The Boston Celtics have three All-Stars on their roster from the past two years. Jaylen Brown was a first-time All-Star in 2021, Jayson Tatum played in his second All-NBA exhibition this past March, and Kemba Walker was an All-Star last February before his knee injuries forced him out of too much action to qualify this season.
In the mind of Los Angeles Lakers head coach Frank Vogel, the Cs should have a fourth on their roster.
The fourth being none other than the missing piece of the Team Shamrock puzzle, Marcus Smart.
Following the Laker loss to Boston last night, Vogel heaped some impressive praise on the former Defensive Player of the Year:
Lakers coach Frank Vogel says of Marcus Smart: "He’s an All-Star-caliber player in my mind."
— Taylor Snow (@taylorcsnow) April 16, 2021
Smart had a balanced effort on Thursday night, scoring 15 points, to go along with six rebounds and four assists in the 121-113 win.
That seems like a realistic best-case season for the former Oklahoma State Cowboy, and whether or not that would get him on the All-Star team, Vogel feels strongly enough from watching his team lose up close and personal to come away with that.
Smart hasn’t been around all season, and his absence led to an up-and-down run that saw Boston fall below .500 time and again. With “Team Shamrock” seemingly healthy and finally gelling, the Celtics may not have a losing record again after improving to 30-26.
The #4 seed is within reach, and matchups against the Golden State Warriors and Chicago Bulls over the weekend could lead to a seven-game win-streak by the end of it.
If the Cs continue this upward trajectory and take it into next season, Smart could be due for a career-year with a big payday on the line. Boston Celtics fans would want nothing more than for Smart to ascend to third-star status and banner #18 to follow.