Tag: marcus smart

On this day: Marcus Smart, Michael Finley, Shaquille O’Neal born; Jayson Tatum hangs 54 points on the Nets

A trio of Celtics came into this world on this date, and Jayson Tatum went off for 54 points.

On this day in Boston Celtics history, veteran Celtics guard Marcus Osmond Smart was born in Flower Mound, Texas in 1994. The future Celtic defensive specialist would play his college ball with the Oklahoma State University Cowboys. There, he won Big 12 Player of the Year and NCAA Second Team All-American honors in 2013 and was named a National Association of Basketball Coaches Third Team All-American the following year.

He was taken sixth overall in the 2014 NBA draft and has played solely with the Celtics ever since. Smart garnered All-Rookie Second Team honors in 2015, and All-Defensive First Team honors in 2019, 2020, and 2022, earning Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2022 as well before being dealt to the Memphis Grizzlies in 2023.

Happy birthday, Marcus!

Xavier Tillman, Sr. on what Marcus Smart told him about the Boston Celtics

It helps to have an advance scout.

It helps to have an advance scout when you are playing a team that has seen a lot of change from one season to the next, and when you are the one changing teams, an advance scout of sorts can also be very helpful. That’s the situation new Boston Celtics backup big man Xavier Tillman, Sr. recently found himself in after being dealt from the Memphis Grizzlies to the Celtics.

Tillman had the pleasure of playing alongside former Boston floor general Marcus Smart this season, and when word broke he was headed to Smart’s former team ahead of the 2024 NBA deadline, the Flower Mound native had some pearls of wisdom for Tillman.

“He was just telling me about his experience here,” said the former Memphis big in his first appearance to the Boston media corp via NBC Sports Boston.

“The main thing he told me is, (Boston) is very similar to Memphis in terms of the grit and the grind and how hard you have to work for the fans’ appreciation,” he later added. “And once you do show that you’re willing to hustle, they’re going to love you after that.”

It certainly worked for Smart, to say the least.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

[lawrence-auto-related count=1 category=590969556]

Did Marcus Smart help shape Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown?

In truth, Smart likely played a part in Tatum and Brown’s development.

Marcus Smart‘s tenure with the Boston Celtics may be over, but his fingerprints can still be seen throughout the team’s roster. The veteran guard helped instill a defense-first mentality among his teammates, often leading by example. He epitomized what it means to wear a Celtics jersey and the commitment required to earn the respect of a fan base that demands championship effort.

During a recent upload to the WEEI YouTube channel, Andy Gresh and Christian Fauria discuss the level of impact Smart had on his teammates. They also ponder whether Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown evolved into the two-way talents we see today in part because of Smart’s leadership and high standards. 

In truth, Smart likely played a part in Tatum and Brown’s development. However, the All-Star forwards likely positively impacted Smart’s growth, too. That’s what happens when a roster has long-term continuity; everybody grows with each other and learns together.

You can watch the full episode by clicking on the embedded link above.

Listen to the “Green With Envy” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3DoLhYK

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3Oj4dhD

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3K8MbvY

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=590969557 tag=648387045]

How did Marcus Smart help shape Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown?

Marcus Smart was a leader for the Boston Celtics. Did his high standards and commitment to defense help mold Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown?

Marcus Smart‘s tenure with the Boston Celtics may be over, but his fingerprints can still be seen throughout the team’s roster. The veteran guard helped instill a defense-first mentality among his teammates, often leading by example. He epitomized what it means to wear a Celtics jersey and the commitment required to earn the respect of a fanbase that demands championship effort.

During a recent upload to the WEEI YouTube channel, Andy Gresh and Christian Fauria discuss the level of impact Smart had on his teammates. They also ponder whether Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown evolved into the two-way talents we see today in part because of Smart’s leadership and high standards. 

In truth, Smart likely played a part in Tatum and Brown’s development. However, the All-Star forwards likely positively impacted Smart’s growth, too. That’s what happens when a roster has long-term continuity; everybody grows with each other and learns together.

You can watch the full episode by clicking on the embedded link above.

Listen to the “Green With Envy” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3DoLhYK

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3Oj4dhD

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3K8MbvY

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=590969557 tag=648387045]

Should the Boston Celtics retire Marcus Smart’s jersey number?

Is there enough of a connection between Smart, the Celtics, and their fans to warrant it?

You love him. You trust him. But now he plays for the Memphis Grizzlies, traded away from the Boston Celtics before he could win a title with the ball club that drafted him out of Oklahoma State. We are of course talking about veteran floor general Marcus Smart, who recently made his first trip back to Boston to face the Celtics at TD Garden as a member of the Grizzlies.

As weird as it might have been at first, it felt like old times almost as soon as the Flower Mound native was seen in the building. Is there enough of a connection between Smart, the Celtics, and their fans to warrant retiring his number with Boston?

This is a contentious question, and on a recent episode of the CLNS Media “Celtics Beat” podcast, Boston Globe reporter Gary Washburn and the hosts of the pod debated this question in light of Smart’s return.

