Daily Bullets (May 17)

Hound Dog Smart

The Celtics are reaping the rewards of Marcus Smart’s elite intangibles.

The moments leading up to Smart’s game-sealing layup capture this hound-dog essence. Smart wasn’t very good in the first half, other than this chase-down block:

But this is a guy who can turn everything around with one play.

In Game 7, that play came midway through the third period. Coach Brad Stevens had pulled Thomas, who was being repeatedly picked on by the Wizards offense, and plugged in Smart, who stayed on the floor for the remainder of the game. “I think that our defense really fueled us,” Al Horford said afterward, alluding to the team’s 95.8 defensive rating over the final 18 minutes. “Marcus Smart was just amazing in the third and then the fourth. His presence … he was unbelievable.” [The Ringer]

Smart’s momentum changing hard-nosed plays are sort of his DNA. Sort of like Gundy’s genetic analysis of guys who like to hit. At some point we’ll be forced to juxtapose Smart and Tony Allen’s NBA careers, right?

It’d be incredible if this grinding, defensive stopper becomes a type that Oklahoma State produces. What an ode to Sutton and Iba that would be. Next up: Davon Dillard?

Get Me in the Ballpark

OU’s offensive coordinator making $1.3m is just the ammo Gundy needs.

OU was proactive in rewarding (Lincoln) Riley and making a statement to OSU, to Texas and to anyone else that Sooner football will not take a step back. Gundy, chiefly responsible for the longest sustained run of success in Cowboy football history, now can present the OU example to the decision-makers at OSU.

As long as Gundy’s request for more staff money is reasonable, Oklahoma State officials have no choice but to comply. [TulsaWorld]