NBA Notebook: Marcus Smart talks point guard role under Joe Mazzulla

MONTREAL — Marcus Smart went through a long stretch in a makeshift training room inside the bowels of the Bell Center with Joe Mazzulla chatting by his side. They've done that for years now, Smart respecting Mazzulla's efforts at West Virginia and fiery intensity. They both trained in fighting styles, Mazzulla growing advanced in his, while Smart practiced Muay Thai. 

The area that normally hosts Canadiens hockey became the locker room and a chance for a current and former point guard to talk shop. Mazzulla still takes part in drills, scrimmages and rebounds for players like he did as an assistant. It's fun, Mazzulla said, and he doesn't want to change who he is, but now he makes the final decisions, philosophies and game plans that'll shape the Celtics. Like his predecessor, Mazzulla is empowering Smart as the team's point guard in a crowded backcourt.

"I trust him completely," Mazzulla said. "(Smart) told me what (his role) was going to be. Me and Smart have had great conversations, like I said, we were both point guards. We've both been around each other for a long time and so our conversations are about how can we affect the game on both ends of the floor and make the right play? And he's done a great job focusing on that, and like I said, I fully trust him to make the right play." 

Smart returned the favor, backing Mazzulla's ascension to interim head coach as forcefully as any player on the team. They've worked together going back to the Bubble season, before Damon Stoudamire arrived as another key voice and former point guard in Smart's ear. Now, he's surrounded by them, on and off the floor, with Malcolm Brogdon and Derrick White's arrival adding to the layers of ball handlers in the room. They're all point guards, to some degree, in the traditional sense of playing with the ball in their hands. The organizational factor separates Smart, whether he's on the ball calling a play or screening to help create matchup advantages for Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. 

He took pride in ascending to the position nonetheless last year, whether as a starter after playing behind Kyrie Irving, Isaiah Thomas and Kemba Walker, or simply garnering more touches, increasing from 58.7 per game in 2019-20 to 65.2 last season. Smart's role expanded as he gained more trust as the team's playmaker around January, focusing himself more on passing and less on shooting. The player who owns the single-game three-point shooting record in Celtics history now focuses on setting others up, and like he told Celtics radio broadcaster Cedric Maxwell on an elevator ride late last season, letting the point guard do his job helped key Boston's turnaround. 

"In high school, I was a point guard, I went to college as a point guard and then the Celtics drafted me as a point guard," Smart told Boston Sports Journal before the Celtics lost Friday's preseason finale to Toronto. "If it quacks like a duck, sounds like a duck, acts like a duck, stop trying to make it a dog, it's a duck. For me to be able to do my job is what I do. That's just simply what I do. We're all ball-handlers, but to be able to take that pressure of Jaylen and Jayson, to give them the ball in a spot where they don't have to use or exert as much energy is my job."

While playing more often with the ball in his hands helped Smart, his huge frame and defensive presence against smaller point guards and the ability to switch across every position defensively paid dividends in Ime Udoka's system. Udoka had emphasized in training camp how well Smart would translate to their new scheme and it led to the first guard winning defensive player of the year since the 1990s. 

That part changed into Mazzulla's camp, with Robert Williams III's injury and personnel dictating smaller lineups. The Celtics played ultra-small at times, mixed in more traditional coverages defensively and acclimated newer players like Sam Hauser, Blake Griffin and Brogdon into the defense, requiring more communication from active communication from experienced switchers like Grant Williams and Smart. 

White joined the starting lineup in Williams III's place in all four preseason games, leaving bench point guard minutes to Brogdon and creating layers of offensive fluidity for an offense that led the preseason in three-point attempts (49.3) and threes made (19.0) per game, Boston averaging a league-high 31.0 assists per game while throwing the ball around a little too often (18.5 TOV, 22nd). Grant believed from the early days of camp that the Celtics already stood ready to play regular season games. Smart left the final preseason game emphasizing details left be ironed out. 

Following the first preseason win over Charlotte, Brogdon said the biggest question would be who takes the ball up for the Celtics. He conceded that role, as well as his three seasons of starting, to Smart upon arrival, squashing any notion Brogdon arrived to replace or compete with Smart for minutes. They've acknowledged they'll share the floor together in important moments often, and on a team aiming to fire outlet passes, get out in transition and pile up stops, the point guard could be decided on any given play by who grabs the rebound, an area where Boston struggled at in the preseason. 

"At any given moment, anybody with the ball can run any play we have," Smart told BSJ. "It's not, 'I need the ball to run the play.' If Jaylen has it, he's running it, or if Jayson has it. There's certain plays where we don't want those guys handling, because we want them in a different type of position to score the ball. So you want me, Derrick, or somebody else having it ... there's a lot of mismatches, so for us to have the ball, (Brown and Tatum) are going to have the best defenders on them. For us to have the ball and then create that space and then that advantage for those two is big for them." 

