Boston Celtics Wolverine-of-the-Hardwood, Marcus Smart, not only played ferocious defense against Greece's Giannis Antetokounmpo in Team USA's 69-53 victory, at times he seemed to be guarding every opponent on the floor.
The first half ended with Team USA up by 13 points, 38-25. Jaylen Brown was high man for Team Shamrock with eight points and an aggressive seven rebounds. Kemba Walker notched five points and three assists. Marcus Smart scored three points but gave Giannis Antetokounpo fits with his defense. Giannis had a first-half high of nine points for Greece. He also matched Brown on rebounds with seven.
In a previous article a year ago, I tried to attach that Wolverine moniker to Marcus Smart by writing the following:
Accolades to Tom Westerholm for his perfect use of the Wolverine nickname for Smart. In my original article a year ago, I included a video of a 50-pound wolverine fighting a 200-pound mountain lion. Today, the 6'4" Smart handled the 6'11" Greek Freak and his cohorts with his usual brand of ferocious defense. Marcus only scored three points but came away with the second-highest plus/minus for Team USA (+18). Kemba Walker finished with 15 points, four rebounds and six assists. Jaylen Brown had eight points and nine boards. Jayson Tatum, as expected, sat out with a sore ankle.
Follow Tom at @CelticsSentinel and @_Celtics_Center
Smart is guarding just about every player on the floor on just about every defensive possession.
— Tom Westerholm (@Tom_NBA) September 7, 2019
The first half ended with Team USA up by 13 points, 38-25. Jaylen Brown was high man for Team Shamrock with eight points and an aggressive seven rebounds. Kemba Walker notched five points and three assists. Marcus Smart scored three points but gave Giannis Antetokounpo fits with his defense. Giannis had a first-half high of nine points for Greece. He also matched Brown on rebounds with seven.
Just watch Marcus Smart work on Giannis and then fly into a closeout. Great stuff. pic.twitter.com/4Vqe6NlP5h
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) September 7, 2019
Just watch Marcus Smart work on Giannis and then fly into a closeout. Great stuff. pic.twitter.com/4Vqe6NlP5h
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) September 7, 2019
HALF: 🇺🇸 USA 38, 🇬🇷 GRE 25@FCHWPO & @Original_Turner score 8 pts. apiece to lead the way as the U.S. holds Greece to 26% shooting in the half.#USAGotGame pic.twitter.com/3yYCKaURpT
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) September 7, 2019
First time I have seen anyone else use that "Wolverine" moniker for Marcus. I love that. And it fits like a glove.
— Tom Lane (@CelticsSentinel) September 7, 2019
In a previous article a year ago, I tried to attach that Wolverine moniker to Marcus Smart by writing the following:
With the regular NBA season starting in several weeks, I once again present my case as to what truly separates Marcus Smart from from most other NBA players. It is his strength and ferocity - much like the Wolverine that can take on virtually every animal, regardless of size, that roams its territory and back it down.
Wolverine of the Hardwood. I like it! There is no one in the League quite like him.
Wolverine: A solitary animal, it has a reputation for ferocity and strength out of proportion to its size, with the documented ability to kill prey many times larger than itself.- Wikipedia
Accolades to Tom Westerholm for his perfect use of the Wolverine nickname for Smart. In my original article a year ago, I included a video of a 50-pound wolverine fighting a 200-pound mountain lion. Today, the 6'4" Smart handled the 6'11" Greek Freak and his cohorts with his usual brand of ferocious defense. Marcus only scored three points but came away with the second-highest plus/minus for Team USA (+18). Kemba Walker finished with 15 points, four rebounds and six assists. Jaylen Brown had eight points and nine boards. Jayson Tatum, as expected, sat out with a sore ankle.
Follow Tom at @CelticsSentinel and @_Celtics_Center
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