BOSTON — There are few opposing players around the league who earn cheers in TD Garden. In fact, most receive the opposite. Boston Celtics fans are some of the most ruthless in the league. From Kyrie Irving to LeBron James to Joel Embiid, boos often rain down louder than any applause. But in a few select instances, opposing players walk into the court to a flurry of adoration. Marcus Smart is, and always will be, one of those players.
Smart was traded from the Memphis Grizzlies to the Washington Wizards at the trade deadline. During pre-game warm-ups before the Celtics’ game against the Wizards on Sunday night, TD Garden put Smart on the jumbotron. The crowd immediately erupted with applause.
Since joining the Wizards, Smart, alongside fellow deadlin addition Khris Middleton, have vastly helped Washington improve their level of play.
Celtics fan favorite Marcus Smart has been great for Wizards
As a playmaker, defensive anchor, and vocal leader, Smart has made a huge impact on a very young Wizards squad.
“Obviously, thrilled to have him on our team,” Washington head coach Brian Keefe said before the game on Sunday night. “As you guys know here in this town, what he meant to the City of Boston. Tremendous leader, tremendous player, just the knowledge that he has in the game, the amount of experience he's been able to pass on to our guys. He's been terrific.”
With Smart in the lineup this season, the Wizards have gone 5-10 (.333). That may not seem like much, but without him, they are 12-52 (.193) on the year.
Washington has the youngest roster in the NBA, with an average age of 23.6. Having a guy like Smart gives them someone to guide their young stars.
“He's kind of embraced everybody,” Keefe said. “Obviously, we have some youth on our team, so our guys have gravitated to him. He's gravitated towards them. He came to play, and he's shown what he's capable of, and then he's been able to just, like I said, the experiences he's had and the situations he's been in, share that knowledge. I would say all of our guys have benefited from that.”
Throughout this time in the NBA, Smart has consistently been lauded as one of the most vocal guys around the league. His leadership has been so invaluable that the Grizzlies traded multiple first-round picks to bring him on board just a couple of years ago.
Although that deal didn’t work out, he’s now in a new situation, eager to aid the development of a young and hungry Washington team.
When he was in Boston, Smart was the captain. There was no official title, and Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown were the best players, but his leadership was undeniable. Everyone on the team respected Smart, and it was painfully clear the type of impact he was able to make.
Now, the Wizards get the chance to see the impact Smart can have as a leader on and off the court.