Marcus Smart honored by Celtics during his emotional return to Boston
LONDON -- Over the course of nine years, Marcus Smart epitomized the essence of being a Boston Celtics player. He exhibited a fervor and zeal that would have undoubtedly pleased Red Auerbach, and Celtics enthusiasts adored him for it.
Smart stood out as a unique player, always wearing his emotions and enthusiasm on his sleeve. He fully embraced the Celtic identity, and during his tenure in Boston, the team reached the Eastern Conference Finals five times, including a journey to the NBA Finals. Despite not securing a title with the tenacious guard in Green, he remains a cherished figure among those who love the team and those who shared the court with him in Boston.
Following an unexpected offseason trade that saw him move to Memphis and brought Kristaps Porzingis to Boston, Smart experienced an emotional return to Boston on Sunday night. Although he couldn't take the floor due to a right finger injury, his presence resonated throughout the night, and fans ensured he felt their affection.
The Celtics paid tribute to the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year at the first opportunity, presenting a video highlighting some of Smart's standout moments in Boston.
"Playing in this place and playing in this city and with these fans is unlike anything for opposing teams and guys who have played here," he remarked.
Expressing gratitude to the fans, Smart said, "Thank you guys. I love you guys forever. You guys will always be in my heart. Boston will always be in here. So, never forgotten. And thank you."
Jayson Tatum, while not surprised by the crowd's adoration for Smart, was taken aback by something Smart did not do during this special moment.
"The way he played, he wore his heart on his sleeve, and every night he gave it his all. We have some very smart fans, and they saw that. They appreciated that. So it was just really cool to see," Tatum stated. "Happy for him. I'm surprised he didn't cry because that was special."
Though Smart is now making his mark with the Grizzlies, his impact on the Celtics continues. Al Horford mentioned that when he arrived in Boston in 2016, he aimed to team up with players like Smart and Isaiah Thomas. In Smart, Horford recognized a player unafraid to speak his mind and hold others accountable, fostering the leadership development of Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
Smart's influence in Boston extends beyond the basketball court. Throughout his time there, he spent numerous days at Boston Children's Hospital with pediatric cancer patients, and his YoungGameChanger Foundation not only provided life-changing inspiration and experiences for these patients but also serves as a source of "guidance, motivation, encouragement, and empowerment for inner-city student-athletes."
In recognition of his community work, Smart was honored as Sunday night's "Hero Among Us" by the Celtics.
"I pride myself on being more than just a basketball player," Smart remarked. "And I think being here in the city of Boston has really opened that field for me to show who I am as a person."
Since Smart's offseason trade, Sunday night presented Celtics fans with their first opportunity to appreciate the guard for all his contributions, both on and off the court. Their response was overwhelming, and Smart will forever be thankful for the unwavering support from Celtics fans and his former organization.
As Marcus Smart's tribute video concluded, Jayson Tatum encouraged the crowd to get louder. Smart saluted the fans, and the Celtics star, rising from his seat, motioned for them to raise their energy.
Returning to Boston after nine unforgettable years, Smart received a thunderous ovation at TD Garden, reminiscent of his iconic winning plays.
"It was an incredible moment," Tatum said. "You know what he meant to the team, what he meant to the organization, what he meant to the city. He was loved."
Even teammates, despite occasional challenges, loved him. When Jaylen Brown first encountered Smart, he admitted earlier this season that he couldn't stand him. However, personalities clashed, and Smart, who never shied away from speaking his mind, eventually earned the love and respect of Brown and other Celtics players.
"I spent six years with Smart, and that's like a brother to me," Tatum said. "There were some tough days and a lot of great days. Some tough conversations that we had, and there were some great conversations. You just learn, being around Smart long enough, everything that he did and everything he said came from a place of love, him just wanting to win."
Part of what attracted Al Horford to Boston in 2016 was Smart. Even with only two NBA seasons under his belt at that time, Horford saw Smart's potential and respected his commitment to winning.
"One of the reasons why I came here initially in '16 was Isaiah Thomas and Marcus Smart," Horford noted. "I had a lot of respect for Smart even when he was a really young player, and how he cared about winning. Just a very special person."
Smart's impact transcended the basketball court, and his departure in June was a shocking development for those who had grown accustomed to his presence. Tatum and Brown wouldn't be the leaders they are now without Smart's guidance, but they also acknowledge that he is irreplaceable, at least in his unique style.
"It's a collective effort," Tatum said. "We all have to play a part in that. I think that as the years go by, you get more comfortable in your role, in your position, your voice gets louder and louder. You become more of a leader through experiences, and I think that's what's happened."
While Smart is excited about his new chapter in Memphis, he expressed disappointment that he's not with the Celtics to finish what he started in their pursuit of a championship this season. Nevertheless, he takes solace in being one of the key early contributors to the Celtics' current position, and they likely wouldn't be where they are without the standards Smart set, both in the locker room and on the defensive end of the floor.
