Daily Bullets (September 14)

A Smart Signing

As he approaches a contract year in Boston, Marcus Smart, ESPN’s No. 65 NBA player, continues to short circuit NBA execs who try to appropriately value him.

Smart has become a love-him-or-hate-him player. On one hand, his flopping is annoying and some may argue he hurts his team by committing careless fouls. On the other hand, he finished fifth in charges taken last season and is one of the NBA’s most versatile defenders.

The Celtics traded Jae Crowder and Avery Bradley, but they may still have their best defender. There simply aren’t many (or any) 6-foot-4 guards who can reliably defend anyone from Millsap to Carmelo Anthony to Paul George to Damian Lillard. [The Ringer]

While league intel points to Smart getting Andre Roberson-money ($10m/year), don’t be surprised to see a team making a long term bet on his progression as a shooter….and pay accordingly.

Down on Bourbon Street

Tony Allen has landed in New Orleans on a one-year deal. How will the 13-year NBA veteran fit in?

Now Allen joins a Pelicans team that can certainly make use of his defensive acumen (especially after the loss of starting small forward Solomon Hill for the next six to eight months) but is still very much searching for a way to open up space for its supersize frontcourt of Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins. [The Ringer]

An all-defense player last year, Allen will create value with the loaded wings in the West but probably won’t be a part of an ultra-successful team as the Pelicans are currently constructed.

OSU and NCAA Notes

Jenni Carlson profiles DQ Osborne well….A brief history of unforgettable post-game celebrations….Pundits are high on the Pokes in their power rankings (SI No. 5, CBS No. 6)….Where the Pokes have averaged in the AP polls since 2008….The President at No. 3 in this mock draft

Pretty safe bet the Pokes would make this top five.

Explosive Play (10+) Frequency
(vs 2 FBS opp)

1. UCLA.. 33.1%
2. Louisville.. 30.2
3. Oklahoma.. 29.4
4. USC.. 29.1
5. Oklahoma St.. 28.3

— The Solid Verbal (@SolidVerbal) September 12, 2017

Congrats to the former Poke.

Daniel Cormier is once again the UFC light heavyweight champion. UFC prez Dana White made the call this PM. First reported by UFC Tonight.

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) September 14, 2017

Bring back Les as special teams coach. Do it.

Trickery. #SCtop10 pic.twitter.com/cR5PbLgjSm

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 14, 2017

What You Missed on PFB

• Hayden chats with Ateman about the good ol’ days
• Learn more about center Brad Lundblade in this week’s Six-Shooter
• Some basketball news in the latest Recruiting Reload
• Solid info here on what to expect from Pitt this weekend
• Justin Phillips has become a key member of the 2017 defense
• Mason Rudolph weighs in on Baker’s flag planting

Other Stuff I’m Reading

• The world’s most insane/talented climber and free climbing El Capitan
• Good perspective on failure and your 20’s
• What you need to know about the recent Apple event – iPhone, iWatch news