Boston Celtics’ Phil Pressey welcomes Marcus Smart as competition
The Boston Celtics drafted guard Marcus Smart in last week’s NBA Draft, and they intend on re-singing Avery Bradley. They’ve been threatening to trade Rajon Rando for what feels like two years now — maybe more. Thus, it would be normal for former undrafted free agent Phil Pressey to be shaking in his Nike boots. But, like a good athlete, he’s not. He’s happy to fight for a spot in the crowded back court.
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“Whenever you have someone at your position, you feel like, ‘what’s going on?'” Pressey said, via CSN Washington. “It’s competition. The more you compete, the more the team gets better and guys really getting after it. Every year in, somebody else is going to come in your position or somebody else’s positions; just keep working, trying to get better.”
Though if Pressey wants a spot on the team, he’s going to have to exhibit a great deal of improvement between now and the start of next season.
“I feel great,” Pressey said, via CSN Washington. “I just have to keep proving myself. There’s a chip on my shoulder since Day One. It’s not gonna change. I just have to keep working on my game and try to win as much as possible. That’s all I can control.”
Pressey has the right approach, but at this point, he probably wishes he was a bit taller and could move positions. The 5-foot-11, former Missouri Tiger would do much better in the thins positions in Boston’s front court.
Rajon Rondo thinks Smart fits with the Celtics, which begs the question: Does Rondo?