We sold our soul...

     




    Number 36 of the Boston Celtics a lottery pick in the 2014 NBA draft class. Marcus Smart out of Oklahoma state university was picked 6th overall in the NBA Draft selected by the Boston Celtics. Marcus was a raw talent that was for sure but no one could deny the grit he brought to the Boston Celtics. And what he brought to the city! Marcus Smart was more than a player on the Boston Celtics he was  the face of the Boston Celtics. 

    When looking back to what the likes of Red Auerbach looked in a player and what it meant to play with Celtic pride Marcus Smart knew what it meant and he embodied it better than anybody in his tenure. Not only was Smart an approachable face and player for young fans new to the team or that had grown with him as a fan you could see him develop his game each and every year.

    Smart started as a defensive player that really just brought more hustle than any player on the floor. This brought attachment to the majority of fans of the Boston Celtics because while Marcus Smart was definitely not the most talented player on the floor he hustled harder than anybody. WHich of course pushed the narrative hard work beats talent.

    Not only was it just the hustle this player grew with us as the fans got older Marcus got older and I mean I guess were all getting very old now... The kid was drafted in 2014 were here in 2023 and you can see how he developed from a hustle guy. To a defensive guy, he grew his game to become a 3 and D player. Marcus became the defensive player of the year, Marcus Smart was the quarterbacking point guard with top defensive assignments for the Boston Celtics. 36 could guard 1 through 5 and I don't just mean any players in the positions 1 through 5 I mean the greatest of players in these positions 1 through 5. Smart could lock up Stephen Curry, Devin Booker, Lebron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo and even Joel Embiid just to name a few. This kid could take any defensive assignment on any player in the league neutralize them, without fouling and limit their point production significantly. Marcus thrived in the defensive identity Boston Celtics of 2022 and even won the defensive player of the year. 

    Yes this player is gone... the player we grew up with is gone, it looked like the Celtics would have been able to get the deal done for Kristaps Porzingis done without Marcus Smart, a deal including Malcom Brogdon, Danillo Gallinari Mike Muscala and draft assets would have been perfect for this team. On paper it definitely looks like the Celtics won this trade they sold high on Marcus Smart, they turned one of they're scoring guards into front court depth and when healthy one of the best shooting young big men in the league. But what it does to the fans and the players is a huge hit, it most definitely was a gutsy move by Brad Stevens...

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