Veteran Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart turns 26 today, but feels like he’s been with the team for ages.
While he’s only just past the quarter-century mark, the Texan defensive whirlwind has been making cagy vet plays for years, and has grown each and every season he’s been with the team.
Long an offensive liability in his early career for taking heat-check shots with reckless abandon, the Flower Mound native would slowly hone his craft, improving to a legitimate threat from beyond the arc last season despite starting his career as one of the worst to shot the shot at a high volume.
He’s done all this while maintaining and even improving his defensive chops, becoming what he likes to refer to as a “stretch six” in a nod to his ability to defend almost any player in the league for short stretches.
36 is 26 🎉☘️🎂
Happy birthday @smart_MS3! pic.twitter.com/txeoeuGR9c
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) March 6, 2020
He’s emerged as the heart and soul of a resurgent Celtics squad poised to contend in the East in a season most expected a rebuild or at least retooling, and is for all intents and purposes the unofficial captain of the team.
Perhaps most important of all, he’s consistently present for those who ride with him, whether it be teammates, coaches or even fans — the man’s kindness and consideration are is intense on the tender side of his heart as the fury he can unleash on those who get in his way.
We’re blessed to have No. 36 in green and white, and thankful for his contributions to Boston Celtics basketball — happy birthday, Marcus Osmand Smart.
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