Stephen A. on M&M: C's 'a superior team'

Stephen A. Smith of ESPN joined Mut & Merloni on Wednesday to talk about the Celtics-Hawks playoff series. The Celtics lost Game 5 Tuesday night in Atlanta when Rajon Rondo lost the ball in the closing seconds, but they are one win away from eliminating the Hawks.

"The Celtics are just a better team, they're a superior team," Smith said. "If you have a reason to be concerned, it's regarding the health of Paul Pierce. That's it. Rajon Rondo making the mistake that he made, no big deal, it happens. I have a bigger problem with his lack of a perimeter shot, like I've always had. [There's] nothing about his game as a point guard that fazes me in the slightest."

Smith predicts big things from Rondo in Game 6 Thursday night, and he sees the Hawks' season coming to an end.

"I think Rajon Rondo is one of the best point guards in the game, and he's going to be hellacious tomorrow, because he has big-time attitude whenever he messes up in a game and he cost them," Smith said. "Just like he got ejected and removed in Game 2, what does he do? He comes back and he records a triple-double. This is what he does.

"When [the Celtics] turn it up a notch, Atlanta, particularly on the road, just does not have the heart to go up against the Celtics."

Contrary to the Hawks, the Celtics have impressed with their resurgence that began late in the regular season. Smith said that's no surprise, given their makeup.

"I just know these guys," Smith said of the Celtics. "They don't talk much, particularly to the media. But in my own way I've known these guys and spoken to these guys on numerous occasions throughout my 15-plus years of covering the NBA. And I just know them well enough to know what level of pride they have. And there is no way that they were going to go out easily. If they're going to go out, they're going to go down on their sword. They're going to go down swinging. You're going to have to take them out, because they're not giving you an inch. That's who they are, that's the way they're built."

Looking at the Celtics' chances of winning the East, Smith said: "They are not a team to ignore. Do I think they will beat Miami? No. Do I think they can? Yes. And it will be a hard out. They will not go down easy. It's going to be total warfare when they go up against anybody. And God help Miami if Paul Pierce is healthy."

Smith also raved about Celtics coach Doc Rivers.

Said Smith: "I think that Doc Rivers is arguably the best coach in the NBA. … I look at a coach not just X's and O's, but are you a leader of men? And I just don't know a better leader than Doc Rivers. I just don't know. I've known him for years. I'm not just a reporter, I'm not just a pundit, a commentator -- when it comes to him, I am a fan. He's just the real deal, in every way. And if I were a player, I'd want to play for him. If I had a son and he played in the NBA, I'd want him to play for Doc Rivers.

"He's just a leader of men. And that's the biggest compliment I know to give to any coach. And he deserves just as much if not more than any coach that I've ever covered in all my years covering the NBA."

To hear the interview, go to the Mut & Merloni audio on demand page. For more Celtics news, visit the team page at weei.com/celtics.