Your Morning Dump… Where Marcus Smart tried to run thru DeMarcus Cousins’ chest

Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big storyline. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.

“I did have an issue (with Smart),” said Cousins, who had received a first-quarter technical for screaming at ref Danny Crawford and was ejected. “It didn’t start with the box-out. It was the pick. He tried to run through my chest, then he came and I felt he took a cheap shot on the box-out, and that’s what resulted to what happened.

“But even with that being said, I’ve got to make better decisions. The team depends on me every night, and I just can’t do things like that.”

By that point, more than 20 minutes after the game, Cousins appeared to have settled down. That wasn’t the case in the immediate aftermath.

According to multiple sources, Cousins said, “That’s OK. I’ll get him after the game,” on his way from the scene. There was, therefore, a bit larger security presence in the hallway between the two dressing rooms.

“To be honest, I’m not really worried about that,” (Smart) said of the altercation after going for 11 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals. “He knows that I’m not going to back down from it. I don’t see why I got the tech though, but it’s all good. They didn’t really tell me that, but it’s all good. I’m one of those guys that’s not going to back down from anything, so I’m going to let that be known.”

Boston Herald

Attaboy, Marcus.

I’m not praising Smart for his toughness, I’m praising him for his poise.

Would anyone have blamed Marcus if he jumped up and started swinging after that take down? I wouldn’t have.

His maturity was a big issue coming out of college. Less than a year ago, he confronted a fan in the stands.

Now he’s in the NBA mixing it up with a crazy sob like DeMarcus Cousins and not losing his cool. That’s maturity.

While Smart is getting all the credit for the Celtics increased physicality in yesterday’s win, Tyler Zeller deserves more. It was his flagrant 1 on Cousins that truly set the tone.

Related links: ESPN – Smart, Celtics toughen up | Globe – Smart sets tone by getting physical | WEEI – Smart’s post game interview | CSNNE – Smart not backing down

On Page 2, Rondo will try not to cry on Friday night.

The Mavs face the Celtics at TD Garden on Friday night, and Rondo wistfully looks forward to a warm reception from a crowd he called “one of if not the best fans in sports, period.”

“Hopefully I won’t be too emotional, try not to cry a little bit, but I’m very excited to go back,” Rondo said. “Those fans are amazing there. If I do [tear up], hopefully the camera isn’t on me too much. I’m going to try to blink a lot.”

“That’s where I started. That’s where I got molded,” Rondo said. “That’s where everything happened for me. The best years are still ahead of me, but I was an All-Star four times, won a championship in Boston. I can’t thank the fans enough.

“Even when we were losing 18 in a row the first year, the fans still showed a lot of support. They came to every game. When I was out on the streets, they didn’t kill me or heckle me. It was always supportive. They’re true fans. They’re not fair-weather fans, when you’re losing, they’re gone. They ride it out and be a Celtic for life.”

ESPN Boston

He’s only been gone a few weeks, but Rondo is getting a tribute video right? There’s no doubt about that, right?

The rest of the links:

Globe – Turner makes most of start at PG | Herald – C’s dominate Kings to end slide | Zeller a bright light for Celtics | CSNNE – Nelson, Smart give boost off bench | Turner making his point as starter |