decision. It’s not for me to ask. That’s not really my business. I love Kyrie as a brother. I talk to Kyrie. I wish nothing for the best. If he decides to stay, if he decides to go, I wish nothing but the best for Kyrie. That’s my brother but I have not talked to him about it and I don’t plan to. That’s his decision."

Irving did not speak with the media at the Auerbach Center along with a host of other players (Al Horford, Marcus Morris, Terry Rozier) who also all spoke after the Game 5 loss in Milwaukee.

Smart is under contract with the Celtics for the next three seasons and as the longest tenured player, he is eager to take on more of a leadership role this offseason.

"The personality I have to bring people together is something that’s special, that makes me special, so guys like being around me, I like being around," Smart said. "And there are my brothers. Everybody likes playing basketball and that’s what we’re here to do so, it wouldn’t be hard to facilitate that. But I definitely want to be that and make sure we get on the track up."

Whether or not Smart will remain in Boston for that chance remains to be seen. He is one of the few players on the roster with trade value and the salary attached to help a big deal go through for a star. Whether or not the Celtics are willing to sacrifice losing some of the team's heart and soul for a much-needed talent upgrade will be a question for the front office to tackle. In the meantime, Smart is committed to doing what he can for the franchise and improving along the way.

"I can’t really focus on the changes that are going to come if any come," he said. "I can just focus on what’s put in front of me and do the best that I can do being the longest-tenured Celtic and being the player and person I am to try to help this team make a run at it. That’s all I can do. That’s all I can control. For me, this summer is really just honing my game even more.

"This is probably, by far, the best year I’ve had in my five years, especially on the offensive end. Each year I plan on getting better on both ends of the court. I’m one of the best two-way players to do it. I’m constantly working. It’s going to take time, it’s not going to be easy, but if I want to do it, it’s just going to happen. So for me just honing my game on every skill and just trying to reach up and increase on that ladder for my talent."