Make no mistake, Sunday's loss to the Brooklyn Nets stung for the Boston Celtics, in large part because it was a chance to bestow another loss to a team whose unprotected first-round pick will be delivered in June.
But let's face it: Boston can only have an impact on four of Brooklyn's 82 games this season -- less than 5 percent of its schedule. The quality of the pick the Nets deliver is largely outside of the Celtics' control.
No, the loss that really stung Sunday was the news that second-year guard Marcus Smart will miss at least two weeks to a lower leg injury sustained in Friday's lopsided win over the Nets.