3 Boston Celtics players that have earned their spots on roster in 2022-23

Boston Celtics player No. 3) Marcus Smart

Coming into the season, and even during the first few months of it, Marcus Smart‘s future with the Boston Celtics was viewed as a bit uncertain.

Despite the fact that he has proven himself to be one of the team’s most impactful core players– especially on the defensive side of the ball–throughout his tenure in eastern Massachusetts, leading into 2021-22 there was quite a bit of noise circulating that suggested the combo guard could be used as a matching contract in a deal to help better fill out the roster around the Jays.

In fact, this buzz was so prevalent that, even up to this year’s trade deadline, the idea of seeing the 2x All-Defensive Team selection being moved remained quite a real possibility.

However, February 10th ultimately came and went, and, in the end, Smart remained a member of the shamrocks.

Fans, front office members, and all others associated with the franchise should be absolutely thrilled that this wound up being the case, for, during the team’s second-half surge, the veteran has been an absolute revelation.

Since returning from an ankle injury that sidelined him for six straight games in late January, Smart has found himself putting up 13.4 points, 6.3 assists, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game on an incredibly efficient 47 percent shooting from the floor and 38 percent shooting from deep.

During this 23-game span, the Boston Celtics are 19-4, with one of these losses coming when the point guard was seen sidelined.

Marcus Smart has arguably been the most underrated player during Boston’s midseason turnaround and, with him leading the charge at the one and performing the way that he has on both sides of the ball, this team is a legitimate title contender, be it for this season as well as for the many to come.