Tag: marcus smart

Marcus Smart showed love by Boston Celtics fans after his tribute video

You almost had to be reminded that there was a game going on.

You almost had to be reminded that there was a game going on when former Boston Celtics floor general Marcus Smart received a tribute video for the near-decade he spent playing for the Celtics. Now with the Memphis Grizzlies but sitting on the sideline with an injured finger, the Flower Mound native was very clearly moved by his tribute from the Celtics organization.

But it was the fans that really made the moment a special one, with exceptionally vocal adulation emanating from the crowd throughout and a spontaneous chant of “We love Marcus!” erupting from the stands as the tribute video ended.

It was a fitting honor for the man that by many accounts laid the defensive foundation the team still leans on heavily today.

To see that moment of support from his former fan base, check out the clip from ESPN embedded above.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

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

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

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

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Marcus Smart returns to Boston, Celtics dominate Grizzlies 131-91

The Celtics played a tribute video that had the Garden rapt and not at all dry-eyed, and rookie forward Jordan Walsh put up his first NBA points.

While Marcus Smart likely would have preferred to get the win in his first return to TD Garden to face the Boston Celtics as a member of the Memphis Grizzlies, knowing his competitive nature. But even though the Griz lost in a 40-point blowout, it was as much of a love fest having the Flower Mound native back in the building.

The Celtics played a tribute video that had the Garden rapt and not at all dry-eyed, and rookie forward Jordan Walsh put up his first NBA points with an emphatic dunk in a game he got extended run due to the blowout nature of the game. All in all, it was the return Smart deserved, and his fans made that very clear.

NBC Sports Boston’s Chris Forsberg, Brian Scalabrine and Amina Smith took some time to talk about the momentous night for Boston fans and Smart.

Check it out in the clip embedded above!

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

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

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

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

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Celtics drop Grizzlies 131-91 as Marcus Smart makes first return to Boston

Boston ran away with a win over Memphis during Marcus Smart’s first trip back to the Hub.

The Boston Celtics took care of business against the depleted Memphis Grizzlies Sunday afternoon, cruising to a 131-91 victory. With the win, the Celtics move to 23-3 at home and 38-12 on the season.

The gameplay itself took a backseat, however. Not only are the Grizzlies dealing with injuries up and down the roster, but the game marked the first trip back to Boston for Marcus Smart since the fan-favorite was traded in the 2023 offseason. Smart was honored with a tribute video during a timeout in the first quarter, and took home the night’s “Hero Among Us” Award.

It was an emotional night and an easy win for Boston. Here’s what you may have missed from a 131-91 Celtics victory over the Grizzlies.

Celtics celebrate Marcus Smart with tribute video during return to Boston

The Celtics celebrated Marcus Smart with tribute video during his return to Boston Sunday evening.

The Boston Celtics welcomed Marcus Smart back to TD Garden Sunday afternoon, his first trip to the Hub since being traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2023 offseason. It made for an emotional evening, with plenty of happy memories.

Smart spent his first nine seasons as a pro with the Celtics, and usually when a player makes a return such as this, teams celebrate with a highlight reel. This time was no exception, and Boston put together a tribute video featuring some of Smart’s best moments in Celtic green. It’s a collection of charges, blocks, dives, and big shots.

You can enjoy the moment for yourself, courtesy of NBC Sports Boston on YouTube.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

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

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

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

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Marcus Smart on relationship with Celtics fans: ‘They watched me become a man’

Marcus Smart spoke pregame about his time as a Celtic and his relationship with the city of Boston.

Marcus Smart spent his first nine seasons as a pro as a member of the Boston Celtics organization before being traded to the Memphis Grizzlies this past offseason. Sunday afternoon saw Smart make his first trip to Boston as an opponent.

Smart is dealing with a finger injury, and did not suit up for the game. Still, the Flower Mound native addressed the media in a special press conference beforehand. He spoke about his relationship with the city and what his experiences in Celtic green mean to him. Smart explained how his time in the Hub shaped who he has become as a person.

“Boston is a second home for me.” Smart said.

Marcus Smart to earn ‘Hero Among Us’ honors in return to TD Garden

During his return to Boston, Marcus Smart will be honored with a “Hero Among Us” Award.

