Boston Celtics: Marcus Smart’s biggest rivalry is NBA officiating

Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart was fined once again for criticizing NBA officiating following a 119-112 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks Friday night.

Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart doesn’t hold back when it comes to his defensive effort on the basketball court or when it comes to speaking his mind about NBA officiating.

The NBA Defensive Player of the Year candidate has let the refs have it when he feels they aren’t making the right calls in certain situations against certain players.  That has led to a lighter wallet in the land of Disney.

According to the Athletic’s Shams Charania via his Twitter account, Smart was fined $15,000 by the NBA Saturday for comments he made following the team’s 119-112 loss to Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee bucks down in Orlando.

After appearing to take a charge against the Greek Freak during the final two minutes in the Eastern Conference intense battle between the two teams, Marcus Smart instead drew a blocking file after the refs reviewed and reversed the call that kept the reigning NBA MVP in the game instead of giving him the sixth foul that would’ve ended his night.

The decision by the refs was a turning point in the game and you know Smart wasn’t going to let it slide.

"“Wish we got a better (explanation),” Smart said following the game, via ESPN.  “The excuse was I was late on the charge.  They said the replay said I was late and it was a block, but quite frankly I think we all know what that was about: Giannis (Antetokounmpo) with six fouls, they didn’t want to get him out.  We’ll just call that spade a spade, that’s just what it is.”"

Marcus Smart vs. NBA officiating

There are not many Boston Celtics fans who would disagree with Marcus Smart, but the team put themselves in that position for the refs to make the call.

Not only did they have a hard time stopping Antetokounmpo, who had a game-high 36 points, they dug themselves a hole to begin the game.  A 17-2 disadvantage in the opening minutes of the game is just not ideal.

Still, the Celtics had a chance to win the game and Marcus Smart was a big reason for that.

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The energy and toughness he brings to the basketball court when he enters the game is as important as Kemba Walker having a hot shooting night or Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown dominating on both ends of the court.  Smart has proven to be the glue of the team, perhaps their most important leader.

On Friday night, his 23-point effort and play against Giannis Antekokoumpo got the team back in the game and could’ve taken the Greek Freak out of the game during the final minutes.

But, those NBA refs, oh those NBA refs, who have become Smart’s biggest rivalry during his NBA career changed the complexion and potential outcome of that game and no one can blame the Celtics guard for being frustrated.  He just has to learn to choose his words wisely because they will remember what he said and those borderline calls will continue to go against him.

Next time it could cause the Boston Celtics a game in the playoffs or be an even larger withdrawal from his banking account.

The $15,000 fine he received Saturday was actually minor compared to the $35,000 fine he received back in March when he confronted and verbally abused officials in a 129-120 overtime loss to the Brooklyn Nets at TD Garden.

The sum of that fine was sparked by his history of barking back-and-forth with what I am calling his greatest rivals.