Marcus Smart and Joel Embiid both had some words for each other after the Celtics loss to the Sixers but they’ll meet again on the court in the 2nd night of a back-to-back
At the heart of the Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers rivalry are two of the NBA's premier instigators: Marcus Smart and Joel Embiid.
Smart and Embiid were at it again Wednesday night, with the former complaining about the latter "flailing" to get foul calls. Embiid snapped back with a dig at Smart, setting up what should be an entertaining rematch Friday night in Philadelphia.
Philly fans surely would boo Smart if Wells Fargo Arena was full Friday night. But in a special crossover edition of the Celtics Talk Podcast, NBC Sports Philadelphia's Sixers Talk duo of Ben Berry and Danny Pommels admitted that the gritty Celtics guard would be beloved in Philly if he played for the Sixers.
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"If he was in Philly, they would love that dude," Berry told NBC Sports Boston's Chris Forsberg and Max Lederman. "Because he's just all grit and determination and hustle and scrappy plays. Yeah, he does flop a bit and have a bit of that Kyle Lowry in him, but I think that basketball IQ that he brings to the Celtics really elevates them in a lot of situations."
While Pommels could do without Smart's flopping, he agreed that Sixers fans would fully embrace the 26-year-old guard, who excels at getting under the skin of his opponents.
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"He's the guy you would love to have on your team but you never want to play against," Pommels said. "I imagine Marcus Smart playing pickups in Timbs or high-top Air Forces; that type of player. He is a gnat at a barbecue. Just annoying. But it'd be nice. Every team wants a player like that."
Smart has elevated his game beyond the role of pest and is averaging career highs in points (13.3) and assists (5.5) through 12 games. The Celtics have leaned on their longest-tenured player at point guard with Kemba Walker sidelined to begin the season, and they'll need his playmaking ability in addition to his hustle to be a serious playoff contender.
But does Boston or Philly have a better shot at making it out of the East? The Celtics Talk and Sixers Talk crew also discussed where both teams rank in the Eastern Conference, what their biggest long-term concerns are and whether Philly fans are scared of a healthy Walker.
Check out the latest episode of the Celtics Talk Podcast on your favorite podcast app or watch it on YouTube below.