Check out the clip embedded above to hear what they had to say.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

[lawrence-auto-related count=1 category=590969556]

Fans of the Boston Celtics recounting their favorite Marcus Smart moments

From his clutch plays to save games to the time he spent connecting with locals through charitable work or just being friendly, Smart was missed mightily.

It was not just the former Boston Celtics teammates of Marcus Smart who were excited to see the Flower Mound native return to TD Garden this past Sunday night. Fans of Smart abounded in the streets surrounding the arena before the game, and packed the house to pay their respects to the Oklahoma State alum.

The folks behind CLNS Media’s “Garden Report” podcast took some time to talk to those fans on the street and in the Garden before the game. The fans shared some of their favorite memories of Smart with the Celtics over the course of the nine seasons the Texan defensive menace spent playing for Boston.

From his clutch plays to save games to the time he spent connecting with locals through charitable work or just being friendly, Smart was missed mightily by Boston fans who came to pay tribute to his near-decade with the team.

Check it out above!

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

[lawrence-auto-related count=1 category=590969556]

Marcus Smart reiterates wish he’d been warned before trade to the Memphis Grizzlies

The former Celtics floor general holds no ill will towards Boston, however.

Breaking up is never easy, but former Boston Celtics point guard Marcus Smart wishes he’d had a bit more warning that he was to be dealt to the Memphis Grizzlies in the summer of 2023. “I understand business and I understand this business, and I tell people to this day if it was me, I would make the same business decision as well,” said Smart to the media in his first return to TD Garden as a member of the Grizzlies’ roster.

“All I ask was that they could have given me a heads-up or just a simple, ‘Hey, being here nine years, we just want to let you know this is what’s going on,’ he related. “Perfect.”

“At the end of the day I’m a businessman as well,” explained the Flower Mound native. “So that’s what it was, (that’s where) the hurt really came from.”

Even with the trade coming seemingly out of nowhere for Smart, the Oklahoma State alum holds no grudges towards his old team. “There’s no ill will towards the organization, towards my teammates, towards the coaching staff,” he said.

“I love everybody, and I’m thankful to have had an opportunity to play with those guys.”

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

[lawrence-auto-related count=1 category=590969556]

On Marcus Smart’s emotional homecoming to TD Garden, Boston Celtics

It is not often that a 40-point blowout is something of an afterthought for the Boston Celtics.

It is not often that a 40-point blowout is something of an afterthought for the Boston Celtics. But the real focus in the Celtics’ recent 131-91 win vs. the Memphis Grizzlies at TD Garden was the return of former Boston floor general Marcus Smart to the arena for the first time as a member of the opposing ball club.

His video tribute was more than up to snuff, with nary a dry eye to be seen on the court for either fan base. The crowd reaction was loving and loud, exactly the hat tip that the Flower Mound native had earned in his nine seasons of service with the Celtics organization and the greater Boston community.

The latter got Smart the “Heroes Among Us” award, and he more than deserved it.

To talk it over, the hosts of the CLNS Media “How Bout Them Celtics!” podcast sat down on a recent episode to cover all things Smarticus in the Garden. Check it out above!

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

[lawrence-auto-related count=1 category=590969556]

Reacting to Marcus Smart’s Boston Celtics tribute

It was truly a night for the history books.

Memphis Grizzlies veteran point guard Marcus Smart, after nine seasons with the Boston Celtics and being the focal point of a pivotal trade that brought star big man Kristaps Porzingis to Boston from the Washington Wizards, was celebrated during his return to TD Garden this past Sunday.

In the tilt’s second quarter, he received the “Hero Among Us” award for his charitable work in Boston, and a heartfelt video tribute played in the contest’s first quarter. Following his emotional return, CLNS Media reporters Bobby Manning and Josue Pavon discussed the events of the evening, including the NBA-leading Celtics’ dominant 131-91 win against the Grizzlies, who were missing 13 key players due to injuries. Yes, really — 13. Rookie wing Jordan Walsh also scored his first NBA points in emphatic fashion.

To get the eagle-eyed view of how the big return for Smart went as well as that of the game, check out the clip embedded below.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

[lawrence-auto-related count=1 category=590969556]

Why Marcus Smart will be cheering on the Boston Celtics in the 2024 NBA postseason

“As much as I think I deserve it, they deserve it as much as well,” said Smart.

Even though he will not be along for the ride for the first time in his career, Marcus Smart will be cheering on the Boston Celtics. Traded to the Memphis Grizzlies after failing to help Boston get over the hump and back to the NBA finals, one would not blame the Flower Mound native if he held a grudge towards his former team.

But speaking to the media after his first return to TD Garden as a member of the Grizzlies roster, Smart let it be known that it was all love. “When you come that close, and then you have to leave (the team you did it with), anybody in this position … it would be hard to try to wrap your head around it,” said Smart.

“But at the end of the day … it doesn’t stop how I feel about those guys.”

“And just as much as I think I deserve it, they deserve it as much as well,” he explained. “So that’s why I say I am ecstatic for those guys, because they work just as hard, and they deserve it just as much as I do.”

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

[lawrence-auto-related count=1 category=590969556]