Watch: Celtics rookie Marcus Smart flops against Mavericks
Celtics point guard Marcus Smart appeared to pretend to take an elbow to the face from Chandler Parsons in the fourth quarter of Monday night's 118-113 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. To put it bluntly: he flopped.
After securing a rebound, Parsons clasped the ball with two hands and began swinging his elbows while surrounded by Celtics big man Jared Sullinger and Smart. As his right elbow approaches Smart's face, the rookie flies backward to imitate absorbing contact. A slow-motion replay reveals Parsons didn't touch Smart.
Smart being involved in a flopping controversy is nothing new. During pre-game introductions in a game at Iowa State last year, Cyclones fans mocked the former Oklahoma State star by coordinating a giant flop in the student section.
The NBA instituted a policy against flopping prior to the 2012 season. Players deemed to have exaggerated contact will be warned for a first offense. Subsequent violations draw fines starting at $5,000. Lance Stephenson, James Harden and Corey Brewer are among the players who have been docked under the policy.
SI.com's Seth Davis broached the topic of flopping in an interview with Smart in May.
Smart also remains unapologetic about the way he plays. Reminded that the NBA issues fines for flopping, Smart shook his head. "They won't fine me because it's going to be legit," he said. "I don't understand what people call flopping. Isn't drawing a foul what you're supposed to do? When you're driving, you throw your body. You draw a foul. If that's a flop, then everybody flops because everybody's trying to draw a foul."
• Video: Klay Thompson throws down poster dunk on Robin Lopez
Smart finished the game with six rebounds, three assists and seven points on 3-of-7 shooting in 25 minutes. The Dallas native was supported by a group of hometown fans at the American Airlines Center, with some reportedly wearing custom t-shirts.
The 6-foot-4, 220-pound guard, whom the Celtics selected with the No. 6 pick of this year's draft, is renowned for his perimeter defense and physicality.
Jeff Green led Boston with 35 points and Avery Bradley had 32. The Mavericks got 29 and 27 points, respectively, from Dirk Nowitzki and Chandler Parsons. The win improved Dallas' record to 3-1 and dropped Boston to 1-2.
