Jimmy Butler Calls Marcus Smart ‘Great Actor’ Following Game 4 Feud

Marcus Smart and the Boston Celtics bested the Chicago Bulls in Game 4 on Sunday to even the series at 2-2, with the away team winning each game thus far. It’s been a pretty stunningly close series, given the Celtics, a 1-seed, were an overwhelming favorite coming into the first round to at least advance to the second round.

The chippiness between both teams was ramped up to a new level on Sunday with frustrations flying from the Bulls, who once held a 2-0 series lead. They were blown out by the Celtics. And Marcus Smart (you’ll never believe this!) — was right in the middle of an altercation between Bulls All-Star Jimmy Butler.

Getting chippy between Jimmy Butler and Marcus Smart… pic.twitter.com/CnWD13TUUK

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) April 23, 2017

If you know anything about Marcus Smart, you know he’s about that life. But Jimmy Butler said Smart, who seemingly provoked Butler in the incident on the floor, was um, not about that life.

“He’s a great actor, acting tough,” Butler said. “That’s what he does. But I don’t think he’s about that. I’m the wrong guy to get in my face, so he needs to take it somewhere else because I’m not the one for that.”

He went on.

“Yeah, that’s the first time. Last time, too. We’re not gonna sit here and get in each other’s faces. Like I said, he’s not about that life.”

Jimmy Butler has no patience for Marcus Smart. pic.twitter.com/l6ncsQiuXc

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) April 24, 2017

Smart is a great actor, as Butler said. He’s a very wear-your-heart-on-your-sleeve player, which gives him an edge for Boston, and also gets him in trouble at times as we saw on Sunday. But as long as the Celtics are winning, it makes no difference.

Smart finished with just five points on Sunday, his lowest scoring output of the series, but added eight rebounds, six assists, a block and a steal in a 104-95 win for Boston as they evened the series.