Marcus Smart’s return to Boston is a celebration of much more than basketball. During his nine seasons as a member of the Boston Celtics, Smart made a lasting impact on those in need in the community far away from the basketball court. Ahead of Sunday afternoon’s matchup between the Celtics and Memphis Grizzlies, the team announced Smart would appropriately be  named the game’s “Hero Among Us.”

Since 1997, the Celtics organization has honored outstanding individuals in the greater New England area who have helped or aided the lives of others. Smart’s long list of charitable efforts in the region during his time in Boston made him a worthy recipient of the recognition.

In a press release before the game, the Celtics announced Smart would be honored as the “Hero Among Us” for the night “for being as relentless in his support for New England as he was on the Parquet.”

Marcus Smart set to make an emotional return to TD Garden

It figures that Marcus Smart would be out injured for his first visit back to TD Garden.

It figures that Marcus Smart would be out injured for his first visit back to TD Garden to play the Boston Celtics after having been dealt to the Memphis Grizzlies over the last offseason. He forged a career in the city playing with a reckless abandon that has been a double-edged sword in how it’s made him an impenetrable barrier on defense — but also out hurt more than we’d like.

The Flower Mound native makes his return to the Garden this Sunday, and emotions will certainly be running high. And we know Smart can influence a game even from the bench. Could there be a secondhand Smarticus revenge game coming?

The hosts of the CLNS Media “How Bout Them Celtics!” podcast weighed in on the reunion game on a recent episode.

Check it out in the clip above!

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

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

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

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

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Boston’s Joe Mazzulla credits Marcus Smart for Celtics’ defensive foundation

“When you see a guard have an impact on the game at so many levels the way he did, I think that’s what started it,” said Mazzulla.

Memphis Grizzlies point guard Marcus Smart may not be a part of the Boston Celtics anymore, but his fingerprints are all over how the current team plays. After a recent Celtics practice, Boston head coach Joe Mazzulla shared how Smart helped change the DNA of the Celtics via CLNS Media.

“I think he’s one of the guys that started our defensive foundation before I got here because of his ability to compete at a high level, to defend at a high level and execute different coverages,” said Mazzulla. “For him to win Defensive Player of the Year, he was the first guard since Gary Payton, it’s always been a big to do it.”

“So, when you see a guard have an impact on the game at so many levels the way he did, I think that’s what started it,” he added.

The Flower Mound native will make his first return to Boston as the Memphis Grizzlies play the Celtics this Sunday evening.

Smart will be on the sidelines nursing a finger injury back to health, but it’s a safe bet his presence will have an impact on all in attendance given the indelible mark he has left on this city.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

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

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

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

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What is your favorite Marcus Smart memory with the Boston Celtics?

Smart returns to TD Garden for the first time as a Grizzly.

Former Boston Celtics floor general Marcus Smart makes his return to TD Garden for the first time tonight after the Celtics traded him to the Memphis Grizzlies during the NBA’s 2023 offseason. Despite the fact that the Flower Mound native will not play in the game due to a finger injury he has been dealing with for a little while now, he will be in the building, and it is all but certain to be an emotional affair for all involved.

Will it be a potential trap game for the Celtics? How will they honor Smart’s time in Boston? And can the Celtics get the stink of losing to an undermanned Los Angeles Lakers squad at home off vs. the Griz without being disrespectful to Marcus?

CLNS Media reporters Bobby Manning and Josue Pavon gave a preview at Boston’s practice the day before and shared their favorite Smart memory on a recent episode of the “Garden Report” podcast.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

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

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

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

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Our favorite Marcus Smart moments before his return to Boston

The unbelievable comebacks, the improbable plays, and moments that will melt your heart are all there for the telling.

While he won’t be suiting up for his new ball club, former Boston Celtics veteran floor general Marcus Smart will be making his first return to TD Garden as a member of the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday.

With that return, old memories are all but certain to come flooding back, so NBC Sports’ Chris Forsberg took some time on a recent episode of the “Celtics Talk” podcast to recall some of our favorite Marcus Smart memories of his time with the Celtics. A number of current Celtics players and coaches join in, giving us a unique window into the Flower Mound native’s time in Boston with the team.

The unbelievable comebacks, the improbable plays, and moments that will melt your heart are all there for the telling, and if you had not heard them all, or just want to hear them again, 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

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