Smart and Brogdon knew each other before becoming teammates through Brogdon's brother's girlfriend, who's a friend of Smart's girlfriend, and they often shared conversations during and after games. Their relationship as teammates has grown well, Smart said, both approaching the game a similar way based on taking advantage of the extra pressure Brown and Tatum draw, manipulating it to find their own lanes to the basket, then keeping the ball moving. The Celtics' preseason offense did a great job of repositioning shooters like Brown, Tatum and even Hauser for open looks. Brogdon and Smart combined for 10.4 assists per game, while White added 3.0 APG and became an active ball screener alongside Smart for the stars.  

That makes the pair unique, White noticing he set as many if not more picks than Boston's big men during the playoffs, another step in the evolution of the point guard in a starting lineup where all five Celtics can make a play. Brogdon chose Boston over Toronto, he revealed on Sirius XM, when he could've potentially received a straighter shot at a starting role on the Raptors. 

"(Smart's) a great guy," Brogdon said. "Always is spirited, always is positive, always willing to hold guys accountable. He's the leader and the type of point guard you're going to want for a team like this. To be able to work with him and play with him, it's going to be great ... it's been great. It's a new adjustment of course, but for me, I embrace it, man. I took on a lot of load in Indiana, I enjoyed it, but this is a new role, a new team, a new level of team, to be honest, that's competing for a championship. So we're going to have more ball-handlers, more guys that have more skills and more strengths. I enjoy playing with them, they make the game easier for me." 

Here's what else happened in the NBA this week

Atlanta: Among Jae Crowder's preferred destinations as his waiting game for a trade from the Suns continues. Phoenix wants a viable replacement, and may find one in De'Andre Hunter if the Hawks and their young forward don't come to terms on a contract extension. The Hawks haven't expressed interest in trading Hunter, but he'll enter restricted free agency next summer on an increasingly expensive roster and has battled injuries early in his career. At $9.8 million in salary this year, he matches Crowder's $10.2 million exactly, and his production exceeded Crowder's last year. 

Boston: Jake Fischer reported the Celtics don't seem poised to agree to an extension with Grant Williams ahead of next week's deadline on Oct. 17. Fischer had previously indicated Keldon Johnson might've set the market for a Williams extension with his four-year, $80 million extension earlier this summer. While Williams doesn't have the offensive upside of Johnson, despite flashing driving potential off the dribble, he's among the most versatile defenders in the NBA. Being able to front Giannis Antetokounpo and Kevin Durant, if he proves capable again, should lead to a hefty payday in restricted free agency with plenty of money available. The Celtics, if they don't get a deal done now, retain the right to match other offers next summer.

They aren't a likely contender for Crowder, despite reported interest in Derrick White on the Phoenix side. White started Boston's four preseason games and played well as a finisher, screener and point-of-attack defender after an uneven finish to last season after arriving from San Antonio.

Brooklyn: Ben Simmons is shooting 57.1% from the on 14 tries while averaging 5.7 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 6.3 APG and 3.3 turnovers in three games this preseason. He hasn't taken jump shots and struggled to hit free throws (1/6). ESPN's Nick Friedell spoke to him about his Nets experience so far and leaving Philadelphia, Simmons saying he has no relationship with former teammate Joel Embiid. 

"I don't talk to Jo. We never really spoke," Simmons said. "I don't think there was really a relationship there. Like in terms of a friendship? You can try as hard as you want to try to be close to somebody, be their friend, whatever it is, but everyone is different as people, so for me, it's never personal. I don't have any anger or hate towards him. He is who he is and I am who I am. And we've got our personal lives. And work is basketball, so in that moment, my goal is to win and I got to win with Jo. He's a great player, we just didn't get it done." 

Charlotte: LaMelo Ball sprained his left ankle, placing his availability for the Hornets' opener on Wednesday in San Antonio in question. The Hornets won't rush Ball back after he stepped on a Wizards player's foot during Monday's exhibition. He missed Charlotte's final preseason game on Wednesday, though averted fears of a more serious injury than the Grade 2 sprain Ball suffered. 

Chicago: Some hope following an ominous training camp where Lonzo Ball underwent a third knee surgery -- Ayo Dosunmu's readiness to step into Ball's starting role and an aggressive Patrick Williams scoring 22 points on 17 shots in the preseason finale before joining two all-star perimeter players in Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan. The Bulls open the season on Wednesday at Miami.

Cleveland: Evan Mobley returned from his sprained ankle on Friday against the Magic, scoring eight points with two rebounds and assists in the first half before sitting in the second. Mobley's return reunites him with all-stars Jarrett Allen and Collin Sexton, who already got a head start on helping acclimate Donovan Mitchell to the Cavaliers. Those three sat and allowed Caris LeVert to find a rhythm alongside the big man as they prepare to open against the Raptors in Toronto on Wednesday. 

