Marcus Smart's Flagrant 2 on Joel Embiid - What would Larry Bird have done?

As always, I looked at the replay many times. Joel Embiid's elbow into Marcus Smart on a screen was an obvious transgression, but Smart's reaction was too quick and too obvious. Last night's game against Philly was winnable - and certainly so if Marcus remained in the game. Joel's foul on Smart required retribution - but the right kind, with the right timing.

Tempers flare in these situations, particularly if you are Marcus Smart. But all eyes were on the Embiid/Smart pair, and there was nothing to be gained by Marcus' shove of Embiid - and everything to lose, including the game. Make no mistake about this. Larry Bird had a fiery temper. And he never backed down to any opponent. He was more…