A mix of news and notes out of Las Vegas after Team USA wrapped up their third day of training camp on Wednesday afternoon
Smart sidelined with calf injury
One day after Marcus Smart removed himself from practice with a calf injury, Team USA announced the point guard would be out for the remainder of the week as a precautionary measure. After resting this weekend, Team USA will have workouts in Los Angeles next week, at which point Smart will be re-evaluated.
"Right now, for me, I’m trying to grow as a player ... taking those precautions,” Smart told reporters in Las Vegas when asked about the injury. "Last year, or two or three years ago, I probably would have still been out there trying to fight through it. It’s nothing serious so we just want to make sure it doesn’t turn into anything serious.”
Smart has made a good impression at training camp according to a league source and still has a good chance of making the team assuming he gets back on the floor next week. He will have to beat out several other players one of the final spots on the 12-man roster, a task that will be tough considering another bubble point guard (De'Aaron Fox) is having a strong camp too.
However, with the status of Kyle Lowry (thumb surgery) still in question, there may be one more outing in the backcourt than anticipated.
Brad Stevens and Coach K pay a visit
As first reported by BostonSportsJournal.com earlier this week, Brad Stevens made a visit to training camp in Vegas on Wednesday after flying out on Tuesday night. He was spotted here catching up with Jayson Tatum and Coach K after the practice session.
Brad Stevens to Coach K: "Yell at him as much as you can, that way I don't have to" ? pic.twitter.com/ngh5v7iuMi
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) August 7, 2019
Jaylen Brown nearly ended him ?? pic.twitter.com/EGJOubu671
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) August 7, 2019
Now Jaylen’s turn(around) ... pic.twitter.com/jGdLfEX1XB
— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) August 7, 2019
All three healthy C’s were just on court together during scrimmage time. Tatum with an and-1 finish in transition. pic.twitter.com/D6Z633Oth8
— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) August 7, 2019
KEMBA to DONOVAN ? #USABMNT pic.twitter.com/xPX83OYD1C
— NBA (@NBA) August 7, 2019