Smart stood out as a unique player, always wearing his emotions and enthusiasm on his sleeve. He fully embraced the Celtic identity, and during his tenure in Boston, the team reached the Eastern Conference Finals five times, including a journey to the NBA Finals. Despite not securing a title with the tenacious guard in Green, he remains a cherished figure among those who love the team and those who shared the court with him in Boston.
Following an unexpected offseason trade that saw him move to Memphis and brought Kristaps Porzingis to Boston, Smart experienced an emotional return to Boston on Sunday night. Although he couldn't take the floor due to a right finger injury, his presence resonated throughout the night, and fans ensured he felt their affection.
The Celtics paid tribute to the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year at the first opportunity, presenting a video highlighting some of Smart's standout moments in Boston.
"Playing in this place and playing in this city and with these fans is unlike anything for opposing teams and guys who have played here," he remarked.
Expressing gratitude to the fans, Smart said, "Thank you guys. I love you guys forever. You guys will always be in my heart. Boston will always be in here. So, never forgotten. And thank you."
Jayson Tatum, while not surprised by the crowd's adoration for Smart, was taken aback by something Smart did not do during this special moment.
"The way he played, he wore his heart on his sleeve, and every night he gave it his all. We have some very smart fans, and they saw that. They appreciated that. So it was just really cool to see," Tatum stated. "Happy for him. I'm surprised he didn't cry because that was special."
Though Smart is now making his mark with the Grizzlies, his impact on the Celtics continues. Al Horford mentioned that when he arrived in Boston in 2016, he aimed to team up with players like Smart and Isaiah Thomas. In Smart, Horford recognized a player unafraid to speak his mind and hold others accountable, fostering the leadership development of Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
Smart's influence in Boston extends beyond the basketball court. Throughout his time there, he spent numerous days at Boston Children's Hospital with pediatric cancer patients, and his YoungGameChanger Foundation not only provided life-changing inspiration and experiences for these patients but also serves as a source of "guidance, motivation, encouragement, and empowerment for inner-city student-athletes."
In recognition of his community work, Smart was honored as Sunday night's "Hero Among Us" by the Celtics.
"I pride myself on being more than just a basketball player," Smart remarked. "And I think being here in the city of Boston has really opened that field for me to show who I am as a person."
Since Smart's offseason trade, Sunday night presented Celtics fans with their first opportunity to appreciate the guard for all his contributions, both on and off the court. Their response was overwhelming, and Smart will forever be thankful for the unwavering support from Celtics fans and his former organization.
As Marcus Smart's tribute video concluded, Jayson Tatum encouraged the crowd to get louder. Smart saluted the fans, and the Celtics star, rising from his seat, motioned for them to raise their energy.
Returning to Boston after nine unforgettable years, Smart received a thunderous ovation at TD Garden, reminiscent of his iconic winning plays.
"It was an incredible moment," Tatum said. "You know what he meant to the team, what he meant to the organization, what he meant to the city. He was loved."
Even teammates, despite occasional challenges, loved him. When Jaylen Brown first encountered Smart, he admitted earlier this season that he couldn't stand him. However, personalities clashed, and Smart, who never shied away from speaking his mind, eventually earned the love and respect of Brown and other Celtics players.
"I spent six years with Smart, and that's like a brother to me," Tatum said. "There were some tough days and a lot of great days. Some tough conversations that we had, and there were some great conversations. You just learn, being around Smart long enough, everything that he did and everything he said came from a place of love, him just wanting to win."
Part of what attracted Al Horford to Boston in 2016 was Smart. Even with only two NBA seasons under his belt at that time, Horford saw Smart's potential and respected his commitment to winning.
"One of the reasons why I came here initially in '16 was Isaiah Thomas and Marcus Smart," Horford noted. "I had a lot of respect for Smart even when he was a really young player, and how he cared about winning. Just a very special person."
Smart's impact transcended the basketball court, and his departure in June was a shocking development for those who had grown accustomed to his presence. Tatum and Brown wouldn't be the leaders they are now without Smart's guidance, but they also acknowledge that he is irreplaceable, at least in his unique style.
"It's a collective effort," Tatum said. "We all have to play a part in that. I think that as the years go by, you get more comfortable in your role, in your position, your voice gets louder and louder. You become more of a leader through experiences, and I think that's what's happened."
While Smart is excited about his new chapter in Memphis, he expressed disappointment that he's not with the Celtics to finish what he started in their pursuit of a championship this season. Nevertheless, he takes solace in being one of the key early contributors to the Celtics' current position, and they likely wouldn't be where they are without the standards Smart set, both in the locker room and on the defensive end of the floor.
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