Denver: GM Calvin Booth addressed expectations for the Nuggets and plans to reintegrate Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. early this season. Porter won't face limitations unless some back tightness occurs. Murray, who suffered a hamstring injury during camp, should be ready to start and Booth expressed hopes he'll build momentum toward all-star candidacy early in the season. That's all exciting news for a legitimate west contender who I can't wait to see with Bruce Brown added into the mix. They open on Wednesday in Utah. 

Detroit: Will waive former Celtics point guard Kemba Walker, who appeared at the Hornets-Celtics preseason game in Greensboro as his status on the Pistons got resolved. The Knicks, who signed Walker to a two-year, $17.9 million contract after Oklahoma City bought him out of his contract he originally signed with Boston, traded him to the Pistons in a series of salary dump moves alongside Alec Burks and Nerlens Noel. A waive, rather than buyout, cuts the Pistons down to 15 players before the regular season and likely nets Walker his full remaining salary, but casts some uncertainty on his NBA future after a string of injury-plagued 2019-2022 seasons where he averaged 17.7 PPG on 41.9% shooting and 45 games played.

Golden State: The Warriors did not suspend Draymond Green for punching Jordan Poole at practice earlier this month. Green spoke with the media on his future with the team, not expecting an extension to get done as the regular season looms. That doesn't preclude a return to Golden State, with a player option still available to the veteran, he said, discounting any contractual statuses inspiring the spat between Green and Poole. The duo exchanged a handshake before the Warriors' final preseason game, and former Warrior Kevin Durant weighed in, saying he doesn't expect the punch to derail the team. Golden State opens its season on Tuesday against the Lakers with Green expected to join his teammates for their ring ceremony and play. 

Houston: Will waive veteran big man Derrick Favors, who will become a coveted free agent days from opening night after the Thunder traded him to Houston following an uneven season there. Favors had been owed $10.2 million this season, setting up the possibility he joins a new team on the veteran minimum. The Rockets already released Theo Maledon, who signed with Charlotte, Moe Harkless and Ty Jerome following the cap maneuvering deal that sent numerous players between the two teams in various directions shortly before the season. As for remaining Rockets, Jabari Smith Jr. (ankle) hopes to play in the team's opener at the Hawks while fellow rookie Tari Eason logged a dominant preseason, averaging 17.8 PPG, 9.0 RPG and 1.3 SPG while shooting 63.6%. Look out for the Clippers and Nets, both in need of backup bigs and potential title contenders, as suitors for Favors. 

Indiana: Malcolm Brogdon spoke at Celtics practice this week about how he realized midway through last season as the losses piled up that he and the Pacers may ultimately go in different directions. Indiana couldn't trade Brogdon during the year due to the mechanics of the extension he signed with the team during the prior summer, but the Pacers ultimately worked with him to find a new destination where he could win. Brogdon expressed appreciation for how they handled the situation. 

The Celtics and Raptors emerged as suitors, Brogdon said, following up on those conversations on SIRIUS-XM Radio, and he chose Boston. Toronto head coach Nick Nurse didn't know about the Brogdon pursuit when asked by BSJ on Friday. 

"I woke up and said, woah, that was a good pickup by Boston," Nurse said. 

Lakers: A cropped broadcast apparently lost the context of Russell Westbrook speaking to an official after a foul call while Patrick Beverley tried to pull the Lakers together for a brief on-court meeting. Anthony Davis and LeBron James arrived in the huddle during the team's preseason loss to the Timberwolves. Westbrook never arrived after allowing the Jaden McDaniels basket, and regardless of the reason, as the Lakers reportedly brace for news Dennis Schröder suffered a long-term finger injury, realigned Westbrook to the bench for the preseason finale on Friday, in the words of Darvin Ham. Westbrook left the game with an injured hamstring. LA opens its season on Tuesday at the Warriors. 

Miami: Will start reigning sixth man of the year Tyler Herro after he took over for Max Strus in Wednesday's preseason finale against the Pelicans. The Heat host the Bulls to open the season. Herro scored 23 points on 8-for-15 shooting in the win. 

"It's the versatility," Erik Spoelstra said. "That's what he can bring to whatever lineup. He can play off the ball. I think that's really helpful in that starting lineup. But he can also play with the ball and can be extremely dangerous in the pick-and-rolls off the dribble, in transitions. He pretty showed all of that in the short sample size (Wednesday)."

Minnesota: Will start Jaden McDaniels after an offseason where the Wolves raved about their ability to keep the 22-year-old forward in the Rudy Gobert deal. Brian Windhorst dove deep on the Gobert trade that reportedly shocked the Wolves' players. McDaniels will join D'Angelo Russell, Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns and Gobert, opening the season on Wednesday against the Thunder.

New Orleans: Zion Williamson sprained his left ankle and missed the Pelicans' preseason finale against Atlanta. The injury occurred on the foot opposite of the one he broke that cost him the entire 2021-22 season. He said he'll be fine, finishing the Miami game where the injury occurred to wrap up the preseason with 11.3 PPG, 4.0 RPG and 2.8 APG on 50% shooting in four games. Willie Green added that the injury won't be a long-term issue. 

“I want to use the right term, but in the moment, it didn’t feel too good,” Williamson said. “It was one of those things that happened and I popped back up like, ‘Yeah, I’m straight.’ Played a few minutes after that, felt fine, then they sent me to the back just to double-check.”

New York: Quentin Grimes (foot) returned from injury to make his preseason debut against the Wizards, shooting 0-for-2 with 0 points ahead of a likely return to the bench after Evan Fournier claimed the starting two-guard spot again. Fournier, who recently discussed driving his scooter to Madison Square Garden, averaged 5.7 PPG on 33.3% shooting in three preseason games. He'll join RJ Barrett (19.8 PPG) and Jalen Brunson (17.8 PPG) as key offensive players on a team that'll need to score, relying on Julius Randle, Grimes and others to improve on a poor defensive season. New York opens at Memphis on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the team appeared in headlines off the floor again for banning lawyers who had sued the MSG company. 

Orlando: The Celtics get a chance to face No. 1 overall pick Paolo Banchero when they travel to Orlando next weekend, who stands among the most exciting players to watch entering this season. Banchero averaged 14.0 PPG and 5.2 RPG on 45.1% shooting in five preseason games, scoring 17 points in the team's finale against Cleveland. Injuries to Markelle Fultz and Jalen Suggs likely land the ball in his hands more too, trying to lift the team above its 29th overall offensive rating in 2021-22. Suggs avoided a serious knee injury during a scary preseason fall on the court, returning to practice on Thursday, but limited to shooting drills ahead of the Magic's opener at Detroit on Wednesday. 

Phoenix: Jae Crowder remains on the Suns days from the regular season after staying home from training camp, a move that surprised a rival executive who spoke with Jake Fischer. The Hawks joined a motivated effort by the Heat, though the Suns have maintained a desire to replace Crowder with a formidable wing who can play alongside Cam Johnson, who's expected to take over as a starter in Crowder's place. Phoenix checked on Jordan Clarkson, with the draft pick compensation necessary to get a deal like that done unclear. Boston and Memphis, suitors reported early following Crowder's trade demand, aren't actively pursuing the wing who used to play for both teams. The Suns open against the Mavs on Wednesday. 

Portland: Gary Payton II (abdominal) will miss at least two weeks as he sits to start the regular season, recently undergoing abdominal surgery similar to the one that challenged new teammates Damian Lillard and Nassir Little last season. A Blazers released indicated he's progressed well in his recovery, but won't be ready for opening night. Lillard spoke to The Ringer about his commitment to Portland ahead of his return from injury and how he almost departed the team following the 2021 season. Portland opens at the Kings on Wednesday. 

Sacramento: De'Aaron Fox. Domantas Sabonis. Keegan Murray. Kevin Huerter. Malik Monk. Davion Mitchell. Mike Brown. Is the curse over? Sabonis previewed an exciting Kings season, something that hasn't been said in years as the team tries to end an NBA record and the current longest playoff drought in major North American sports. I think they have what it takes to do it, though it may require a play-in victory.

"(Brown's) a defensive coach," Sabonis said. "He’s definitely trying to make life easy for us in terms of the terminology. The defensive stuff we’re doing is going to help us out. It’ll depend on us. He’s giving us all the answers and the system of how we want to play as a team. Defense is about effort and competing. If we compete every game, it’s going to be tough."

San Antonio: Former Celtics wing Romeo Langford might've saved his job on the Spurs with a breakthrough preseason performance, scoring 11 points in 14 minutes against the Jazz as roster cuts loom. Langford is on the roster bubble after rarely playing following his trade to San Antonio, continuing that quiet stretch until Tuesday night.

Toronto: Impressed in their preseason finale win over the Celtics, frustrating Jayson Tatum on his way to an ejection picking up a pair of technical fouls. O.G. Anunoby exploded for a 20-point first quarter, scoring inside and out before finishing with 32 points on 13-for-21 shooting. Scottie Barnes added 25 points on 10-for-20 shooting entering his second season, while Khem Birch's shootaround comments raving about rookie Christian Koloko's preseason translated to 12 points on 6-for-6 shooting in +8 minutes off the bench. Juancho Hernángomez will make the team as a rotation fixture off the bench, joining a long, active team that should be extremely competitive in the east again. They open on Wednesday against the Cavaliers. 

Utah: The least watchable team entering 2022-23, according to Zach Lowe. Hard to disagree. Will Danny Ainge break his record for trades from 2013-2014 in Boston?